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Dive Review of Kararu Dive Voyages/Sea Safari III in
Indonesia/Raja Ampat (Papua Indonesia)

Kararu Dive Voyages/Sea Safari III, Apr, 2005,

by William Deertz, Kuningan, Indonesia . Report 1682.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments This was my second trip on the Sea Safari III (first trip being May 2003 Bali to Komodo). The ship has been well maintained and most of the crew were the same. We missed one full day of diving (I don't count the muck diving which was offered in Sorong as this was mediocre at best) due to a group of 6 divers joining that missed their flight (it was never explained if this was due to airline cancellation or otherwise). Due to this situation we spent the first day in Sorong waiting for this group to arrive on the next days flight. I overheard several others on the trip complain of the delay. No compensation was offered for the missed day of diving (also the Nitrox fee was not discounted from the 11 day rate). Not to be critical but this is unacceptable to cause the other 9 divers onboard to miss diving due to another group being delayed. It would have been preferable for the ship to leave for the first dive destination and the delayed group to catch up using alternative travel arrangements (ie. via a speed boat at their own expense).

Food was excellent, pre-morning dive consisted of continental breakfast, after the morning dive full break to order was available. After the first couple of days lunches were various creations from the previous nights dinner, but were creatively done. Every night was a different theme (Japanese, Indian, Indonesian, Greek, Italian, BBQ, etc)

The previous expatriate dive guides/cruise directors (Karl/Linda) were completing their final trips after having been with Kararu for the past 2.5+ years. Their replacements (Robertus/Ogla) were still learning the operations but were very good. They were complimented by two local dive guides (Seno/Agus). All dive guides were very experienced and helpful in pointing out critters. My only comment relates to the fact that on some dive sites it didn't appear they knew the sites very well. I guess this can be chalked up to this being partially exploratory diving. When I compare it to the trip to Komodo when on any particular dive they could take you to the exact spot that certain critters could be located. I guess this was because they had dived these sites so many times.

Overall was pleased with the trip. The reefs were pristine (very nice wall diving) and in very good condition. The southern dive sites didn't have as many critters and the visibility was generally poorer compared to the more northern sites we went to. Other than 1 or 2 sites not as many pelagics as I expected considering the remoteness.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Throughout Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Australia, Maldives, USA,
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, noCurrents
Water Temp 80-82°F / 27-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 2
Water Visibility 25-150 Ft/ 8-46 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Normal safe diving, solo diving was allowed/actually encouraged as most divers were photographers
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas Squadrons
Dolphins 1 or 2 Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 3 stars

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Ample space for charging batteries, also ample space for setting up cameras. The crew did an excellent job of loading your equipment on the boat and rinsing after the dives
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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.

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