Raja Ampat Ultimate

Our « Raja Ampat » cruise departures are from Sorong (SOQ). That city is well served with some daily flights from the main Indonesian International Airports such as Jakarta, Manado, Makassar, and Denpasar.To reach the departure of our cruises

The legendary Raja Ampat area has long been thought of as the “last frontier”.

A sense of peacefulness surrounds you when exploring the area: one of the last, rare untouched places on earth.

Our usual 13 day trip, which offers a visit to the entire Raja Ampat area, is an unforgettable experience: outstanding Scuba diving into one of the planet’s best spots, sea kayaking into a constellation of sapphire blue-water lagoons fringed by rainforests, bird watching opportunities, hiking to stunning viewpoints and finally encounters with the local inhabitant of these islands.

Our adventure will begin in Sorong where you are awaited on our vessel before 12 noon, and will end up in Sorong as well where we will disembark before 12 noon. We organize your pick up and drop off at the airport or at your hotel.

THE DIVING

The abundance of sea life, both fixed fauna such as corals and gorgonians along the lush reef, as well as the stunning quantity and diversity of fish swimming above is just astonishing. The dive sites’ underwater topographies are also varied and interesting, filled with dramatic pinnacles, long ridges, walls, hidden caves, rock formations, azure lagoons, and much more.

The fauna ranges from the tiny Pygmy Seahorse to the oceanic manta ray. Raja Ampat’s signature are the huge schools of fish: clouds of fusiliers that attract predators like tunas and trevallies, barracudas, schools of the inquisitive spadefish, schools of sweetlips, groups of bump head parrotfish, napoleon wrasses, etc...

Reef sharks are very much present on the reefs; the carpet shark or Wobbegong is ubiquitous, laying on a coral or under a rock behind a cloud of glass-fish. The walking shark (Epaulette shark) can often be seen during night dives. Mantas are often spoted on three different dive sites.

The Wallacea typical “Raja Ampat ultimate” 13-day trip covers the whole Raja Ampat area: Misool in the South, up to Wayag in the North, and the Dampier Strait. We then choose the dive sites according to the prevailing conditions during the trip.

A minimum of 36 dives (3 dives per day) is offered during the trip, including at least 6 night dives.

SNORKELING

Our trips are open to snorkelers. Most of the dive sites offer great snorkeling opportunities with a lot to see in shallow waters, and we offer specific guidance for snorkelers.

ACTIVITIES

Besides the diving, we offer some activities along the trip according to weather conditions and the final trip itinerary.

In Misool, we will visit the ranger’s station and snorkel in front of their beach in a natural shark nursery where small black tips are swimming around in one meter of crystal clear water. A short hike to the viewpoint of the “love lagoon” (a lagoon in the shape of a hearth!) will be offered. In Farondi, we will use the dinghies to navigate inside some hidden lagoons and go for a walk into a cave.

The most northern point of our trip is the iconic Wayag Lagoon that we will visit with the dinghies throughout the hundreds of quartz islets. A short hike to the viewpoint of “mount Pindito” will allow us to admire the entire lagoon. In Dampier Strait, we will visit one or several villages in the late afternoon. An early morning short hike into the rainforest to a bird of paradise mating tree is also proposed.

You can also ask a boatman to bring you a shore at any time, as long as the schedule allows it. Our four complementary kayaks and paddles are also available to go on shore or in the lagoons whenever the boat is anchored. All these activities are subject to weather conditions as well as the planned daily schedule and itinerary.

WEATHER

The weather is variable, even during the "dry" season, in this part of Indone- sia, rain showers often happen. The sea is generally calm, with a few tempo- rary storms, and sometimes light swell in the northern parts. Temperatures are around 30 °C.

VISIBILITY

Raja Ampat's waters are dense with life and visibility can be limited. It is typically in the range of 10-20 meters, depending on the local condition that can vary from one dive to another.

TEMPERATURE

The ocean temperature all year long is between 28° and 30°C (82°-84°C). .

CURRENTS

Raja Ampat is well known for its consistent currents that bring incredible life. Wallacea Dive Cruises has a long experience diving these sites. We pay close attention to diving in the right places at the right time, to avoid difficult or dangerous currents. Before each dive, our guides conduct current checks so that our briefings will always inform you about the up-to-the-minute diving conditions.

ITINERARY & NAVIGATION:

The map shows the general cruise itinerary. It can slightly vary depending on weather conditions, currents, visibility, and tides. Distances are not long: there are only two overnight crossings, the other navigations are taking place between dives or in the early morning. We usually start the trips by going South and then making our way up to the North.

MISOOL :

Misool is excellent for taking wide angle shots, encounters with mantas, and massive schools of fish. The under- water topography is predominantly rocky with ridges and rock formations. The colorful reefs display an abundance of soft corals and huge gorgonians. Macro subjects are plenty as well: pygmy seahorses, tiny crabs, nudibranchs, and other rare photogenic life are everywhere.

FAM - PENEMU :

We spend one day on these islands between the North and the South area. The dives include the site “Melissa garden” which has the best coral garden of the Raja Ampat and “My reef” well known for its barracuda school and numerous Wobbegongs.

THE NORTH :

The iconic Wayag lagoons composed of hundreds of rocky quartz limestone islets, are a marvel to explore with dinghies or onboard kayaks. We also recommend a short hike to a summit to admire the surrounding areas. Mantas and black tip sharks are swimming around. Kawe island has some of the finest diving in the area, with a good population of fish and regular manta encounters. The Aljui bay, a 20 kilometres long indentation, provides some of the best Raja Ampat’s macro dive site locations.

DAMPIER STRAIT :

We usually spend one or two days there to visit its famous dive sites around Kri with their impressive amount of fish.

DIVE ORGANISATION ON MV AMBAI

• Due to the large number of dives performed during the trip and the remoteness of the location, we urge divers to stay within no-deco limits, to not exceed a maximum depth of 35 meters, and to perform a safety stop at the end of every dive.
• Depending on the guests’ dive experience, interests (photography, macro, etc), and use of Nitrox (free for certified divers), the Cruise Director will arrange the diving groups. These groups are made of up to four divers maximum and a dive guide. The dive guides are rotating on a daily basis. Each diver is given a dive tank (DIN & INT available, no need for adapters) and their own dive station for the duration of the cruise.
• A briefing will be conducted by the Cruise Director or one of the guides before each dive. It will describe the site topography, depths, currents, and potential hazards, as well as the marine life we expect to encounter.
• The staff carries your tank between the MV Ambai and the dinghies. Onboard the dinghies, the tanks are placed into slots and the guide will help you to gear up just before you back-roll into the water.
• Identification books of flora and local fauna are available on board, and the dive guides will always help you identify the animals you have seen during the dives.
• Some dive equipment are available for rent on board. However, all sizes are not necessarily available, so please book it prior to the cruise.
  * Our cruises are open to divers with a Padi Advanced Open Water or equivalent with at least 30 logged dives. Less experienced divers can also participate
  with special supervision that needs to be arranged before the cruise.
  * Insurance covering medical evacuation and diving accidents is highly recommended. Divers will be filling out a statement of medical fitness for dive activities onboard.

THE BOAT

MV ambai is an ironwood boat of 32m x 7.5m custom-built in 2012, for smooth navigation with focus on spaciousness and convenience for diving activities. With its 3 fiberglass dinghies, confortable dive deck and camera room, the boat is suitable for avid and pro divers, UW photographers & videographers. Kayaks, paddle board and waterski are also available onboard.

THE CABINS

There are 8 comfortable cabins onboard, all equipped with individually-controlled air-conditioning. Each cabin has a private bathroom with hot shower and ample storage for personal belongings. Every bathroom has a separate toilet and shower, with ample water pressure for everyone!

There are 2 sea view cabins with double bed (upper deck 10 m2), 4 cabins with double bed and a single bunk bed (double/ twin bed, lower deck 12 m2), and 2 cabins with twin bunk beds (lower deck, 10 m2).

COMMON AREAS

MV Ambai is designed to make guests comfortable during long trips with 2 outdoor lounges, one on the main deck and one on the upper deck. There is plenty of space where guests can mingle and socialize under the shade, but also enough space for them to relax on their own to read their books or take a nap outdoor.

There is a smoking area at the back of the upper deck where guests can also get to know the crew.

The air-conditioned restaurant on the main deck also serves as the place to brief divers before each dive and is equipped with a TV in the middle of the room. The restaurant includes a bar.

SERVICE

Behind the MV Ambai’s success, there is a professional, discreet, smiling, and very friendly crew. Our team will treat you with special attention, assist you with whatever you need, and of course carry your tank & gear. Most of our crew have been working with us for many years.

THE CUISINE

Mixing eastern and western specialties, our cuisine is a “fusion" of the best of both that will never let you go hungry.
Should you have specific requests, or a particular dietary need, (vegetarian or allergy, for example), our chefs will adapt the meals for your greatest pleasure.

THE TEAM AT YOUR SERVICE

• 1 cruise director / diving instructor
• 17 crew members including 4 dive guides