Best scuba destination for Xmas: Raja Ampat or The Philippines?
- Thread starter krist3l
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OP
krist3l
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Hmmm, I guess back to Bali it is... 
Just hope none of my scuba gear gets left behind in Jakarta...
Just hope none of my scuba gear gets left behind in Jakarta...
Dan
Contributor
If you’d be going to Sorong from Jakarta, I heard Batik Air is pretty good too.
You may check out some land tours in Jogyakarta, Solo, Borobudur & Prambanan temples.
You may check out some land tours in Jogyakarta, Solo, Borobudur & Prambanan temples.
OP
krist3l
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Yeah, Yogyakarta is lovely... I went there about 8 years ago, I'm sure a lot has changed.
Looking at my travel plan, I'd be getting into Sorong on the 20th and the Liveaboard leaves on the 24th. Not sure what I could squeeze into those few days.
Looking at my travel plan, I'd be getting into Sorong on the 20th and the Liveaboard leaves on the 24th. Not sure what I could squeeze into those few days.
Dan
Contributor
You could stay in Raja Ampat Dive Lodge – Grand Komodo
It’s in Mansuar Island, 2-hour boat ride from So-wrong. Nice dive resort with AC. I was there in November 2010. Saw plenty mantas. Also went to another island to see the birds of Paradise one morning.
It’s in Mansuar Island, 2-hour boat ride from So-wrong. Nice dive resort with AC. I was there in November 2010. Saw plenty mantas. Also went to another island to see the birds of Paradise one morning.
outofofficebrb
HARRO HUNNAYYY
I flew Batik business and it was very good. I booked early enough so the jaunt from Jakarta to Sorong was only $35 more than economy. It was so worth it.
That is wayyyyyy too much time in Sorong. You will be bored out of your mind. There's a reason why some people call it "So Wrong"...It is basically a leaping point for liveaboards. I'd put in a cushion for flight delays so you don't miss your liveaboard, but not too much. We were there 2 days and were bored.
OP
krist3l
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Interesting... Hmmm, I wonder if there's anything to do near Jakarta then...
OP
krist3l
Registered
Found all these land-based "adventures" in Raja Ampat: Tour directory for land based adventures in Raja Ampat
Anything worthwhile there?
Anything worthwhile there?
Dan
Contributor
Jakarta traffic is really bad, the worst, so I usually try to skip it & hop on the next flight to elsewhere in Indonesia. However, if you want to tour around Jakarta there are some interesting places to visit, such as:
Kota Tua Jakarta - Wikipedia
Ragunan Zoo - Wikipedia
Discover Puncak Tea Plantation - Jakarta
Day trip from Jakarta to Bogor and to Taman Safari Park in Indonesia.
Dan
Contributor
RA is huge. Your liveaboard trip will cover Misool in the South to Wayag in the North in 11 days. Some of the land tour in that link include Misool, which would take at least 4 hours on speedboat. Samambaia may even do some of those land excursions while in the neighborhood. So, I’d suggest you ask for their itinerary and compare it with the land-based excursions listed in the link you posted above and pick those that won’t be where Samambaia will do, like Penemu & Wayag.
I would consider going to some of the land-based tour around Dampier Strait within 2-hour of speedboat ride. So, you won’t waste your time on the speedboat ride. As I mentioned previously, I went to Birds of Paradise watching next to Mansuar, 2-hour speedboat ride from Sorong. Don’t forget to bring binoculars if you want to take that tour.
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