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Dive Review of Arenui in
Indonesia/Alore-Komodo

Arenui, Jul, 2013,

by John Strang, AK, US ( 2 reports). Report 7114.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 5 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments The Arenui was our first liveaboard experience. We were spoiled. The other, more experienced, liveaboard divers all said the Arenui was different than other liveaboards. Five meals a day, all with fresh fruit and a wonderful assortment of dishes. We had a small typhoon pass while the trip went on. We wouldn't have noticed it except for two rough nights of passage. The dives were worked around it and were excellent.

We had detailed dive briefings including powerpoint presentations for each site. Divers were expected to keep themselves out of deco, but once the DM's checked us out underwater, they didn't nursemaid our dives. 15 divers, 4 DM's, 22 crew total, the service was incredible. We had several onshore excursions that allowed us to interact with some of the local culture and people. Nitrox ran at 31.6-30.8%. Our group was pretty experienced, we always ran 60+ minutes. We went in with two tenders. When my wife and I burned up gas early, we would do a safety stop with an SMB and the tender would be waiting. Staying with the DM's was worthwhile. I can spot an octopus in Hawaii, but the pygmy seahorses would have been unseen if it weren't for the sharp eyes of the local guides. We were the only American's on board, and we had a ball. The whole group was quite simpatico. We all spent a night after we docked at the same little resort in Maumre. We all pulled tables together until it felt like we were back on the Arenui, though the food and service wasn't quite as good.

This was our 40th anniversary trip. We did a lot of research prior and didn't bring too many extras. The boat provided hair products, my wife could have left hers she said (that's quite an admission). My wife was concerned with current diving, she didn't like the drift portions on the coral as she wanted to stop and take photos, but enjoyed cruising along on the safety stops. I dove every dive (35), but still had time on the SI to read all my paperback novels on the top deck, under the canvas screen, until I retreated to the AC in our room. My wife was usually there, working on photos, cussing at her strobe, and enjoying the view.

I can't imagine a better trip. The Arenui is expensive, but worth the cost. Areui trips are often bought up by travel agents, so to schedule we went through Amazing Adventures travel. They arranged the flights, Arenui, and 3 nights around our flights for jet lag. If you check the Arenui site, a trip that says it is filled, might be available if you check with their staff. The Arenui group was helpful in getting all our arrangements done as well.
Websites Arenui   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Pacific northwest, Hawaii, Alaska, Caribbean
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, currents
Water Temp 73-83°F / 23-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 1
Water Visibility 75-100 Ft/ 23-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions requested no-deco limits
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas Squadrons
Dolphins 1 or 2 Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Several camera tables, cameras (and all equipment) were cared for very well. The crew knew photography and photographers and catered to them. Crew rinsed and carefully blew dry the cameras. Plenty of storage.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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