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2007: SD Members Destinations Wish List


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#31 scubafanatic

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Posted 17 October 2006 - 09:12 AM

Hey girl...we will certainly check it out! Thanks! Kamala



DAN has some info on the Aussie requirements. Also check the Undercurrent Archives.

2007 trips......I want to go to PNG. That's my vote! Thailand or Maldives come in second!

I would be very interested to go to PNG or the Maldives if it is in feb or march...let me know...


...unfortunately, it is my understanding that the Maldives are pretty much destroyed from a scuba diving viewpoint.....they suffered severe damage from an El Nino warming episode a few years ago, then were impacted by the 12/2004 tidal wave.....I read a recent report somewhere, I think it was at Rodales Scuba Diving, indicating very poor diving, as well as similiar reports in Undercurrent magazine.....I would recommend you do some serious research on the Maldives prior to planning a very expensive trip all the way out there.

Karl

#32 Lady Liz

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Posted 18 October 2006 - 07:14 AM

Hey girl...we will certainly check it out! Thanks! Kamala



DAN has some info on the Aussie requirements. Also check the Undercurrent Archives.

2007 trips......I want to go to PNG. That's my vote! Thailand or Maldives come in second!

I would be very interested to go to PNG or the Maldives if it is in feb or march...let me know...


...unfortunately, it is my understanding that the Maldives are pretty much destroyed from a scuba diving viewpoint.....they suffered severe damage from an El Nino warming episode a few years ago, then were impacted by the 12/2004 tidal wave.....I read a recent report somewhere, I think it was at Rodales Scuba Diving, indicating very poor diving, as well as similiar reports in Undercurrent magazine.....I would recommend you do some serious research on the Maldives prior to planning a very expensive trip all the way out there.

Karl

Thanks for the info Karl, probably Thailand is still recovering from the tidal wave too...that leaves me with PNG or any other place in the Pacific or Indian ocean...
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#33 secretsea18

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Posted 22 October 2006 - 07:41 AM

Hey girl...we will certainly check it out! Thanks! Kamala



DAN has some info on the Aussie requirements. Also check the Undercurrent Archives.

2007 trips......I want to go to PNG. That's my vote! Thailand or Maldives come in second!

I would be very interested to go to PNG or the Maldives if it is in feb or march...let me know...


...unfortunately, it is my understanding that the Maldives are pretty much destroyed from a scuba diving viewpoint.....they suffered severe damage from an El Nino warming episode a few years ago, then were impacted by the 12/2004 tidal wave.....I read a recent report somewhere, I think it was at Rodales Scuba Diving, indicating very poor diving, as well as similiar reports in Undercurrent magazine.....I would recommend you do some serious research on the Maldives prior to planning a very expensive trip all the way out there.

Karl

Thanks for the info Karl, probably Thailand is still recovering from the tidal wave too...that leaves me with PNG or any other place in the Pacific or Indian ocean...





Actually, Thailand is just fine according to my research. I happened to look at the Fantasea website (Ocean Rover) last night to look at the offered trips for 2008, specifically Andaman Island trips. I have taken a trip on Fantasea in the past and I am certain that they would not endanger their excellent reputation by posting deceitful information on their website about the quality of the diving. The tsunami damage was way overblown by the media and totally misquoted. They address the issue of the tsunami and indicate that the sites where they dive are essentially the same as before, except for one or two divesites. The best places are still intact.

As for reports about the Maldives ... yes ... the hard coral had a severe bleaching with significant die off a couple of years ago. Friends of mine who have been there recently say the coral has made a miraculous recovery and the mantas and large pelagics are still just the same. Basically that it is still a great location to dive. Don't forget, that Palau was also significantly affected by the same event, and there seems to be strong desire to still dive there, even with the bleaching.

After being in Fiji 7 months after the bleaching in 2000, I am somewhat reluctant to dive to places with "recent" episodes of bleaching, but not after several years have gone past.

That said, I dived in Banda Neira, Indonesia on a divesite that had experienced a lava flow, you can even see the junction of the lava and the old reef, just 15 years earlier. The amount of hard coral in the lava flow area was phenomenal with table corals 10-15 feet across, even bigger than on the nonflow part of the reef. Some hard corals recover from complete destruction fast and others are slower, but there is always recovery in otherwise non polluted water.

Just my 2 cents.

Robin

#34 jimboj53

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Posted 22 October 2006 - 03:16 PM

Hawaii!!! Don't know which island is better (maybe Alicat can help with that part).

Scott

The Big Island, off the Kona coast is best, must do the Night Manta Dive....
jimboj53

#35 Dejah

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Posted 23 October 2006 - 09:13 PM

How about the Domincan Republic? I've seen online they have some beautiful dive sites and it's not overly expensive to stay there.

Dejah

#36 Reefish

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Posted 29 October 2006 - 05:13 PM

Hey girl...we will certainly check it out! Thanks! Kamala



DAN has some info on the Aussie requirements. Also check the Undercurrent Archives.

2007 trips......I want to go to PNG. That's my vote! Thailand or Maldives come in second!

I would be very interested to go to PNG or the Maldives if it is in feb or march...let me know...


...unfortunately, it is my understanding that the Maldives are pretty much destroyed from a scuba diving viewpoint.....they suffered severe damage from an El Nino warming episode a few years ago, then were impacted by the 12/2004 tidal wave.....I read a recent report somewhere, I think it was at Rodales Scuba Diving, indicating very poor diving, as well as similiar reports in Undercurrent magazine.....I would recommend you do some serious research on the Maldives prior to planning a very expensive trip all the way out there.

Karl

Thanks for the info Karl, probably Thailand is still recovering from the tidal wave too...that leaves me with PNG or any other place in the Pacific or Indian ocean...



#37 secretsea18

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Posted 01 November 2006 - 10:47 PM

Hey girl...we will certainly check it out! Thanks! Kamala



DAN has some info on the Aussie requirements. Also check the Undercurrent Archives.

2007 trips......I want to go to PNG. That's my vote! Thailand or Maldives come in second!

I would be very interested to go to PNG or the Maldives if it is in feb or march...let me know...


...unfortunately, it is my understanding that the Maldives are pretty much destroyed from a scuba diving viewpoint.....they suffered severe damage from an El Nino warming episode a few years ago, then were impacted by the 12/2004 tidal wave.....I read a recent report somewhere, I think it was at Rodales Scuba Diving, indicating very poor diving, as well as similiar reports in Undercurrent magazine.....I would recommend you do some serious research on the Maldives prior to planning a very expensive trip all the way out there.

Karl

Thanks for the info Karl, probably Thailand is still recovering from the tidal wave too...that leaves me with PNG or any other place in the Pacific or Indian ocean...


The information listed above is not entirely correct. If you are interested in Maldives or Thailand. I suggest researching it yourself to learn about the most up to date information.

I know people who have gone to both destinations and rave about the maring life. Do a search and see for yourself.

PS The AOL website just listed PNG as one of the most dangerous destinations to visit. I agree it is dangerous, but not if you follow specific information to keep yourself safe.... like STAY out of PORT MORESBY and get to your final destination ASAP!!!

Robin

#38 Travelgal

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Posted 02 November 2006 - 10:38 AM

For anyone wanting to dive Indonesia or Banda Sea South Sulawesi I highly recommend Wakatobi (www.wakatobi.com) It is a fabulous resort and the best house reef I have seen. I was there in August during a full moon week and the diving was superb! They may have a booth at DEMA so check it out or request a promotional video via their website. There is a great video of a pygmy seahorse giving birth on the video that is amazing! Paula
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#39 ScubaGary

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Posted 29 November 2006 - 11:14 PM

Hey girl...we will certainly check it out! Thanks! Kamala



DAN has some info on the Aussie requirements. Also check the Undercurrent Archives.

2007 trips......I want to go to PNG. That's my vote! Thailand or Maldives come in second!

I would be very interested to go to PNG or the Maldives if it is in feb or march...let me know...


...unfortunately, it is my understanding that the Maldives are pretty much destroyed from a scuba diving viewpoint.....they suffered severe damage from an El Nino warming episode a few years ago, then were impacted by the 12/2004 tidal wave.....I read a recent report somewhere, I think it was at Rodales Scuba Diving, indicating very poor diving, as well as similiar reports in Undercurrent magazine.....I would recommend you do some serious research on the Maldives prior to planning a very expensive trip all the way out there.

Karl

Thanks for the info Karl, probably Thailand is still recovering from the tidal wave too...that leaves me with PNG or any other place in the Pacific or Indian ocean...


The information listed above is not entirely correct. If you are interested in Maldives or Thailand. I suggest researching it yourself to learn about the most up to date information.

I know people who have gone to both destinations and rave about the maring life. Do a search and see for yourself.

PS The AOL website just listed PNG as one of the most dangerous destinations to visit. I agree it is dangerous, but not if you follow specific information to keep yourself safe.... like STAY out of PORT MORESBY and get to your final destination ASAP!!!

Robin


I was in PNG in 2001. Dove out of Alotau on Mike Ball’s Paridise Sport. One of the best liveaboards I have been on and some of the best diving that I have done.

Alotau is not one of the garden spots of the world. However, we did wander around with lots of people on the street and went the market without incident. We never felt in any danger.

At the end of our week of diving, the Mike Ball crew took us to the airport in early afternoon to catch our flight to Port Moresby with a connecting flight back to Cairns, Australia. They were also supposed to pick up the guest for the next week’s trip.

Unforunately, the flight out of Port Moresby was cancelled and it was the last flight of the day. While there was a flight to Port Moresby the next morning, it was Sunday and there were not flight from Port Moresby to Cairns until Monday morning.

We now had two problems. First, where would we spend the night in Alotau and second what would we do when we got to Port Moresby. The Mike Ball crew was great. First, they gave us a choice of taking us to a hotel? to spend the night or taking us back to the boat. In Alotau, a Motel 6 would be a six star hotel so we opted to spend the night on the boat. Normally, they want people off the boat so that they get it ready for the next week’s trip and we were very grateful to be allowed to spend the night there. They also don’t cook on Saturday nights but they also fed us.

We also needed our flight reservation changed and hotel reservations to overnight in Port Moresby. The crew took care of all of that. Kudos to Mike Ball crew for the way above and beyond the call of duty service they provided. Needless to say I would dive with them again in an instant. (OK, enough Mike Ball commercial and back to PNG).

Port Moresby is an interesting experience. We also had read that you didn’t want to wander around the city. When we arrived at the hotel the first thing that we noticed was that not only were there 10 foot high walls around the perimeter but on top of the walls was razor wire. No guard towers with machines but there was a certain institutional ambiance to the property.

There was a convenience store across the street and considering how inconvenienced we were feeling we decided to go buy some snacks. The guard at the entrance to the parking area, who was wearing a sidearm, suggested that we not go just across the street. It was the middle of the afternoon in broad daylight so we ignored his advice and fortunately without penalty. However, the guards attitude is an indication that how safe Port Moresby apparently isn’t.

We did want to do some sightseeing and asked the front desk clerk about grabbing a cab. He arranged for the cab and cautioned us about getting into just any cab.

Port Moresby is similar to many other third world cites, although it didn’t have as many American fast food places as some cities I have been in. The cab drove us around the city for a couple of hours. The highlight was a hill with nice views of the harbor and coastline. I don’t remember anything else of note.

Bottom line is we didn’t have any problems in Port Moresby. However, we were careful about what we did and did not wander around unescorted. In my opinion the best thing to see in Port Moresby is the inside of the airport terminal.

gary
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#40 BoomhowerSpeaks

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Posted 18 December 2006 - 10:31 AM

I don't know how difficult it is to get there as a civilian, but I was stationed on the Kwajelian Atoll for a couple of months, and I would love to dive the lagoon there, it has WW2 planes, freighters with cargo still aboard when they were sunk, to warships that were sunk in battle, there's not much to do landside, but it is a beautiful and pleasant place to spend some time.

#41 WreckWench

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Posted 18 December 2006 - 12:37 PM

For anyone wanting to dive Indonesia or Banda Sea South Sulawesi I highly recommend Wakatobi (www.wakatobi.com) It is a fabulous resort and the best house reef I have seen. I was there in August during a full moon week and the diving was superb! They may have a booth at DEMA so check it out or request a promotional video via their website. There is a great video of a pygmy seahorse giving birth on the video that is amazing! Paula


Wakatobi is great and we are planning an SD trip there in Oct of 2008! Dates for 2007 are all but booked so we are already working on 2008 for a good date! -ww

Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
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#42 scubagalpal

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Posted 30 January 2007 - 08:39 AM

For anyone wanting to dive Indonesia or Banda Sea South Sulawesi I highly recommend Wakatobi (www.wakatobi.com) It is a fabulous resort and the best house reef I have seen. I was there in August during a full moon week and the diving was superb! They may have a booth at DEMA so check it out or request a promotional video via their website. There is a great video of a pygmy seahorse giving birth on the video that is amazing! Paula


Wakatobi is great and we are planning an SD trip there in Oct of 2008! Dates for 2007 are all but booked so we are already working on 2008 for a good date! -ww



Count me in for this one. This destination is high on my wish list! :cool1: :D

#43 WreckWench

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Posted 30 January 2007 - 08:44 AM

For anyone wanting to dive Indonesia or Banda Sea South Sulawesi I highly recommend Wakatobi (www.wakatobi.com) It is a fabulous resort and the best house reef I have seen. I was there in August during a full moon week and the diving was superb! They may have a booth at DEMA so check it out or request a promotional video via their website. There is a great video of a pygmy seahorse giving birth on the video that is amazing! Paula


Wakatobi is great and we are planning an SD trip there in Oct of 2008! Dates for 2007 are all but booked so we are already working on 2008 for a good date! -ww



Count me in for this one. This destination is high on my wish list! :cool1: :D



The date is in Oct of 2008! Click here for more discussion on 2008 trips. -ww

Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
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2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
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710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#44 angelfish93

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Posted 11 February 2007 - 11:13 AM

Tahiti-specifically Bora Bora and Moreea,is my dream diving trip.Mantas,dolphins and sharks and turqoise clear waters.It's quite expensive so a group trip would make it more affordable.

#45 PerroneFord

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Posted 11 February 2007 - 01:14 PM

Has there ever been a Great Lakes trip? Maybe to Thunder Bay Marine Preserve? I'd be very interested in that come the summer or fall.




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