Recommendations for Raja Ampat Liveaboard?

[TostitoBandito]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'll peruse the suggestions and let you know if I have any questions.

 

[Dan]

Don't forget to bring your reef hook and don't miss Magic Mountain in Misool. @scubaNYC16 was there last week and saw 12 Mantas, First Timer Liveaboard in Raja Ampat - Help Needed

I'll be there next week. Here is a video I shot 5 years ago (17 Jan 2020) when I dove in Magic Mountain. It's simply MAGICAL!

 

[Darnold9999]

Have you been on Blue Manta?

No, but have been on Ambai and Mermaid (steel) as well as Dewi, Damai, Samambia and a couple of others all wood. All excellent choices.

 

[Darnold9999]

I would second that you want local guides NOT an expat doing the rounds of liveaboards in the area. A local knows the life intimately, the expat may or may not. My experience has been mixed, but mostly not great.

 

[TostitoBandito]

We just booked the Blue Manta in January 2026, 10 nights in Raja Ampat/Misool. Gonna be wild. Thanks again for all the feedback and info.

 

[Dan]

We just booked the Blue Manta in January 2026, 10 nights in Raja Ampat/Misool. Gonna be wild. Thanks again for all the feedback and info.

Good choice Say hi to Cedric for me if he’ll be your cruise director.

Hopefully you’ll see what I saw last year and more with Blue Manta.

 

[scubaNYC16]

We just booked the Blue Manta in January 2026, 10 nights in Raja Ampat/Misool. Gonna be wild. Thanks again for all the feedback and info.

Awesome boat and crew, you will love it. It’s huge and very stable. We hit a pretty nasty passing storm on the crossing to Misool and barely felt anything. I would not want to be on one of those wood boats in rough seas.