Important Things To Expect On Your Diving Adventure

Raja Ampat is considered to offer the best diving in Indonesia . And a survey was conducted to confirm that theory. In 2002, The Nature Conservancy conducted a  scientific survey of the Raja Ampat Islands  to collect information on its marine ecosystems, mangroves, and forests. The survey stated that the scientists found 537 species of corals Dive Raja Ampat – that’s an incredible 75% of all known coral species. In addition, 828 fish species were recorded, raising the known total for the area to an amazing 1,074!? The Raja Ampat government declared in 2010 their waters to be a shark sanctuary and outlawed the capture and killing of sharks, turtles, dugongs and rays. This is part of why the marine life in Raja Ampat is so incredibly rich. Another reason for this is the currents that are running through the region. It brings in big stuff migration like oceanic mantas, whales and also a lot of nutrient for the reef fish. To reach all the hot spots of Raja Ampat a livea...

Enjoy manta trains, empty dive sites, cheaper flights & a wider range of accommodation while exploring the best of diving in Komodo & Flores during off-season. For a few years Komodo has been expanding and between June & August every year the city gets filled with people who want to experience the amazing diving in Komodo. Hotels gets fully booked and so do dive operators and liveaboards in Komodo . But, in fact, Komodo is just as good almost all year (except for when the rainy season strikes in January & February). Komodo liveaboard diving remains spectacular for most of the year because of its location. During peak season the central area is perfect with its crystal clear waters, many mantas and warm water (28 degrees). At that time the visibility in the southern part is not great and waves are big, so a lot of the operators that offer boat trips in komodo stay in the north.  The conditions in the south get better during the low season so many Komo...

The fact that the liveaboard diving in Raja Ampat & Komodo are world class is not a secret anymore, the question is: what is really hiding under the surface in-between? Mikumba Diving has organised a diving expedition to the ring of fire - from Flores to Raja Ampat five times now  (In October & April every year) with different routes, exploring different islands and dive sites along the way across the Banda sea. Every year we do this exploratory expedition where we dive spots that’s never been dived before. This year we started in Maumere,  Flores on the 20 th of October to start our journey. Ratu Pelangi is the name of the vessel that will take us through the Banda sea. This boat normally operates as a midrange liveaboard in Komodo & during the winter season as a budget liveaboard in Raja Ampat . The boat can accommodate 14 guests and is crewed by 10 Indonesian sailors. The route we set out on can offer you some of the best diving in Indonesia , but s...

Travelling on a traditional wooden phinisi through the Banda sea is an amazing adventure but can give you the best diving in Indonesia. After restocking and filling up with all commodities in Alor we set out for the Banda islands but ran out of water and had to seek help at Pulau Damar, a beautiful remote island in the south Banda sea with only 2 boats coming in and out per week. We asked for some water, which they delivered straight from the mountain on the island. In the wait for new water we went diving around the island, before heading further east for one of our favorite dive spots, Nilsdesperandum. This is where we have had hammerhead sightings past years and we were really excited when we jumped in the water. The reefs are pristine and full of life, just like the Raja ampat diving . We started to descend to our maximum depth and keep our eyes into the blue. There, just as a black shadow some of us spotted the great hammerhead. These creatures are extremely rare and ca...

Diving  can be expensive but our budget liveaboard in Raja Ampat takes care of that! . Here is a typical day on our boat. Wakey wakey! It’s usually the sound of our cruise director going round the boat making sure you’re up in time for the 1st dive. It’s 06.45 a.m. the boat is rocked softly by the ocean and you know you are about to experience the best diving in Indonesia . The first thing we do in the morning have a small breakfast of fruit, toast and juice and then have our first dive briefing. There’s something magical about jumping into the ocean early in the morning to enjoy the marine life! During the 1st dive on our budget liveaboard , our chef has prepared a big breakfast with pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, toast and fruit platter for us to enjoy when we come back to the dive boat. After breakfast we relax for a while and then get ready for dive no.2 at another stunning site Raja ampat diving . The main routine on the boat is pretty much diving, eating, relaxing...

At Mikumba Diving we are working hard to give you the best experience possible! One key factor to be able to do that is our beloved crew, the heart of the company. They work hard every day diving   in Komodo and our budgetliveaboard in Raja Ampat . In our dive center in Labuan Bajo we have friendly staff to provide you with all information, you’re welcome to drop by whenever to enjoy the air  in the office and popcorn fresh from the machine. On our daily boat we have five people in the crew and on our liveaboard there are ten sailors to manage and take care of the boat. If you want more information about our boats have a look at our website www.mikumbadiving.com . The crew have extensive knowledge of working on boats and knows the areas very well. This is important when we are diving in Komodo & Raja Ampat because there can be strong currents and it’s the crew ’ s responsibility to care for the safety onboard. The captain is the most important employ...

People ’ s perception of Komodo and Labuan Bajo is that they are remote and far away, but the truth is that getting to Komodo National Park has never been easier! There are direct flights from both Jakarta and Bali, and you ’ re there in just a few hours. After landing in Labuan Bajo , you just step outside the airport and five minutes later you are in town. Our dive center is conveniently located on the main street in the centre of town. For more information and recommendations on accommodation and what to do in Komodo visit our website: www.mikumbadiving.com