Tropical Trip...need rec

[dg3147]

Looking at going on tropical vaction and need some recomendations for a good place to learn diving and see some awesome colorful corals. The GF wants a place to get boozy and have some great food. Ideally looking for easy flights form LAX (such as one long flight and a puddle hopper).

Ideas so far:
Bora Bora
Maldives (con is 10 flight, then 4 hour connection. Also not sure about diving quality)
Bali
Other ideas?

We will both need to learn how to dive on the trip. Is 7 days enough?

 

[indyjaco]

Maldives is a long long flight. When I looked from Indy it was about 35 hours of trip time vs 17 to 20 for the south pacific.

I would think Fiji or the Tahiti area would be good for your LA location.

 

[somosomo]

definitely Fiji

 

[ace_92101]

If you can, do youre classroom work before you leave. That way, all you have to do is youre check out dives. It can be a vacation thats alot more relaxed.

I haven't been to Tahiti, but it's definitely on my bucket list. The nonstop 9 hour flight is an advantage. Both Bali and the Philippines have very good to world class diving. In addition, there're definitely party locations in both spots. They can both be very cheap! In Thailand, both Phuket and Koh Phi Phi have good diving and lots of bars and restaurants. Great Thai seafood. It'll be a two stop trip, as I don't believe there're anymore non stop flights to Bali. I loved Fiji. The island I was on was fairly slow and laid back. Suva had a fair amount going on.

A couple of other options. Cairns, Australia is the base for the Great Barrier Reef. Dive sites are a bit far, but of course worth it. It's a fun town, with lots of cheap restaurants and bars. My last one would be out of the box. Sharm el Sheik, Egypt. If you're ok with Egypt, its a one stop flight from LAX. World class diving and lots of party locations. Europeans and especially Russians are still visiting. As for seven days, remember not only trail time but you'll loose 2 days without diving (dive/fly rule).

 

[Stylaster]

I recommend Fiji also, been there once and going back again in about a month. I would recommend the coral coast area or yasawa islands

 

[r-balljunkie]

i was just in boracay, Philippines.

connect thru manila, direct flight from west coast. 50 minute flight from MNL.

70+ dive shops on this island. you wont have a problem finding a class for open water.....

 

[Capt.B]

Agreed with getting your classroom/studying/written tests done before you go, if possible.