Frequently Asked Questions

A multi-day diving voyage aboard a traditional Indonesian phinisi (or modern dive vessel), sailing the Raja Ampat archipelago — the global epicenter of marine biodiversity. You sleep, eat, and dive from the boat, accessing remote reefs unreachable by land.

It sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle — 1,700+ reef fish species and 600+ coral species, the highest documented marine biodiversity on Earth. Add intact reefs, oceanic + reef mantas, and uncrowded sites — and you have the world's most complete dive destination.

West Papua, Indonesia — a 4-island archipelago (Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati, Misool) plus 1,500+ smaller islands. Gateway airport is Sorong (SOQ), reached via Jakarta (CGK) or Makassar (UPG).

Yes — most of Raja Ampat is a Marine Protected Area (MPA). A IDR 1,000,000 (~USD 65) per-person park fee funds enforcement and community programs. We pre-arrange this for every voyage.

Komodo offers strong currents and pelagic action; Raja Ampat offers greater biodiversity and more pristine reefs. Many divers do both. See our side-by-side comparison.

Hand-built Bugis wooden schooner — typically 25–45m, 6–10 cabins, en-suite bathrooms on premium tiers, full dive deck, sun deck, indoor + outdoor dining. Capacity 12–20 guests + 10–15 crew. Full onboard tour.

Standard schedule: 3 dives/day + 1 night dive. Total 16–22 dives over 7 nights. We adjust pace for macro-focus voyages (max 3/day for proper observation).

Indonesian + Western fusion, freshly prepared. Buffet breakfast & lunch, plated dinner. Dietary restrictions (vegetarian, gluten-free, halal) accommodated with advance notice. Snacks + coffee/tea available all day.

All premium and luxury tier phinisis have en-suite hot showers and cabin AC. Comfort-tier vessels have shared bathrooms and fan-only cabins.

Limited. Star-link is available on most luxury vessels; otherwise expect no signal for most of the voyage. We provide pre-departure briefings so loved ones know what to expect.

Welcome. Snorkeling at every site, kayaking, island treks, beach landings, sunset cocktails. Many guests join purely for the cruise experience.

October to April — primary dive season. Calm seas, visibility 20–40m, currents predictable. Manta peak: December–March. Avoid May–September (monsoon).

Reef mantas year-round at Manta Sandy + Arborek (peak Dec–Mar with 10–20+ per cleaning station). Oceanic mantas peak at Magic Mountain (Misool) January–April.

November–March — typically 30–40m+. Early/late season (Oct, Apr) still strong at 20–30m. Avoid May–September when river runoff drops viz to 10–15m.

Post-full-moon nights, typically October–November. Rare and brief — best documented at Misool. Not a guaranteed schedule, but our voyage director tracks the cycle.

Tropical: 27–32°C air, 27–29°C water. Light rain possible even in dry season but rarely disrupts diving. Sea temperatures consistent year-round (3mm shorty fine for most).

$500–$1,500 per person per night, all-inclusive (diving, meals, transfers, park fees). 7-night premium voyage typically USD 4,200–6,300. Full pricing breakdown.

9–18 months ahead for peak season (Oct–Apr) on luxury tier. 6 months for premium tier. Shoulder season (Sept/May) can sometimes confirm 3–6 months out.

25% deposit at booking, balance 90 days before departure. Refundable up to 180 days out; tier-based scaling closer to date. Full terms.

Yes — comprehensive dive + travel insurance required. DAN, DiveAssure, or equivalent. We confirm policy details 30 days before departure.

Cabin accommodation, all meals + snacks + drinks (non-alcoholic), 3–4 dives daily with tanks/weights/guide, airport transfers in Sorong, park permit fees, onboard activities (kayak, snorkel, island treks).

International flights, dive gear rental (~$25/day if needed), alcohol, gratuity (industry standard 10–15%), travel insurance, and visa-on-arrival ($35) for most nationalities.

Yes — entire vessels available for groups of 8–20. Custom itinerary, dates, and dive plan. Charter details + pricing.