Raja Ampat Liveaboard Recommendations

[Joneill]

Thanks for the reply? Did you not have the vest in Fiji? And how do you like the REACTIVE 3MM? I just ordered a 5MM and a 3MM but I think the 5 may be overkill for that area. I don’t get that cold but I do not go 4-5 times a day for ten day’s even in Cozumel.

I did not have the vest in Fiji as I expected warmer temps. I was fine in Taveuni, but it was a bit colder in Volivoli (and wickedly windy). A few people had the 5mm Reactive and were good (though added hoods towards the end). I really like the suit - fits well warm enough for most of my diving - but may pick up a 5mm Reactive as well at some point.

What was great was the Sharkskin Hoodie I picked up before the trip - was awesome to keep me warm between dives and on the way back in.

 

[Matt Stallman]

I did not have the vest in Fiji as I expected warmer temps. I was fine in Taveuni, but it was a bit colder in Volivoli (and wickedly windy). A few people had the 5mm Reactive and were good (though added hoods towards the end). I really like the suit - fits well warm enough for most of my diving - but may pick up a 5mm Reactive as well at some point.

What was great was the Sharkskin Hoodie I picked up before the trip - was awesome to keep me warm between dives and on the way back in.

Did you get a VEST/Hood Sharkskin?

 

[Franek]

In three weeks we're taking Maria 5mm full + 3mm vest, I'm full 5mm we think it will be fine, we prefer warmth we don't like to freeze and catch cold we will be diving +/- three weeks, 9/8 LB the rest of the days resorts.

 

[Joneill]

Did you get a VEST/Hood Sharkskin?

No - hooded vest is a Hendersen Thermprene.

 

[SaltyWombat]

The Scubaspa Zen is worth considering. Some highlights:

• Spa services on board -- massages, etc.
• 15 L cylinders available (really 13.4 L, I think). For North Americans, they're basically AL100s.
• You dive from a "dhoni", which is about as comfortable as can be. Dive gear stays on the dhoni. Look at their website for pictures. Seems like a much better plan than shuttling divers back and forth in a small tender.
• Good food & drinks considering how remote Raja Ampat is and how difficult it is to obtain fresh fruit and vegetables while underway.

 

[matts1w]

The Scubaspa Zen is worth considering. Some highlights:

• Spa services on board -- massages, etc.
• 15 L cylinders available (really 13.4 L, I think). For North Americans, they're basically AL100s.
• You dive from a "dhoni", which is about as comfortable as can be. Dive gear stays on the dhoni. Look at their website for pictures. Seems like a much better plan than shuttling divers back and forth in a small tender.
• Good food & drinks considering how remote Raja Ampat is and how difficult it is to obtain fresh fruit and vegetables while underway.

That's kind of a cool idea. Purpose-built "day boat" follows the big boat and divers hop on, do their dive, and hop off. Obviously, the carbon footprint pretty much sucks, but I get it. More space for cabins, lounging, crew quarters, less compressor noise, etc...

 

[chillyinCanada]

That's kind of a cool idea. Purpose-built "day boat" follows the big boat and divers hop on, do their dive, and hop off. Obviously, the carbon footprint pretty much sucks, but I get it. More space for cabins, lounging, crew quarters, less compressor noise, etc...

It's the Maldivian way. Very comfy and convenient way to dive. That said, I wonder about the dhonis's ability to be a fast chase boat.

 

[Dan]

Thank you Dan. I have a 3 and ordered a 3M REACTIVE and a 5MM reactive. But with the other layers I have I can’t decide if I will need the 5 If I layer. OR— I may be better off keeping a 3 and a 5 and after day 5 switch to the 5 like you were saying..esp. with my 1.5 Vest hood to help, and a 3MM hood/bid to add !!

Just finished RA with Mermaid2. 5mm in OK. I could wear 3mm full just fine too, as I did in the past.

 

[Joneill]

Just finished RA with Mermaid2. 5mm in OK. I could wear 3mm full just fine too, as I did in the past.

What were water temps?

 

[Dan]

What were water temps?

WARM 29-30C (84-86F)
Misool 30C (86F)
Penemu 30C (86F)
Kawe 29C (84F)
Wofoh 30C (86F)
Dampier Strait 29-30C (84-86F)

This trip was the first trip to Raja Ampat since February 2020 for Mermaid 2. So no data between Feb 2020 to Dec 2022.