Hi there.
I'm finally taking the plunge- will book some liveaboard for Komodo in April or May.
I have 58 dives under my belt, 80% of them in the Red Sea, and I feel quite comfortable in the water.
I chose Komodo over Raja Ampat because of the dragons and my (false?) impression of there being more manta and shark there.
Would be happy if anyone can help out with a few questions I have, and/or recommend trips.
The trip will be sometime between the start of April and 20th of May.
Is there a big difference between April and may in terms of water temperature, visibility, the likelihood of seeing something wonderful like a whale shark?
Otherwise I will just book based on airline fares to/from.
Narrowing it down to liveaboards for less than 2K Euros, I still have quite a few choices.
I see some liveaboards accomodate 9 or 10 people, but some cater to 24 divers!
During my only liveaboard so far I was on a boat with 5 divers, one of which was my friend.
It was too little, especially since there was no one that funny and interesting on board, except me and said friend...
On the other hand, more than 12 people can have very different dynamics.
Is there a perfect number for the initially introverted and not very experienced diver?
Should I go for the liveaboards which require 50 dives logged?
It seems this will help reduce chances of the party being slowed down by absolute beginners.
I'm deliberating whether to go for the most dives per buck, or choose something a little nicer in terms of bathrooms and lodgings- there is the Indo Aggressor option!
Are any particular routes just better?
Central and North/ North to South and Padar/ National park?
If anyone has input or experience on one of these vessels, I will be happy to hear it:
Moana, Tarata, Tanaka, Cheng Ho, Cahaya Bersama, Nusatara, Shenron, Empress II, Indo Aggressor, Queenesia.
I will search the names on the forums, but any little bit helps.
Any input is welcome.
All the best,
Ron
I'm finally taking the plunge- will book some liveaboard for Komodo in April or May.
I have 58 dives under my belt, 80% of them in the Red Sea, and I feel quite comfortable in the water.
I chose Komodo over Raja Ampat because of the dragons and my (false?) impression of there being more manta and shark there.
Would be happy if anyone can help out with a few questions I have, and/or recommend trips.
The trip will be sometime between the start of April and 20th of May.
Is there a big difference between April and may in terms of water temperature, visibility, the likelihood of seeing something wonderful like a whale shark?
Otherwise I will just book based on airline fares to/from.
Narrowing it down to liveaboards for less than 2K Euros, I still have quite a few choices.
I see some liveaboards accomodate 9 or 10 people, but some cater to 24 divers!
During my only liveaboard so far I was on a boat with 5 divers, one of which was my friend.
It was too little, especially since there was no one that funny and interesting on board, except me and said friend...
On the other hand, more than 12 people can have very different dynamics.
Is there a perfect number for the initially introverted and not very experienced diver?
Should I go for the liveaboards which require 50 dives logged?
It seems this will help reduce chances of the party being slowed down by absolute beginners.
I'm deliberating whether to go for the most dives per buck, or choose something a little nicer in terms of bathrooms and lodgings- there is the Indo Aggressor option!
Are any particular routes just better?
Central and North/ North to South and Padar/ National park?
If anyone has input or experience on one of these vessels, I will be happy to hear it:
Moana, Tarata, Tanaka, Cheng Ho, Cahaya Bersama, Nusatara, Shenron, Empress II, Indo Aggressor, Queenesia.
I will search the names on the forums, but any little bit helps.
Any input is welcome.
All the best,
Ron