Raja Ampat Liveaboard Advice Request

[BKtraveler]

I'm interested in knowing which areas of Raja Aampat are the most sought after? There are so many liveaboards going in all different directions, i'm not sure how to choose. I'm a somewhat experienced diver and tend to enjoy the larger creatures, schooling fish but really love it all. I'm hoping to be there in late November or early December although it seems as though almost all of the liveaboards are sold out. I prefer a longer trip, say 10+ days. Any advice on trip length?

Also, I may have a few days after the liveaboard for some land based diving, so any suggestions on that would be greatly appreciated as well.

I'm searching on the website Liveaboard.com. Is that a good site to book or are there other ones that may be better?

Thanks in advance.

BK

 

[chillyinCanada]

Do a minimum ten day trip! You need to see as much as possible. Don't do this trip at all if you aren't prepared for the after effects that will make you crazy trying to figure out how to get back!!

 

[GratefulDiver11]

I was curious about liveaboard.com (they have price on Palau Siren that was less than offered directly by ship) and saw your post. I subsequently found this thread and thought you might find it useful: liveaboard.com Can I trust them?

 

[chillyinCanada]

Interesting that Liveaboard.com was Johnny on the spot to say they are legit (which they are) but crickets with regard to the bad report in that thread.

 

[BKtraveler]

Thanks for the replies, just want to add the I booked the Aggressor through liveaboard.co so no one spends their time responding to my post. Was only one of two avail for my dates.

 

[chris kippax]

Try the Arenui's greater Raja Ampat itinerary. We loved it! Best of everything, even saw birds of paradise

 

[billt4sf]

Here's an idea: add a resort to your trip! (Seriously). Or at least dive in Bali before you go.

- Bill

 

[BKtraveler]

Here's an idea: add a resort to your trip! (Seriously). Or at least dive in Bali before you go.

- Bill

Thanks Bill, I posted about that afterwards. I have 4 days before I fly out after the liveaboard. Any insight you'd like to share?

 

[billt4sf]

Thanks Bill, I posted about that afterwards. I have 4 days before I fly out after the liveaboard. Any insight you'd like to share?

Not sure. If you had time BEFORE the LOB, I would say try doing some diving in Bali, which has surprisingly good diving in Amed and Nusa Penida. We like to spend several days or even a week to get everything sorted (including our comfort level - yes, even after 100's of dives) before launching on a LOB where we're spending 100's of dollars/day to dive. It's really great to board Mermaid and not have any pre-dive jitters.

If you finish in Sorong and have a few days -- you might be able to find a resort for a short period. Mike Veitch mentioned in another thread that there are a number of resorts near Sorong but I am not a good resource on this. Or Bali.

Take pepto bismol as a preventative - nothing worse than spending 100's of dollars/day to have "the runs".

Have fun! Indo is a great dive location.

- Bill

 

[Otter]

What are the thoughts on anti-malarials on liveaboards based out of Sorong?