Hello everyone. Planning for a LOB trip to (probably) Indonesia in December 2020. Solo trip. Lots of experts here, appreciate any recommendations, advice or comments.
Main objective is quality of underwater diving (schools of fish, corals, good vis, some big stuff, critters, interesting sites). Will spend more for better diving. This also applies to topside dive logistics (dive deck, tenders, guides, group size, etc). If the diving is great but food & room so-so, it's still a great trip. But not vice-versa; can go to the Carribean for mediocre diving & great food.
Here are the 9 longer trip options (mostly Raja Ampat) which fit my schedule. Focus is on 10+ nights, 25+ dives, Nitrox, etc. Six boats dive RA only, 1 boat does RA+Triton, 1 to Komodo+Sangeang, 1 in Palau. Current order of interest:
* Solititude Adventurer (catamaran), 11 nts, RA, Sorong-Sorong, ~$4800, ~28 dives (other site says 35 dives), 18 px.
* Mari (phinisi), 11 nts, RA, Sorong-Sorong, ~$4300, ~35 dives, 14 px. More dives, lower cost. Better deal?
* Gaia Love (steel boat), 11 nts, RA+Triton, Sorong-Kaimana, ~$6600, ~30 dives, 20 px. Is this itinerary (Triton Bay) worth the extra cost?
* Ambai (phinisi), 11 nts, RA, Sorong-Sorong, ~$4700, ~34 dives, 16 px.
* Adelaar (phinisi), 10 nts, KOMODO & Sangeang, LBJ-LBJ, ~$5000, ~28 dives, 8 px. Komodo vs Raja Ampat?
* Coralia (phinisi), 11 nts, RA, Sorong-Sorong, ~$5700, ~29 dives, total px not listed, 8 cabins.
* Amira (phinisi), 11 nts, RA, Sorong-Sorong, ~$5000, ~30 dives.
.... and for something DIFFERENT - have been to Indonesia several times, but never Palau.
* Solititude One (52m steel boat), 11 nts, PALAU, $5000, ~35 dives, total px not shown.
Main objective is quality of underwater diving (schools of fish, corals, good vis, some big stuff, critters, interesting sites). Will spend more for better diving. This also applies to topside dive logistics (dive deck, tenders, guides, group size, etc). If the diving is great but food & room so-so, it's still a great trip. But not vice-versa; can go to the Carribean for mediocre diving & great food.
Here are the 9 longer trip options (mostly Raja Ampat) which fit my schedule. Focus is on 10+ nights, 25+ dives, Nitrox, etc. Six boats dive RA only, 1 boat does RA+Triton, 1 to Komodo+Sangeang, 1 in Palau. Current order of interest:
* Solititude Adventurer (catamaran), 11 nts, RA, Sorong-Sorong, ~$4800, ~28 dives (other site says 35 dives), 18 px.
* Mari (phinisi), 11 nts, RA, Sorong-Sorong, ~$4300, ~35 dives, 14 px. More dives, lower cost. Better deal?
* Gaia Love (steel boat), 11 nts, RA+Triton, Sorong-Kaimana, ~$6600, ~30 dives, 20 px. Is this itinerary (Triton Bay) worth the extra cost?
* Ambai (phinisi), 11 nts, RA, Sorong-Sorong, ~$4700, ~34 dives, 16 px.
* Adelaar (phinisi), 10 nts, KOMODO & Sangeang, LBJ-LBJ, ~$5000, ~28 dives, 8 px. Komodo vs Raja Ampat?
* Coralia (phinisi), 11 nts, RA, Sorong-Sorong, ~$5700, ~29 dives, total px not listed, 8 cabins.
* Amira (phinisi), 11 nts, RA, Sorong-Sorong, ~$5000, ~30 dives.
.... and for something DIFFERENT - have been to Indonesia several times, but never Palau.
* Solititude One (52m steel boat), 11 nts, PALAU, $5000, ~35 dives, total px not shown.