We reflect on the incredible journey on the MARI Dive Cruise as the sun sets on the last day of our diving excursion in the breathtaking Raja Ampat Islands. Presenting the beauty and diversity of Indonesia’s underwater wealth, this trip has been rather amazing.
Beginning from the energetic city of Sorong, we traveled on the MARI, a ship that skillfully combines modern conveniences with traditional Indonesian Phinisi attractiveness. The pleasant team made sure our airport to ship transfer proceeded without incident and free of concern.
The journey consisted in six days of incredible dives in several of the most sought-after underwater paradisines. With their strong currents and rich underwater life, the Dampier Strait left us gasping from wobbegong sharks to bommies covered in soft coral.
Finding Mioskon Island, Mansuar, Kri Island, Fam Islands, and Arborek Island brought home the profusion of aquatic life Raja Ampat boasts. Every dive turned forth a discovery from strolling sharks to schools of jacks and batfish spinning around wooden jetties.
Three to four daily dives allowed by the careful planning of the trip allowed to maximize every second spent underwater. One’s or two daily dives kept the excitement even during crossings.
Our study culminated at Piaynemo, where a trekking path gave a breathtaking panoramic view catching the unsurpassed grandeur of Raja Ampat.
Anchored at Waisai, we savored the final vistas of this aquatic wonderland as the last day of diving approached. Our incredible journey had the perfect closing touch—a visit to Mioskon Island and a revitalising swim.
The perfect running of the check-out system on the day of departure revealed the commitment of the MARI employees to make our farewell as wonderful as the trip itself. The goodbyes, which followed breakfast or lunch, filled thanks for the memories produced depending on leaving plans.
In essence, the MARI Dive Cruise has been a portal to a world where the artistic expression of nature blossoms under the waters, not just a dive vacation. Because of the blend of traditional workmanship, modern amenities, and a carefully selected itinerary, our trip will be remarkable in our search to uncover the wonders of the underwater environment. As we get off, we remember brilliant coral, diverse marine life, and warm MARI staff hospitality. Knowing its magic will always be with us till our next underwater trip, we said Raja Ampat goodbye.
More About Mari DiveDives: Approximately 33 dives in total
Experience: Open Water – 30 minimum logged dives required.
Marine Life: At least 75 percent of all coral species can be found in Raja Ampat, divers can expect a range of topography from soft corals and sea fans, to hard corals, seagrass beds, mangroves, shallow reefs, deep drop-offs, caves, black sand, and white sand. Giant manta rays, sea turtles, sharks, cuttlefish, pipefish, various seahorse species, and massive schools of reef fish are the norm, plus the delightful wobbegong sharks and epaulet sharks inhabit these waters too.
Your flight will arrive in Sorong.
If possible we offer 3-4 dives daily. When crossing only 1-2 dives a day can be scheduled. (We reserve the right to change the itinerary or specific agreed services, if force majeure, unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances require us to do so.)
Some of the destinations:
Misool, formerly spelled Mysol (Dutch: Misoöl), is one of the four major islands in the Raja Ampat Islands in West Papua. The inhabitants speak the Biga language and Matbat language, as well as Indonesian. The reason the reefs in the southeast of Misool are so incredibly rich is their relative location to the deep waters of the Ceram Trough and the upwelling of nutrients created as the Indonesian Throughflow makes its way south to the Banda Sea.
Koon Island: Small Island, located in the district of South East Seram The name of the dive site says it all: “Too many fishes”. With the right current, the diving could be unforgettable, with millions of fish, schooling jacks, barracudas, and sharks.
Banda Neira: Once known as the Spice Islands, the condition and health of the coral reefs are breathtaking. Isolated from the rest of Central Maluku, the 10 little volcanic islands that make up the Banda archipelago is the most wanted tourist destination in the whole of Maluku. Fortunately, these pretty little islets remain somewhat time-consuming to reach which keeps the crowds away. Obligated stop for a cultural tour: the fort, the governor’s house, the church, nutmeg plantations, the chance to have a beer on land with the locals… Diving: both Pulau Run and Pulau Ai have pristine clear waters, lovely walls, and good fish life; we might go a bit deeper in search of more hammerheads, big fish can be seen here as well, napoleons, schools of black snappers, bump heads, etc.
Nusa Laut: Nusa Laut is the most easterly of the Lease group and about 80 km from Ambon, so, in reality, it’s probably only possible to dive into the sites there from life aboard. The diving around Nusa Laut was pioneered by Eddie Frommenweiler and the late Larry Smith, who between them opened up much of the diving in Eastern Indonesia. The reef is as it was hundreds of years ago. The locals have protected it and now it is an outstanding diving site, many people’s favorite dive. With a bit of luck In the shallow bay of Paperu, it is possible to spot a dugong in the seagrass. On Nusa Laut, there are a few old forts and colonial buildings.
Ambon is the capital of Maluku Province and its main town, Kota Ambon is the largest and most developed in the region. In the 17th century when the spice trade was at its peak and the Dutch monopoly on cloves its strongest, they made Kota Ambon their base in the Moluccas because of its superb natural harbor, and the town was known as the “Queen of the East”.While it is still possible to find the odd legacy of those days, most of the Dutch colonial-era buildings were destroyed during the WWII battle for Ambon between the Allied forces and the Japanese.
Final day of diving – our trip ends at Ambon.
Check out after breakfast or lunch, depending on your return flight time. We say goodbye to our guests and wish them farewell. The MARI crew will organize the transfer to the Airport and assist at check-in for onward flights.
Included: VAT, Environment Tax, Airport Transfer, Hotel Transfer, Drinking Water, Tea & Coffee, Welcome Cocktails, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Land Excursions, Naturalist Guide, Snorkel Gear, Snorkeling Guide, Beach Towels, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, Deck Towels, WiFi internet.
Required Extras: Fuel Surcharge (75-230 EUR), National Park Fees (140 EUR per trip).
Optional Extras: Gratuities, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft drinks, Nitrox (5 EUR per activity), Rental Gear.
Raja Ampat
30 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
30 minimum logged dives required
Triton Bay, Saumlaki
36 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
30 minimum logged dives required
Raja Ampat (Misool)
30 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
30 minimum logged dives required
Raja Ampat, Ambon, Banda Island
33 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
30 minimum logged dives required
Raja Ampat, Halmahera, Bitung
36 Dives
Certificate: Advanced Open Water
50 minimum logged dives required
Raja Ampat, Halmahera
36 Dives
Certificate: Advanced Open Water
30 minimum logged dives required
