Raja Ambat Liveaboard Help

[GKDive]

New to the forum. We'll be in Indonesia diving the first two weeks of August this year. We'd like to do a liveaboard, and were debating between Raja Ambat and Komodo. I think we'd been persuaded to do Raja ambat but I'm having a devil of a time finding any boats there during that time (dates are somewhat flexible, but roughly aug 1-14 and would like ~1 wk at least for lob). I've looked at boats others have reviewed on here, but unless I missed one, looks they'll all be in Komodo or elsewhere during that time. Two questions:

1) Based on some kind of dubious tripadvisor stuff I read, is this because weather/seas are bad in Raja Ambat during July/August? I've read conflicting things on this point, but just judging from what I see online, it does seem like not many boats there... If so, would it be a mistake to go then even if we just did homestay or a resort? Are we much better off in Komodo that time of year?

2) I did find one called the Aggressor that usually in Raja ambat and I think will be in Cenderawasih during this time. Obviously not exactly the same, and I haven't been able to tell how diving is other than that there are whale sharks. Does anyone have thoughts on this boat or that bay generally?

Thanks in advance! (if you think we are totally misguided and we should be looking at some other location altogether, I'd love to hear! We are flying in/out of Bali, but have never been to Indonesia and are open-minded to all sites. We'd like to minimize travel in-country and focus on diving one area, which seems to also be good consensus advice from the pros on this board)

 

[Cali_diver]

Cenderawasih Bay is known for it's whaleshark experience. Which is phenomenal but only accounts for 1-2 days depending on boat. The rest of the diving is nice. You can find some great macro subjects and some endemic species, but you are mainly going to dive with the whalesharks. I can't speak for the Aggressor since I have not been on the boat. Getting there is not easy....

I have been to Komodo and Raja Ampat many times and would pick Komodo over Raja. Komodo is amazing and quite diverse since you have every type of diving at your finger tips. It is easy to get to if you are flying out of Bali.

In order to truly experience Raja you need to be on a live aboard if you can.

 

[AlMitch]

My 2psi worth would be to spend a week on a LOB in Komodo and then spend a week diving around and exploring Bali.
Bali is an amazing place, with tons to see above and below the waves.

 

[pelan-pelan]

I haven't done a LOB in this area but I visited the Amira a week ago while she was moored at Lembeh. The dive deck was all in strict good order, the staff were friendly and helpful, the place was clean, the boat is very spacious, I was told that they serve a mix of Indonesian and European style food. And I believe it is very expensive! It is a beautiful phinisi-style boat.

Not sure if this is of any use to you, but it may help someone.

 

[weeksd]

Mermaid liveaboards are doing the komodo area at the time your looking at. Both mermaid 1 which does 10 day trips and mermaid 2 does 7 day trip depart bali and return to bali so no flying within indonesia. They also pick you up at the hotels so you don't have to find which dock they are at. I have done 8 trips on mermaid liveaboards and will do more. They are excellent in terms of the liveaboard and crews. Komodo diving has a lot of variety in terms of water colour and the sand bottoms and every dive site has different topography which i like. Different animals are at each site also. I prefer mermaid 1 as both boats do the same route but mermaid 1 has 3 extra days to redo some sites.

 

[chillyinCanada]

AlMitch +1

Also chance for MolaMola sightings in August at Bali

 

[dirtfarmer]

Your time frame isn't a good time for Raja Ampat but excellent for Komodo/Bali. Mermaid and Black Manta are both good mid-range options for LOB's sailing from Bali/ Komodo/Bali. Or if your a bit more budget minded you can do Komodo from land for less$.
I dived with Scuba Junkies who have a new resort in Komodo which I liked. (I've done 2 LOB's with Mermaid to Komodo also).
Komodo is great diving and Bali is a great choice also, especially if you want to do some topside sightseeing.

 

[GKDive]

Thanks all! Okay, Komodo LOB it is. I will definitely also look into the Mola Mola - thanks for the heads up ChillyinCanada!