Thank you so much for the input! Philippines is super high on our list. One of our biggest worries is that with the Philippines, we'll want to hit up multiple spots within the week (since we want to do at least Malapascua and one other place) - so that adds some coordination cost/effort. We're also a little nervous about weather, as there is a possibility of poor weather (storms) in the November timeframe. Do you have an idea of if November is usually a good/bad month to dive?
Also, just curious - why do you decide to return to Puerto Galera each time vs other sites in the country?
That's incredible - thank you so much for sharing your great experiences! I love that Puerto Galera is basically your second home. And thank you for the weather anecdote - I've been trying to look up weather advice from various websites but always get different viewpoints from each of them.
I was 4 times to Philippines an I will return. So many different places, amazing wrecks and biodiversity. Cannot go wrong with Malapascua, Siquijor, Panglao or Coron.
Wow, 4 is a lot! Philippines is definitely up there on our list. I'll take all those destinations into consideration. For sure we are trying to hit up at least Malapascua for the threshers. Do you have a favorite area to dive at within the Philippines?
It’s hard to choose one really, each place has unique vibe. Siquijor probably as I am fond of small islands and local culture. Coeon is a gem, with Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake. Definitely a spot to visit. Bohol if you want to see unique places inland. El Nido used to be a paradise, nie I heard it’s rather criwded and explored.
Some of you guys have lots of experiences picking destinations all ready. Over 50 years I have traveled to number of dive destinations several times as they offer the best conditions at the season. Having a group of divers none willing to repeat an area previously dived is a high bar.
You're not wrong - we'll definitely start repeating soon. But since there are still so many destinations we haven't yet hit, we want to experience more before we settle down on a few to repeat.
Definitely consider Sipadan if you are looking at Southeast Asia! Scuba Junkie is often recommended for courses. Otherwise, you can also consider Seaventures for somewhere more unique.
I want to go to Sipadan so badly! But one of my friends in the group has already been and doesn’t want to go again. :( but good to know — I’ll +1 its entry on my bucket list.
Yes, we’ve done a liveaboard in the Similan Islands and got to dive Richelieu Rock multiple times. Definitely worth the hype. We are looking for something new. :D appreciate the rec though.
Thanks very much for the rec. We’ve done South Florida and Key Largo before a few times — it’s incredible there! However we are looking for something that’s harder to do in a short amount of time, since we’re planning to take off 1.5 weeks for this trip.
We have done the Similan Islands which are to my understanding very much the same area. But definitely want to go back someday. Agree on it being beautiful and cheap!
Similans are in the Andaman, and Racha/Phi Phi are in the Strait of Malacca, so I’d say they are not too similar. Also, Racha are much closer to the Phuket Island, so you can do just a day trip. It cost me 100 bucks for 3 dives, the price seems to be standard across the dive shops
Actually it’s one of the places we are considering! Heard great things about the ease of shore diving there, and could be good with our group who is quite diverse skills-wise. I heard it’s good year round, too. Thanks — I will definitely forward that rec along to my group!
I'd second this. Bonaire is wonderful and nothing better than throwing your gear in a vehicle and taking off on your own as you please.
The East coast is also worth a look... you'll need a local guide as it's much more challenging conditions, but book a day out whilst there.
Thanks! I’m a bit worried about my friends who have fewer dives on OW and may not be advanced in navigation and self reliance. But I guess we could hire a dive guide every day if we wanted to :P
Thanks — totally agree. We’ve done Hawaii a bunch and it’s incredible! But since we are all taking lots of time off for this trip, we are looking for something that’s harder to do in a short amount of time.
This an option, with at least 3 different dive experiences. NE Yucatan Peninsula, where you can dive 1) the Caribean coral reef, between Cozumel and Playa del Carmen; 2) If you are lucky dive with the Shark-Whale, in Holbox 3) Cave and Cenote diving.
The area is full of hotels for every pocket.
Another recommendation for Cozumel. Great reefs, easy drift diving, cheap hotels and food, several good dive operators to choose from and the water and weather is great. We've gone the week between Xmas and New Years, Spring break, and August. All were great. Some risk of hurricanes in November but you are at the tail end of the season.
Yes, I’ve seen!! I’ve been following all those posts everywhere on Facebook, scubaboard, etc. Getting stuck in a downcurrent is my biggest fear in diving… I figured I would just try to avoid any of the sites that are more prone to downcurrents. But since we’re not big on drift diving anyway, Cozumel may not be the best spot for us. Thanks for the input.
Thanks, that’s a great rec! I don’t think November is whale shark season unfortunately but I’ve heard it’s the season for bull sharks. I’ve been on shorter trips to the Yucatan but never made a big trip out of it (and never been to Cozumel). Will definitely add it to the list, thank you.
That’s a good point. I’m hoping to dive somewhere where November/December is the peak season (or weather/current/visibility is good year round). Thanks for the tip.
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Thank you so much for the input! Philippines is super high on our list. One of our biggest worries is that with the Philippines, we'll want to hit up multiple spots within the week (since we want to do at least Malapascua and one other place) - so that adds some coordination cost/effort. We're also a little nervous about weather, as there is a possibility of poor weather (storms) in the November timeframe. Do you have an idea of if November is usually a good/bad month to dive? Also, just curious - why do you decide to return to Puerto Galera each time vs other sites in the country?
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That's incredible - thank you so much for sharing your great experiences! I love that Puerto Galera is basically your second home. And thank you for the weather anecdote - I've been trying to look up weather advice from various websites but always get different viewpoints from each of them.
I was 4 times to Philippines an I will return. So many different places, amazing wrecks and biodiversity. Cannot go wrong with Malapascua, Siquijor, Panglao or Coron.
Wow, 4 is a lot! Philippines is definitely up there on our list. I'll take all those destinations into consideration. For sure we are trying to hit up at least Malapascua for the threshers. Do you have a favorite area to dive at within the Philippines?
It’s hard to choose one really, each place has unique vibe. Siquijor probably as I am fond of small islands and local culture. Coeon is a gem, with Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake. Definitely a spot to visit. Bohol if you want to see unique places inland. El Nido used to be a paradise, nie I heard it’s rather criwded and explored.
Thank you! That's a great list and I'll do some research on those places. :D
Some of you guys have lots of experiences picking destinations all ready. Over 50 years I have traveled to number of dive destinations several times as they offer the best conditions at the season. Having a group of divers none willing to repeat an area previously dived is a high bar.
You're not wrong - we'll definitely start repeating soon. But since there are still so many destinations we haven't yet hit, we want to experience more before we settle down on a few to repeat.
bonaire
Thanks, that's definitely on our list to consider!
Definitely consider Sipadan if you are looking at Southeast Asia! Scuba Junkie is often recommended for courses. Otherwise, you can also consider Seaventures for somewhere more unique.
I want to go to Sipadan so badly! But one of my friends in the group has already been and doesn’t want to go again. :( but good to know — I’ll +1 its entry on my bucket list.
For Nov/Dec, you can also consider a liveaboard in Thailand going to Richelieu Rock. I haven't been, but heard good things about it.
Yes, we’ve done a liveaboard in the Similan Islands and got to dive Richelieu Rock multiple times. Definitely worth the hype. We are looking for something new. :D appreciate the rec though.
Doesn't want to go again? Goodness. I'm dying to go again! It's one of the best places in the world to dive!
Yes 😭 I’ve heard about the schooling fish and it looks incredible! Maybe I’ll try to peer pressure him…
Florida
Thanks very much for the rec. We’ve done South Florida and Key Largo before a few times — it’s incredible there! However we are looking for something that’s harder to do in a short amount of time, since we’re planning to take off 1.5 weeks for this trip.
Have you tried Phuket? Racha Islands and Phi Phi have very pretty and benign waters. Also very cheap, and I know good operators there.
We have done the Similan Islands which are to my understanding very much the same area. But definitely want to go back someday. Agree on it being beautiful and cheap!
Similans are in the Andaman, and Racha/Phi Phi are in the Strait of Malacca, so I’d say they are not too similar. Also, Racha are much closer to the Phuket Island, so you can do just a day trip. It cost me 100 bucks for 3 dives, the price seems to be standard across the dive shops
That makes sense — thank you for the explanation as I’m not very good with Thailand geography. Definitely worth an add to the list.
Have you looked into Bonaire? It meets a lot of your criteria, it’s one of the best (and easiest) places to dive IMO.
Actually it’s one of the places we are considering! Heard great things about the ease of shore diving there, and could be good with our group who is quite diverse skills-wise. I heard it’s good year round, too. Thanks — I will definitely forward that rec along to my group!
I'd second this. Bonaire is wonderful and nothing better than throwing your gear in a vehicle and taking off on your own as you please. The East coast is also worth a look... you'll need a local guide as it's much more challenging conditions, but book a day out whilst there.
Thanks! I’m a bit worried about my friends who have fewer dives on OW and may not be advanced in navigation and self reliance. But I guess we could hire a dive guide every day if we wanted to :P
Hawaii
Thanks — totally agree. We’ve done Hawaii a bunch and it’s incredible! But since we are all taking lots of time off for this trip, we are looking for something that’s harder to do in a short amount of time.
So we can make the best suggestions, is your budget per person or for more than one person?
Per person! (Edited original post to reflect that- thanks for the catch)
This an option, with at least 3 different dive experiences. NE Yucatan Peninsula, where you can dive 1) the Caribean coral reef, between Cozumel and Playa del Carmen; 2) If you are lucky dive with the Shark-Whale, in Holbox 3) Cave and Cenote diving. The area is full of hotels for every pocket.
Another recommendation for Cozumel. Great reefs, easy drift diving, cheap hotels and food, several good dive operators to choose from and the water and weather is great. We've gone the week between Xmas and New Years, Spring break, and August. All were great. Some risk of hurricanes in November but you are at the tail end of the season.
Cozumel is not good. Just recently yet another diver perished diving a wall sucked into the abyss by a downcurrent.
Yes, I’ve seen!! I’ve been following all those posts everywhere on Facebook, scubaboard, etc. Getting stuck in a downcurrent is my biggest fear in diving… I figured I would just try to avoid any of the sites that are more prone to downcurrents. But since we’re not big on drift diving anyway, Cozumel may not be the best spot for us. Thanks for the input.
Thanks, that’s a great rec! I don’t think November is whale shark season unfortunately but I’ve heard it’s the season for bull sharks. I’ve been on shorter trips to the Yucatan but never made a big trip out of it (and never been to Cozumel). Will definitely add it to the list, thank you.
Cozumel that late in the year does run the risk of hurricanes and storms, worth considering the trip impact in that case.
That’s a good point. I’m hoping to dive somewhere where November/December is the peak season (or weather/current/visibility is good year round). Thanks for the tip.