Raja Ampat and PNG questions

[Lauriep]

HI all,

I am planning a trip to Indonesia Dec -Mar and am narrowing things down. Would be interested in what your top choices would be between the following for Dec-Jan.

1. Mermaid 1 - 11 day Raja Ampat
2. Mermaid - 15 day biodiviersity Maumere - Sorong
3. Chertan Milne Bay - 12 day muck
4. Chertan Milne BAy - 10 day exploratatory

Has anyone been on the Chertan or the Spirit og Niugini lately? I would love any feedback. And is liveaboard in Milne significantly better then just staying at Tawali.

And last question - what would be your first choice for what month to be in Raja Ampat?

Thanks so much for any help!

Laurie

 

[WetPup]

I've been to Raja Ampat and Milne Bay multiple times - was last in RA in January and last in Milne Bay in March. I prefer Milne Bay, but that's just personal preference.

Milne Bay is mostly critter diving with a few wide angle opportunities.

Raja Ampat is mostly wide angle diving with a few critter opportunities.

What do you want to see? Big stuff or critters?

 

[Wisnu]

Never been to Milne bay.
Raja ampat is about marine life variety, diversity and density.
if you like muck diving and small critters, then Lembeh or Ambon is lot cheaper option than r4. Ambon offer wide angle opportunities as well..