Anyone have experience of the SMY Ondina?

Our club (Free Flow Divers, Singapore) has been offered some places on the Ondina for an Alor Straits cruise starting in Maumere bay. Sounds impressive, but we have no experience of this boat or the operators.

Ondina Webpage

Anyone know them or dived with them? Cheers, Nick

Our club (Free Flow Divers, Singapore) has been offered some places on the Ondina for an Alor Straits cruise starting in Maumere bay. Sounds impressive, but we have no experience of this boat or the operators.

 

Ondina Webpage

 

Anyone know them or dived with them? Cheers, Nick

Nick,

I've been on Ondina twice before, and it's a great boat. In fact, I'm going on it again next May, and it'll only be the third boat I've ever gone on three times! I HIGHLY recommend it!

Ondina is owned by a group of three Spanish guys, one of which is actually on the boat running it most of the time. They have perhaps the most efficient dive set-up of any boat I've ever been on - the crew carry your BC/tank from the gear room to the tenders before dives, and back up again afterwards. They also put someone in the water to check currents before dives to make sure you're diving the right place/current times, and are very attentive. The camera table is ample, and they take great care handling your camera gear.

That's a great recommendation Bruce, many thanks (you don't have shares with these guys do you ? )

That's a great recommendation Bruce, many thanks (you don't have shares with these guys do you ? )

Nope - just a satisfied customer! BTW, you might want to type "Ondina" into the Search function. I'm guessing you'll see lots of posts/threads with info and feedback on it.

I have won Antibes, and 1 of the prices is a free trip on the Ondina and i will be on there boat in Oktober, going from Ambon to Sorong.

I will let you guys now how it was in 2 months :-)

Thanks Bruce - good idea, and I've already got a couple of private messages that are also positive. Sounds like a winner. Brumpy, looks like you will have a great time too. Thanks all!

Thanks Bruce - good idea, and I've already got a couple of private messages that are also positive. Sounds like a winner. Brumpy, looks like you will have a great time too. Thanks all!

I'm going to be on Ondina for the fifth time in May. Was on the boat a few months ago. Obviously, I like the boat! If you search wetpixel, I think you'll find more information as well.

Mike

I have won Antibes, and 1 of the prices is a free trip on the Ondina and i will be on there boat in Oktober, going from Ambon to Sorong.

I will let you guys now how it was in 2 months :-)

I did a twelve day trip on Ondina from Ambon to Sorong in May. If it helps whet your appetite, you can see pictures here:

http://mikeoelrich.net/Indo0507

Mike

It´s a great boat. We did a 12 day trip between Maumere and Sorong and absolutely loved it. In fact, last sunday we arrived from a Sulawesi Aggressor and I have to say it was very disappointing diving-wise, only the dives at Lembeh strait were what expected. Next time I will go back to the real Indonesia in a knowingly boat like the Ondina...

Good luck!!!