What location is at its best in April/May?

Hi All.

Looking to book a May 2010 (or maybe April) dive trip, but I got burned going at shoulder season last time, so I'm trying to start with locations that are at their high season in that timeframe and narrow from there.

Here's where I've already been:

Lembeh

Raja Ampat

Cocos

Socorros

Palau (but I was new, so maybe worth doing again with camera?)

Yap

Thailand

So Cal

Burma

I pretty much loved all those, but (at least as of right now), I don't shoot much wide angle.

My only other preference is for balmy sunshiny days and sauna like water. Those aren't strictly required, but I'm not going diving in Alaska, for example. ;-)

I like liveaboards better than shore based but have enjoyed both.

What places should I consider?

I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Thanks!

April and May are high season in the Philippines. I was in Dauin (outside Dumaguete City) this year for May and it was spectacular for Macro. Anilao and Tubbataha should also be great that time of year.

Not much in it but I thought it was March for the best for the Phillipines?

Pretty tight window as I recall it when I looked into going.

Did you do the Similans in Thailand, thats a high then, went last year in April on the Junk..awesome!

...what about Galapagos? not sure to be honest but worth looking into!

Thanks, Gravity and Woodster. Philippines might be fun. I don't know about Galapagos - not really in a big animal mood this year. :-) Course, who knows what mood I'll be in by 2010!!!!!

Late May/early June was great for Bali. Technically before the start of the high season, but I have no idea why... it was GREAT this year.

April/May is Whale Shark season at Gladden Spit of the coast of Placencia, Belize.

Went on this trip 2 years ago :

Placencia is a great laid back little town (not your typical Belize tourist destination).

The diving was amazing, although Whale Shark dives are Blue dives...There are a number a good reef dives available too.

Whale Shark encounters are close to garanteed, in addition to chances of dolphins, bull sharks...

Access to the Gladden Spit Marine preserve is limited in order to not disrupt the Whale Sharks too much who come to feed during Snapper Spawning season. So a full day trip to the preserve may result in waiting on the reef for 1hr of diving in the morning and 1hr in the afternoon.

But it is well worth it.

I stayed at the Beautiful Turtle Inn (Francis ford Coppola's resort), pricey but great place.

Maldives is always a good bet too.

April/May is a good season for Mantas and Whale Sharks I beleive.

There are good Liveaboards to choose from, alternatively the Veligandu island resort is a good place with proximity to a great Schooling Hammerheads Shark dive, and a good house reef only a short swin away.

Let me know if you need more details on any of these.

Papua New Guinea!!! If you like macro, dive Milne Bay...

Papua New Guinea!!! If you like macro, dive Milne Bay...

Thanks All!