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Dive Review of Papua Explorers in
Indonesia/Raja Ampat

Papua Explorers: "Great centrally located dive resort in Raja Ampat", Nov, 2015,

by Michael N. Hofman, CA, US (Sr. Contributor Sr. Contributor 25 reports with 11 Helpful votes). Report 8647 has 1 Helpful vote.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling 4 stars
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Having been to another dive resort in Raja Ampat and on live aboards a number of time, we were drawn to this resort by a friend who worked at another resort. We were not disappointed. It's a well run operation with 15 over the water cabins, with 24x7 electricity, mosquito nets over the spacious beds and water heaters in each room. The dive operation is heavily oriented towards safety, with DAN oxygen equipment in each boat, a low diver to guide ratio, extensive briefings and well maintained equipment to rent (although we brought our own equipment). The dive operation also treats snorkelers and free divers as first class citizens, great for those of us with non-diving partners (and one of the team is a free-diving instructor). Located about 20 minutes from Cape Kri, and just a tad longer to Manta Sandy, rides are easy to do in the dive boats, all equipped with sun protection, towels and dive interval coffee and snacks. Two other features are its multinational management team (with representation from Europe, Australia, Turkey and Indonesia), meaning that folks from one country won't be treated as second class guests. In addition, they arrange for pick ups from Sarong on both Wednesday and Sunday, allowing for greater trip planning flexibility. The only negative thing I can say is that the food was too good, with combinations of local and international cuisine and lots of baked goods! We're planning on going back next year!
Websites Papua Explorers   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Fiji, Palau, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mozambique, etc. etc.
Closest Airport Sarong Getting There Several International airports within Indonesia have flights to Sarond

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas currents
Water Temp 79-82°F / 26-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 5
Water Visibility 30-60 Ft/ 9-18 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions very accomodating
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities 4 stars
UW Photo Comments There was a separate tank for camera equipment and a separate room (although a bit small) for camera gear, but everyone's gear seemed to fit okay.
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Report currently has 1 Helpful vote

Subscriber's Comments

By Renee Ross in OR, US at Nov 17, 2015 07:14 EST  
Did you do the malaria Meds before you went?
By report author: Michael N. Hofman in CA, US at Nov 17, 2015 23:55 EST  
this trip we did not. it's more likely to get malaria in Sarong than on this resort but we took all the precautions.
By paul d moliken in OR, US at Jan 30, 2016 10:06 EST  
We're going in december and are wondering about night snorkeling and diving. will mosquitoes be a problem if we get ready in our rooms and house reef from there? how do they handle gear for house reef dives? do we need to carry gear to the room or do they do it? thanks
By report author: Michael N. Hofman in CA, US at Jan 30, 2016 19:05 EST  
lots of questions, let me see if i can answer (we're going back in October). 1) we didn't use any malaria protection but put on mosquito repellent and actually don't remember any mosquitos (it's generally thought there are more mosquitos in Sarong due to all the standing water there). The rooms are sitated along the shore and depending on your room are a bit of a walk to the main restaurant area and then out the dock to the dive area. However, you shouldn't have a problem wearing suits out to the dive center (at the end of the dock), getting your wetsuits on there and then doing the reverse when you are done. The folks running the diving handle all the gear for night dives along with all the other dives -- but you need to let them know in advance (during the day) so they can get tanks ready for you (and a guide if necessary). 2) gear is stored at the dive center (once again at the end of the dock) in gear boxe. there is a camera room there too. more questions email mikeh@janetmoyerlandscaping.com!
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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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