We prepared this FAQ with all recurring questions asked from customers. We hope the answers below will give you some information on what to expect from your liveaboard experience as you will scuba dive into Indonesia with DRAGON DIVE.
Note: Some information is subject to change, but we try to keep the important details updated as much as possible.
Raja Ampat is part of the province of West Papua in Indonesia. It is located on the northwestern island of New Guinea. Raja Ampat is in fact an archipelago comprising the main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Wiageo plus an additional 1,500 smaller islands and cays.
What kind of diving is there in Raja Ampat?
Raja Ampat boasts of astonishing life both above and below the water. It is in the heart of the Coral Triangle which is known to have the richest marine life in the world. Studies class this archipelago is home to 75% of the world’s coral species and 1,500+ fish species, many endemic to the region.
What time zone is RAJA AMPAT
It will be GMT+9.
When is the best time of year to visit Raja Ampat?
We dive there from October through April
The Alor (and Flores) area is within the East Nusa Tenggara province (Nusa Tenggara Timur) – just after the Komodo National Park to the EAST. We are cruising through Alor from Komodo, from Maumere and also on the way back from the forgotten islands.
What kind of diving is there in ALOR?
It’s certainly one of our picks destination as professional divers. It’s one of the best-kept secrets for diving in paradise, including rare finds like the stunning rhinopias but also plenty of pelagic action. We sail beside beautiful topside scenery and imposing volcanoes. Cruises in Alor offer popular muck diving, from sharks and large schools of fish to WWII wreck dives. Alor is famous for its high quantity of virgin reefs and unexplored coral gardens and so more.
What time zone is ALOR
It will be GMT+8.
When is the best time of year to visit ALOR?
As we are located in Komodo, we dive Alor around April and then again in September – October. As Alor is one of our first demand, we suggest you check with your agency or directly with us for doing a charter boart anytime you want between March & June and September to November
Maluku is a province in the east of Indonesia, between Sulawesi and Raja Ampat. Maluku is encircled by the Banda Sea, with Ambon and Spices Islands around. Our cruise that takes in the Banda Sea often begins or end at the famous port of Ambon or Saumlaki, offering the chance to dive with the unique well-known critters of Ambon Bay.
What kind of diving is there in BANDA?
Diving in Ambon Bay is at the top of most photographers’ to-dive list, as the Laha sites are a hidden treasure of amazing critters, including the recently discovered species of frogfish (the psychedelic frogfish) but also Rhinopias, mimic octopus, zebra crabs and dozens of different nudibranch species, and of course, a very popular find is the eponymous Ambon Scorpionfish in differing hues of red, pink, green, yellow and orange.
What time zone is BANDA
It will be GMT+9.
When is the best time of year to visit AMBON?
We are sailing the Banda Sea during October and November avoiding April that can be the wettest season. The seas are usually calmer during these months, with the winds blowing from the northeast. Dragon Dive cruises Maluku to connect our time in Komodo and Raja Ampat.
Komodo National Park is also a part of the Coral Triangle. It’s probably the most beautiful scuba diving destination in the world with the world’s highest marine biodiversity. For this reason, Dragon Dive Komodo openned a scuba diving resort in Labuan Bajo. This hotel and dive center will be our based their to all of our liveabaord departure.
What kind of diving is there in KOMODO?
Komodo National Park is an essential natural home and is known worldwide for the overwhelming amount of perfect corals that can be found there, not to mention the mantas, sharks, turtles, dolphins, dugong and many other pelagic. It is also home to diverse kinds of pygmy seahorses, a wide variety of gorgeous nudibranchs and frogfish. As expert of the area, Dragon Dive will offer you to dive around the best dives sites and some secrets one too.
What time zone is KOMODO
It will be GMT+8.
When is the best time of year to visit KOMODO?
The dive resort is opened year-round in Komodo, the best period is considered to be April through November. Must know is the parc is divided in two parts. Central and South from November to March and Central and North from April to October. If you are a manta lovers, the best time is from December to March
We will assist you in organising your accommodation, transport. Our partner offers a number of tours and excursions that may be taken either before or after the cruise. For further details, please contact us.
Do I need a visa to enter Indonesia?
No. The citizens of 169 countries can obtain a free-of-charge visa-on-arrival valid for a 30 day stay in Indonesia and, according to the State Secretariat, cannot be extended or converted into another type of immigration permit. Those countries include: USA, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, People’s Republic of China, Russia, Japan, New Zealand, Mexico, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, plus many more. The free of charge visa-on-arrival cannot be extended so if you will stay longer than 30 days in Indonesia and wish to extend your tourist visa once in Indonesia then you must still pay for a visa-on-arrival (VOA).
Is there malaria and dengue fever in the areas we will be visiting?
This is usually not a problem while you are on the boat. However, on land, many parts of Indonesia are generally humid, which means mosquitoes and cases of malaria and dengue fever. However, we simply recommend that you bring plenty of repellent and consult your doctor beforehand for the most up-to-date advice on anti-malarial medication.
What About the payment on board ?
Onboard we accepts payment by Visa or Mastercard (3.5% CC fee) and in cash in Indonesian Rupiah, Euro or US Dollar. Please be informed that foreign notes should be clean, new and not holder than 2015 for the USD . Indonesian banks and money changers will not accept old notes or ones which are marked or damaged in any way. Before embarking, you can also use your credit or debit card to withdraw cash from an ATM in town as it is better to have Rupiah for making smaller purchases or for tips.
Along with your booking confirmation, you must fill out an enrolment form. Both must be completed, signed and sent, along with a copy of your passport, via email to our office BEFORE the start of the cruise. Please note that, under Indonesian law, without these forms, we will not be able to let you go aboard! You send them by email to [email protected] A gdrive folder is also available for reducing our printing impact.
What documents do I need to bring with me?
you must bring with you the original duly completed Enrolment Form, the signed Release of Liability and a copy of the photo page of your passport as well as your dive certification cards and logbook. If you are PADI, we will be able to find you in our Database. For all nitrox divers, no card means no dive in Nitrox.
Is it possible to do laundry onboard?
Yes. We provide a wash service available at extra cost.
Is smoking permitted?
There is a designated area for smoking on the upper deck. Smoking is not permitted at any time in any other area.
Can I bring onboard alcohol ?
It’s forbidden to bring any alcohol on board. All alcohol provide onboard follow a strict regulation from government and control are applied quite often.
What type of electricity and plug adapters are available on the boat?
Each cabin is equipped with european combine with UK/US/CH/AU and USB plug sockets with 220 volts. We encourage all of you to bring your own adaptor. For added convenience.
Is there entertainment onboard?
The Vaiatea’ & Ta’aroa main lounge is equipped with a retroprojector, a USB player and a system for music. There is also a small library of books for exchange as well as fish identification books for reference that must remain on board.
Tips for CREW
Gratuities for the crew are not included in your trip price. If you appreciate the service provided by the crew, we suggest a gratuity of approximately 10%-15% of the published package price per person, what is considered the standard amount aboard a dive liveaboard. All tips are split equally among the boat’s crew (all employees). We do not ACCEPT personal tipping. The giving of gratuities can be done in cash only.
Everyone is welcome on board, regardless of the level of certification. The forming of dive groups and selecting of sites are determined in accordance with safety, comfort and diving ability considerations and remain at the discretion of the Cruise Director. However if you have less than 20 dives, a private guide will be in extra for you.
How many dives can we do each day?
There will be up to 4 dives per day with 2-3 dives on the first and last diving days.
What dive equipment do I need?
Tanks, weights and weight belts are provided onboard. Divers will need to bring a BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins, mask, snorkel and dive light. We have SMBs available for use. If you need equipmnent, please contact us via email : [email protected]
Do you use INT or DIN valves?
We have tanks with INT and DIN valves.
What can I expect in terms of water temperature and what type of wetsuit do you recommend?
This is always a difficult question to answer because people have different sensibilities to temperature. Typically, average temperatures in Raja Ampat range from 25-30C (80-86F). The southern waters of Komodo can be colder, from 20-25C (70-75F); therefore, we advise to have a 5mm wetsuit with a hood. If you are very sensitive, do not be shy to use a 7mm . You must be confortable to enjoy the liveaboard.
What facilities are available for photographers?
The Vaiatea’ & Ta’aroa main lounge is equipped with photo room, a mac mini is available to copy all your photo on our 4 TO hardrive. We are asking all of you to let us use your pictures for promotional use only.
Is enriched air nitrox available?
Nitrox fills of up to 32% are available for an additional charge. As we recommend diving with nitrox on all dives, we offer great packages to allow you unlimited nitrox throughout the cruise. If you are not yet Nitrox-certified, you can take the course onboard with one of our qualified PADI instructors.
Can I drink alcohol and dive?
No. Drinking alcohol and diving is not allowed as this can increase your risk of decompression. You are free to drink alcohol once you have completed your last dive of the day.
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