Raja Ampat Liveaboard - Northern or Southern itinerary?

[Hintermann]

Hi all!

I am planning a 11-day liveaboard cruise to Raja Ampat in November 2014. I know that it is still a long time away but that being high season in a popular destination, boats do get full in advance. As things stand, I have got a provisional place on a diving cruise of Southern Raja Ampat covering South Misool,Batanta, Dampier Strait, Mansuar Waigeo, Gam and Kri areas. However, I have heard that the Northern itinerary offers more varied marine life and better visibility.

If that is indeed the case, I can make the effort to change my dates to suit a Northern itinerary but before I do that I want to ask other members if there really is such a significant difference. I would be grateful if people can briefly highlight what the dives are like in both North & South so that I can make my decision.

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[Interceptor121]

Conditions in Raja Ampat vary a lot. I was there last November and the viz was awful in the north and better in Misool. Generally it rains all year sporadically and is more windy in the summer when Misool closes. In any case you don't get more than 20mt viz

Few videos
North
[youtubehq]DuCMkUyYiDE[/youtubehq]

Misool
[youtubehq]2p6g12dxIBU[/youtubehq]

 

[highdesert]

Interceptor is correct in that the viz is quite variable. On our last trip to RA, our second dive at Manta Sandy was so soupy it was difficult to see a 6 meter animal 20 meters away. Our dives the next day on Sardine Reef and Chicken Reef were totally the opposite. All those sites are in Dampier Strait.

As to what your trip covers, in my mind you're getting the South plus about half of the North. Sounds like you have a good itinerary. I would personally stick with it.

 

[Quero]

What HD said. When you said "southern" R4 I didn't expect to see Kri, Dampier and other northern areas listed, but they are part of your itinerary. I don't think you're missing out on the northern route with this trip. Go, and have a ball!

 

[Wisnu]

Great videos Interceptor
and I don't think the viz was awful, at least compared with us on end of Dec. seem much better

 

[Hintermann]

Thanks people. Based on what you guys said, I have confirmed my place on MSY Seahorse. As I said, it will be an itinerary involving South Misool, Batanta, Dampier Strait, Mansuar Waigeo, Gam and Kri areas.
And Interceptor, I'll be quite happy with the sort of visibility shown on your videos! Great stuff and thanks for sharing them.

 

[Interceptor121]

Great videos Interceptor
and I don't think the viz was awful, at least compared with us on end of Dec. seem much better

It looks better on video than it did in reality because I had a wide angle lens and was quite close to things much closer than it looks.

I have over 4 hours of footage and usually I produce around 15 minutes each two hours in this case I had much less.

We were unlucky on dampier straits the current was strong and we were not expecting it (poor briefing by the boat) so I missed out footage of hunting mackarels

It now looks great on video but during the trip it was a bit frustrating, viz was never more than 20 meters or 65 feet still a great trip overall

 

[jake11]

I agree! Our first trip to RA included both the North and the South and it was the best trip there out of the 3x we have been! Have a great time!!!!!

 

[esonia1982]

What do you guys think of this itinerary for Raja Ampat? The price is fairly cheap for a liveaboard but I am wondering if that is due to a sub-par itinerary...

Mansuar, Penem, Fam, Batanta, Waigeo and Wayag

 

[Mike Veitch]

Hi Esonia, That is a northern itinerary only, but it hits all the good spots in North Raja, no problem on that one. How long is the trip?