Mimpi liveaboard / Thalassa Divers in Manado: Any opinions?

[highdesert]

The Serenade and her sister ship (well, little sister, only 6 divers) the Symphony are actually two other boats we're looking at. The Mimpi is spending the year in Halmahera, which is pretty much frontier diving. That sounds exciting in one respect, but the other side is that the area is recognized to have fewer fish than the north Sulawesi area or Raja Ampat. And for some reason, we're into fish! So it was good to hear your observations about the Serenade.

 

[Harley1962]

No problem--this is my "home" now so any info. or advice needed on Lembeh (or Bunaken, where the Company I work for has another location) I can easily check on for you.

In closing, I did meet that same group after their Serenade trip (for dinner on land, GREAT seafood restaurant near Murex Manado, called "City Extra"), and I guess you could summarize their feelings by stating that in spite of some "touchy" weather this time of year, they really enjoyed the diving (something for every taste, as they put it), the Captain very good and Main Guide "Bastra" (who is one of the most respected Guides around N. Sulawesi) was a genius, the actual living conditions were fair to mediocre (some grumbling about the toilets), and the food lousy to mediocre., depending on who you talked to.

I noticed at dinner many were scarfing down the veggie dishes like there was no tomorrow, which might provide some indication of what was lacking?

So, if you are expecting a high-end, "Aggressor" experience, or even Thailand standard (e.g. Similan) LOB, in terms of cleanliness and food, you will likely be disappointed.

Again, your expectations and past experiences will determine (to a certain degree) how satisfied you are--but in terms of diving, I think this group were mostly "happy campers"...

Hope that helps?
HB

 

[highdesert]

Thanks Harley 1962 -

That's a pretty descriptive critique. As it turns out, we have probably shifted our diving away from north Sulawesi for this year. As I saidi right up front, we have no problems with a pretty basic operation; four and five star standards are nice, but unnecessary fo us, as long as there's a good crew, a decent bed, and a good dive operation.

But lousy food? Hmm, well, that could be going a bit too far. Again, doesn't have to be a gourmet spread, but when you're doing 3-4 tanks a day, we al know what an appetite you can work up. We'll definitely be looking at Bunaken again, and when we do, yours is another review to keep in mind.

 

[Harley1962]

I understand your feelings completely--especially about food, which is critical where diving is concerned! I have had some customers just return from Raja Ampat to dive here in Lembeh with me, and they had wonderful things to report about Irian/Papua.
However, do not "expect" big animals there, (although you may see a manta if lucky) it is not that type of place. They reported fantastic hard/soft corals, little to no current (therefore no sharks) and lots of color and just great overall viz and water conditions.
I found it amazing that they were diving in only rash guards and shorts/swim suits (here in Lembeh ,too) but they were Canadian so I guess they have "thicker skin" than us Yanks!

And just for reference, they were at Bunaken before Raja (and finally Lembeh), and in terms of "unusual and interesting" marine life they said Lembeh was THE highlight of the trip. Again, it's a question of personal taste--since muck diving isn't for everybody!

Wherever you decide to go, I am sure it will be great. Enjoy!

HB

 

[Bill Macdonald]

I have been aboard Mimpi in 2008 in North Halmahera.... 2 weeks.
Thalassa and the 4 Fish Guesthouse made the arrangements

Great captain and crew, we dove new regions and had good to super
luck. Mimpi is not much to look at, but a/c rooms, good food, and
safety minded crew was most important. So what if it looks like a floating box.
i will be showing a film at the SCUBA show on North Halmahera, Mimpi experience.

Thalassa is professional and enjoyable to work with.

Bill

Bill Macdonald