Raja Ampat Aggressor

Overview

The Raja Ampat Aggressor is a stable 30.5m steel ship; it’s comfortable and has all the essentials for a great diving trip. 

Accommodation is available for up to 16 guests and is split over the main and upper decks. Every stateroom is ensuite with individual climate control, a hairdryer, and a monitor with a media player.  There are two variations of Master Stateroom: one with a queen-sized bed and two with a queen-sized bed and a single upper bunk. Both of these have picture windows. There are five Deluxe Staterooms; these have twin beds in an L-shaped bunk style and a mixture of portholes and picture windows. 

The air-conditioned salon and dining area are cozy and comfortable, with plenty of relaxing seating.  There’s a media centre which means dive or marine life presentations can be made, or your favourite movie played (make sure to bring it with you). A variety of fish ID books and a small loaner library are available on board. Outside, the shaded sundeck has plenty of loungers and comfortable seating to while away the time between dives.  

Food fuels your diving, and it’s both tasty and plentiful onboard. Breakfast is a selection of hot and cold dishes: fruit, bread cereals, sweet treats, and hot selections. Lunch and dinner are three courses and combine Western and local dishes with fish and meat varieties. Local beer and wine are complimentary, and you are welcome to bring liquor with you. 

Boat Specification 

Type: Steel. Length: 30.5m (100ft). Beam: 8m (26ft). Cruising speed: 8 Knots. 

Navigation / Safety 

The boat has three emergency oxygen kits, a first aid kit, an AED / defibrillator, and two self-inflating life rafts.  

Equipment 

The vessel is equipped with 12-litre tanks with yoke fittings. DIN adaptors are not available for hire. Nitrox fills are 32% and come at an extra cost of $100 for seven nights, $125 for eight nights, and $150 for ten nights. 

Equipment can be hired but must be booked in advance. Dive computers are mandatory. 

Schedules & prices

Dive info

Liveaboard diving in Indonesia

The vast Indonesian archipelago was almost made for liveaboard trips. Thousands of tropical islands slide into the most biodiverse seas on Earth, where all manner of fascinating and rewarding encounters await on every dive.

With so many wonderful scuba diving opportunities spread over such a large area, a liveaboard is an ideal way for more experienced divers to get the best from this incredible destination, with both classic and off the beaten track itineraries available.

If you’ve not yet experienced Indonesia, now's the time to open your eyes to a world of wonder! The Coral Triangle, macro diving and more awaits.

Liveaboards diving to & from Bali

Eastwards from Bali, a string of picturesque islands stretch east towards Komodo, offering a wealth of different dive sites to choose from as you dive your way to or from Komodo National Park. Lombok, Gili Islands, Sumbawa, Moyo, Satonda and Sangeang are the main land masses, with numerous other islets.

This group of islands further east are surprisingly dry, looking more like parched grassland on steep volcanic formed slopes than the expected lush green tropics, unless visiting during the more rainy season (winter months).

Liveaboard diving in Komodo, Flores & Alor

Officially declared a World Heritage Site in 1986, the Komodo National Park comprises Komodo, Rinca and Padar Islands. The variety of islands within the park, combined with the current, wave and wind exposure have resulted in an incredible diversity of coastal and marine habitats.

Underwater, strong currents and deep upwelling's transport nutrient-rich waters throughout the area, which supports a cornucopia of life. Mangrove forests, sea grass beds and pristine coral reefs define the main habitats within the borders of the park. Dive sites vary from walls and coral gardens to pinnacles, drop offs and quiet bays that are ideal for macro lovers seeking rarely seen species.

Over 1,000 fish species, 260 reef building coral species and 70 sponge species have been recorded in the Komodo National Park, with a particularly high number of organ pipe coral, which accounts for the famous pink sand beaches. Turtle and dugong frequent Komodo's waters, while manta ray are regularly seen. The area is even known for the occasional whale sighting as they migrate through the park.

The islands of Komodo are also home to many rare and endemic land species including a population of the world's largest lizard, the Komodo dragons. Most cruises covering the park incorporate an island visit to see these interesting reptiles in their natural environment.

Occasionally, liveaboard boats venture farther east from Komodo to Flores and Alor. The currents that flow through the straits which connect the Banda and Savu seas create thrilling drift dives that attract large animals such as whale, tuna, shark (including hammerhead), giant grouper, eagle and manta ray, napoleon wrasse, schools of big eye jack, mola-mola, and other pelagic fish. In the Pantar strait between Alor and Pantar pilot-whale and dolphin are common as they pass between the islands during their seasonal migration to the Pacific Ocean.

Liveaboard diving Ambon & Raja Ampat

Vast areas of West Papua's land and sea are designated conservation areas. With over 3,000 reef fish and 400 coral and sponge species recorded, as well as dolphin, dugong, green, hawksbill and leatherback turtle, the diverse marine life will not fail to amaze. Above water, exotic creatures such as the venus fly trap inhabit the region.

Diving Raja Ampat by liveaboard tends to focus between December and March when the winds in this area are favourable. This is a large area with some liveaboards focusing on the north, central or south of Raja Ampat, or a combination thereof, including the dive sites of Cenderawasih Bay and Triton Bay. The entire region has world-class diving however.

Before and after this period, the focus moves to Ambon and the Banda Sea, part of the Maluku Islands. These seldom visited reefs and atolls are known for thrilling encounters, including hammerhead shark. This big fish action is complimented by incredible muck diving, particularly around Ambon.

Transition cruises taking in the Banda Sea and Raja Ampat are particularly sought after.

 Some great Raja Ampat footage from our friends at Mermaid Fleet:

EXTENDED ITINERARIES & OFF THE BEATEN TRACK CRUISES

Occasionally, special itineraries are offered which either take in multiple regions on an extended itinerary, or head to more unusual regions of Indonesia, such as Wakatobi, Halmahera or the Forgotten Islands. Eye-catching options include itineraries starting in Manado, North Sulawesi and finishing in Raja Ampat (or vice versa), or beginning in Maumere and journeying east towards the Maluku Islands.

These itineraries, which are best suited to those that have already experienced Indonesian liveaboards previously, often have an exploratory feel, allowing eager divers to feel like pioneers exploring seldom charted waters!

When's the best time to dive Indonesia by liveaboard?

Indonesia spans approximately 3,000 kilometres from east to west and incorporates a range of climates and seasons. Most liveaboards move around the archipelago throughout the year, planning schedules to offer diving in each region at its best months. 

The majority of liveaboards will focus on Komodo between May and September, Raja Ampat between December and March. In between these months, itineraries to locations such as Alor or the Banda Sea are offered.

Who is liveaboard diving in Indonesia suitable for

Diving in these areas is often undertaken in remote locations. Some of the dives can be quite challenging, suiting only more experienced divers in exciting, bizarre and unpredictable currents. Liveaboard diving does not get more adventurous than this!

Flight Information

The most common entry points for a liveaboard holiday to Indonesia are Jakarta and Bali. 

International flights are available on multiple airlines serving this region, for example: Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways and Garuda Indonesia.

For most liveaboard departures, domestic flights are also required, which will form part of your holiday package on flight inclusive holidays. There are numerous domestic airlines providing for a wide variety of routes and options in Indonesia. The length of journey to certain liveaboard locations necessitate an overnight stop on route, which also allows valuable time to recharge and recover after a long flight.

Flight changes can be a regular occurrence in Indonesia, therefore we recommend to build in plenty of time between domestic and international flights to account for changes and delays.

Typical flight duration:

Approx. 15–17 hours including flight change.

Passports & Visas

Passengers travelling to Indonesia and Timor-Leste should have minimum six months valid on their passport from the date of return to the UK, plus one full page free. Hotel receptions may be required to take a photocopy of your passport for registration purposes.

British nationals travelling to Indonesia on holiday can enter the country purchasing a visa on arrival for up to 30 days at certain ports of entry, including international airports in Jakarta and Bali. The cost of this is Rp 500,000pp.

For further information about entry requirements, visit the website of the Indonesian Embassy in London or your nearest Indonesian embassy.

Visitors to Timor-Leste require a visa, which British passport holders can purchase on arrival at the airport. A 30 day tourist visa, single entry costs US $30. It is your responsibility to check that your passport complies with Indonesian and Timor-Leste entry requirements.

Vaccinations

There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio. Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure with your GP or local travel clinic.

Advice on Malaria, Dengue Fever and Japanese Encephalitus should be sought before travelling specific to the area of your boat's itinerary.

Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk, from your local healthcare provider or from a specialist travel clinic.

Itineraries

The Raja Ampat Aggressor runs 7- and 10-day itineraries, offering the best of Raja Ampat. These itineraries start and end in Sorong, and while both have time for you to explore many sites in Misool, the 10-day itinerary allows more time for greater exploration in the Raja Ampat areas of Wasai, Gam, Mansuar, and Penemu.   

Exploration cruises to the Lembeh Straits and Derawan on the east coast of Borneo are available, contact us for more information. 

Please note that liveaboard itineraries can change without notice. The itinerary will depend on several factors including, but not limited to, weather, diving ability of guests & the number of other boats already present at the various dive sites. All dive sites visited are subject to weather conditions and are at the discretion of your dive guides and vessel captain. 

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