Advice (and encouragement?) for surviving and thriving in Raja Ampat

[melliodora]

tl;dr: excited about an upcoming R4 trip but went down too many "I almost died in a downcurrent" threads and am questioning my life choices any final tips or encouragement for newer (~60 dives, AOW) diver?

Hi all, I would say I'm a decent-ish diver but at the newer end of the spectrum (AOW w/~60 dives in tropics, temperate and coldwater/drysuit, majority in past 2 years). I did my OW in Indonesia (Pulau Weh) in 2011 then didn't dive for years, but have been dreaming of going back to Indo. So, next month I head back for a one month dive trip, from mid-Sept to mid-Oct!

After LOTS of reading and some advice here, I landed on this itinerary: 3 days' diving with Scuba Junkies Nusa Penida (9 dives), 5 days' diving with SJ Komodo (15 dives) then two weeks in R4 with Arborek Dive Shop (Githa's) on Arborek, and then Tarzan on Gam.

I was aware when booking that R4 (and the rest of Indo for that matter!) can have extremely strong currents, which made me hesitant as to whether I was experienced enough as, apart from a couple of drift dives off Vancouver Island (Canada) and one dive we had to call early in La Paz (Mexico), I have limited experience with currents. I got reassurance from SJ and R4 dive shops, and bit the bullet and have been SO excited, but then found myself going down SB and reddit "here is my terrifying downcurrent experience" threads and am wondering if I will be way out of my depth (haha pun not intended)? I also got luckily mild skin DCS early last year (no reason, got cleared to dive again) and have been diving conservatively, but it's made me a bit more nervous.

I have read key tips like swim perpendicular to the current/shelter in the reef/currents worse at full and new moon etc and have a reef hook, whistle and DSMB, but any other tips to survive and thrive and come back from this trip of a lifetime in one piece would be much appreciated Sites to avoid? Specific conversations to have with the guides? And/or encouragement that this is not a crazy life choice?

 

[chillyinCanada]

First, when is your trip?

 

[NovaCane]

Next month, from Mid-Sept to Mid-Oct it says.

 

[melliodora]

Correct! @chillyinCanada I arrive in Bali Sept 20, but first dive day in R4 is Oct 3 (four days before full moon). Schedule was pretty set due to various other things out of my control.

 

[Cali_diver]

FOLLOW YOUR GUIDE... and call a dive if you feel uncomfortable. I would be way more concerned/worried for dives in Nusa Penida area than Komodo/Raja. In any case if they come back from a current check with "current is ripping" it is ok to say nah I will sit this one out. If post above is correct about when you are going, it will be the cusp of both seasons in both Raja and Komodo so you can't really predict what conditions will be like. Just use your common sense. There is almost always an area that doesn't have current but if you are at the will of a group of different skill levels then you may not have the ability to modify the dive plan. Other option is to hire private guide.

 

[melliodora]

Thanks @Cali_diver - and yeah I realize I'm at the tail end of one season and the start of another. My start date for this trip was fixed as I'm tacking it on to work and family stuff in Australia, but this is part of the logic behind where I go first. Private guides are probably out of budget, but I've heard and read good things about both shops I'm going with.

 

[Cali_diver]

I love diving during these seasonal shifts... less boats/divers give you more options to change your sites when needed. I would always choose this over high season. You will have a great time just follow your guide! He/she will turn you around if current gets problematic. If you really want to learn something, watch the fish... they tell you everything. If they are swimming up there is a down current, swim down= up current etc. As you are diving watch in front of you and you will learn to better navigate currents. I also watch other divers in front of me. They will also tell you the same story.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Next month, from Mid-Sept to Mid-Oct it says.

My apologies for skimming. Blush

 

[chillyinCanada]

Correct! @chillyinCanada I arrive in Bali Sept 20, but first dive day in R4 is Oct 3 (four days before full moon). Schedule was pretty set due to various other things out of my control.

I was indeed wondering about moon phase.

 

[also_anon_dc]

I really think you'll be fine. You'll be diving with local guides that are VERY familiar with the sites. The guides on all my Indo dive trips always check the current before anyone goes in the water. Of course freak accidents happen but they're the outlier of thousands of safe dives every day. Enjoy your trip!