Best Discounted Liveaboards Indonesia (Diving on a Budget)

”PERFECT ! Marvelous boat & team. The absolute dream for a dive trip. Seriously! Exceptional experience. The boat is new (launched in september 2015) and a marvel of traditional and modern ironwood and teck wood work. We were lucky to get the master cabin which is the best floating room we ever had on such trips (comes with a king size bed, full 9 feet ceilings, private bath and most importantly a stunning 280° continuous windows on the main rear deck and the beautiful Komodo sea and islands landscapes!).

Each time you set foot on board (and there are many occasions), you are welcome with a large smile and either a fresh drink or a hot chocolate (quite precious after night dives). Marvelous combination of Italian hospitality at its best (the boss and owner was on board with his son and lovely wife), including wine tasting and high fooding standards, perfect Indonesian seamanship and service, with expert massage on request, and a wonderful German diving instructor (with both a serious dedication to safety, a refreshing sense of humor and a true ability to share his passion and vast knowledge a the marine life).

We took the nitrox course (the nitrox is free on board).The dive sites are world class, among the best we dived for the last 25 years (that includes Sipadan, the Red Sea, Djibouti, Costa Rica, Cozumel, Turkey, Corsica, Phuket / Phi-Phi, Ko Tao, Cebu, Sri Lanka, Bali, Lombok / Gillis, West indies, Turks & Caicos, Tioman…). In a week around the national park of Komodo, from Bima to Labuan Bajo, you can expect to sea amazing soft corals, most of the indo-pacific benthic life (including a large number of stone fishes, cuttle fishes, nudis..), turtles, sharks, mantas… Some ”firsts” for me were the attack of the ominous bobbit worm, the ”live” feeding of a starfish by an anemone, the ”live” feeding of a very large holothurie, the magic show of the Spanish dancer, among the best video footage I got.

On the top of the liveaboard experience and diving, the Komodo dragon encounter is not to be missed. Not such much at the Rinca ranger station (although the hike there is worth it), than the pack of 5 roaming freely on the beach at horseshoe bay! If you are looking for an amazing week, do not hesitate one second, Go for it !” Recommended for: BOAT – DIVES – TEAM.

”Most abundant marine life on most luxurious boat I have experienced. Unbelievable abundance and diversity of marine life. Boat was by far the most comfortable I have been on. Service was excellent, both while diving and on board. Expensive but you get what you pay for.” Recommended for: Marine life, boat comfort, crew service level.

”Highly recommend! Lovely boat and the best way to experience Raja Ampat. luxurious accommodations, excellent food, and attentive service. The spacious cabins and well-designed common areas contribute to a comfortable and relaxing stay.” Recommended for: Dives, Dive Guide, Crew. Boat facility. Food!.

”Absolutely great. We had a wonderful time during this trip. We were able to dive under perfect conditions. The boat is large and very confortable. The use of a dhoni instead of a zodiac to reach the various dive sites makes a lot of difference in terms of confort and safety. We felt blessed compared to the other liveaboards. The crew was very nice and flexible so we were able to spend at our request two full days in the « Manta Valley » as the conditions were perfect and we really enjoyed this unique experience with the manta rays which was really the highlight of our trip. The dive guides and the crew manager was also flexible and keen on making sure that we reach the dive sites without other boats around. Besides, if you like diving but also enjoy spas, small trekkings and drinks at night time – pick this boat and this crew.” Recommended for: Diving, crew and the boat.

”Carpe Diem crew and overall liveaboard experience was great and I would highly recommend them! Carpe Diem boat is well maintained and the crew is very warm and professional. Service and food was excellent. Dive Masters were extremely responsible and highly knowledgeable of the different dive sites that suit the capacity of the divers. They were also very informative and took the time to get to know us and make sure we were comfortable and enjoyed our trip. Food and lodgings were extremely good.

All dive equipments were well maintained and catered to all our needs. The sites around Komodo were great and the crew matched it!!!” Recommended for: Professional and friendly crew, highly experience and responsible dive masters, food was excellent!

”Explore the sea aboard the Jelajahi Laut : a true memorable experience ! We would like to thank Eric and Camille, the cruise directors, and the entire Jelahahi Laut team, for making our stay a truly unforgettable experience! Dive briefings were crystal clear, ensuring that every diver felt safe while maintaining a relaxed and fun atmosphere. We appreciated the upbeat atmosphere created by the themed music, carefully chosen to match the names of the dive sites. This musical atmosphere was even confirmed on the last evening, when the team treated us to a memorable concert and karaoke! The quality of the food on board was also a highlight of this cruise, with tasty and varied meals, also for vegetarians. Excursions on land were perfectly organized, always choosing the most opportune moment to offer us the best visiting conditions and bringing us the best of both worlds. At sea, the crew showed remarkable flexibility, adapting the route according to weather and sea conditions to maximize our enjoyment. They also ensured that we dived at the most convenient times, avoiding underwater crowds and allowing us to enjoy the sites to the full. We even had the privilege of accessing Manta Alley, where we were lucky enough to swim with dozens of manta rays. Whatever the situation, the Mikumba team will always do its utmost to offer you the best possible dives. We have no hesitation in recommending them 100% for an unforgettable dive cruise !” Recommended for: The team spirit. Adapting the route to the conditions for the best dives. Limited number of guests.

”Great service, food, comfortable cabins. The cabin and common areas were comfortable and clean. The crew were very professional and did everything to make the trip memorable. Chef catered to everyone’s request, I deeply appreciated it because I know it must be difficult to cook in a tiny galley and deliver 5-stars food including plating. Crew rinsed wetsuits with disinfectant and I liked the Dettol fresh clean smell. I wish they hung the wetsuit in airy place to dry after each dive but wetsuits were hung inside a shower room.” Recommended for: Spacious areas for guests to lounge, decor was clean and simple, helpful attentive staff.