One week for diving in January/February

[stepfen]

Hello,

I will be visiting my in-laws in Jakarta from mid of January to mid of February 2018 (exact days not fixed yet). I plan to take a week or so off for diving.

I am looking for suggestions where to go. I prefer: nice reefs, clear water, plenty of sea life. I am not a muck enthusiast although I wouldn’t mind a couple of muck dives. In total my target is 15 or so dives.

I have about 50 dives in total so far of which in Indonesia: Open Water certification dives in Thousand Islands (nothing special), 3 dives in Padang Bay/Bali (not particularly impressed), and 15 dives in Bunaken which were amazing. Bunaken was so nice that I wouldn’t mind going back there again, but given the amount of options in Indonesia why not try something new?

I would prefer the total price including the tickets from/to Jakarta, full board accommodation, 15 dives etc to be around 1000US$. I would also like the place to be relatively easy to reach from Jakarta as I prefer to spend my days diving than traveling.

Based on these what would you recommend? Is Raja Ampat recommended under these conditions (time of the year, my experience, price, ease of access to/from Jakarta etc)? Anywhere else? I think I’d keep Komodo for future once I have more experience.

I might have to post this to another thread but I’ll try to get replies for both here. There is a chance my family (wife who is not interested in diving/snorkeling, 4 years old daughter who loves snorkeling and 2 years old son) might join me. For them a hotel with a pool and a nice beach where they can play and swim would be enough. In that case where would you recommend to combine this with my diving? I've been with my wife to Gili Air almost 10 years ago (no diving stupid me ) and we liked it, but any other suggestions?

All suggestions welcome. Thanks a lot in advance.

 

[Dan]

I'd recommend this: Raja Ampat Dive Lodge Mansuar Island West Papua - Raja Ampat Eco Lodge Papua Indonesia - Raja Ampat Eco Lodge Yanpipir Beach Mansuar Island Raja Ampat Islands West Papua Indonesia |
I was there in November 2010. For your 4yo daughter & non diving wife, they can go snorkeling, canoeing, trekking & bird of paradise (Cendrawasih) watching.

 

[Madacub]

Hi Stepfen, at the budget you mention, your options are severely, severely limited. Jan/Feb is the ideal time for Raja Ampat. Are you prepared to consider homestays if you go alone? How much did you pay in Bunaken when you were there?

 

[stepfen]

Last February in Bunaken I paid in total about 1000US. Accommodation (7D/6N), /transport from/to Manado and 15 dives (incl equipment rental) were about 800 US$ and the plane tickets another 200.

If I go alone I don't mind any type of "decent" accommodation. Homestays can be an option if I get enough good reviews for the place.

Any alternatives to RA? I just fount out that Jan/Feb is the peak season for RA so it should be busy and expensive there.
Thanks

 

[Centrals]

Revisit Gili Air with the whole family.

 

[Miki Brunou]

Any alternatives to RA? I just fount out that Jan/Feb is the peak season for RA so it should be busy and expensive there.
Thanks

Why is January-February the peak season in Raja Ampat? I've understood that it should be the rainy season in the rest of Indonesia?

 

[stepfen]

My understanding is that in January/February USUALLY the weather (rain but more importantly winds affecting sea traveling) in R4 is better than the rest of the season.
At the same time in other popular Indonesian diving destinations (e.g. Bali) January/February is USUALLY the peak of the raining season.
I think this combination makes R4 popular for that period.
Things over the last years are changing though. For example 2 years ago I was in Bali in February and they had very serious problems with the lack of rain!

BTW I have made a booking for R4 in a homestay for one week at the end of Feb 2018. Price for tickets (from Jakarta), full board accommodation, diving, entrance fees etc total at about 1000euros.

 

[Miki Brunou]

My understanding is that in January/February USUALLY the weather (rain but more importantly winds affecting sea traveling) in R4 is better than the rest of the season.

Ok, that's good to know as I'm planning a trip to the region for next January.

BTW I have made a booking for R4 in a homestay for one week at the end of Feb 2018. Price for tickets (from Jakarta), full board accommodation, diving, entrance fees etc total at about 1000euros.

That sounds like a great bargain. May I ask which island and resort are you going to? That price is apparently pretty hard to beat in RA.

 

[stepfen]

May I ask which island and resort are you going to?

Of course at this price we are talking about a homestay - not a resort. I choose one of the many in southern Gam. More on homestays here: www.stayrajaampat.com

 

[Indah]

Please have a look at www.wedaresort.com. The perfect time to visit Halmahera. Two daily non-stop flights to Ternate.