Explore the incredible marine diversity and breathtaking topside scenery of Raja Ampat at the lowest price available aboard the British owned and operated SMY Shakti. Let Captain Dave show you around some of the richest waters in the planet and the place he has called home for many years.
The only liveaboard permanently based in the West Papua Province scuba diving region, the Shakti operates out of Sorong and runs cruises throughout the year. It has developed a reputation as one of the best run and most fun liveaboard trips in West Papua.
To dive onboard Shakti is to experience authentic frontier diving in small groups (maximum of only 12 guests) from a traditional Pinisi sailing motor yacht, yet not compromise on comfort or efficiency. In an area growing in reputation and popularity with divers in the know, the SMY Shakti is fast becoming recognised as a Raja Ampat liveaboard and the best value option to dive in paradise.
Please note that the Shakti is a very popular boat for groups to charter and dive Raja Ampat so you need to plan well in advance to ensure your group can explore this amazing area on one of these cruises.
Dive experience: Minimum advanced open water certification required, although they sometimes take open water divers onboard if they are very comfortable in the water.
Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, soft drinks, transfers to the boat from the airport and hotels, dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced English-speaking divemaster(s) (2-3 DMs), tanks, weights and weightbelts, torches, all taxes.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment, dive insurance, marine park fee. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival.
Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers, scuba computer. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.
How to get there: Shakti liveaboard diving cruises depart for Raja Ampat from Sorong in West Papua. 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. We will help you arrange return domestic flights between Bali or Jakarta and the port of departure. There is a minibus transfer service from the local airport to and from the boat.
For more details, including airlines, see our travel information section. The last dive of the trip will be at around 15:00 hrs on the day before disembarkation. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.
Non-diver rate: Charter prices apply.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): Not applicable for whole boat charter basis.
Dive clubs and group discounts: See whole boat charter rate above for a minimum of 8 nights.
[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].
There are 2 double bed cabins on the main deck with seaview windows, and 4 double or twin bed cabins on the lower deck. All cabins have air-conditioning.
All the cabins have:
Polished teak finishings
Individually controlled air conditioning and fan
Seaview windows or skylight hatches
Reading lights
Round twin plug 220V mains outlet - 24 hours per day - adaptors are available
2 motorised dive dinghies - 35m² kit up area - Rinse tanks and camera table - 18 charging points - Saloon with laptop, CD Burner, DVD player, music system, marine library (English, French and Japanese) and comfy cushions - 50 m² sundeck with matresses
"I also wanted to say that the Shakti, its skipper and staff, were fantastic. They run a very unique operation based on real in-depth knowledge and care for the area of Raja Ampat, a passion for the sea and its creatures, safe but not restrictive diving, and genuine care for their guests and our experience. Our cruise in their care was beyond anything I would have expected ... and I expected a lot! The area will be under increased pressure from dive trips, tourism and exploitation of natural resources so to be there with a team that has spent such a long time there and can respond immediately to weather/sea conditions, other boats and activities, to find the secluded spots with amazing dive sites, makes us feel very privileged. The food was brilliant, cabins lovely, and the boat well maintained and homely. 10 divers is just the right amount!" - Hanna Slatten, Sweden, 10 December 2010 ...
"Dave and Din were always calm, personable, interested, informative, and attentive. The food was excellent, the boat crews were very conscientious and knowledgeable, and the crew behind the scenes kept everything in order. Highly recommend if one is looking for adventure and awesome diving!!!!" - Linda Lacey, USA, 17 April 2010 ...
"They kindly organized my domestic flights within indonesia, Dave really knows the best dive sites and can predict currents very accurate, food was great and plentiful, I had my own cabin and not even got seasick." - Katja Gurtner, Switzerland, 13 June 2006 ...
Indonesia
Low Budget Options
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