Indonesia: Raja Ampat to Triton Bay
Damai I, Live aboard – Mar 13-24, 2023
Trip #1 - full - Please inquire for waitlist
Raja Ampat is an interesting tropical destination inside the Triangle of Diversity.
Biodiversity is through the roof; one author said “it feels like the Nudies are throwing themselves in your face”. Indonesia is the biggest country in Southeast Asia. West Papua is the East-most Island in the Indonesian Archipelago, located just south of Equator (the other end of that island is PNG - Papua New Guinea). The latitude is very similar to that of Solomon Islands and located about 2000 miles West of Solomon. This is a “trip of a lifetime.” Our club in our 51 year history has never been there – we tried in 2005, but the Pelagian got sold to Wakatobi and our trip got rerouted.
Our Trip is highly seasonal and only done a few times a year
The diving is diverse: Plenty of soft coral like Fiji and PNG, hard coral like Kosrae, big animals: Mantas, Sharks, even Whale sharks, Wobbegongs, Napoleons, Turtles, Cuddle Fish, gigantic schools of Jack and Barracudas. There is also plenty of small stuff: Ghost Pipefish, Nudibranchs, and Pygmy Seahorses and of course “Nemo” …
Getting there: One of the best routings – for comfort and jetlag management - is from New York (JFK) via Frankfurt to Singapore and then to Manado (for either a short “safety stop” or for a full week of land based diving – Lembeh, Bunaken, etc.). Return is from Kaimana, via Sulawesi to Bali.
Details – Damai 1 is a typical wooden Indonesian dive boat, very spacious – even the smallest room is bigger than the suites we are used to in the Caribean. The staff is very experienced and has been fully retained during the Covid-19 period. There is a dive guide for each 3 (maybe 4) divers
- 11 nights on the boat – double occupancy
- 10 days of diving – night dives when possible
- All taxes and tips included
- All ground transfers
- Nitrox, Dive/Snorkel Gear Rental
- Massage and Laundry Service.
- Beer, soda, 1 daily glass of wine
Not Included:
- Fuel surcharge (none at the moments)
- Airfare and hotels and/or land based diving inbound or homebound
- Park fees - $230 – subject to change
The priority signup period starts Nov 4 and end Nov 25 (checks will not be cashed until a spot is confirmed; please call for Zelle payments). Single Supplements might be offered based on space available
Trip insurance, I have a detailed write-up that I can share. Note: due to the remote location the boat requires a minimal level of medical travel insurance. Also note that most likely the Indonesian government will require insurance for “acquired” Covid-19. Please only signup for this trip if you are fully vaccinated – both to protect your fellow divers as well as your own economic interest as there is always a risk that the government can add vaccination as an entry criteria at any moment (this did happen to us travelling to Turks and Caicos – with no impact – because everybody was well prepared. It is also highly likely that airlines will require vaccinations
Links:
https://dive-damai.com/ be sure to check out the picture gallery
Replays from the meeting 11/4/2021 - members, only - https://usadiveclub.org/members
Rob Myers presentation (11/4/21): Click here to view the 1st part of Rob's presentation in Google Photos.
My trip introduction: Click here for Nils' trip presentation - Damai I - 3/13-24, 2023
Rob Myers 2nd – photos from our trip: Click here to view the 2nd part of Rob's presentation in Google Photos.
The first article is “our TRIP” on “our boat”
https://xray-mag.com/pdfs/mags/X-Ray107_protected.pdf or at least section (pg 15-27)
Webpage: https://xray-mag.com/content/raja-ampat-papuan-odyssey
https://xray-mag.com/pdfs/mags/X-Ray69_locked.pdf or at least section (pg 88-93)
Webpage: https://xray-mag.com/content/shooting-wide-raja-ampat
http://xray-mag.com/pdfs/xray74/X-Ray74_locked.pdf or at least section (pg 51-60)
Webpage: https://xray-mag.com/content/indonesias-dampier-strait
https://xray-mag.com/pdfs/xray55/X-Ray55_iBook_locked.pdf
at least section (pages: 26-34: 35-40; 41-52;)
Webpage: https://xray-mag.com/content/ecologist-mark-erdmann-raja-ampat
Webpage: https://xray-mag.com/content/indonesias-raja-ampat
Webpage: https://xray-mag.com/content/raja-ampat-four-kings
https://xray-mag.com/pdfs/xray54/X-Ray54_iBook_locked.pdf or at least section (pg 70-71)
Webpage: https://xray-mag.com/content/wobbegongs-raja-ampat
https://xray-mag.com/pdfs/mags/X-Ray06_locked.pdf or at least section (pg 28-39)
Webpage: https://xray-mag.com/content/raja-ampat
Questions? Contact VP of Overseas Diving Nils by e-mail. overseasdiving@usadiveclub.com
We will have to wait until the ticketing window opens up – in April or later – and schedules gets back to normal “after Covid-19”. PS I have retained a local agent for Airfare inside Indonesia – that is the best way to protect against any late schedule changes
Click here to see full details of the trip.
Click here to download the signup form.
