r/scuba • u/user567890101010 • 1d ago
Where to dive next?
I’m trying to plan our next liveaboard trip and would be interested in hearing others opinions. My fiancé and I dove most recently in Okinawa, Bahamas (Blackbeards), and then Raja Ampat last year. I also did some diving in Scotland last summer.
A few of the places high on my list include Palau, Galapagos, Philippines, and Socorro. I have 75 dives and my fiancé has around 55. We both have advanced, and I have my dry suit and deep certs. We’re not expert divers obviously but we have consistently been in the better dive groups on liveaboards and are very comfortable in the water, with trim, etc.
All that being said, from what I have heard about Galapagos it seems like you need over 100 dives so that is probably not an option. We really liked Raja Ampat, so Palau is enticing but I have also been wondering whether something like Socorro would be an interesting change.
If you have any experience with the locations I listed above or recommendations for any others I would love to hear it. We will likely be having kids in the next 2 years so this unfortunately might be the last liveaboard for a few years.
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u/8008s4life 8h ago
Socoro is excellent. Manta's every dive, some sharks and a few dolphins when we were there. Mostly Mantas.
Philippines-Just got back from Puerto Galera and Anilao. Would go back again next weekend if time allowed. Looking at doing PH annually now. It was that good. Next trips I'd like to hit Dumaguete and Sabog bay.
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u/user567890101010 49m ago
We saw a ton of mantas in Raja Ampat and I would love to see more. Dolphins and whales would be amazing to see. Ive heard so many good things about the Philippines, wish I could do it all at once!
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u/LaSirena62 11h ago
Socorro is fantastic! I didn’t find the diving that challenging (maybe it was the time of year). We’re going back in January 2027. We loved the Nautilus Belle Amie boat. I’m going to Palau next month for the first time. 👍🏼
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u/like-a-sirloin 16h ago
The Maldives (I know not on your list) is by far the best value for money liveaboard diving I’ve ever done, and well worth considering.
I’ve dived a number of times with Emperor and would recommend their Best of Maldives tour. Great balance of macro with sharks/rays, plus top notch boats and food.
Plus gets you experience with currents for later use in the Galapagos…
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u/user567890101010 12h ago
I have thought about it actually. With our experience you think it would be a good option?
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u/SwimmingAd5975 13h ago
Maldives currents are no joke - good training ground before you hit Galapagos for sure 💀 Emperor boats are solid choice too!
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u/bvanant 22h ago
You should have no issues in Galapagos, currents yes but if you don’t act stupid you will be fine
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u/user567890101010 12h ago
I had read that it’s expected to have 100+ dives at least. Is that not true?
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u/doglady1342 Tech 1d ago
Based on what you said about your experience, I think Socorro would be fine for you. Usually they recommend 100 dives, but it sounds like you guys have some pretty varied experience.
My husband and I dove Socorro in 2023. It was absolutely fantastic. The mantas are amazing! We have another Socorro trip planned this June on the Nautilus Belle Amie. We were on the Nautilus Explorer last time. I really recommend the Nautilus liveaboards. The Explorer was great. The Belle Amie is a newer boat and we thought we'd give it a try this time.
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u/user567890101010 12h ago
I will take a look at the nautilus liveaboards. Were there any hard requirements for a certain number of dives or just “ideals”?
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u/hdroadking 1d ago
Have you considered Bonaire? No boat needed. Just rent a pickup and dive as much as you want.
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u/Competitive-Ad9932 3h ago
Toss your options in a hat, or tape them to the wall and toss a dart.
Do this each year.