Question Seeking itinerary advice.

[uncfnp]

With Bali/Komodo planned for August 2024 I am looking for a Raja Ampat for Spring 2025, ideally February or March. Because of circumstances I am limited to just a few boat options so right now it looks like it will be the Mermaid I (same boat for Bali). I have a choice between a 9/10 day trip Sorong to Sorong or a 11/12 day trip from Lembeh to Sorong (or reversed). Obviously more logistics involved in the one way trip but ignoring that does anyone have an opinion on the two choices?

 

[av8torx]

Hi. I’ve been on liveaboards on the great barrier reef, PNG around Kimbe Bay and the Philippines in the Tubbataha reef. Shores dives all over Mexico and Central America, Red Sea , Florida keys I prefer pristine reefs with a mix big and small sea life Big Tuna schools and sharks are amazing to see. PNG offered a nice mix. Tubbataha vis was not that great. Thanks D

 

[cetacean]

Hi. I’ve been on liveaboards on the great barrier reef, PNG around Kimbe Bay and the Philippines in the Tubbataha reef. Shores dives all over Mexico and Central America, Red Sea , Florida keys I prefer pristine reefs with a mix big and small sea life Big Tuna schools and sharks are amazing to see. PNG offered a nice mix. Tubbataha vis was not that great. Thanks D

@av8torx

I would be very surprised if you saw too many divers in PNG.

Indonesia is not going to provide too many places with both great macro and great "big stuff" (other than reef scenes and possibly schools of fish). There are places in Indonesia that have very good "big stuff" - however Indonesia is not necessarily where to go for schools of sharks, etc.

To be honest - it's still very unclear what you are really looking for. There are places in Indonesia where you can consistenly get in the water with whalesharks, mantas, massive schools of fish, amazing critters, etc. (all different locations within Indonesia) but very few divers are going to Indonesia for sharks (as an example).

If you liked PNG, you should try the Solomon Islands. If you want sharks, try Cocos (liveaboard) or French Polynesia (land-based).

Tubbataha can be outstanding.... don't write up the location completely because of the ~7-8 days diving while you were there.

 

[revise]

I have narrowed it down to 2 options....

Thanks for posting about detailed itinerary options, and also to everyone on this thread that has replied with various suggestions. It's all been very helpful to read, re-read, and re-re-read... Booking flights for my own trip and definitely had this thread open to consult multiple times. Fingers crossed it all goes well!

 

[1fish]

Also, if you are looking at air tickets extremely early they are usually priced pretty high.

What is considered to early to book? We are booked on a Mermaid 1 in late April, about 6 months from now. I am starting to look at flights, is it to early?

 

[uncfnp]

So update.

Flying RDU-JFK-Doha-CGK where I will overnight at Anara then catch Garuda to MDC next morning. After a week NAD-Lembeh I head back to Manado to overnight at Novotel and catch Lion Air (extra wt prepaid) next morning to Sorong. Overnight at the Aston before catching the LOB next day.

After the LOB will overnight at the Swiss Bel in Sorong before catching my flights SOQ-CGK-Doha-JFK-RDU home. All purchased multicity on Qatar except for the Lion Air that I purchased through Tiket. Hotel nights purchased through Hotels.com and Travelocity.

 

[uncfnp]

What is considered to early to book? We are booked on a Mermaid 1 in late April, about 6 months from now. I am starting to look at flights, is it to early?

I spent months researching the various options, probably more than usual since I had the option of travel east or west. Once I had decided the route and airline I wanted I spent another month or so tracking rates. Just finished booking the last of my flights yesterday for my March trip.