Question Recommendation for next Indonesia trip(s)

[Lu Y]

I have been diving in Tulamben with Parman and was very impressed. As good as the guides at NAD in Lembeh. Possibly not as good as the guides Luko is recommending, but you would not be disappointed. I will be returning to dive with UWT next month in Tulamben.

Thankd Darnold, I will reach out to Parman if the other guides are not available.

 

[Cali_diver]

Um the master on the Dewi is sooo over the top of what a normal human needs and the other rooms on the Dewi are absolutely beautiful and huge. I promise you don't need the master. We did it once and said right away we don't need this and we prefer the masters on other boats. I mean I guess the bathtub in the master is ok for rinsing gear! Just a note for those who want the master there is no door on the toilet (unless something has changed in a drydock) so you just go around a corner . We did have a great new years party in it one year!!

I would still pick Damai over Dewi any day.

 

[Lu Y]

Um the master on the Dewi is sooo over the top of what a normal human needs and the other rooms on the Dewi are absolutely beautiful and huge. I promise you don't need the master. We did it once and said right away we don't need this and we prefer the masters on other boats. I mean I guess the bathtub in the master is ok for rinsing gear! Just a note for those who want the master there is no door on the toilet (unless something has changed in a drydock) so you just go around a corner . We did have a great new years party in it one year!!

I would still pick Damai over Dewi any day.

Thanks Cali. May I ask what are the main reasons why you would pick Damai over Dewi?

 

[Cali_diver]

oohhh where do I begin...Less people, longer dive times (dewi is max 60min damai dive your tank), better dive deck with your own rinse tank and station, better service all around. They will help you with everything you want them to help you with like carrying cameras and helping you take off your wetsuit and rinse it, they then take down and turn all your gear right side out for you before the dive so you don't have to touch other peoples stuff. The food is cooked to order for every meal with better vegetarian options too. FYI I have been on both boats many times so I have a lot of experience with both operations

 

[Darnold9999]

It has been a few years for both boats but I agree with everyone else - Damai over Dewi. The cabin no longer exists on Damai I but when I was on the boat my cabin had 2 queen beds and windows on both sides of the boat - way more than I as a solo traveler needed or wanted. I understand it has since been divided into two cabins - both of which would far exceed what most liveaboards have for space. Also agree the master cabin on Dewi is a bit over the top. In any event both would be excellent, but Damai in my experience would be a better trip overall.

 

[Lu Y]

Thanks Cali and Darnold. Given your experiences we will rule out Dewi.

Out of curiosity, do you remember why Dewi limits dive time to 60 mins? And on Damai, did you have to wait for other divers to surface if everyone was doing 70 mins dives? We like the flexibility, but usually get bored and cold after 60 mins so probably won't use the extra time.

On Damai II, which cabin between 5 and 6 do you recommend? Both seem to be 40 sqm, and from the photos it's difficult to tell the difference.

Would you say Damai and Arenui are the same standard, or what's the difference in the experience?

 

[Darnold9999]

Cali has more recent experience with Damai, but as I recall if one set of divers surfaced early they were transported back to the boat and the next tender was sent out to wait for the next divers to surface. Not an issue for the couple I was diving with. We were pretty similar in dive times so we mostly surfaced together. Have not dived Arinui but everyone I have talked to who has raved about the experience. I would expect they are similar.

 

[Cali_diver]

Cabin 6 is nice with good light and a little private deck. Cabin 5 I huge, more private, more beds with day beds etc and hang out places. It can be a little darker in 5. Damai is awesome when you come up as long as the other tender is on the dive site they will ferry you back to boat asap. You do not have to wait for other divers. Not sure about Dewi's 60 min. rule... I can say in my experience if something awesome is found at 58 min. they don't force you up but for the most part it is 60 min. We have done 90's on Damai before and had them waiting at surface with tanks and water so we could go back (this was a phenomenal manta experience we were having). Ultimately it all depends on schedules and your computer. Dive times are set so it's up to you to make sure you give yourself enough surface interval. The dive guides are allowed to go up and terminate their dives at 60 but in my experience they will only do that if it is boring and they aren't needed.

For me Arenui was a beautiful boat with a great crew but not set up for photographers. I have to preface that the last time I was on her was like 2017 ish. There was no camera room so people just set up their cameras all around the lounge and the dive deck was only accessible by walking through the lounge so you dripped water all through the lounge. You never saw your gear until you got on the tender. It was weird. I didn't want to go back. Great crew and beautiful boat and cabins. have heard many a story about her not making certain trips or getting stuck places if seas are too rough etc. so I think she might not be as capable as some of the other boats.