Raja Ampat...how difficult is it?

[opalobsidian]

We travel to Bali every June on business, and for the past few years have enjoyed making a side trip to N Sulawesi. We recently learned that Irian Jaya is a premier dive spot and are curious to find out more, but I haven't been able to find that much information about it, other than that's it's gorgeous and seems waaaaaay off the beaten path. Can anyone share their knowledge and/or experiences?

Is Raja Ampat the only dive destination?

Is there only one land based op?

Is there a less expensive but well staffed LiveAboard, preferably one I could book with directly?

Is it difficult to fly there from Bali?

Are there ripping currents on most of the dives? (the strongest currents we've experienced were in Cozumel)

Thanks so much!
Pamela

 

[Allison Finch]

I'll let you know what I find out about all of your questions, soon.

BTW, I think liveaboards are the (almost) only way to go.

 

[opalobsidian]

OOOO! That's quite an adventure you're headed off to, isn't it! Yes, please do keep me updated!

Did you post a question in another thread asking if the water was colder in Lembeh?

When I was there in early July of last year I was REALLY cold in Lembeh, the water temps there were significantly lower than they had been around Bunaken. But I was told this was due to colder currents moving into the entire region which bring on Indonesia's dry season, which was late in coming this year. It rained the entire time we were in Lembeh.:shakehead

 

[Travelnsj]

I'm doing research on that area now. If you want to go to Lembeh Straits.....you should go out of Singapore and you fly into Manado.....I am doing the Lembeh Straits and Sorido Bay/Papau Divers in Dec......if you are in Bali...You might want to check Wakatobi and another spot I was at in Sepember...was some of the finest diving for some really cool things is East Timor....I dove with DiveTimor.com....they were great!....let me know if you need further info.

From everything I have read and my experience in Bali and East Timor....I do not think you will find a lot of currents...once in a while.....If you like currents go to Palau or Rangiroa...They rip there!

 

[dawhale]

Did a 16 day live aboard to Raja Ampat on the ****kira in October of last year. Grand Komodo Tours runs the boat http://www.komodoalordive.com/ . This is my second trip with them and highly recommended their operation. Their is a new airport in Raja Ampat and the Boeing 737's come and go all day. Flying from Bali you will have to change planes in Makasar. If you fly to Manado the flight to Sorong, Raja Ampat is non-stop and a little cheaper. Last year is was about $350 out of Bali. Manado was about $300 round trip. Diving is excellent. I have booked the boat thru the US agent in Colorado and the second trip I delt direct with Grand Komodo.

 

[Allison Finch]

Lembeh is, traditionally, colder than surrounding areas. It is colder in the summer months, with Jan/Feb being the warmest water, or so I've been told by the locals. We'll see. I have a 3mm, core warmer, and hooded vest. That should do it, I hope. I get cold easily since I slowly stalk with a camera and don't use much energy to stay warm.
I will post when I get back.

 

[ghoombahds]

I'm off to Raja Ampat in Feb. Going to Bunaken and Lembeh first for a couple weeks then Raja Ampat. We'll be staying at Papua Divers, as was recommended by a friend who stayed there. I imagine a live-aboard in the area might get you to some more spots, but, it's all fairly remote anyway and as I work on a ship I don't like to vacation at sea. We'll be flying into Manado and then taking a flight from there to Sorong in West Papua for about 175 each. I'll post a report once we're back.