Main Menu
Join Undercurrent on Facebook

The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975 | |
For Divers since 1975
The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975
"Best of the Web: scuba tips no other
source dares to publish" -- Forbes
X
 

Dive Review of Grand Komodo -- TemuKira in
Indonesia/Raja Ampat

Grand Komodo -- TemuKira: "GREAT "WOW" coral reef diving; excellent guides, service, value!!", Jul, 2018,

by Sharon Bailey-Bok, Panama, Panama (Reviewer Reviewer 5 reports with 14 Helpful votes). Report 10350 has 3 Helpful votes.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling 1 stars
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 1 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments “Best Crew” motto proved true for us! Wonderful ALL-INDONESIAN crew (and company—Grand Komodo Dives & tours is based in Bali—we first dove with them in 1996 in Komodo; since then, remarkable improvements in their quality of boats and overall dive operations; now they are first-class). Guides and all crew very experienced, knowledgeable about all sites, currents, and conditions; extremely helpful to “senior divers” with our gear into and out of skiffs. Excellent tank refill system. 3 scheduled dives but all could be 70-80 minutes…sometimes more for those good with air. At times dives were shorter because of strong currents. Diving here is recommended only for skilled, experienced divers; not for beginners nor for snorkelers (at least not from a live-aboard).
In the heart of “The Coral Triangle,” Raja Ampat is known for species diversity and we were not disappointed. It was our first return trip since 2006. We were shocked by all the resorts now and so many dive boats in the area but we were delighted with all the charted sites. Wonderful bommies, “big rock islands,” critters of all kinds, incredible fish diversity (12 species of angelfish alone on some dives!) still thrilling.
We booked this particular trip because we really wanted to dive again in Misool and, out of Sorong, that is where this live-aboard trip began; and then we went on north to Fam Islands (where there are also some excellent hikes with great views), then up to Kawe Island (where the storm came) and then Gam and Dampier Strait (what many think of as “Raja Ampat”). As an example of one particularly amazing dive, in Misool area, “Magic Mountain” was one of the best divers ever—totally surrounded by thousands of schooling fuseliers, triggerfish, big Napoleon wrasses, wobbegong sharks, masses of small fish—anthias, damsels--, huge grouping of snappers…truly incredible. Nudi Rock, Four Kings—so many! Sites after Misool also amazing; happy we got to the northern areas…everything from batfish to ghost pipefish, electric clams, cuttlefish, leaf scorpionfish, pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs to big rays—eagle rays, devil rays and some mantas, sharks. (Few turtles.) Note about mantas: Mantas in Dampier Strait still come but not as many as years ago; sightings not guaranteed on every “manta dive” now.
MV Temukira Crew was available and ready to help whenever needed. Very comfortable feeling—like “family.” Meals very good, usually quite delicious buffet-style. Plenty of food! Coffee, tea and chocolate available 24/7. Variety of fruit (bananas, pineapple, grapes…) plus toast, jam, peanut butter and chocolate spread available very early before first early morning dive (7 am) with full breakfast ready upon return. Second dive 11 am with lunch upon return. 3 pm dive followed by drinks and snacks. And dinner 7 p.m. Night dives offered every night except when making long transit or during stormy conditions (only occurred once!). Cabins are reasonable size; though we preferred to take showers out on the back off the dive deck (best hot water!). Good enclosed dining area though it would be crowded with a full boat. Nice top-side covered sun deck. Small area for photographers.
Websites Grand Komodo -- TemuKira   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Recently (this year): Lembeh, Bunaken, Raja Ampat (live aboard and island-based resort), Komodo (live aboard). 2017 Bonaire, Caribbean. Previously those of 2018 & many other sites throughout far eastern Indonesia; Thailand, Seychelles, Red Sea, Kenya, Tanzania; Australia;& 10+ Caribbean locations.
Closest Airport Sorong, West Papua Getting There Flights through Manado or Makassar (transfers from Singapore or Denpasar to those locations.) MV Temukira in port in Sorong for boarding transport from skiff. Dive guide will meet you at airport for direct to port or to overnight hotel with pick-up next morning for transport to port of Sorong.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, rainy Seas calm, currents
Water Temp 83-84°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 40-110 Ft/ 12-34 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Guides very flexible depending on dive conditions. 70-80 min. dives "normal" for us. Divers who surfaced earlier were returned to live aboard while one guide stayed w us for longer dives. Most sites relatively shallow. Never needed to go below 90 ft for excellent dives.
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? no

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 2 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
Was this report helpful to you?
Report currently has 3 Helpful votes
Leave a comment (Subscribers only -- 200 words max)
Subscribers can comment here
 

Subscribe Now
Subscribers can post comments, ask the reviewer questions, as well as getting immediate and complete access to ALL 1443 dive reviews of Indonesia and all other dive destinations. Complete access to all issues and Chapbooks is also included.

 
Featured Links from Our Sponsors
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Reef & Rainforest, Let our experience be your guide -- Reef and Rainforest
Reef & Rainforest
is an agency for travelers that scuba dive. Looking for Biodiversity, critters, Komodo, Raja Ampat, temples? We specialize in adventures to Indonesia.

Want to assemble your own collection of Indonesia reports in one place?
Use the Mini Chapbook Facility to create your personalized collection.

Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

Undercurrent Home


Get more dive info like these and other important scuba updates sent monthly to your email.
And a FREE Recent Issue of Undercurrent

Free Undercurrent Issue
Get a free
monthly email and
a sample issue!


Find in  

| Home | Online Members Area | My Account | Login | Join |
| Travel Index | Dive Resort & Liveaboard Reviews | Featured Reports | Recent Issues | Back Issues |
| Dive Gear Index | Health/Safety Index | Environment & Misc. Index | Seasonal Planner | Blogs | Free Articles | Book Picks | News |
| Special Offers | RSS | FAQ | About Us | Contact Us | Links |

Copyright © 1996-2024 Undercurrent (www.undercurrent.org)
3020 Bridgeway, Ste 102, Sausalito, Ca 94965
All rights reserved.

Page computed and displayed in 0.25 seconds