Diving
Exploring Ambai: A Custom-Built Indonesian Liveaboard for Raja Ampat Dive Adventures
Nov 12, 2025
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Choosing the right liveaboard can make the difference between a good diving holiday and an unforgettable one. When you’re heading to a destination as spectacular as Raja Ampat, you need more than a boat that simply floats you from dive site to dive site, you need a vessel that is purpose-built for the diving you’re about to experience, with logistics, comfort and service all working in sync. Enter Ambai, launched by Wallacea Dive Cruises, a 32-metre liveaboard designed from the ground up with divers in mind.
Ambai isn’t just any liveaboard, it’s custom-built for diving in Indonesia seas. Measuring 32 m in length, with an 8 m beam and a draft of 2.5 m, and a displacement of 235 MT- sized to deliver excellent stability and access. Materials matter too: the teak and tropical hardwood construction honours traditional Indonesian boat-craft while integrating modern liveaboard design standards. These choices translate into real benefits, being a stable platform for diving, quieter cruising between remote reefs, and the agility to reach tucked-away islands where fewer guests go.
When you step on board, you can tell right away that Ambai was built with divers in mind. The deck feels solid underfoot, the layout is open and easy to move around, perfect when you’re carrying tanks or camera gear. Even on long crossings, the boat stays steady, and when anchored, it feels calm and comfortable. Everything seems designed to make life on the water smooth and practical, from rinsing gear to relaxing between dives. Ambai isn’t a converted ship or a repurposed yacht charter, it’s built from the start for diving, by people who truly understand what divers need out there in Indonesia’s wide, beautiful seas & sites.
With space for 16 guests in 8 double cabins, each cabin comes with individually-controlled air-conditioning and an ensuite bathroom with hot water, little touches that make a big difference after long days of diving. The communal zones are equally well considered: an air-conditioned restaurant, a lounge for gear briefings and downtime, and a sun deck for relaxing between dives. For your underwater adventure to live up to the promise, comfort on board is just as important as what’s beneath the waves
For divers and photographers, Ambai delivers. The large dive deck sits at the rear of the main deck, with direct access via three dive tenders, making shore-to-water transitions smooth and efficient. Nitrox is available for certified divers, and there’s a dedicated camera room equipped for videographers and still photographers alike. These logistics mean less waiting, less friction, and more time immersed in the reef. Whether you’re rigging heavy camera gear or simply eager to get back on the surface after a fantastic dive, the boat’s design has you covered.
You can feel how well-thought-out everything is once the diving starts. The crew knows exactly how to handle the flow, tanks are filled and ready, gear is organized, and getting in and out of the water is quick and easy. The dive deck never feels crowded, even when everyone is gearing up at the same time
After each dive, there’s space to rinse and store equipment without hassle, and the camera room becomes a quiet hub where photographers can check shots, swap lenses, or just talk about the dive. It’s the kind of setup that makes a full day of diving feel effortless, smooth, safe, and focused on what really matters: enjoying every minute underwater.
Now when talking about dive destinations, Raja Ampat is often described as the crown jewel of Indo-Pacific diving with over 1,400 fish species, staggering coral biodiversity, and sublime landscapes above and below the surface. Ambai brings all of this to your doorstep, cruising through the archipelago, accessing both iconic and lesser-visited dive sites. With expert dive guides onboard, you’ll benefit from local knowledge and careful scheduling to match conditions, light and marine activity. Dive photographers will appreciate the vantage points, camera support and clear water. Best time to dive: the peak season offers the calmest seas and highest visibility, planning ahead ensures you make the most of your experience.
Each part of Raja Ampat offers something unique beneath the surface. In the Dampier Strait, powerful currents feed massive schools of fish; you'll drift past barracuda, trevally, and the occasional wobbegong shark resting on the sand. Cape Kri is known for their incredible fish density, while Blue Magic often delivers close encounters with oceanic mantas gliding gracefully through clouds of fusiliers.
Head south to Misool, and the scenery shifts into a dreamscape of soft corals, sea fans, and limestone pinnacles wrapped in color. Here, divers often find pygmy seahorses clinging to gorgonians, or watch a kaleidoscope of anthias dancing over the reef. Up north around Wayaq and Kawe, you’ll explore seamounts and coral walls where reef sharks patrol and, if you’re lucky, turtles drift lazily by
From macro life hiding in the shallows to wide-angle manta cleaning stations, Raja Ampat never stops surprising. And with Ambai’s experienced crew guiding each dive, every site feels like a new discovery, perfectly timed, carefully chosen, and always unforgettable.
Among Indonesia’s many liveaboards, Ambai stands out for its balance of comfort, space, and purpose-built design. With room for only 16 guests, the atmosphere stays relaxed and personal, you’re never just another diver in the crowd. Modern comforts blend seamlessly with her traditional wooden build, giving a sense of warmth and authenticity without sacrificing convenience.
Every detail, from the dive deck layout to the crew’s coordination, is made to support extraordinary diving days. While many larger boats cater to bigger groups or general cruising, Ambai focuses purely on its diving experience: smooth, organized, and genuinely memorable for those who want to explore Indonesia’s underwater world at its best.
If you’re looking for a high-comfort, dive-focused liveaboard in Indonesia, one that delivers where it counts, both above and below the waves, Ambai is a top choice. Thoughtfully built, well-equipped, and operated by a team that lives and breathes diving, it combines comfort with seamless organization, so every trip feels effortless from the first descent to the last sunset on deck. For those seeking a dive adventure that’s both professional and personal, the MV Ambai offers exactly that. Explore upcoming trips aboard Ambai, here!
