Honeymoon advice for Palawan

Phuket/Phi Phi versus Palawan would be worlds apart, in terms of the experience. Phuket, for example, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in SE Asia (so, highly developed tourist infrastructure) - yeah, it's still in Thailand, but it's "the Cancun of Thailand" (so expect hyper-developed tourist facilities). Palawan would be much more of an "adventure," so you'll want to be sure you're both ready for that.

Have you (or your spouse) ever been to that part of the world? Just wondering how either of you might react to the whole "developing world" experience where there are a lot of "rough edges" one typically experiences or at least is exposed to. I know some people love that, others do not do well with it.

I like to dive but shes never been

Does she have any interest? If so, she's got plenty of time to get certified before you go. Have you considered that? Makes for a nicer/more inclusive trip if you have that in common (rather than one feeling left out). Just something to consider.

Any other recommendations for a honeymoon trip to SE Asia that might be better suited for what we want to do?

Yes. Bali. Hard to top that for a honeymoon destination.

(And they have great diving, too - just get away from the over-touristy SE corner of the island, ie around Kuta.)

I’ve been to around 35 countries and lived in the Caribbean for a while for work. I’ve been to Bangkok, China, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Never anywhere else in SE Asia. That was around 10 years ago though so I don’t remember much of it. I did enjoy Thailand a lot though.

She’s never been anywhere except Barbados.

She unfortunately doesn’t have any interest in diving so it would probably be one of the activities I listed as common water sports.

I’ve heard good things about Thailand and Bali but I thought Bali was destroyed by the typhoon. I always wanted to go to Bali.

If she's never been anywhere other than Barbados, you might want to be a bit less adventurous - your original plan traipsing through the Philippines could drag her through some experiences that at least look/feel a little more sketchy than she might be comfortable with (this depends on her tolerance for that, of course).

Bali was not "destroyed by the typhoon" (although I'm sure parts of it were hit hard). It's not a small island. It's a pretty special place - feels very, very exotic (it is) but is "easy" and accessible even to inexperienced tourists. I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't love it as a honeymoon spot.

Thailand is great too, of course, and also feels exotic. Either would be a good choice.

Just be aware that for many Americans, a first trip to Asia can come with a bit of culture shock. That said, both Bali and Thailand do feel very culturally exotic, but are also pretty easy for travelers (as long as they're a bit adventurous, understand they're not going to a Holiday Inn in Orlando, so some familiar things will be quite different, and they're OK with that).

Too bad she's not into diving. Maybe she will come around eventually - I find that exposing someone to great snorkeling in crystal clear warm tropical waters with a healthy marine environment sometimes prompts snorkelers to wish they could go deeper, so maybe you can encourage her to keep an open mind (but don't push it).

Thanks for the advice so far.

Suggestions for Bali ? As you mentioned its a large island so some insights about places to start doing research on would be helpful.

She thinks she really wants to go to Palawan but she doesn't really have a clue of what to expect. Shes from a small country village in Ohio. So you are correct in it might be too much for her. I suggested Bali before but she came back with Palawan but I'm sure that was based on mainly pictures and activities and not the real logistics of making the trip. I would be fine with any of these places. They are all on my bucket list so I'm trying to balance everything and make it enjoyable for her as well.

On Bali, we loved the far NW corner - Menjangan. The Mimpi Resort in Menjangan was heavenly - we got upgraded to one of the suites with a private, natural hot springs soaking pool, which was wonderful. The diving there was quite good. It's been some years since we were there but it's a place we dream of returning to someday.

We also liked the area around Tulamben - which looks like it is currently closed due to volcano troubles (volcanic activity has messed with a couple of our trips to Indonesia - I'd still go back any chance I got). Really great diving there, too, including some easy wrecks. The whole north coast is beautiful, and not over-touristed.

We also enjoyed the east coast of the island, around Candi Dasa (incredible diving at the nearby island of Nusa Penida - I encountered Mola Mola aka Ocean Sunfish there, freaky-looking, awkward-swimming things the size of refrigerators...quite bizarre).

By all means, if you go to Bali, include Ubud - peaceful, tranquil, beautiful (just watch out for the monkeys). Very relaxing.

Personally, I was turned off by the walled-off tourist resorts around Kuta, which are popular with foreigners who just want a beach and don't want to mix with the rest of the island. That's where most foreigners go. The island has plenty of charms all over. Don't drive there - it's easy to hire someone to take you wherever you want to go.

We did tour A and were pleased. We stayed at the Nest El Nido and were pleased. The ocean view and the pool were amazing. Nothing outside of the hotel to see.