RA in September?

[wetsuit]

Hoping to go Raja Ampat 2nd week in Sepotember (2012) on a liveaboard. The ones I've researched so far either don't operate then, or they're in Komodo or Sulawesi at that time of year. Is this not a good time to go to RA? Anyone have experience going there in September? Thanks.

 

[takoyaki]

Diving is still possible in R4 in September. The weather, particularly in the southern Misool area, is not generally guaranteed until the end of September. That's why you find many boats moving to the South. Grand Komodo has a boat that operates in R4 year round; they are also one of the most affordable operators - but not to worry; as they have lots of experience and a good base of satisfied guests over the years. Grand Komodo Liveaboard Diving Schedules, Prices, and Booking

But... having said all this... there is a reason that the higher end/foreign owned and operated boats move to Komodo for that period: Komodo rocks at that time! For my money Komodo is the best diving in the world. The catch is: not good for physically unfit, inexperienced or easily frightened divers. Also, if you travel with a big housing and double strobes... Komodo may be too hard for you if you cannot leave your camera on the boat for the big current dives. It's a common complaint of my avid photographer guests that they used too much air fighting to stay in one spot to shoot the action.

 

[wetsuit]

Takoyaki
Thank you for the information. Komodo is definitely on my list of must dives (and it's easier to get to from Bali), but I've heard so much about RA being THE best dive spot. Is the weather bad enough to make the trip dodgy? We'll be travelling in early September. And if I get talked out of RA, do you have recommendations for Komodo/Flores? Terima kasih.

 

[takoyaki]

How far are you traveling wetsuit? Like any weather-dependent activity that costs a lot of money, you have to balance the expense of your trip with the chance of getting skunked with bad weather. R4 has a higher risk of weather limiting your options. It's a bigger area and getting to the South may be impossible... or not cost effective if your boat is not full.
R4 rocks! But, given my overall experience of both areas, I like Komodo better... and it's cheaper. Preferred shop: Dive Komodo (they can book you into most of the good liveaboards and operate one or two themselves). Boats I like best: Moana, Arenui, Embaku, Samata. The absolute best boat in the country is the Seven Seas... but you will be very lucky to get a space on her. The owner of Seven Seas is the brother of the owner of Dive Komodo and both are great guys with the most experience in Komodo. Their family first dived there in 1972! (I don't work for them... just know them for years and like them a lot)
Boats to avoid are the steel ones like Mermaid I & II and Queen Scuba. Diving from the wooden Phinisis is a much better and more organic experience; you really feel a part of the surroundings.

 

[Ramsy]

Also, if you travel with a big housing and double strobes... Komodo may be too hard for you if you cannot leave your camera on the boat for the big current dives. It's a common complaint of my avid photographer guests that they used too much air fighting to stay in one spot to shoot the action.

I can attest to this as being a fact. I just got back from a 10 day liveaboard trip to Komodo. I brought a camera setup that had dual Ikelite strobes. During my first few dives, my SAC rate practically doubled trying to do photography. Current is one of the reasons for this - i.e. fighting to get into and stay in postition. The other reason is that a lot of the photography in Komodo is macro photography. By the 4th or 5th dive, I took the strobes off the camera and shot video only. I enjoyed the dives much more after that.

 

[scorpiofish]

Boats I like best: Moana, Arenui, Embaku, Samata. The absolute best boat in the country is the Seven Seas... but you will be very lucky to get a space on her. The owner of Seven Seas is the brother of the owner of Dive Komodo and both are great guys with the most experience in Komodo. Their family first dived there in 1972! (I don't work for them... just know them for years and like them a lot)
Boats to avoid are the steel ones like Mermaid I & II and Queen Scuba. Diving from the wooden Phinisis is a much better and more organic experience; you really feel a part of the surroundings.

I agreed with everything until the "organic" experience of diving from a Phinisi. That made me laugh. If you are stuck on September, then I agree that Komodo is the absolute best choice. The last thing you want to do is go all the way to Raja and have to limit yourself based on weather. All Phinisi's are not created equally. As much as I love the Seven Seas, I think the Arenui is a notch above. There are several that are many notches below.

 

[bittenbysharks]

Raja Ampat has absolutely fantastic weather in September, especially in the Northern and Central parts... There is a very good live-aboard managed and owned by an American couple that stays in R4 year round. Just google putiraja live-aboard and you should find their site and contact details I presume.
I live in the Raja Ampat and every year we look forward to September and October because of the really nice weather and the near total absence of live-aboards...
There are also some top resort choices to consider...

 

[wetsuit]

Thank you all for your replies. We've been going back and forth between wanting to go to R4 or Komodo. I'm thinking that R4 would be great if we could go later - like in October? I appreciate all your suggestions about operators in both locations.
I'd also appreciate any suggestions about land-based operators (we may do a bit of both) in R4.

 

[frogfish]

Boats to avoid are the steel ones like Mermaid I & II and Queen Scuba. Diving from the wooden Phinisis is a much better and more organic experience; you really feel a part of the surroundings.

That does not make any sense... There are pros and cons to stell and Pilnisis, but to state that steel boats should be avoided is

I have been on both types in Indonesia and had great trips

 

[takoyaki]

ut to state that steel boats should be avoided is

I have been on both types in Indonesia and had great trips

It is a question of politics. If you are not aware... then more power to you. For myself... I prefer to contribute to operators that work with the communities and are environmentally/culturally pro-active.