Raja Manta
The KM Raja Manta is a stable 37m (121ft) long steel diving vessel. She operates 6-7 night dive cruises in Raja Ampat and East Kalimantan and longer relocation trips. Raja Manta is located in Raja Ampat from January to May and in East Kalimantan from June to August. Extended relocation cruises include the Banda Sea, Ring of Fire and the Forgotten Islands.
Accommodation & Facilities
Raja Manta accommodates up to 22 divers in 11 cabins: 8 Ensuite double/twin share cabins and 3 Standard twin share cabins with shared bathrooms.
All 8 ensuite cabins are located on the main deck and upper deck and have amber storage space for luggage with camera table as well as a spacious toilet with hot water shower, air-conditioning with individual control and a large window that can be opened. There are 2 ensuite cabins with king size bed on the upper deck and 2 of the same on the main deck. Another 4 ensuite cabins with twin beds are also located on the main deck.
The 3 standard cabins are below deck and have a wash basin each, twin bedding and port holes that open. These cabins share 2 communal bathrooms with toilet and shower also on the lower deck.
The vessel is air-conditioned throughout. There is also a spacious saloon with 42" Plasma TV and DVD player, a huge outdoor dining area and sun deck with deck chairs and floor mattress for massages. The main deck also houses the dive deck which offers ample room for everyone to gear up. A camera table and rinse tanks are available.
The onboard services include laundry, housekeeping, hot shower on dive platform, skilled masseuses, as well as personal sea-safe tracking devices, radar, GPS, VHF radio, EPIRB, satellite phone, lift rafts & life jackets. Beverages such as coffee, tea, Milo and drinking water are offered free of charge. Soft drinks, beers and wine are for sale. Meals on board are a blend of Indonesian, Thai and Western cuisine served buffet-style.
Electricity is 220V with 110V adapters available. Sockets are 3 pin British standard and 2 pin Thai standard.
Dive Service
The crew onboard the KM Raja Manta are very experienced, friendly and hard working. Divers are quickly put at ease by their helpfulness and cheer.
They provide high-quality, well-maintained rental dive equipment from top manufacturers and rent out BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, torches, weights, Nitrox/ Air compatible dive computers and more.
There is a Nitrox membrane system, aluminium tanks with international fittings (DIN adapters available), weights and a total of 3 compressors on board. There is also a 20,000L fresh water tank and two water makers which make 4000 litres of fresh water per day. Two rubber dinghy's (5.8m) are available as chase boats.
Selected dive courses are available onboard: Nitrox, Advanced OW, PADI Wreck diver or digital photography.
Dive regions
Raja Ampat or ‘Four Kings’ is a true divers paradise, a wonderland lost in time, incredible natural beauty dominates above and below the blue waters; steep jungle covered limestone islands, stunning white sand beaches, hidden lagoons, and dense mangrove forests combine to create over 9.8 million acres of National Park. Underwater more than 1000 types of reef fish, 540 types of corals, sharks, Rays, turtles, dolphins and even whales call the park their home. This is the holy grail of dive destinations, truly one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Raja Ampat, or the Four Kings, is an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small isles, cays and shoals surrounding the 4 main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo. The marine life diversity in West Papua is considerably greater than all other areas sampled in the coral triangle of Indonesia, Philippines and Papua New Guinea.
Located off the East Coast of Kalimantan (The Indonesian portion of Borneo) the Islands of Sangalaki, Maratua and Kakaban offer some of the most remote, uncrowded and untouched diving spots visited by the Raja Manta. Not only will you be diving away from the crowds but the diving is spectacular with plenty of ‘Big Fish’ sightings possible throughout the area.
Sangalaki Famous for large aggregations of Manta Rays who use the islands surrounding colourful reefs as a cleaning and breeding ground, in certain conditions Whale Sharks can also be spotted.
Kakaban A stunning fresh water Jelly Fish lake fringed by virgin Mangrove forest, Sheer drop offs and walls that attract Huge schools of Trevally and Barracuda along with the possibility of Hammerhead, Grey Reef and Black Tip sharks.
Maratua One of the most action filled destinations in the region, The walls that surround this island provide some great Big Fish dives, massive schools of Chevron Barracuda, hunting Trevally, Thresher sharks and much much more!
Ambon, Banda Sea & Forgotten Islands From September through to December, the KM Raja Manta embarks upon once in a lifetime voyages across the Banda Sea, visiting the famed ‘Spice Islands’ to discover diving Nirvana in the ‘Ring of Fire’. This is diving as it was meant to be enjoyed, true exploration, away from the crowds, discovering dive sites that very few divers will get a chance to explore; discover unique and spectacular scenery both above and below the waves where volcanic activity has created a remote island paradise, only accessible to divers via live aboard. With our unmatched experience in this area, we can show you just what an incredible destination this is and take you to our ‘Hammer head hot spots’ where at certain times of the year schools of more than 200 Hammerheads have been witnessed. Besides the schools of Hammerhead sharks, you will find pristine coral reefs, unique local seaman in Alor, the great show of volcano eruption in Komba, tons of sea snakes in Manuk and a visit to the spice island in Banda Neira.
Itineraries
• Sangalaki-Kakaban-Maratua (Jun-Aug); uncrowded & untouched delights just off East Coast of Kalimantan with ‘Big Fish’ action
• Raja Ampat (Jan-May); back for another wonderful season for more stunning diving
• Ring of Fire: Ambon, Banda Sea & Forgotten Islands (Sep-Dec); Hammerheads galore along with whales, dolphins, mantas and more.
Staying Connected
There is no satellite internet available at this time.
You should know...
Please bring enough cash to pay for any trip extras. Currencies accepted for payments are USD, Euro, Singapore Dollars and Indonesian Rupiah. Note: Bank notes must be in good order, not worn or torn and unmarked. Visa and Mastercard payments are also accepted and incur a 4.5% processing fee.
We think...
The boat is comfortable and spacious and has a high service level for a boat in its price range.
