RAJA AMPAT EXPLORER

34m / 112ft MAX 14 PADI

PRICE PER DAY FROM USD 258

LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE SPECIAL OFFERS APPLY

At a glance:

Specialises in liveaboard diving in Raja Ampat
Economy dive trips for small groups
All cabins have ensuite bathrooms
Maximum of just 14 guests per trip

The Raja Ampat Explorer is 33.5m long liveaboard that specialises in economy diving cruises in Raja Ampat. It operates 10 night trips all year round that explore the entire region of this incredible marine park in West Papua.

Up to just 14 guests can be accommodated on board in 7 en-suite cabins. The low number of guests is great to avoid 'diver traffic' underwater and for plenty of personalised service from the crew of 9. The Raja Ampat Explorer features an air-conditioned saloon/dining area with entertainment facilities such as TV, CD / DVD Player, a small library, satelite telephone, and a sun deck with awning, chairs and mats for those who prefer to relax outdoors.

Diving is conducted from 2 x 8-man motorised tenders with 40 HP engines. The dive deck features dive stations and an outdoor shower. The saloon has a dedicated camera and charging station. Liveaboard cruises on the locally-owned Raja Ampat Explorer mean that the incredible sites of Raja Ampat are now open to more scuba divers, since the affordable prices make it possible for many more travellers to experience this wonderful region. Each trip includes hiking opportunities and land visits to a lagoon and view points, and can be combined with a land-based dive package at the operator's local resort.

The Raja Ampat Explorer has 7 cabins with en-suite private bathrooms on the lower deck - 5 with twin beds, and 2 with a double bed.

All the cabins have:

Individual control air-conditioning
Portholes (lower deck) or windows (upper deck)
Toilet, hot water shower and hand basin
Soap, bath and beach towel
Bedside reading lights

Daily housekeeping
Bedside table, cabinet, shelves and mirror
Bedding
Round 2-pin (European) mains outlet 110/220 Volts - 24 hours per day
Fire warning system, extinguishers and life jackets

No. of bathrooms / showers - 7 / 7 - hot water

Raja Ampat National Park (11 Days / 10 Nights - 34 Dives)

Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat - Misool: Boo Window, Nudi Rock, Tank Rock, Goa Farondi and Magic Mountain, Wayil, Barracuda Rock, Fam and Penemu: Melissa's Garden, Galaxy Reef, Wayag, Kawe, Ju Island, Yanggefo: Mayhem, Citrus Ridge, Gam, Mansuar island, Sawandarek Jetty, Cape Kri, Friwen Reef, Blue Magic, Mioskon. Includes hiking, lagoon visit, and viewpoint.

Day 1
The boat crew will be waiting outside the arrivals hall at Sorong airport, they will escort you to the Raja Ampat Explorer liveaboard in the harbour. After a 15 minute ride you will be onboard the vessel, cabin allocation and ship orientation will take place before departure. Use this time to familiarise yourself with the facilities, then set up your dive gear in readiness for the diving tomorrow and make yourself comfortable. Lunch and dinner will be served while heading towards Misool, when you can get to know the crew and the divers better; it's roughly a 12 hour journey.

Days 2-10
Located in the epicentre of the Coral Triangle, Raja Ampat is considered the most diverse marine region in the world and many experienced divers say it’s the best destination on the planet. These spectacular islands are a remote area where the variety and health of corals, fish and other marine creatures is staggering - both large and small. Endemic wobbegongs, epaulette sharks, blacktip reef sharks, oceanic manta rays, schools of trevallies and barracudas, bumphead parrotfish, turtles, jawfish, huge schools of fish, are all commonly encountered. The amazing macro life includes peacock mantis shrimps, soft coral crabs, shrimps, nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, pipefish; new and as yet unnamed species are being discovered all the time. Raja Ampat has it all.
There are 4 scheduled dives every day, except on the last day when only 2 morning dives will be conducted before the boat starts its way back to Sorong. Wake up for toast with coffee and tea in the dining room and listen to the first dive briefing. There will be a main breakfast following the 1st dive at 7:30 am. Lunch will follow the 2nd dive which is scheduled for 11 am. Expect to try some dishes with Indonesian influences, freshly prepared by the chef using seafood or various meats, as well as some Western cuisine, and snacks available through the day. The 3rd dive at 3 pm is usually shallower, giving you more chance of spotting macro life and reef fish. During the 4th dive at 7 pm (night dive) you will have a completely different experience since you will enter the water after sunset. Step back on board, shower and enjoy dinner and a tasty dessert.

Day 11
Arise to a continental breakfast, goodbyes and more photos with the crew. Then you will be transferred to Sorong airport. The cruise director will help you with check in procedures.

Raja Ampat National Park North & Central (11 Days / 10 Nights - 34 Dives)

Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat - Dampier Strait: Mioskon, Blue Magic, Sardines, Batu Lima, Cape Kri, Chicken Reef; Arborek, Yanggefo: Mayhem, Citrus Ridge; Wayag, Urani, Kawe, Wofoh, Fam: Melissa's Garden, Galaxy Reef; Mansuar island, Sawandarek Jetty. Includes hiking and viewpoints.

Day 1
The boat crew will be waiting outside the arrivals hall at Sorong airport, they will escort you to the Raja Ampat Explorer liveaboard in the harbour. After a 15 minute ride you will be onboard the vessel, cabin allocation and ship orientation will take place before departure. Use this time to familiarise yourself with the facilities, then set up your dive gear in readiness for the diving tomorrow and make yourself comfortable. Lunch and dinner will be served while heading north, when you can get to know the crew and the divers better; it's roughly a 12 hour journey.

Days 2-10
Located in the epicentre of the Coral Triangle, Raja Ampat is considered the most diverse marine region in the world and many experienced divers say it’s the best destination on the planet. These spectacular islands are a remote area where the variety and health of corals, fish and other marine creatures is staggering - both large and small. Endemic wobbegongs, epaulette sharks, blacktip reef sharks, oceanic manta rays, schools of trevallies and barracudas, bumphead parrotfish, turtles, jawfish, huge schools of fish, are all commonly encountered. The amazing macro life includes peacock mantis shrimps, soft coral crabs, shrimps, nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, pipefish; new and as yet unnamed species are being discovered all the time. Raja Ampat has it all.
There are 4 scheduled dives every day, except on the last day when only 2 morning dives will be conducted before the boat starts its way back to Sorong. Wake up for toast with coffee and tea in the dining room and listen to the first dive briefing. There will be a main breakfast following the 1st dive at 7:30 am. Lunch will follow the 2nd dive which is scheduled for 11 am. Expect to try some dishes with Indonesian influences, freshly prepared by the chef using seafood or various meats, as well as some Western cuisine, and snacks available through the day. The 3rd dive at 3 pm is usually shallower, giving you more chance of spotting macro life and reef fish. During the 4th dive at 7 pm (night dive) you will have a completely different experience since you will enter the water after sunset. Step back on board, shower and enjoy dinner and a tasty dessert.

Day 11
Arise to a continental breakfast, goodbyes and more photos with the crew. Then you will be transferred to Sorong airport. The cruise director will help you with check in procedures.

Raja Ampat National Park North & Central (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)

Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat - Dampier Strait: Mioskon, Blue Magic, Sardines; Yanggefo: Mayhem, Citrus Ridge; Wayag, Kawe, Fam: Melissa's Garden, Galaxy Reef; Mansuar island, Sawandarek Jetty. Includes hiking and viewpoints.

Day 1
The boat crew will be waiting outside the arrivals hall at Sorong airport, they will escort you to the Raja Ampat Explorer liveaboard in the harbour. After a 15 minute ride you will be onboard the vessel, cabin allocation and ship orientation will take place before departure. Use this time to familiarise yourself with the facilities, then set up your dive gear in readiness for the diving tomorrow and make yourself comfortable. Lunch and dinner will be served while heading north, when you can get to know the crew and the divers better; it's roughly a 12 hour journey.

Days 2-7
Located in the epicentre of the Coral Triangle, Raja Ampat is considered the most diverse marine region in the world and many experienced divers say it’s the best destination on the planet. These spectacular islands are a remote area where the variety and health of corals, fish and other marine creatures is staggering - both large and small. Endemic wobbegongs, epaulette sharks, blacktip reef sharks, oceanic manta rays, schools of trevallies and barracudas, bumphead parrotfish, turtles, jawfish, huge schools of fish, are all commonly encountered. The amazing macro life includes peacock mantis shrimps, soft coral crabs, shrimps, nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, pipefish; new and as yet unnamed species are being discovered all the time. Raja Ampat has it all.
There are 4 scheduled dives every day, except on the last day when only 2 morning dives will be conducted before the boat starts its way back to Sorong. Wake up for toast with coffee and tea in the dining room and listen to the first dive briefing. There will be a main breakfast following the 1st dive at 7:30 am. Lunch will follow the 2nd dive which is scheduled for 11 am. Expect to try some dishes with Indonesian influences, freshly prepared by the chef using seafood or various meats, as well as some Western cuisine, and snacks available through the day. The 3rd dive at 3 pm is usually shallower, giving you more chance of spotting macro life and reef fish. During the 4th dive at 7 pm (night dive) you will have a completely different experience since you will enter the water after sunset. Step back on board, shower and enjoy dinner and a tasty dessert.

Day 8
Arise to a continental breakfast, goodbyes and more photos with the crew. Then you will be transferred to Sorong airport. The cruise director will help you with check in procedures.

[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].

DEPARTURE SCHEDULE & PRICES

MORE TRIP DETAILS

Dive experience: All divers must be certified with a minimum of Open Water Diver license level and 50 logged dives. Use of dive computer is mandatory.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, transfers to the boat from local airport and hotels, dives (as detailed in the trips above), 2 experienced English-speaking divemasters, snorkelling gear, 12 litre tanks (DIN and Int.), weights and weightbelt, all taxes.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Dive insurance, port and park fees (US$ 147 per trip). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid paid in advance.
Rental scuba equipment is not available.

Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, 15 litre tank (from US$ 10 per day). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash only - IDR, USD or EUR). Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.

How to get there: Raja Ampat Explorer liveaboard cruises normally depart from Sorong harbour. You can fly directly to Sorong from Jakarta, Ujung Pandang (Makassar) and Manado. From Bali there are convenient connections via Ujung Pandang (Makassar) and Manado. Local airport transfers are normally at 6:15 am, local hotel pick-ups at 9-10 am. Port departure takes place at 11 am, after harbour clearance.
The last dive of the trip will be at around 11 am on the second last day of the trip, then the boat will return to shore at around 6-7 pm during the final evening. You can disembark in the morning after breakfast. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving. For more details, including airlines, see our West Papua travel information section.

Non-diver rate: None.

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travellers may choose to share a cabin and pay the normal rate or pay a supplement of US$ 190 of the published price per night for their own private cabin.

Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 7 guests and 1 additional person can join the cruise free of charge.

Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 12 guests and 2 additional persons can join free of charge.

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Amira

From USD 341 per day

Customer rating: Excellent!

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