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Dive Review of MSV Amira in
Indonesia/Raja Ampat Islands

MSV Amira, Jan, 2013,

by Byron B Flateland, CO, US ( 1 report). Report 6930.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 5 stars Food 4 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 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Overall, owner Bruno Hopff runs a tight ship. Execution of virtually everything was flawless. Well before we left the States, we were given the personal phone numbers of Bruno and his #2 man, Ralf, so if we had any questions we could phone them direct (no need to do so, tho).

The Amira is a beautiful boat (so large I keep wanting to call it a ship). On the main deck, dining areas both outdoors and indoors are spacious, and aft the briefing lounge is equally spacious with comfortable, shaded, open-air seating. Below, the camera room and dive area are also spacious and convenient.

The diving was absolutely superb. We've never seen such luxuriant corals and huge variety as in the Raja Ampats. Small critter life was excellent as well. On almost every dive, one could choose either wide-angle or macro and not go wrong.

We also found the attention to diver convenience and comfort to be very good. Early in the trip, one group of 5-6 guys was consistently lagging in getting their dive gear on, forcing the rest of us to wait while all geared up. But, after 2-3 days, the problem seemed to disappear, so I'm sure the staff had a word with them. Also, my wife's fin broke, and they had a replacement immediately.

Food was excellent--tasty with good variety available for every meal; for second breakfast, one could order customized.

In summary, my take-away impression is that the MSV Amira is a very high-integrity operation where everyone really is committed to all divers having the best experience possible in the midst of what is very probably the best diving on the planet.
Websites MSV Amira   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Lembeh, Australia, numerous locations in Caribbean
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, cloudy, dry Seas calm
Water Temp 81-85°F / 27-29°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 20-100 Ft/ 6-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile ?
Enforced diving restrictions PADI limits--120 feet
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas Squadrons
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 2 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 Nice roomy camera room in close proximity to dive deck, adequate power outlets. Dive guides are excellent at spotting the desired types of critters.
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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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