FREE nitrox on Maluku-Raja luxury dive trip this Nov-Dec

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The Arenui Team

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Arenui is offering FREE nitrox, worth $220 per person, for last-minute bookings on the 30 November cruise (ONLY trip in 2012 with availability now)!

Only 2 cabins available, so first-come first-served and bookings must be made by 15 October to take up this special offer. Contact us today for more details and to secure your spot; info@thearenui.com

NOV 2012 MALUKU - BANDA - RAJA AMPAT:

Depart from Ambon on 30 November 2012, for a 13 night cruise from Maluku through the Banda Sea (exploring the remote Spice Islands), on into Raja Ampat, ending in Sorong on 13 December…

HIGHLIGHTS will be the muck diving of Ambon Bay looking for rare and curious critters, before moving across the open ocean to the mythical land of the former spice trade (Banda/Maluku) and ending in the soft-coral heaven and famous manta-sightings dive sites of Raja Ampat …

TRIP INFO at our Facebook event page or read the cruise sample itinerary... More on Maluku at Dive Maluku, Banda and Ambon in Style with the Arenui Boutique Liveaboard and dive info for Raja Ampat at Dive Raja Ampat in Style with the Arenui Boutique Liveaboard

THE ARENUI is an exquisite ship and a work of art in itself, with its wooden detailing and decorative touches… Find out more about this unique vessel at the online photo gallery; www.thearenui.com/gallery.html or visit the Arenui Facebook page to read more and hear what past guests have to say; www.facebook.com/events/215643678503643

SPECIAL OFFER DETAILS:
- Published Rate for 13N: USD 5,980
- Fuel Surcharge per trip: USD 100
- Admin/Port Clearance Fee: USD 150
- National Parks Entrance Fee: USD 180
- Nitrox refills 13N (qualified divers): FOC
- FINAL TOTAL COST (pp): USD 6,410

This is a limited-time offer, so contact us today to book your spot!


MORE INFO ON THE TRIP

Set sail from the Maluku capital of Ambon, for a 14-day/13-night cruise, ending in Sorong in west Papua. This two-week trip is for those seeking adventure. Whether its remote locations and rarely dived sites you’re after or thrilling drifts and explosive colours, the combination of Maluku and Raja is unbeatable. You’ll have dives with the smallest and most curious critters in the ocean as well as dives the giant pelagics.

We start out in Maluku, diving around the Ambon area. Explore the unspoiled beauty of a remote paradise and dive sites that few others will ever see. These rarely visited seas have some of the world’s richest marine environments filled with unspoiled corals, tiny critters as well as pelagics.

Diving in Ambon bay is at the top of most people’s to-dive list. 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. A very popular find is the eponymous Ambon Scorpionfish in differing hues of red, pink, green, yellow and orange, keep an eye out for many other members of the scorpionfish family too, including the spiny devilfish, stonefish, zebra lionfish, ragged-finned lionfish and leafy scorpionfish – all venomous but gorgeous! For those who want a change from nosing around after tiny creatures, a shipwreck covered in deep pink and purple soft corals offers a great alternative and is an irresistible lure for the profuse amount of fish in the area.

We also stop at Hukurila Cave, to experience a dive site located underneath two rock arches. These natural formations can be seen from the surface and lead to a swim-through covered in sponges and soft corals making for a great descent into your dive. This site is very popular, offering divers the thrill of making your way through twisting passages and caverns and canyons swarming with life.

Just a few hours from Ambon bay, we get to dive around Nusa Laut, which showcases the positive effects of a village taking care of its reef. The reef remains as unspoiled as it was hundreds of years ago. The locals have taken steps to protect it and the result is an outstanding site that is the favourite of many dive enthusiasts.

As we head out of the Ambon area we cruise and dive the famous Banda islands. Most widely known as one of the main stops along the old spice route, the Banda Islands are rapidly gaining a reputation for having some of the best diving in the country. The remoteness of these islands in the midst of the wide expanses of the Banda Sea has given it a fascinating, colourful history, including the fact that it was once a home to exiles of all sorts. Unlike other areas, with high populations and subsequent pressure from fishing, this Bandas’ relatively small human population has been a blessing for divers – offering a vibrant, healthy reef system rich in biodiversity. Fish are present here in incredible numbers along with huge gorgonians and sponges and some truly monumental hard corals.

Relax as we cruise towards the stunning dive sites of Raja Ampat. Famous sites such as Misool, Dampier Strait, Manta Sandy and Boo are all on the agenda. Most dive sites in this area are literally smothered in vibrant soft corals making it this one of the prime locations for underwater photography. Then you have the abundance of fish life to enjoy. The only problem with diving here is that you’ll be so spoiled by the near-perfect conditions that you may never want to leave.

Some diving highlights include rushing along a gulley in the current past giant colourful gorgonian seafans and hanging out with mantas as they visit the cleaning station at Manta Sandy. Try out your photo skills at Boo ‘windows’ as dive-buddies swim through the opening in the submerged rock past a reef draped in soft corals and brimming with fish.

In terms of water temperature and recommendations for wetsuits, for most dive sites in Maluku and Raja Ampat you can expect 25-30C+ (80-86F+) so a 3mm wetsuit or even a skinsuit is usually fine.


MORE INFO ON ARENUI

At the Arenui, we are proud and thrilled to have transformed a dream into reality: diving cruises without the hardship. With 22 crew serving a maximum of 16 guests, we aim to make your cruise a truly relaxing and first-class experience.

If you are not familiar with the Arenui, without doubt we can boast one of the finest crews in Indonesia. Our 3 Indonesian divemasters (Ali, Toby and Wawan) are rated amongst the most knowledgeable in the region. Ali was trained for many years by Larry Smith (“the legend” of Indonesian’s diving industry), Wawan has spent several years diving Raja Ampat and Komodo areas and Toby has an amazing knack for spotting rare critters (famous for being the first to spot the psychedelic frogfish in Ambon Bay). The whole operation is led by our 2 highly experienced western cruise directors, Jerry and Debbie.

Furthermore, you can rest assured that besides our very experienced divemasters and cruise directors, we have a further 18 well-trained crew members onboard from captains and engineers to masseurs and our 3 chefs (offering local and international gourmet meals, with vegetarian options on request). Most of the crew have vast experience working on other liveaboards operating in the area, but prior to the Arenui’s very first cruise every member, of staff was trained so their skill and performance would meet our high standard of operation.


TRIP INCLUSIONS: Full board accommodation in double Deluxe Cabin, Shore activities/excursions according to the program, Soft drinks, water, tea, American/Balinese coffee, Five meals per day (including a-la-carte 3 course evening meal), Diving activities (up to 4 dives/day) led by 5 dive guides (ratio guides/divers 1: 3.2), Dive cylinders, weights and weight belts, Transfer from/to embarkation/disembarkation airport, Administration/port clearance fee, National Parks Entrance Fee, Government taxes, Welcome massage (1/2 hour per person), Nitrox refills (180 USD/person for 11 night trips),

TRIP EXCLUSIONS: International and domestic air transportation, Hotels and meals before and after the cruise, Alcoholic drinks, espresso, cappuccino, Dive equipment rental (other than dive cylinders, weights and weight belt), Massages and Spa treatments (other than welcome massage), Onboard purchases, Private tours, Laundry, On-board telecommunications, Travel insurance, Crew gratuities


Please note that we are able to assist you with your domestic flights and hotel requirements.


Email us now (first come first served and only 2 cabins available): info@thearenui.com
 

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