The Adventure Continues to...
Indonesia
September 18 - October 1, 2010
October 2 - 14, 2010
The Destinations:
Maumere to Ambon (CURRENTLY FULL, sign up for waiting list.)
Our first trip (thirteen nights, September 18 - October 1) starts by flying into Bali, then on to Maumere. The boat will depart Maumere for Adonara, across a narrow strait from Flores, then on to Alor, then several remote islands and atolls on our way to Ambon. For a detailed itinerary and map, click here.
Ambon to Sorong (CURRENTLY FULL, sign up for waiting list.)
Our second trip (twelve nights, October 2 - 14) starts by flying into Bali, then on to Ambon where we board the boat. The incredible slopes near our pier are loaded with all of the top critter favorites. We continue to Ceram, loaded with turtles, then to the blue water mangroves near Misool. We enjoy more islands, more great variety ending at Sorong for our flight back to Bali. For a detailed itinerary and map click here.
The Boat
NOTE--Updated August 2010. Please know that our vessel has changed to the Sea Safari VII, so ignore the detailed description of the Sea Horse below.
We will be on a great boat, the MSY Sea Horse. The Sea Horse is Indonesia's fastest Phinisi liveaboard with a top cruising speed of 12 knots. Built in 2004 with speed, safety and comfort in mind, the ship spans an impressive 33 meters long and 8.5 meters wide, all powered by a 380 hp MAN marine engine. The elegance of her solid iron wood hull and teak wood interior combined with luxurious air conditioned cabins and modern safety, navigation and diving equipment make her the superior choice amongst liveaboard dive vessels in Indonesia.
Indonesian 'Bugis Prahus', commonly known as Pinisi, are made from locally-grown timber (Ironwood & Teak amongst others) according to a tradition that dates back to long before Portuguese colonists reached the area. The classic beauty of the MSY Sea Horse combines this traditional craftsmanship with modern conveniences, providing our guests with luxurious comfort even in the remotest waters of Indonesia.
Diving
Diving is done from from one of two aluminum tenders. You set your gear up once (using air or Nitrox) at the beginning of the trip and the crew takes over from there. You board the tender, with the tank on your back or the tank carried to the tender for you, as Cathy always does, don the tank, make a back roll to enter the water and the boat will come for you wherever you surface. Just hand up your gear and come back up the ladder. Guests do about 35 dives on an eleven night trip. There is no diving on the first day as we will be steaming to our first dive site. (Boat photos are courtesy of Kararu Voyages.)
Onboard Guest & Diver Facilities
The vessels have been built to suit modern requirements but offer the beauty and charm of the traditional craftsmanship of Indonesia's most experienced boat builders. By offering fully air conditioned cabins, salons and dining areas as well as outdoor lounging areas, Kararu aims to provide the ultimate in comfort, style and accommodation in between dives.
Guest Facilities
Plasma TV, Video, CD and DVD Players
Video, CD, & DVD Media Libraries
Slide & Digital Projectors
Satellite Based Wireless e-mail
Laptop Power Points
Multilingual Library - Wide Selection of Books
Satellite Phone
Free Tea, Coffee & Water Available 24hrs
A Well Stocked Bar (For after diving)
Diver Facilities
Camera Battery Charging Stations, 220/110 Volt
Equipment Service Areas
Camera Workstations
Small Group Dive Tenders
Dive Deck Showers & Towels
NITROX Tanks & Courses Available
Dive Equipment Rental Available
U/W Camera Rental Available
Itinerary
We will fly in to Bali, then on to Maumere for the first trip or to Ambon for the second trip. For complete diving descriptions, click here.
From pygmy seahorses to Manta rays, these trips have it all.
Weather and diving conditions
Some of the dive sites are prone to currents. That is what makes the soft corals bloom and the water is rich with plankton. The first trip generally has a higher percentage of macro subjects, while the second trip is a higher percentage of large subjects such as large schools of fish, mantas, soft coral scenics and even clear-water mangroves for plenty of varied photo opportunities.
Cost for trips one/two
Double rooms main and lower decks, with twin beds side by side or upper and lower, or with a king bed, trip one $5110.00*/trip two $4765.00* per person when paying by check or cash.
(*If you need to pay with credit card, simply add 4%.)
What's included in the cruise price, you ask?
• The cruise, all scuba diving activities and group shore programs during the course of the cruise.
• Regular air fills, tanks, weights and weight belt
• All meals while on board the vessel
• Wireless email access
• Water, tea, coffee, soft drinks while on board the vessel
• Transfers to and from the vessel between hotels in the Maumere, Ambon, Sorong area on the cruise departure and return dates
• government taxes
• $250.00 fuel surcharge
• $300.00 port clearance fee. We are not certain what these fees will be in 2010, but the final total should be close to this amount.
• $75.00 park fee for trip two.
What's NOT included?
• International and domestic air transportation (Current price is $624 per person for trip 1 and $891 per person for trip 2 and $677 per person for those taking both trips back to back.)
• Hotels and meals ashore before and after the cruise
• Travel insurance
• Dive equipment rental
• Nitrox
• Private tours
• Laundry
• On-board telecommunications
• On-board beverages except water/tea/coffee
• On-board spa services
• Crew gratuities (around $350 to $450)
(No air or possible over nights are included.)
TO RESERVE click here