Raja Ampat: Paradise Dancer or Adventurer II

[vvitola]

Hi! I am going to Raja Ampat on November, but cannot decide if take the Paradise Dancer or the Archipielago Aventurer II. I have been reading reviews and since I am not an experienced diver, something important is that the Adventurer II has 4 DM and a total of 16 passangers vrs the Paradise Dancer with 2 DM and a total of 18 passangers. The adventurer has free Nitrox and the PD don´t
They both seem very nice, the price is almost the same.
I have read good reviews on the Paradise Dancer but none on the Archipielago Adventurer. If anyone can help me I would really appreciate it.
Regards!

 

[OnTheSpot]

Hi There,

I was wondering what diving experience you have?

Usually, you find that some divers will dive together separate from the group so this will reduce the numbers with each guide.

Free Nitrox is a bonus but I don't think you could be disappointed with either boat.

Both Paradise Dancer and Archipelago Advnturer II have some places available on their November trips but you should book soon to make sure you get the dates you prefer.

Good luck with your planning.

 

[edpdiver]

I went on a 12 night trip on the Adventurer 2 through Raja Ampat that started in Sorong and ended in Ambon, and it was a spectacular trip. The diving was excellent, as were the dive guides, and all of the people working on the boat. The boat itself was very comfortable, and well-run. The cabins were very large compared to most liveaboards, and very comfortable. Food varied from good to excellent. The operation ran smoothly, and I would go on it again in a heartbeat. I have not been on the Paradise Dancer, so I cannot compare. However, I did check out a number of reviews online before deciding to go on the Adventurer 2, and I found quite a few, some on this board, and lots more on Undercurrents. All of the reviews were glowing (never found a negative review), so I think that my experience was typical.

Here is a link to the underwater pics 2010 adventurer2 liveaboard Raja Ampat - a set on Flickr

and here is a link to some above-water pics of the boat and and beach bbq they set up one night: 2010 adventurer2 trip - above water - a set on Flickr

Hope this helps.
-Erwin

 

[Warmwater Wank]

We did AA2 out of Sorong into RA last December. It was excellent. No, beyond excellent, it was marvelous. No wait it was...ah heck, now i wish I were back onboard. Epdiver nailed it very well. Roomy, very well run boat with a very solid, happy crew. It was great. No, it was... // ww

 

[vvitola]

I went on a 12 night trip on the Adventurer 2 through Raja Ampat that started in Sorong and ended in Ambon, and it was a spectacular trip. The diving was excellent, as were the dive guides, and all of the people working on the boat. The boat itself was very comfortable, and well-run. The cabins were very large compared to most liveaboards, and very comfortable. Food varied from good to excellent. The operation ran smoothly, and I would go on it again in a heartbeat. I have not been on the Paradise Dancer, so I cannot compare. However, I did check out a number of reviews online before deciding to go on the Adventurer 2, and I found quite a few, some on this board, and lots more on Undercurrents. All of the reviews were glowing (never found a negative review), so I think that my experience was typical.

Here is a link to the underwater pics 2010 adventurer2 liveaboard Raja Ampat - a set on Flickr

and here is a link to some above-water pics of the boat and and beach bbq they set up one night: 2010 adventurer2 trip - above water - a set on Flickr

Hope this helps.
-Erwin

Hi! A last Question, since the boat is smaller than the paradise dancer I heard that it is a little woobly. Any comments on that?

 

[edpdiver]

The Adventurer 2 was a comfortable ride, and I did not think it felt wobbly. I cannot compare, of course, but judged on its own, the Adventurer 2 felt fine.

 

[scorpiofish]

These are both good boats, two of the best in the area. The rooms on the PD are bigger. Wendy runs a excellent. One of the guides, Yann, is the best guide I've ever had. The other guy is very good, too from what I hear. Yes, they only have 2 guides for the maximum 18 guests, which isn't great. I hear the boat still leaks a bit when it rains.

AAII is also an outstanding boat. Ali and Made are two of the most respected guides in the business, although one of them left to work on the Arenui. I'm not sure they really have 4 guides for the 16 max passengers, but I could be wrong.

There are five boats (out of 37 working Raja) that I would use. These are two of them.

 

[tarzana]

Scorpiofish could you tell me the other boats you would go on in Raja?

 

[scorpiofish]

Damai
Seven Seas
Pindito

maybe Arenui

 

[edpdiver]

Ali and Made are two of the most respected guides in the business, although one of them left to work on the Arenui. I'm not sure they really have 4 guides for the 16 max passengers, but I could be wrong.

On my trip on the Adventurer 2, there were at least 4 guides on all dives (sometimes 5); I agree that Made (pronounced "Moddee") is a great guide, and a lot of fun.
-Erwin