Raja Ampat: Paradise Dancer or Adventurer II

[facesofthesea]

May I strongly recommend the Arenui. She is quite simply stunning and has for certain the best dive guides, cruise directors, high ratio of staff to guests. She is quite simply a joy to behold let alone being able to stay on board and enjoy the best dive locations in south east asia.

Yes I also support Damai, Pindito as great yachts but think Arenui just wins for the complete package.

We at Faces of the Sea (facesofthesea . com) promote and sell all these yachts and others and we would welcome an opportunity to discuss your needs and assist you in arranging your next dive vacation

 

[vvitola]

I wanted to go with Damai, however they are fully booked for Raja Ampat...

 

[jake11]

You can not go wrong with either boat! I have been on both. PD is simply gorgeous!
Awewome crew! Wendy is wonderful!!! AA2 has an AWESOME crew as well!
Both boats have huge rooms. PD is less wobbly in rougher waters than AA2.
AA2 has Made!!! You will laugh and be entertained every day, every hour with Made. What a great dive guide and all around great guy!

 

[JudyG]

It's a great boat and crew...

Here are links to trip reports:

From 2008 - Banda Sea Itinerary ---> Awoosh Indonesia

From 2010 - Raja Ampat Itinerary ---> Awoosh Indonesia 2010

Btw, Made is pronounced Mad - ay. Ali is no longer on the boat - now on Arenui

J.

 

[KLETCO]

Some beautiful photos!!!! Thank you! We are booked on the AAII in January and cannot wait!

 

[tel52]

If you are considering a trip to Raja Ampat, you might want to check out Doc Vikingo's story in the current (June 2010) edition of Undercurrent. I was fortunate enough to be invited on that trip and can assure you that his comments on the quality of the AA II are no exaggeration. Also be sure to check out JudyG's links two posts above.

Even with a full compliment of 18 divers, the boat was never crowded. We were divided into three groups, each with at least one and often two divemasters per group, and we decided if we wanted to follow our divemaster or head off on our own.

Which ever boat you choose, I'm sure you will have fantastic trip.

 

[HRScuba]

i was on the Paradise Dancer Feb.22 and the diving, accomodations, food, friendliness and competency of staff was wonderful. they had 3 dive guides join us since one of the divers was inexperienced and wanted extra attention. everything on their web site was accurate - no marketing hype.
enjoy your trip and pick up a copy of "Diving Indonesia's Raja Ampat" in advance.
Harvey

 

[whalerock]

If you want to stay on a smaller boat with a max. of 8 guests, check also the new boat from Worldwide Dive and Sail, the Mandarin Siren.

 

[btonthemove]

I am also keen to go to Raja Ampat in early 2011. Wondered who to book through. Has anyone booked a trip via Dive the World or Premier liveaboard diving or Raja Ampat liveaboard Indonesia? Its hard to know if my hard earned money is going to result in a holiday at the end.

Also, is it true we can't book internal indonesian flights except through an indonesian travel agency? Sorong is a little challenging to get to.

Also, does anyone know of a reasonably priced onland accomodation i could dive before and after the boat?

 

[edpdiver]

I am also keen to go to Raja Ampat in early 2011. Wondered who to book through. Has anyone booked a trip via Dive the World or Premier liveaboard diving or Raja Ampat liveaboard Indonesia? Its hard to know if my hard earned money is going to result in a holiday at the end.

Also, is it true we can't book internal indonesian flights except through an indonesian travel agency? Sorong is a little challenging to get to.

Also, does anyone know of a reasonably priced onland accomodation i could dive before and after the boat?

I have had excellent experience with Ultimate Dive Travel (800-737-3483). They know Indonesia very well, including local hotels, how to book domestic Indonesia flights (and how much extra time to allot given the reliability of the flights). I have used them many times for Indonesian, Philippines, and other dive travel, including booking on the Adventurer 2, and have always been pleased.

-Erwin