Raj Ampat

We are planning a trip to Raj Ampat next year and am looking for recommendations from divers who have been to Mansuar and Misool. Which island did you like the best? Also looking for recommendations on a live aboard that you can highly recommend. thanks for the information. Any other travel tips will be greatly appreciated.

Bette

Luxury liveaboards:

7 Seas : Starting to show her age but the boat and crew are top notch. Top notch dive guide in Tommy but the ratio of guides to divers is low (1 to 6 divers). Can feel crowded if full @ 16 pax! Front 2 cabins aren't the most comfy! (Note I've never stayed in them myself but had feedback from my peeps on various charters)

Damai 1 & 2: Smaller and more luxurious, Damai 2 can be a bit top heavy. Better guide to diver ratio (1:4)

Arenui: Newer boat. Great crew.

Middle/low range:

Grand Komodo: The only Phinisi with a rear "dive deck". Budget but great crew.

Shakti: Only boat that stays in R4 all year around. Shared bathrooms and simple accommodations but Dave knows sites no one else knows about.

In Misool, try the Misool Eco Resort. Sits on the premiere sites on Misool and can reliably dive it till you're blue in the face or purple from exposure!

There are a few resorts now in Norther R4. Raja Ampat Dive Resort just opened 4 mths ago. R4 Dive lodge is run by Grand Komodo. Then there's Kri and Sorido run by Max Ammer, one of the pioneers. However, only at his resorts can you NOT dive on Saturdays due to religious reasons.

My order:

1) Arenui

2) Damai

3) Seven Seas

4) Dewi Nusantara

5) Pindito

Drew, I believe the Amira also has a rear dive deck. There are 30 other boats, but this is my short list, mostly on the higher end.

Then there's Kri and Sorido run by Max Ammer, one of the pioneers. However, only at his resorts can you NOT dive on Saturdays due to religious reasons.

That was a bit odd but to be fair you can dive unguided off the jetty during the day and diving starts again at sundown so you can still get in a night dive. You just have to ask them to fill some tanks for you and they leave them for you on the jetty on Friday.

Most people transfer on a Sunday anyway so Sat is can be your 24h no fly day anyway.

Sharon

Mermaid Liveaboards run a very good operation. Steel boats with lots of room. Mermaid 1 takes 15 divers and mermaid 2 takes 20 divers. Mermaid 1 has more room overall. The eating area and dive deck on mermaid 1 are bigger. But i have been on both boats numerous times and enjoyed both. I have been on mermaid 1 four times and mermaid 2 twice. Mermaid 1 runs longer trips. There is one guide per two buddy teams. Diveguide is not there to babysit. They find critters for you to photograph as well as the critters you find.

Sharon is correct regarding diving on saturdays at either Kri Eco Resort or Sordio Bay Resort on Kri.

Hope to see you on Kri one day.

Ross

www.papua-diving.com

Ross:Thank you for the wonderful description of the diving. we have determined that we will be coming to Kri Eco Resort next year. We are looking at Sept or Oct and so far there will be eight of us. If you can recommend a travel agent to book flights and travel we would greatly appreciate it. Bette

Bettewarn@gmail.com

Ross:Thank you for the wonderful description of the diving. we have determined that we will be coming to Kri Eco Resort next year. We are looking at Sept or Oct and so far there will be eight of us. If you can recommend a travel agent to book flights and travel we would greatly appreciate it. Bette

Bettewarn@gmail.com

I am also looking forward to diving with papua-diving, couple of friends came back with great reports.

Right now I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that direct flights from Davao (Philippines) to Manado (Indonesia) will start soon.

At the moment we would have to fly in a BIG circle from Taipei to Jakarta (5 hours) and then fly back from Jakarta to Sorong (7 hours).

With the Davao-Mando flights we can go: Taipei-Manila-Davao-Manado-Sarong (more stopovers, but a potential BIG savings in travel time):

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/01...-be-opened.html

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2012/...o-manado-route/

BTW...I have emailed ALL the airlines and the travel agency mentioned in those reports, and not a single ones has replied. So, I am starting to have some doubt if this will actually happen.

There are many resorts opening in Raja Ampat right now, as well as homestays.

I have been talking with www.rajaampatbiodiversity.com and they seem to be very professional!

I will go there on September and then I can tell you how it was.

Thanks for your reply. I look forward to hearing of your experience there. Hope you trip is fantastic! Bette

Ross:Thank you for the wonderful description of the diving. we have determined that we will be coming to Kri Eco Resort next year. We are looking at Sept or Oct and so far there will be eight of us. If you can recommend a travel agent to book flights and travel we would greatly appreciate it. Bette

Bettewarn@gmail.com

Hi Bette,

Thats great news. I have passed on your email address to Julia our marketing manager. She will contact you today.

See you on Kri!

I am also looking forward to diving with papua-diving, couple of friends came back with great reports.

 

Right now I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that direct flights from Davao (Philippines) to Manado (Indonesia) will start soon.

 

At the moment we would have to fly in a BIG circle from Taipei to Jakarta (5 hours) and then fly back from Jakarta to Sorong (7 hours).

 

With the Davao-Mando flights we can go: Taipei-Manila-Davao-Manado-Sarong (more stopovers, but a potential BIG savings in travel time):

 

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/01...-be-opened.html

 

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2012/...o-manado-route/

 

BTW...I have emailed ALL the airlines and the travel agency mentioned in those reports, and not a single ones has replied. So, I am starting to have some doubt if this will actually happen.

Hi John,

Great. Yes lets hope they re-open that connection, because currently it's a real head ache for you guys. Fingers and toes crossed.

If you need anymore info please email Julia at marketing@papua-diving.com.

Hope to be diving with you some day.

Cheers

Ross