Raja Ampat Liveaboard Recommendations

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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.
 
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?
 
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.
 
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.
 
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...
 
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.
 
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.
 
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?
 
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.
 

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