kneptoon
Contributor
We have just returned from a 11 day trip aboard the MSY Seahorse. Their last trip for 2008. The trip originated from Sorong and ended in Sorong. We boarded mid afternoon and sailed that night to wake up in the Waigeo area about 6 sailing hours north of Sorong. We dove the Waigeo area for the next three days. Our first day of diving was Mioskon, Sardine Reef, & Cape Kri. Second day was 5 Rock & Mike's Point. Third day was Sardine Reef, Cape Kri, & Mioskon. All of these dives were stellar. The abundance and variety of fish was mind boggling. Any of these sites are very different from hour to hour depending on the current. Our second dive on Sardine Reef was the highlight of those three days. We had 2 good size white tips cruise with us most of the dive. We swam through the largest schools of fish I have ever witnessed. Barracuda, Jacks, Tuna, Snapper, Sweetlips, Mackerel, Wahoo, Fusiliers, and clouds of baitfish. At the surface we spotted a Marlin, in mid column 3 Devil rays, on the bottom an 8' free swimming Woebegon. Where to look? Most of these dives were approx. 60 min and a max. depth of approx. 75 fsw.
That evening we motored to the Misool area for 14 hours. We dove the Misool area for 5 days. The first dive site was Farondi which was the only disappointing site of the trip, pea soup viz. It is basically chosen because it is the first set of islands in the Misool area. Our first day of diving in the Misool area also included Fiabacet. Our second day of diving was all in the Fiabacet area. The third day was Boo, Magic Mountain, and the house reef at the Misool Eco Lodge. The fourth day was Yillet, Gorgorian Passage & Kaleidoscope. The last day was back to the Farondi area to dive Friendly Canyon, Little Rock, and the Cave. The Misool area dives are all about the the coral, gorgorians, and macro critters. There are schools and schools of fish but nothing much pelagic. Having said that the dives were incredibly unique and beautiful. Gorgorian Passage was quite spectacular, the sea fans were abundant and some at least 10' square. We must have photographed 40 different nudibranchs. Pygmy sea horses, ghost pipe fish, scorpion fish, and crocodile fish were plentiful on every dive. While we were in the Misool area we dropped off some visitors at the Misool Eco Lodge. What a gem of a spot they have there. Great diving on there house reef and a short boat ride to other stellar sites. A truly beautiful designed resort.
Our last day of diving was back in the Waigeo area, Manta Point. Well it really lived up to its name. From the minute we entered the water and settled on the sand at 50' we were treated to a spectacular show of Mantas. At one point 4 cruising above us. Fortunately, divers leave them alone, so they show absolutely no concern about our audience. They swoop in within inches forcing us to lean out of their way. We did our second dive of the day here as well and the show continued non-stop. I guess it was leave them (us) wanting to come back for more. This was also our best visibility of the 11 days. The max. viz was around 50-60 ft. The Misool area was in the 40' range. So I guess if there is a downside to Raj Ampat other than how hard it is to get to it would be visibility. The water is loaded with nutrients making the whole show possible.
We dove 30-32EAN with solid 3000psi fills. We did no night dives but somedays dove 4 dives. The diving was both from a very stable custom aluminum skiff and a smaller Zodiac. Both were fine, the skiff easier and roomier. There were 3 dive guides all very good and safety conscious. The lead was Cedric a very affable young Frenchman.
The MSY Seahorse is a Pinisi class schooner built in Sulawesi. The owner is Spanish and oversaw the building of the boat. He is also aboard most of the trips and is a perfectionist about the boat and the liveaboard experience. The Seahorse is lovingly maintained and fairly new. The cabins are roomier than others I have been in, smaller than others I have seen. I found them comfortable. There was always plentiful hot water and pressure. The dive deck is vast and easy to use. I really had no complaints about any aspect of this boat. Last but not least; the food was incredible. I mean go out for your anniversary dinner excellent. The bread is baked every morning. The greens were always fresh every lunch. I asked after the first week how is it possible. They buy hydroponic greens with roots attached, leave them in water in the cooler and pick fresh lettuces daily. I began entering the meals on a daily basis in my dive log. This sort of sets the tone in the "we try harder" on the Seahorse mentality. Anyway, a great trip aboard a great boat. My wife and I are divers first. She is new to UW photography, a caveat of what to expect. I will try to post some pics in the future.
That evening we motored to the Misool area for 14 hours. We dove the Misool area for 5 days. The first dive site was Farondi which was the only disappointing site of the trip, pea soup viz. It is basically chosen because it is the first set of islands in the Misool area. Our first day of diving in the Misool area also included Fiabacet. Our second day of diving was all in the Fiabacet area. The third day was Boo, Magic Mountain, and the house reef at the Misool Eco Lodge. The fourth day was Yillet, Gorgorian Passage & Kaleidoscope. The last day was back to the Farondi area to dive Friendly Canyon, Little Rock, and the Cave. The Misool area dives are all about the the coral, gorgorians, and macro critters. There are schools and schools of fish but nothing much pelagic. Having said that the dives were incredibly unique and beautiful. Gorgorian Passage was quite spectacular, the sea fans were abundant and some at least 10' square. We must have photographed 40 different nudibranchs. Pygmy sea horses, ghost pipe fish, scorpion fish, and crocodile fish were plentiful on every dive. While we were in the Misool area we dropped off some visitors at the Misool Eco Lodge. What a gem of a spot they have there. Great diving on there house reef and a short boat ride to other stellar sites. A truly beautiful designed resort.
Our last day of diving was back in the Waigeo area, Manta Point. Well it really lived up to its name. From the minute we entered the water and settled on the sand at 50' we were treated to a spectacular show of Mantas. At one point 4 cruising above us. Fortunately, divers leave them alone, so they show absolutely no concern about our audience. They swoop in within inches forcing us to lean out of their way. We did our second dive of the day here as well and the show continued non-stop. I guess it was leave them (us) wanting to come back for more. This was also our best visibility of the 11 days. The max. viz was around 50-60 ft. The Misool area was in the 40' range. So I guess if there is a downside to Raj Ampat other than how hard it is to get to it would be visibility. The water is loaded with nutrients making the whole show possible.
We dove 30-32EAN with solid 3000psi fills. We did no night dives but somedays dove 4 dives. The diving was both from a very stable custom aluminum skiff and a smaller Zodiac. Both were fine, the skiff easier and roomier. There were 3 dive guides all very good and safety conscious. The lead was Cedric a very affable young Frenchman.
The MSY Seahorse is a Pinisi class schooner built in Sulawesi. The owner is Spanish and oversaw the building of the boat. He is also aboard most of the trips and is a perfectionist about the boat and the liveaboard experience. The Seahorse is lovingly maintained and fairly new. The cabins are roomier than others I have been in, smaller than others I have seen. I found them comfortable. There was always plentiful hot water and pressure. The dive deck is vast and easy to use. I really had no complaints about any aspect of this boat. Last but not least; the food was incredible. I mean go out for your anniversary dinner excellent. The bread is baked every morning. The greens were always fresh every lunch. I asked after the first week how is it possible. They buy hydroponic greens with roots attached, leave them in water in the cooler and pick fresh lettuces daily. I began entering the meals on a daily basis in my dive log. This sort of sets the tone in the "we try harder" on the Seahorse mentality. Anyway, a great trip aboard a great boat. My wife and I are divers first. She is new to UW photography, a caveat of what to expect. I will try to post some pics in the future.
Last edited: