Indonesia

[pinkpony]

Hi. I'm new to the group. Was hoping someone could tell me if dive knives are allowed in Raja Ampat? Also is it helpful to have a full wetsuit 3mm or is a shorty sufficient? Thank you.

 

[jeremyl]

no knives or gloves.

 

[pinkpony]

no knives or gloves.

Thank you. Also, I'm nervous about strong currents. Will I miss out on fabulous sites if I ask dive master to Keep us away from strong drift dive sites?

 

[Joneill]

no knives or gloves.

I have a small knife on the waist strap on my rig and no one ever said a word about it in the 2 trips to Raja that I’ve taken. In fact, the DM was thankful on 1 dive as we used it to cut away some netting that was covering part of a reef. We were told no gloves, but no one ever said anything about knives.

 

[Darnold9999]

I have a small knife on the waist strap on my rig and no one ever said a word about it in the 2 trips to Raja that I’ve taken. In fact, the DM was thankful on 1 dive as we used it to cut away some netting that was covering part of a reef. We were told no gloves, but no one ever said anything about knives.

Same. Small knife on my waist, borrowed more than once in half a dozen trips. No gloves. I did wear a single glove to protect a cut for a few days and had no issues.

Currents can be significant, most operators will avoid them depending on your experience level. If you are on a liveaboard you may end up sitting out two or three dives in a week long trip. Be aware that current dives are most likely the best dives.

I take both a 3/4 full and a 2/3 shorty. Days I will dive the shorty, nights and whenever I am feeling cold the full. Depends on how many dives a day I am doing. Be aware there are lots of stinging things in the water. I view the shorty as an instant feedback device to keep my fins away from the bottom. Very effective as the bottom almost always has something that will sting you.

 

[PamelaH]

If there are currents and your DM knows you are not experienced you will probably be tethered to a reef hook if necessary. They'll save you! But yes, you should let them know you don't have good experience for that. There are tons of great sites that are not known for current but current happens,

 

[pinkpony]

I have a small knife on the waist strap on my rig and no one ever said a word about it in the 2 trips to Raja that I’ve taken. In fact, the DM was thankful on 1 dive as we used it to cut away some netting that was covering part of a reef. We were told no gloves, but no one ever said anything about knives.

So good to know. Ill bring a knife and see how if DM objects or not. Much thanks!

 

[pinkpony]

If there are currents and your DM knows you are not experienced you will probably be tethered to a reef hook if necessary. They'll save you! But yes, you should let them know you don't have good experience for that. There are tons of great sites that are not known for current but current happens,

Like the sound of this! Feeling less anxious and more excited! Thanks for sharing.

 

[pinkpony]

Same. Small knife on my waist, borrowed more than once in half a dozen trips. No gloves. I did wear a single glove to protect a cut for a few days and had no issues.

Currents can be significant, most operators will avoid them depending on your experience level. If you are on a liveaboard you may end up sitting out two or three dives in a week long trip. Be aware that current dives are most likely the best dives.

I take both a 3/4 full and a 2/3 shorty. Days I will dive the shorty, nights and whenever I am feeling cold the full. Depends on how many dives a day I am doing. Be aware there are lots of stinging things in the water. I view the shorty as an instant feedback device to keep my fins away from the bottom. Very effective as the bottom almost always has something that will sting you.

I am so glad I asked about wetsuits. I will bring both full and shorty. Appreciate your experience!

 

[Darnold9999]

I am so glad I asked about wetsuits. I will bring both full and shorty. Appreciate your experience!

For the first time you may not want to bring the shorty, depends on your tolerance for stinging things and how good you are at staying off the bottom. You really really don't want to touch anything with bare knees! Will also depend on how much luggage you are carrying. If I had to take only one it would be the full suit. You will get cold doing multiple dives a day for multiple days.