7 nights onboard the Samambaia Liveaboard

Join Blue Planet as we explore some of the best diving in the world in the mega-diverse Raja Ampat region. The trip will visit muck sites, oceanic and inshore reefs from the beautiful Phinisi liveaboard. Don't wait -- this trip will fill up fast!

Far to the wild eastern edge of the Indonesian archipelago, there is a region with thousands of islands -- offering as many sites for scuba diving -- right in the heart of the Coral Triangle. It’s no surprise that photographers and divers flock here from around the world to spend one or two weeks on a liveaboard diving trip, because is the only way to travel throughout this large geographic area with practically no development. You can be sure every effort will be rewarded: Raja Ampat is home to more than 1400 species of fish and almost 600 different corals - 75 percent of all known coral species. 

Raja Ampat, literally "Four Kings", is made up of four main islands: Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool plus more than a thousand small sand and rock islands. With varying underwater topography (slopes, ridges, channels, caves and tunnels) and an astounding diversity of habitats, each one offers a different kind of diving experience: 

- sandy bottoms are like life-size aquariums,

- blue-water mangroves host pygmy seahorses and saltwater crocodiles,

- calm sand flats are the perfect spots for cleaning stations for oceanic mantas,

- murky and silt-ridden conditions hold all kinds of treasures for muck divers, and

- a river-like saltwater channel of strong currents and great walls offers plentiful invertebrates. 

Samambaia

The MV Samambaia is a magnificent Phinisi, a traditional Indonesian wooden sailing vessel, built and designed to offer her guests the world's top rated dive sites in luxurious comfort and safety. This brand new Liveboard is fully outfitted with the needs of our guests top of mind. Comfort and service are of highest priority on board. The atmosphere is relaxed and cozy. Social and yet private. 

The Samambaia can accommodate up to 14 guests and offers 4 double and 2 twin cabins below deck and 1 master cabin on deck. Each cabin has individual air conditioning, a bathroom with a rain shower head paired with a hand shower, western standard non-marine toilet with integrated bidet and a washbasin carved out of fossil wood. Our onboard water-makers ensure an ample supply of freshwater. The master cabin, located on the aft deck, offers a breathtaking 180° view through its large windows. A special coating on the glass ensures privacy. 

Travel

We will join the Samambaia on December 14th in Sorong, where the trip will end on December 21st. Sorong, on the Indonesian province of West Papua, is well served with Indonesia’s domestic airlines. We are able to help arrange domestic flights to and from Sorong, plus any add-on trips you may be interested in.

The Diving

The best time to dive Raja Ampat is from October to April. Topside conditions at this time of year proved to be excellent. You could enjoy cruising in virtually flat calm seas, with only some rain showers punctuating warm, sunny days. 

Some dives are planned for slack tide, while occasionally the current can be challenging. Fortunately, the stronger currents also generally made for better visibility, blooming corals and greater fish activity. Experience: A minimum of 30 dives is required.

Upon cancellation of a reservation for any reason, the refund of the deposit and payments made or due will be contingent upon Blue Planet reselling the participant's reservation. Any refund may also be subject to a cancellation fee and payment of any non-refundable fees imposed by the tour company, dive operator or any other contractor associated with the trip. 

Dive accident insurance is required for all divers on this trip. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your vacation investment. Contact us if you need more information.