First Timer Liveaboard in Raja Ampat - Help Needed

[chillyinCanada]

Lycra dive socks!

 

[reubencahn]

North RA is well worth a visit but probably not in December or January. Winds make it difficult to reach the best sites and the vis is less than ideal. But we did two back to back cruises in central and north RA in late July/August and this was unquestionably one of the two best trips I've done in 20 years of travelling to the Indo-Pacific. Clear blue water and very fishy.

 

[Darnold9999]

I can also confirm that Garuda "sport bag" allowance is in effect as of Wednesday. They weighed my carry on so I needed to add an 18 kg checked bag to luggage. 50lb bag went free as a sport bag as it only had dive and photo gear in it.

I carry regs in carry on to the boat, check them going home. No issues, Lion Air, and Wings.

Local flights will be delayed! Count on it. Of the 6 local flights the only two that were not delayed were the Wings Air flights - go figure?

Less clothes more bathing suits. I carry 3 or 4 depending on the itinerary. For a liveaboard a couple of shorts, underwear, flip flops and half a dozen t-shirts will do me for any trip. On a liveaboard you might want to pack one "fancy" outfit, but you probably won't wear it. I use that outfit as travelling clothes and add a sweatshirt to get me home in the cold.

Waterproof medical tape! When you get blisters from wearing your fins too much or you scrape your hand on a ladder or ... you can protect the skin with tape. Went through half a roll on my last trip - sliced open my palm on a ladder on the second dive of 38 dives. Was glad I packed gloves, which I never wear in warm water but tape and a glove allowed me to dive with a significant cut.

I packed sunscreen but never used it. Normally I only use it on land after diving, never on a liveaboard. Never take anti malaria drugs = particularly on a liveaboard. Rare to see a mosquito on a boat, land is a different story.

You have already chosen the 9 day trip, I would have gone the other way. You are spending at least three perhaps up to five days in transit and significant treasure just to get there and back. On the total cost of the trip adding the three days is likely a small % increase and the extra three days of diving would be spectacular. On a 9 day trip the first half of the trip is going to be jet lag, culture shock and wow shock as you get into an environment that you have never seen before. You will just be starting to actually see what is in front of you and you will be turning around and going back home. An extra three days would just extend the that comfortable time.

In any event 9 days will still be epic and you just might be starting down the path of a new addiction. I know my first trip was planned as a one time only trip - and I have now been back at least a dozen times.

 

[chillyinCanada]

I can also confirm that Garuda "sport bag" allowance is in effect as of Wednesday. They weighed my carry on so I needed to add an 18 kg checked bag to luggage. 50lb bag went free as a sport bag as it only had dive and photo gear in it.

I carry regs in carry on to the boat, check them going home. No issues, Lion Air, and Wings.

Local flights will be delayed! Count on it. Of the 6 local flights the only two that were not delayed were the Wings Air flights - go figure?

Less clothes more bathing suits. I carry 3 or 4 depending on the itinerary. For a liveaboard a couple of shorts, underwear, flip flops and half a dozen t-shirts will do me for any trip. On a liveaboard you might want to pack one "fancy" outfit, but you probably won't wear it. I use that outfit as travelling clothes and add a sweatshirt to get me home in the cold.

Waterproof medical tape! When you get blisters from wearing your fins too much or you scrape your hand on a ladder or ... you can protect the skin with tape. Went through half a roll on my last trip - sliced open my palm on a ladder on the second dive of 38 dives. Was glad I packed gloves, which I never wear in warm water but tape and a glove allowed me to dive with a significant cut.

I packed sunscreen but never used it. Normally I only use it on land after diving, never on a liveaboard. Never take anti malaria drugs = particularly on a liveaboard. Rare to see a mosquito on a boat, land is a different story.

You have already chosen the 9 day trip, I would have gone the other way. You are spending at least three perhaps up to five days in transit and significant treasure just to get there and back. On the total cost of the trip adding the three days is likely a small % increase and the extra three days of diving would be spectacular. On a 9 day trip the first half of the trip is going to be jet lag, culture shock and wow shock as you get into an environment that you have never seen before. You will just be starting to actually see what is in front of you and you will be turning around and going back home. An extra three days would just extend the that comfortable time.

In any event 9 days will still be epic and you just might be starting down the path of a new addiction. I know my first trip was planned as a one time only trip - and I have now been back at least a dozen times.

You need lycra dive socks!

Save the tape for cuts on your hand.

25 years ago, as I winced and whined, a famous photog told me about lycra dive socks, and I've never had a problem again from that day to this!

 

[scuba_kate]

I can also confirm that Garuda "sport bag" allowance is in effect as of Wednesday. They weighed my carry on so I needed to add an 18 kg checked bag to luggage. 50lb bag went free as a sport bag as it only had dive and photo gear in it.

I carry regs in carry on to the boat, check them going home. No issues, Lion Air, and Wings.

Local flights will be delayed! Count on it. Of the 6 local flights the only two that were not delayed were the Wings Air flights - go figure?

Less clothes more bathing suits. I carry 3 or 4 depending on the itinerary. For a liveaboard a couple of shorts, underwear, flip flops and half a dozen t-shirts will do me for any trip. On a liveaboard you might want to pack one "fancy" outfit, but you probably won't wear it. I use that outfit as travelling clothes and add a sweatshirt to get me home in the cold.

Waterproof medical tape! When you get blisters from wearing your fins too much or you scrape your hand on a ladder or ... you can protect the skin with tape. Went through half a roll on my last trip - sliced open my palm on a ladder on the second dive of 38 dives. Was glad I packed gloves, which I never wear in warm water but tape and a glove allowed me to dive with a significant cut.

I packed sunscreen but never used it. Normally I only use it on land after diving, never on a liveaboard. Never take anti malaria drugs = particularly on a liveaboard. Rare to see a mosquito on a boat, land is a different story.

You have already chosen the 9 day trip, I would have gone the other way. You are spending at least three perhaps up to five days in transit and significant treasure just to get there and back. On the total cost of the trip adding the three days is likely a small % increase and the extra three days of diving would be spectacular. On a 9 day trip the first half of the trip is going to be jet lag, culture shock and wow shock as you get into an environment that you have never seen before. You will just be starting to actually see what is in front of you and you will be turning around and going back home. An extra three days would just extend the that comfortable time.

In any event 9 days will still be epic and you just might be starting down the path of a new addiction. I know my first trip was planned as a one time only trip - and I have now been back at least a dozen times.

thank you, and yes we probably should have but while we were going back and forth someone already took the spots on the 12 night one. From all the comments, think we will be back as well

 

[scuba_kate]

1. December is the height of LOB season in Raja so unless your trip includes the northern sites (Kawe, Wayag) you'll likely see lots of boats (LOB and day) everywhere. As for north v. central v. south, I prefer central and north for big animals, currents and high voltage reef action, but you're going to the most spectacular diving there is so you're going to have an amazing experience no matter what you choose. You'll get in more dives per day staying central and north because the transit to Misool is a day each way. That said, Misool is mind blowing.
2. Mosquitos. Not a big deal on an LOB/outside of Sorong. I use Permethrin on clothes (pants and long sleeved shirts) and DEET on body parts if in Sorong dawn/dusk but otherwise nothing. Dengue is in Bali so if you're transiting/laying over be aware. Best thing is don't get bitten.
3. Gloves. As said most LOBs discourage and really not needed.
4. Reef hooks. Good idea provided you know how to use.
5. Meds as advised by others. Suggest Benadryl, Z Pack, ear beer (50/50 isopropl alcohol/white vinegar), lomotil, bacitracin
6. I always bring an extra reg (1, 2 and hoses) but your LOB will have some to rent if you want to go that way.
7. I also have a PLB, strobe, DSMB, back up lights and dye pack when diving offshore/remote locations. Overkill, until it isn't.
8. Good magnifying glass. Cheap is as cheap does but a good one opens the macro world to you. Otherwise the guides will be pointing to things you can't see and you'll miss a lot.
9. Ear plugs for overnight motoring

Getting to Sorong a day early is good. Rest, hydrate and resolve any baggage issues. Aston is the best of the worst of Sorong hotels. I wouldn't worry about last day and time to fly. Your exposures will be modest, the boat will only have two dives the last day and you'll be done by noon latest. If you take the 8:15 am Garuda flight to CGK the next day that will still give you a solid 18 hours before flying (DAN US guidance and above Navy ascent tables). Lion/Batik have a number of flights later in the day.

those are amazing suggestions, thank you!

 

[scuba_kate]

Since its your first time to Asia, if you have the time and have not booked your flights yet spend more than a day in Tokyo. You have already traveled that far and spend the money on the flights so make the best of it. Japan is also one of my most favorite countries and 1 days is way to short for Tokyo. Also Tokyo IMO is very easy Asian country for first time travelers. Everyone is super helpful, all the subways kiosk have and English. If your lost or need help literally ask anyone and they will try there best to help you or find someone to help you. And the food... wow!!

Garuda is the best and most reliable airline to fly. When you check in make sure you tell them one bag is diving equipment. Garuda gives you 1 free 23kg bag of diving equipment on top of your regular baggage allowance. As for carry-on's if you want to carry on all that then you should have no issues. I have carried on all kinds of diving gear on pretty much every Indonesia airline and never had an issue, they are pretty use to seeing diving equipment. The only thing they get suspicious about is large batteries, just make sure they have the manufactures sticker on them with the wH rating and that it is under 100 wH. Garuda is pretty easy going about carry on's as well, I have never had any issues with them so you can have a roller bag and backpack all stuffed with diving gear.

thank you and yes, planning to spend several days in Tokyo after Indonesia - appreciate you confirming my thinking and appreciate the packing suggestions - definitely need to think of things that might not be there outside of the US.

 

[scuba_kate]

As of yesterday, at least, Garuda definitely honors the scuba-gear luggage exception. @scuba_kate, I’m going to add one suggestion, which may be impractical and/or controversial. If it is at all possible for you, hire a private guide. Our boat had “that diver”—despite a large tank, their group was subjected to 45-minute dives, kicks to the head, flailing arms, stuck in the staghorn, lost GoPro, all the things. If you can manage it and the boat can oblige, you assuredly will not regret it.

that's a great suggestion, will reach out and ask!

 

[scubaNYC16]

Getting to Sorong a day early is good. Rest, hydrate and resolve any baggage issues. Aston is the best of the worst of Sorong hotels.

Have you stayed at the Swiss Bel-Hotel and can compare the 2? Aston is obviously newer but has mixed reviews. Trying to decide between the 2 for before my Xmas trip.

 

[scuba_kate]

Have you stayed at the Swiss Bel-Hotel and can compare the 2? Aston is obviously newer but has mixed reviews. Trying to decide between the 2 for before my Xmas trip.

I have read some questionable reviews about Bel-Hotel and some people getting stomach bug from the food so decided against it for these reasons.