Hey gang...need your input. We are doing Truk and Palau for Spring of 2011 and I have a chance to get a primetime whalesharks date for Galapagos or our favorite vendor will be adding Maldives to their itinerary and we could do that instead.
Both are larger ticket trips...trips of a lifetime...but Maldives will be a lower price than Galapagos. Let me know your input so I can decide soon!
Galapagos or Maldives?
Started by
WreckWench
, Feb 10 2010 02:35 AM
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22 replies to this topic
#1
WreckWench
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Posted 10 February 2010 - 02:35 AM
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#2
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Posted 10 February 2010 - 04:50 AM
Maldives, Maldives, Maldives!
#3
ArtRunScuba
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Posted 10 February 2010 - 06:15 AM
I have done both, so I actually doubt that either would be my first choice now as I have a few locales remaining to dive, though both are great. While the Galapagos liveaboard would be more expensive, the airfare and the length of the trip would be much better (though Singapore Air and Emirates Air sure beat the American versions of flying). I did not see one single whale shark when I dove the Manthiri in the Maldives in late November 2004, but I say many huge whale sharks and much more when I dove Galapagos in November 2009. of course, the main divemaster on the boat tried to encourage me to become a Muslim and be able to have four Maldivean wives. Culturally both have lots to offer, though not so much at either site. Ecuador as a country is great as are surrounding countries. If you go to Maldives, Sri Lanka and India are very close, though I almost died or lost a leg from a venomous bite in the distant jungles of Sri Lanka. Also with the Maldives, there are lots of other great dive locations not far away. In my case, after the Manthiri and my two weeks in Sri Lanka, I did the incomparable Wakatobi for 11 days and Bali for 3 weeks, including 17 dives on a dive and cultural safari of the magical island. But I understand from reading the Truk/Palau thread that a lot of the members have jobs that prevent my type of "muy loco" travel. 
#4
weescot
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Posted 10 February 2010 - 07:42 AM
Kamala, Sue and I went to the Maldives end of last year (Ocean Dancer) and I am afraid to say I was dissapointed. Although an incredibly beautiful place, essentially it is overpriced and over rated dive wise.
There are whalesharks in one particular area (Radhigha Thila I think...), but we did three dives and some of us only saw a distant glimpse of one although I fully accept seeing these majestic creatures is hit or miss. The rest of the diving was so so - viz vairiable, currents strong at atol channel entrances and marine life OK. Nothing wow. I will go back to the maldives of course, as it is local diving for me and it is absolutely gorgeous there. Personally, I'd look East... For your buck and travel time you are far better off going to the Coral triangle. I'd go back to Wakatobi, but of course it is mainly macro. how about Komodo? That takes a lot of beating... it has everything.
There are whalesharks in one particular area (Radhigha Thila I think...), but we did three dives and some of us only saw a distant glimpse of one although I fully accept seeing these majestic creatures is hit or miss. The rest of the diving was so so - viz vairiable, currents strong at atol channel entrances and marine life OK. Nothing wow. I will go back to the maldives of course, as it is local diving for me and it is absolutely gorgeous there. Personally, I'd look East... For your buck and travel time you are far better off going to the Coral triangle. I'd go back to Wakatobi, but of course it is mainly macro. how about Komodo? That takes a lot of beating... it has everything.
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#5
WreckWench
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Posted 10 February 2010 - 01:56 PM
Any other feedback? k
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
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!
Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906
#6
uwphotoer
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Posted 10 February 2010 - 03:08 PM
Maldives would be nice, but I have been to neither there or the Galapagos....... but I'm going to Raja Ampat in May...... I'll let ya know how it goes.
Underwater Photographer <°))))<....°.°.°.°.
#7
Rumblebee
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Posted 10 February 2010 - 04:05 PM
Socorros! Wait, never mind...that wasn't one of the options! 
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. (Mark Twain)
#8
georoc01
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Posted 10 February 2010 - 05:33 PM
I still want to do Galapagos, but if I'm doing Truk/Palau, I can't do both.
Maybe 2012?
Maybe 2012?
#9
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Posted 11 February 2010 - 07:57 AM
Hi Kamala. I have already been to Galapagos and I have to say it was the best dive experience in my 27 years of diving! I would certainly go again.
Why work when you can dive?
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#10
uwfan
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Posted 11 February 2010 - 09:40 PM
Since you are talking "fall" rather than that certain two week window at the end of December...it's highly unlikely I'd have an opportunity to join on either. If at some point either were scheduled for a teacher-friendly time period, I'd be interested in either but especially Maldives.
#11
WreckWench
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Posted 11 February 2010 - 10:16 PM
The choice for Galapagos is fall due to PRIME WHALESHARK season!
Not sure prime Maldives season but can check on that.
Not sure prime Maldives season but can check on that.
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
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!
Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906
#12
sparky103
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Posted 11 February 2010 - 10:34 PM
Heard Maldives were good (before reading these reports) 
What about Phuket ??
Jeff
What about Phuket ??
Jeff
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#13
rkymtwy
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Posted 12 February 2010 - 11:34 AM
I would vote for Galapagos. Not sure I could make the trip but would definitely try.
#14
Divegirl412
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Posted 13 February 2010 - 07:11 AM
Socorros! Wait, never mind...that wasn't one of the options!
LOL. Yes, Socorros would be great. Seriously though, I would consider any of the three, although I have also heard that for the money, Maldives diving is overrated. Looks like a beautiful spot for romance though
. I have NEVER heard anyone say the Galapagos was overrated.. and as you remember I missed the last trip. So my vote is for Galapagos.... since you did not offer the Socorros islands.
#15
georoc01
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Posted 13 February 2010 - 10:32 AM
Socorros! Wait, never mind...that wasn't one of the options!
LOL. Yes, Socorros would be great. Seriously though, I would consider any of the three, although I have also heard that for the money, Maldives diving is overrated. Looks like a beautiful spot for romance though
The big positive of Socorros is that airfare to Cabo is dirt cheap compared to these other trips. But that isn't a choice here. Maybe 2012?
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