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Dive Review of Papua Explorers in
Indonesia/Raja Ampat

Papua Explorers: "bucket list diving", Apr, 2019,

by John E. Keith, UT, US (Top Contributor Top Contributor 32 reports with 9 Helpful votes). Report 10927.

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 N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Once again, my wife and I called on Nina at Dive Adventures in Australia to set up a trip to Raja Ampat, which was at the top of our bucket list. She did so in style. First on our "tour" was Papua Explorers, where we stayed for 7 days. Exploreres is on the Lampier Straits, which has a reputation for strong currents and big fish. My wife is not a fan of strong current diving, so I was a little concerned that we would not have a lot of other opportunity, but I was dead wrong. The resort has access to every kind of diving you would want - walls, muck, manta stations, etc., etc. (plus the strong current locations). And the diving is spectacular. The corals are in very good condition, except for the few places where "blast" fishing has taken place, and the the National Park designation has stopped that practice. We saw huge schools of various kinds of fish, lots of barracuda, sharks, mantas, a large group of Devil rays (20+), little critters everywhere, and much more. As their website states, because of the location, visibility is not always "crystal" but the bonus is the great abundance of sea life. The resort and its staff are really great. They are ready to respond to any request. Diving operations are well organized and planned for small groups (max 6 divers with 2 guides), depending on their preferences. Dive guides are good at finding the unusual fish or beastie, and will respond to your preferences about what you want to see. An afternoon and sunset dive is offered every day and night dives are offered every day but Sunday. If I had to be pickey, I would say that the food was good, but not great, indonesian/western fusion buffet. The lack of air conditioning in the over-the-water bungalos makes for some uncomfortable early nights (the temps cool off a bit after midnight and the big ceiling fans help). Also, a camera bucket on board the dive boats would be nice. But this is small stuff compared to the wonderful diving and great staff. All in all, Papua Explorers was indeed a bucket list stop.
Websites Papua Explorers   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Egypt, Florida, California, Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Australia, Maldives, Indonesia
Closest Airport Sorong Getting There Long flight from Utah through Tokyo, Singapore and Jakarta

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy, rainy, cloudy Seas calm, currents, no currents
Water Temp 82-84°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 25-40 Ft/ 8-12 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Preferred group come up together, but not necessary.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 2 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities 4 stars
UW Photo Comments There was a camera bucket on the deck at the dive shop, and a well equipped camera center in the resort.
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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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