Best scuba destination for Xmas: Raja Ampat or The Philippines?

[Dan]

I have the boat January 6th - 17th. I suspect we will arrive in Sorong at least one day early on the 5th. Maybe if I see the Amira those few days we are both on the water I will swim over!

Likewise.

I'll join your trip in one of these days.

 

[Dogbowl]

I also will be there with Putri Papua from Dec 24, 2019 to Jan 3, 2020. Flying home (Houston) on Jan 4, 2020 & flying back to RA on Jan 10, 2020.

I’m sure there’s a very good reason for this...but why fly back home and then back to RA in 6 days???

 

[BDSC]

I’m sure there’s a very good reason for this...but why fly back home and then back to RA in 6 days???

Because Dan_T is a multimillionaire that has his own private jet and can afford such things.

 

[Dan]

I’m sure there’s a very good reason for this...but why fly back home and then back to RA in 6 days???

That's the week when everyone is back to work from holiday season & makes plans and sets meetings to discuss the projects for the year.

I was invited to join this Amira trip, which is a special Larry Smith Memorial trip, that I don't want to miss. I wish they picked a better time and before I booked the Putri Papua trip.

For those who don't know Larry Smith, he was one of the dive pioneers that made Lembeh, WaKaToBi, Komodo & Raja Ampat known as world class dive sites as we know today.

Larry Smith passes away in Indonesia ::
Larry Smith Passes Away

 

[Dan]

Because Dan_T is a multimillionaire that has his own private jet and can afford such things.

I wish that were true.

 

[Lisamay4]

That’s one of the reason you go on liveaboard, instead of staying in a resort. We visited to Penemu & Wayag in several of my RA liveaboard cruises. So, it’s better off exploring other parts of Indonesia besides RA.

Hello.
I would love to see Wayag but am only finding liveaboards that go to Pianemo during my dates. Did you find the Wayag area that much better/different than Pianemo in terms of diving and scenery? If so I'll try to find a liveaboard that covers both. Thank you!

 

[Dan]

Hello.
I would love to see Wayag but am only finding liveaboards that go to Pianemo during my dates. Did you find the Wayag area that much better/different than Pianemo in terms of diving and scenery? If so I'll try to find a liveaboard that covers both. Thank you!

Stick with Penemu (recently changed name to Piaynemo). Wayag has a better top site view, but much harder to get to the top. It has no wooden stairs all the way to the top like in Penemu.

I’m a bit of adventurous, so I like doing this easy rock climbing to the top of Wayag, but you definitely need to be very very careful. it has sharp limestone rocks that could easily cut / badly injured you if you slip & fall. You are in a remote island in the middle of no where.

Wayag underwater side is just OK. Nothing like Melissa’s Garden in Penemu. You won’t miss much for not going to Wayag IMHO.

 

[Lisamay4]

Stick with Penemu (recently changed name to Piaynemo). Wayag has a better top site view, but much harder to get to the top. It has no wooden stairs all the way to the top like in Penemu.

I’m a bit of adventurous, so I like doing this easy rock climbing to the top of Wayag, but you definitely need to be very very careful. it has sharp limestone rocks that could easily cut / badly injured you if you slip & fall. You are in a remote island in the middle of no where.

Wayag underwater side is just OK. Nothing like Melissa’s Garden in Penemu. You won’t miss much for not going to Wayag IMHO.

 

[Lisamay4]

Thank you SO much for the great reply. Unfortunately I have 'FOMS'...'Fear of Missing Something' so it's great to know that I can choose a liveaboard based on other criteria besides Wayag. Right now I have a problem with my foot so the climbing on sheer rocks wouldn't be great.
Now I just have to decide between a land based resort or the liveaboard. This will be a 'pre' week to a week at Misool Eco Resort so I'm trying to be budget friendly since MER is so expensive....although worth it!
I'm looking at Sea Safari 8 or a new boat called Sinar Pagi for a bit higher end and the 'Kira Kira' for a budget boat. I don't mind rustic but am not sure just how rustic it is.
Land I am looking at Raja Ampat Biodiversity or the Dive Lodge although they are harder to communicate with.
Thank you again. I love this forum. So grateful for the help!!!