Question Advice Needed: Raja Ampat Itinerary

[carolyntaylz]

Hi! I will be going to RA for the first time October of this year (stoked!!).
- WK1: papau explorers
- WK2: Soul Scuba on Kri island
- WK3: tbc
- Wk4: tbc

After soul scuba, I could take the 10D9N Epica liveaboard to misool (itinerary here: https://www.scuba-republic.com/epica-itinerary-10d9n-southern-showdown)… is it worth it? Will Misool be that different than the other sites I’ll have already done for two weeks in RA?

I have the luxury of a full four weeks (of diving - the time to fly to and from Indonesia back to canada is separate). I have a preference for big stuff and ‘exciting’ dives. My favourite places in the world that I’ve been are Palau and Komodo island. Knowing that, what should I do with the extra 2 weeks… stay in RA, get to misool and maximize the effort it took to get there, or switch it up to something else in SA Asia for the other two weeks? If so, what would you recommend?

Thx a ton…

 

[JustinJRL]

The diving between Papua Explorers and Soul will be similar, largely the same sites anyways.

I've never been to misool, but if you can afford it, I would certainly go; different enough both above and below the water, and chances for oceanic mantas.

You could also consider Raja4divers which is further west and would give you a bit of variety from the central damper sites (though I think most exciting dives are probably central damper anyways , but there are colorful/wonderful reefs further west)

4 weeks, lucky you!

 

[SaltyWombat]

Visibility in Misool can be hit or miss. I recommend that you research this. When I was there, it was quite murky.

The topside island views are amazing in Misool and also further north in Wayag. Truly breathtaking. The diving in the Dampier Straight was better though, IMHO.

I did two land-based resorts and one liveaboard in Raja4 over three weeks. Several dive sites were repeated. I didn't mind, but others might.

 

[also_anon_dc]

I would go somewhere else in Indo. Maybe Alor or Bali? The diving in Indonesia is fantastic overall, there's no reason to spend all of your time in RA.

 

[living4experiences]

There's lots to see in the RA area. Misool Eco Resort is in the heart of Misool but is expensive and a long way from Sorong by boat. I think it's 4 hours. If your liveaboard stays in Misool long enough, you may not want to do land based. Weather will play a big part in that.

You could get over to the Philippines, too, again, weather dependent. I'm not sure when the rainy season starts.

 

[rmorgan]

We just got back from North Sulawesi—Bunaken, Bangka and Lembeh islands. Each is different—walls, canyons, critters—and there are regular flights from Sorong to Manado. There are many options; full props, however, to Murex for their “Passport to Paradise.” It’s a family-owned business, with hands-on owners and outstanding people throughout. They’ll take you from one resort to the next by boat, with dives along the way (unless, as In our case, it’s raining volcanic ash), and the dive staffs are very capable and the day boats are great.

 

[Szymo1]

Hi! I will be going to RA for the first time October of this year (stoked!!).
- WK1: papau explorers
- WK2: Soul Scuba on Kri island
- WK3: tbc
- Wk4: tbc

After soul scuba, I could take the 10D9N Epica liveaboard to misool (itinerary here: https://www.scuba-republic.com/epica-itinerary-10d9n-southern-showdown)… is it worth it? Will Misool be that different than the other sites I’ll have already done for two weeks in RA?

I have the luxury of a full four weeks (of diving - the time to fly to and from Indonesia back to canada is separate). I have a preference for big stuff and ‘exciting’ dives. My favourite places in the world that I’ve been are Palau and Komodo island. Knowing that, what should I do with the extra 2 weeks… stay in RA, get to misool and maximize the effort it took to get there, or switch it up to something else in SA Asia for the other two weeks? If so, what would you recommend?

Thx a ton…

Late to the party, but...above the water is stunning, by far the best place in RA. Below is outstanding, but I think similar to other parts. Still worth it. We spent 10 days there. I prefer staying in a place if I can.20+ dives. Don't miss the 4kings site. Mantas, but not much else big. Enjoy, but you must take time out for the above water sites..and the jellyfish lake!