Holiday Reference: TRP 48188 - 01 Jan 2030 - Blue Manta Explorer - £4650 *

Blue Manta Explorer – Raja Ampat and Banda Islands

01 Jan 2030 · 10 nights · Far East, Indonesia

£4650 *

5 twin cabins and 1 space available

Why divers love Blue Manta Explorer

  • 45 m purpose-built steel liveaboard offering stability, space and comfort for trips to Raja Ampat, Komodo, Ambon and more. Accomodating 22 divers.
  • Enjoy freshly prepared meals daily plus snacks, hot drinks and water, with indoor and alfresco dining options.
  • Up to five experienced dive guides ensure small dive groups with personalised attention and expert site briefings.
  • A dedicated team of around 20 seasoned crew members deliver seamless service, from dive deck help to housekeeping.
  • Blue Manta comes with modern navigation, emergency gear, life jackets, fire and smoke alarms and safety systems for secure cruising.
  • Fourteen air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms and ample space provide a comfortable and relaxing retreat after diving.

What's included in your holiday

  • Your journey on Blue Manta Explorer is based on a lower deck cabin on a full board basis (3 meals/day onboard, tea, coffee, soft drinks, fruit, snacks)
  • 12lt tank, weights, air fills, weight belts and diving with experienced dive masters/instructors - up to 4 dives a day
  • UK passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival 500 000IDR (cash). It is your responsibility to ensure you meet all entry requirements.
  • Komodo park fees $200 or Raja Ampat/Banda fees $250 pp have to be prepaid and will be added to your UK booking as a prepaid extra

What's not included

  • This holiday excludes international flights to Bali or Jakarta and domestic flights to your embarkation point. Do ask for a competitive quote to add flights from a number of UK airports to your holiday. As of 14th Feb 2024, there is a Bali tourist tax of 150 000 (prepay via http://lovebali.baliprov.go.id)
  • To pay locally are alcohol, kit hire, nitrox and any souvenirs or private guiding services. From September 2022, a fuel surcharge will be prepaid $200pp for trips including the Banda Sea/crossing trips or $150 pp for Komodo, Raja Ampat and Sangalaki.
  • Crew gratuities are not included in the charter. All gratuities should be voluntary and based upon the quality of service the crew has provided.
  • A 4.5% service charge is levied on all on board credit card payments

Liveaboard Details

Blue Manta Explorer is possibly the largest, purpose built steel hulled liveaboard diving in Indonesia to date. Measuring 45 meters in length (148 feet) the 22 spacious cabins are situated over three decks. Modern and classy, Blue Manta Explorer is t ...

Blue Manta Explorer is possibly the largest, purpose built steel hulled liveaboard diving in Indonesia to date. Measuring 45 meters in length (148 feet) the 22 spacious cabins are situated over three decks. Modern and classy, Blue Manta Explorer is the perfect choice for exploring the thrilling diving around Raja Ampat, Ambon and Komodo. She's crewed by no less than 20 experienced staff, all dedicated to providing exceptional service

Blue Manta Explorer has 14 cabins, each with en suite bathroom and toiletries. There are 4 double bed cabins and two twins cabins on the upper deck. 4 twin cabins are location on the main deck, towards the bow. The final 4 cabins on the lower deck. Supplements apply for main and upper deck reservations, so please ask at the time of booking if you have a preference.

On a boat this large, you have bags of space to enjoy the communal areas. There is a salon with a plasma TV, DVD and media server. 24 hour satellite internet providing on board wifi available so you can easily stay in touch with family at home. On the upper deck is a is a sun deck with lounge chairs for sunbathing and a covered area for shade, perfect for relaxing in between dives. Up to 5 meals a day are served by the top notch chefs - dine alfresco in the outdoor dining area or in the indoor air-conditioned dining area, You will never go hungry. The dive deck is equipped with personal rinse tanks and a wide outdoor work table for underwater digital cameras. On the main deck you will find dedicated indoor camera room with plenty of space & charging stations. Full equipment rentals are available onboard, all scuba tanks have din or yoke fittings and there are larger tanks available for those requiring a little extra air. Enjoy a warm towel, hot drink and fresh fruit after every dive.

Want to know more about Blue Manta Explorer?

Click here for more details about Blue Manta Explorer This link contains lots of the information you need, pictures, reviews, and other FAQ information. Or call one of our diving holiday experts on +44(0)1483 411590.

Itinerary Details

Dive the wish list destination Raja Ampat and Banda Islands with one of Scuba Travel's hand picked liveaboards. This is the ultimate Indonesian dive adventure, packed with big fish to macro and mind blowing bio diversity.

Raja Ampat and Banda Islands Description

Raja Ampat and Banda islands is a transitional itinerary, that moves between the macro mecca of Ambon to the big fish walls of Raja Ampat. Midway through the journey, the itinerary calls at the remote Banda Islands, a rarely visited gem in the heart of the Coral Triangle. Famous for their dramatic volcanic landscapes and rich history as the original Spice Islands, Banda offers outstanding diving with pristine reefs, crystal-clear water, and a mix of macro life and pelagic encounters. Steep walls, vibrant hard corals, schooling fish, and seasonal sightings of larger species make Banda a perfect transition between Ambon’s macro-focused dives and the expansive big-fish walls of Raja Ampat.
This is an extended itinerary where you can visit some of the best dive sites in the Centre of the Coral Triangle.


The Ambon to Sorong cruise is special because it takes in two magnificent regions in the one cruise. Beginning in Ambon we head first to the Banda Islands (original Spice Islands) before rounding the east coast of Seram and rejoining the south and central sections of Raja Ampat. The Banda Islands will offer the opportunity for some pelagic action, hopefully hammerheads too, before diving arguably one of the best dive locations worldwide, South Raja Ampat.


The diving is hugely varied. Raja Ampat is the most biodiverse place on earth. Hang out on the walls to look for sharks, manta and other pelagic action, combined with colourful pristine reefs. There are copious amount of fish life, with swirling schools racing up and down the reefs. Sunset Dive for the Mandarin fish in Banda Neira.


Highlights may include
Banda Islands: Pohon Miring, Batu Kapal, Batu Kapal Pinnacle, Banda Neira Jetty and Lava Flow
Banda Land Visits: On this cruise we visit Banda Neira to see the nutmeg plantation, historic forts and small Maritime Museum. A half day excursion
Raja Ampat Central Section: Gam, Penemu, Arborek, Cape Kri Area
Raja Ampat Southern Section: Daram, Wayilbatan, Fiabacet, Pelee

Want to know more about Raja Ampat and Banda Islands?

Click here for more details about Raja Ampat and Banda Islands contains all the detailed information you need, a full day by day itinerary, pictures, videos, reviews, and other practical information. Or call one of our diving holiday experts on +44(0)1483 411590.

 


Your holiday details

Dive the Banda sea and discover the Spice islands, volcanos and seasonal hammerheads. Your Banda Sea adventure is 7 nights, based on a lower deck cabin (full board basis) - cabin upgrades are available. All trips are fully guided by expert dive guides and include 12lt tank, weights, full board and soft drinks. There are usually 3/4 dives a day. Banda Sea park fees $250pp & $200 fuel surcharge have to be prepaid and will be added to your UK booking. Excluded are alcohol, kit hire, nitrox ($7 per fill), wifi $35, and any souvenirs or private guiding services.



This holiday excludes international flights to Jakarta CGK or domestic flights to Ambon. Please confirm your boat space, embarkation and disembarkation times with your travel consultant before booking and confirming any flights yourself. We are able to add flights with a wide range of airlines, including regional departures. Please ask your consultant for competitive quote for any flight option. You will typically require a night in Jakarta before and possibly after your liveaboard, which can be added to your booking on request.

Entry requirements

Country entry requirements for Indonesia

This information is for people travelling on a full 'British citizen' passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government's understanding of Indonesia's current rules for the most common types of travel.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/indonesia

To enter Indonesia, your passport must have an 'expiry date' at least 6 months after the date you arrive and have at least 2 blank pages.

Entry Visa:
You MUST have a visa to visit Indonesia
You can get a 30-day visa on arrival (VOA) for tourism. The VOA costs 500,000 Indonesian rupiah, payable in cash IDR or USD. It is valid for single entry only. You must meet passport validity requirements and have a return or onward ticket.

Indonesia arrival card:
Before travelling to Indonesia, fill out the online customs and health declaration on the All Indonesia arrival card website or app within 72 hours of arrival. It is recommended that you complete this form prior to departure to avoid delays when arriving in Indonesia.
https://allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id

Top tip: Take a photo of your QR code, incase you don't receive the QR by email

* prices are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking

 

Ready to take the next step, call one of friendly holiday experts on 01483 411590 to book


Please DO NOT book any connecting flights, insurance, or additional parts to this holiday as your trip is subject to availability and will NOT be confirmed until you have spoken with our operators. If you have any requests beyond our normal itineraries please note them in the comments and we will discuss these with you when we call to arrange your holiday.

All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website for customers based in the UK or EU are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate

Holidays that do not include a flight originating from the UK,for customers based in the UK or EU, are financially protected by our ABTOT license 5194
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Tony Backhurst Scuba ltd t/a Scuba Travel - member number 5194, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for:

• Non-flight packages for UK and EU customers only

ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Tony Backhurst Scuba ltd t/a Scuba Travel.
In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.
You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/made
You can find out more about ABTOT here: https://www.abtot.com/

All holidays sold for customers with a postal address outside the EU or UK are not financially protected. It is your responsibility to ensure you have insurance in place to protect your holiday in the event of our insolvency. The holidays are covered under their own specific terms and conditions, which are issued on the booking/payment confirmation.

 

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