Komodo liveaboard - Moana or Black Manta?

[bodny]

I'm deciding between the Moana and Black Manta for a week-long trip around Komodo. Any recent experience with either? I've read some reviews of both, but they are all quite old. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[TheWartHog]

Been on two trips on Black Manta (and another one on its sister boat White Manta) including week long liveaboard to Raja Ampat in December 2013.
Top boat, top crew. I would go with this company again anytime.

 

[indonesian bubble]

Hi bodny,

why don't you have a look at Diving Indonesia with Wallacea Live Aboards : Rajah Empat - Komodo - Manado, Bunaken and Lembeh Strait - Togian Islands & Banggai - Diving Indonesia - Wallacea Dive Cruise - Indonesian Liveaboard Experience with Paisabatu II and Ambai |. Ambai is a very nice motor vessel with experienced staff in Komodo; Some spots are will available on the following cruises:
- A140801 : august 1-10, 2014 from Bima-Labuanbajo
- A140828 : august 28 september 8 Denpasar-Denpasar
- A140924 : september 24-29 Labuanbajo-Labuanbajo
Shall you need further information , please get back to me

 

[jamesdiving]

Been on two trips on Black Manta (and another one on its sister boat White Manta) including week long liveaboard to Raja Ampat in December 2013.
Top boat, top crew. I would go with this company again anytime.

I would second this. I've done a dozen or so liveaboards around the world and my Black Manta trip to Komodo last year was the best. It's a luxurious boat, not the most luxurious I've ever been on, but luxurious enough in the little details that matter. The diving operation is simply the best - ex

---------- Post added June 17th, 2014 at 09:49 PM ----------

Been on two trips on Black Manta (and another one on its sister boat White Manta) including week long liveaboard to Raja Ampat in December 2013.
Top boat, top crew. I would go with this company again anytime.

I would second this. I've done a dozen or so liveaboards around the world and my Black Manta trip to Komodo last year was the best. It's a luxurious boat, not the most luxurious I've ever been on, but luxurious enough in the little details that matter - hot drinks or fresh fruit on the dive deck, Nespresso machine, etc. The diving operation is simply the best - experienced yet incredibly enthusiastic dive masters, very well organised, with enough experience and knowledge of the sites to judge the currents to perfection. The DMs' acoustic guitar session on the last night was the icing on the cake. I can't recommend it enough...

 

[Tippytoes12]

We went on two Blabk Manta trips and I really cannot recommend it highly enough. The manager who organises the trips is seriously organised....the diving , food , organisation and cabins were all just great. Just go and book it !

 

[puncho]

Went to RA on BM last year, going to Komodo in a few weeks...excited!

 

[Zippsy]

On behalf of the crew on our sister boat, the Black Manta, Thanks so much for the positive feedback. Note though that the Black Manta only does 6 day / 5 night trips in Komodo the rest of this season. I hope that is long enough for the original poster. Also, if you are looking for a trip in the next few months, the Moana is out of action until, I believe, October. It's also a nice boat and crew but they have some technical issues at the moment.