Click here for Raja Ampat – underwater Page 1
Click here for Raja Ampat – underwater Page 2
Click here for Raja Ampat – above water
Part Two – Raja Ampat Diving – March 2015
The boat – the Arenui:
When you go on a dive liveaboard you want to have some great digs after you come up from your dive. In fact, this is important since you will spend 7-14 days on this boat. Think of it like “club med on the water.” It is an all-inclusive deal (minus alcoholic beverages).
When I go on one of these liveaboards I don’t skimp out. I go on the best! Why? Well, safety comes first always. Boats that are top notch do have a very good safety record and have double of everything on board. Like the two tenders on the Arenui have two outboard motors. An added safety measure even though only one is used when moving.
Then there is the comfort part. I like my space. So having my own room is great. At times I do share a room with someone but if I do I know the room is spacious. The Arenui is very spacious. There is a lot of room also to put your camera and fix them out in the dining room/camera area. Plus a lot of space to chill upstairs or in the dining area.
The spoiling part: There are 16 dive guest and 22 crew members. Yep! More crew members than guest. Now that is the start of being spoiled. When getting in or out of the tenders and big boat you do not have to do anything. The crew help you in all areas. From taking your booties off after a dive or to making you your coffee. You are just totally spoiled from top to bottom. It was 14 days of bliss. Not a care in the world besides when to get ready for the next dive.
The crew was just amazing. There was no bad part of this trip. The crew were on their game and it was not only a five star service, but a six star service! For sure I will be back on this boat. From the dining staff to the dive staff and all in-between they were all amazingly great at their job. I made so many great friends with the crew. Terima Kasih, Arenui crew!! 
The food: Just amazing! Cold breakfast, hot breakfast to order, lunch buffet, and to order dinners. If you left hungry it was your own fault. There was plenty of food. Plenty of great Bali coffee! And plenty of great snacks in-between. We even had dinner under the stars that was held upstairs. We had a great barbecue dinner too boot.
You can learn more about the Arenui dive liveaboard here at http://www.thearenui.com/.
Is this boat more than you and I really need? For sure! One doesn’t need the six star service and the great stay on a nice boat. But, who would not! If you are going to want to be spoiled – then look no further but this great boat and her team. I know I am headed back in 2017 with them!
Please click here for part three of three: https://www.douggulleson.com/raja-ampat-above-water/
