I haven't seen this thread in here yet but figured there had to be some fellow enthusiasts on Fchat. In order of preference: 1) Galapagos 2) CoCos 3) Maldives 4) Red Sea 5) Palau After going to CoCos about ten years ago, I've become more of an adrenaline junkie so my top picks tend to be places where you can see the big stuff, pelagics, etc... sardine run in S.A. is on my to do list as is Socorro.
favorite I've been hands down the maldives. beyond beautiful. Also been to the red sea, didn't scuba much due to an ear infection at the time, but didn't like the water temps either. Think I went in May which may have had to do with the chilly water temps (but decent once you're in). Lived in the Caribbean (Curacao) for a few years and diving there was nice, but not as good as some other places in the caribbean.
I haven't Scuba dived in 20 years, but always had great dives when i did. Cairns, Boston (great sealife like lobsters right off shore!), St. Petersburg (manatee & caves), Key West, and Puerto Rico.
Saba. Did a Winair day trip from St. Barts. Amazing landing and takeoff in a Twin Otter. Island is a seamount...drop down 120 ft or so and look over the edge...it just goes down and down and down... Wonderful, unmolested coral. "Alleys" of volcanic rock ringing the island with sand bottoms. Great topography. Worth the effort. Can probably do daytrip from St Martin.
I hear the Great Barrier Reef is to die for. On my hit list. Cozumel is pretty neat and close. Sink down, neutralize, and let the current carry you. Crazy down times. Cancun's cenotes are epic. I did Gulf of Mexico Flower Gardens hoping to see migrating Hammerheads in season but didn't see squat. They are supposed to have seasonal Manta ray migrations and whale migrations too.
If your into the big stuff and want a rush, the best diving is east coast. North Carolina you will be in 100' diving wreck alley, surrounded by 10-14' sand tigers Need more excitement, Tiger Beach. push 16' tiger sharks away from you while keeping the lemons at bay resting on your lap... Good stuff
The wreck of the Royal Mail ship who's name I can't remember in the British Virgin Islands. The front half is about 50'-60'. The rear half (complete with ceramic tiles in the galley) is at about 100'. *Nothing* grows on ceramic tile. A great dive. Cheers, Ian
Maldives were amazing…would love to go back but next time, I want to explore the far southern islands/atolls. Hear you on Red Sea but if you go later in the summer (like August), water is like a warm bathtub. Been to the GBR twice…absolutely beautiful but other places I would prefer to go if I’m traveling that far just for scuba. Cozumel is a great spot and very easy for us Texans. Flower Gardens are pretty easy as well but I’ve actually never seen the schooling mantas and hammerheads. Think they say Feb is hammerhead time? Little Cayman is probably some of the best diving in the Caribbean… Wreck of the Rhone?
I've read about NC but just never had it on my list...is there a good/ideal time of year? have family out there now so likely visit more frequently. Tiger Beach is definitely something up my alley. I definitely like the sound of that!
Nobody mentioned Belize....amazing...but quite expensive (I was in Key Kaulker). Cheapest place to go diving Utila (Honduras) but still not bad.
Amazing no one has mentioned Indonesia which has the greatest marine biodiversity in the world. KOmodo/Raja Ampat, some of the best diving in the world.
Yes. You can rent extra tanks for people with no license if you bareboat. Or so I have heard. They used it as the ship for the Movie; The Deep. Can any red blooded man forget Jacqueline Bisset and her floatation devices ?
Palau-Great Japanese WW2 wrecks, giant clams everywhere, big sea life plentiful and beautiful and unusual Rock Islands Tahiti-great shark diving Second on Belize-dive the blue hole DIVE BELIZE, The Great Blue Hole, Ambergris Caye, Belize, Diving in the Caribbean Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
For the big stuff, Galapagos like you said. Hundreds of dolphin & hammerheads, (18 whale sharks in two days off Wolf Island) giant ocean sunfish, and just about everything else imaginable - as long as it's the right time of the year. Phuket also nice. For pure relaxation and great scenery, COZ.
That's me...head out to Florida panhandle for some cave time! Jackson Blue Peacock Springs Little Rivers Cow Springs Eagles Nest Wife is not to crazy about it....especially when I told her it's better than getting lost in the ocean, at least my body will come out eventually!
Belize was fantastic Cozumel was great I enjoy sea of Cortez for big critters. Giant manta rays, whale sharks , hammerheads This shot I took in Cozumel Image Unavailable, Please Login
A couple of recent little dives, but good stuff, in the Philippines. First was the wreak of the USS New York, sister ship to the Maine, scuttled in the beginning of WW2, in Subic Bay. It is complete, guns props etc still there. Sides blown open so easy to swim through and good light. A very large warship. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_New_York_(ACR-2) Second, the whale sharks at Oslob on Cebu Island. 50 minutes up close and personal-amazing creatures. Much better than the crowded surface swim.
