Ambai
MV Ambai is the newest addition to Wallacea Dive Cruises. This 32m (105ft) long and 7.5m (25ft) wide dive liveaboard started operating in July 2012. Traditionally built from iron wood and other tropical hard wood, her design is especially conceived as a dive cruise boat.
Ambai operates 7 to 14 night excursions in various regions of Indonesia: Komodo, Banda Sea, Raja Ampat, Triton Bay, Alor and the Forgotten Islands. The Komodo season runs from May to October. Ambai is operating in Raja Ampat from November through to April.
Accommodation & Features
Ambai accommodates up to 16 divers in absolute comfort. Her 8 double/twin cabins have individually controlled air conditioning and private bathrooms with hot water. 4 double bed cabins are located on the lower deck. These cabins also have a single upper bunk, so can be used as twin share as well. 2 double bed cabins are located on the upper deck. The 2 twin bedded cabins (bunk beds) are located on the lower deck.
An inside lounge and restaurant, large shaded deck areas and a sun deck complete the common areas. The air-conditioned lounge features a sofa, TV, sound system, DVD player and the dining table. A small library is also available. Electricity onboard is 220V.
Dive service
The photographers will enjoy a dedicated room for the maintenance and preparation of their cameras, as well as a large screen in the lounge to share pictures and videos. Camera rinsing tubs are provided.
At the rear of the deck, a large dive deck extended by a platform offers an easy and direct access to the three dive tenders. The fibreglass tenders are 5m in length and each have a 50hp 4 stroke engine. The dive deck has a shower.
There are 2 air compressors and 1 Nitrox compressor onboard. Nitrox is available at extra cost. The vessel carries up to 25 tanks, weights & belts and rental dive gear (at extra cost).
3 day dives are offered per dive day plus a night dive. The ratio is 4 divers to 1 guide. There are a total of 4 dive guides and a Western cruise director/instructor at hand to assist all divers needs.
Dive regions
Komodo National Park is one of the greatest dive destinations, and one of the most diverse and rich marine environments in the world. These small islands fringed with sandy beaches are home to the famous Komodo dragon that you may see patrolling the beach or viewing you from a rock.
The coral reefs in the north of the park are rich with colorful combination of hard and soft corals. Be delighted with the schools of anthias, wrasses, majestic angelfish, and also large predators – reef sharks, tunas and giant trevallies.
Komodo offers a wide range of diving experience: high voltage current dives, gentle drift dives, walls dives along colorful drop offs, monumental boulders, seamounts, pinnacles and sandy slopes. You can also see manta rays, turtles and sometimes even whale sharks.
Ambai operates 11 night (10 dive days) itineraries alternatively Denpasar-Labuanbajo and reverse, and also 9 night itineraries form Bima (Sumbawa) to Labuanbajo and reverse. A few cruises also have departure and return at Labuanbajo.
Raja Ampat - The area known as Raja Ampat is an archipelago consisting in 4 main islands surrounded by over 1500 smaller islands and cays. This area is part of the West Papua province of Indonesia.
It is certainly the world's most biodiverse marine region with more recorded fish, coral and mollusks species than anywhere else on the planet. Some areas boost enormous schools of fishes ; there are spots with large groups of manta rays, other with schools of barracudas, trevallies, bump head parrot fish, large groupers, and of course always a great variety of critters. The reefs are varied as their inhabitants, with vertical walls, seamounts, pinnacles, slopes, caves, lagoons, some more covered with hard corals and other displaying colorful soft corals. Everywhere you will find a lot of gorgonians with their resident pygmy seahorses. Everywhere you will find a profusion of colors and life.
You should know...
The minimum dive level experience requested to join Wallacea Cruises is PADI Advanced Open Water or CMAS Level 2, with a minimum of 50 logged dives at sea. However, divers with a lower level of certification will be able to participate, but with a specific coaching at additional cost. Please advise of your experience level at time of booking.
We think...
Ambai is a simple dive boat with a friendly atmosphere. It's comfortable, fun and has a well-run operation with very knowledgeable dive guides.
