Samambaia -- GREAT Raja Ampat Liveaboard

[ChyLn]

We just returned from a 11-day/34-dive voyage aboard the Samambaia in late Jan 2018 and our experiences were beyond spectacular. The complete trip recap with pictures at our blog.

The boat itself is absolutely beautiful. The passenger rooms were spacious and comfortable, with strong AC and ensuite bathroom complete with an awesome rainfall shower that got seriously hot. Amenities on-board were seemingly endless with unlimited soft drinks, snacks, and espresso available 24/7. The deck was well-arranged with each diver having their own designated bin for equipment and separate rinse tanks for wetsuits/boots, masks, and camera gear. Nitrox is included. There were even on-deck showers for a quick rinse immediately following the dive. The camera room with abundant electric outlets and counter space made it very convenient to setup the dive photography equipment and keep things charged and ready to go.

The crew services were similarly well thought-out. Between each dive there was either a meal or snack. I don’t think we were ever hungry during the entirety of the trip. They even had glasses of hot chocolate waiting for us after our night dives! The crew carefully prepped all of our dive equipment, including cameras, and transported to and from the dive tenders for each dive. Needless to say, we felt pretty pampered. Each night, our wetsuits were washed and hung to dry for us and at the end of the trip they gave all of our dive gear a good rinse and dry.

Needless to say, we’ll be back. Happy to answer any questions people have!

 

[snowdog61]

Great write-up - Raja Ampat has been on my bucket list. Seems like a LOB is probably the best way (only way?) to see all the sites you covered. We did Palau, Puetro Galera, and Dumaguete (via the Scubaboard Invasion) and were blown away. Fiji is in works but still thinking Raja Ampat needs to be a priority. Thanks for sharing

 

[billt4sf]

How about the ins and outs? What kind of tenders? How many steps from the dive deck into the tenders? How skilled and safety-conscious were the boat men?

Did the crew test the O2 percentage, did the divers watch them or did the crew just do it and ask you to sign.

- Bill

 

[Dan]

How about the ins and outs? What kind of tenders? How many steps from the dive deck into the tenders? How skilled and safety-conscious were the boat men?

Did the crew test the O2 percentage, did the divers watch them or did the crew just do it and ask you to sign.

- Bill

I had the same questions when I was looking for my Dec 2019 Raja Ampat liveaboard option. From the pictures provided by MV Samambaia the dive gear setup (dive deck) is on the main deck in front (bow) of the boat. Then you go to the port / starboard side of the boat & take the stairs down to the skiff (please correct me if I’m wrong). After falling off stairs on a LOB, landed on my right knee cap and split the knee cap into two (glad it was not my skull cracked), I don’t like this kind of set up. So, I moved on to the next LOB. There are tons of selections out there.

 

[Dan]

We just returned from a 11-day/34-dive voyage aboard the Samambaia in late Jan 2018 and our experiences were beyond spectacular. The complete trip recap with pictures at our blog.

The boat itself is absolutely beautiful. The passenger rooms were spacious and comfortable, with strong AC and ensuite bathroom complete with an awesome rainfall shower that got seriously hot. Amenities on-board were seemingly endless with unlimited soft drinks, snacks, and espresso available 24/7. The deck was well-arranged with each diver having their own designated bin for equipment and separate rinse tanks for wetsuits/boots, masks, and camera gear. Nitrox is included. There were even on-deck showers for a quick rinse immediately following the dive. The camera room with abundant electric outlets and counter space made it very convenient to setup the dive photography equipment and keep things charged and ready to go.

The crew services were similarly well thought-out. Between each dive there was either a meal or snack. I don’t think we were ever hungry during the entirety of the trip. They even had glasses of hot chocolate waiting for us after our night dives! The crew carefully prepped all of our dive equipment, including cameras, and transported to and from the dive tenders for each dive. Needless to say, we felt pretty pampered. Each night, our wetsuits were washed and hung to dry for us and at the end of the trip they gave all of our dive gear a good rinse and dry.

Needless to say, we’ll be back. Happy to answer any questions people have!

Great trip report with lots of fantastic pictures! Can’t wait to read part 2 of your blog.

I’m looking forward to come back to Raja Ampat for the 7th time in December 2019

 

[flyboy08]

Wow, nice write up on your blog!

 

[BDSC]

Great trip report with lots of fantastic pictures! Can’t wait to read part 2 of your blog.

I think part 2 was there.

 

[Dan]

I think part 2 was there.

My bad. I saw the link to the Raja Ampat Central & North now. Thanks for pointing that out. Now I just need to wait until I’m home for a faster Wi-Fi access.

 

[BDSC]

My bad. I saw the link to the North of Raja Ampat now. Thanks for pointing that out. Now I just need to wait until I’m home for a faster Wi-Fi access.

It's as good as the first part!

 

[peeweediver]

Thanks for a wonderful write-up and some truly stunning pictures. After 14 inches of snow from Friday to Sunday, then four sets of snow-blowing and a few shovelings to boot, looking at this post made my Monday morning...in between working. Headed to Raja in November-December for 11 night live-a-board and 3 nights in Ambon. This helps me get ready. I do feel Dan_T's pain when it comes to long walks with gear on to get to the skiffs. Not my best performances in those situations. I slip!

Rob