Mari 11D10N

After a short transfer in the morning to the harbor from Sorong Airport or your hotel, you will be welcomed onboard the KLM Mari liveaboard. A boat and tour briefing will follow, and then you will set up your scuba gear and check in to your cabin. Lunch, dinner, and snacks such as fruit, candy bars, or ice cream will be served as Mari cruises out to the Sagewin Strait towards Batanta, where a first test dive around Pulau Ayemi will take place. Variety and fresh produce are the basis of our menu, and a fusion of Asian and International cuisine, as well as local specialties are served in the outside dining area.

Our cruise takes you first to the Dampier Strait, then heading North to West Waigeo and Aljui Bay, to loop around and head back south to Mansuar Island and the Dampier Strait. You will make 3-4 dives per day (except only 2 dives on the final full day) at some of the best dive spots in Raja Ampat Central / North, an area considered to be at the heart of the world’s coral reef biodiversity.

Dive sites include “Edi’s Black Forest“ (famous for its black coral forests), and “Red Patch Wall”(a gigantic redstained limestone wall). Or “Melissa’s Garden” with its breathtaking coral reef garden. At “Cape Kri”, holding the world record for the greatest number of species recorded on a single dive, you will encounter schools of barracuda, trevally, manta rays, fusiliers, surgeonfish, wobbegongs, epaulet, and reef sharks, as well as magnificent macro critters such as electric clams, tiny shrimps, crabs, a colorful array of nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, blue-ringed octopus, and bobtail squid.

Mornings begin bright and early with a light pre-dive breakfast followed by a first morning dive. After a full breakfast, a second-morning dive usually takes place. Then it’s back onboard for lunch and some relaxation time in your cabin, the social areas, or sun decks. A 3rd dive takes place in the afternoon, followed by snacks, a night dive, and then dinner. End the day with a chilled beer, a glass of wine, or a gin cocktail from the bar. At other sites like “Sardine Reef,” you can hear “fish thunder” (booming sounds resulting from the fast movement of the fish), and enjoy the magically colorful congregation of great schools of fish (like Spanish Mackerel, Baracuda, or Bommies, …) at “Blue Magic” or bask in the sight of large Manta Rays at “Manta Sandy” or “Manta Ridge”.

This cruise offers almost everything you wish for exploring Raja Ampat Central / North.

Prepare to leave the boat between 5-11 am, after a continental breakfast (or possibly lunch, depending on
your post-cruise schedule). Say goodbye to your fellow guests and wish the boat crew farewell, before a
complimentary transfer will take you to either Sorong Airport or your hotel.