EPICA

24m / 79ft MAX 12 PADI

PRICE PER DAY FROM USD 175

LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE

At a glance:

Maximum of only 12 guests
Visits central, northern and southern Raja Ampat
Year round Raja Ampat liveaboard diving
Short, affordable cruises
Small dive groups

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Epica is an awesome Raja Ampat liveaboard for guests on a tight budget. Popular among young divers, Epica can accommodate a maximum of 12 guests in 6 simple cabins. Most trips are either 6 nights covering the Dampier Strait, or 9 night cruises including either the further northern or southern Raja Ampat region.

You can hang out on the large upper deck lounging on bean bags or in the hammock enjoying the stunning views of the islands of Raja Ampat. You can also sit on the bench seating at the main dining table or on stools facing out to the port or starboard side of the boat. There are also bean bags on the sun deck where you can work on your tropical tan.

Cabins are all on the main deck, with twin bunk beds. They have cooling fans and natural ventilation and have doors that open on to the deck, which many guests leave open for the ocean view. Guests share 2 bathrooms with fresh water showers. At the rear of the main deck is the dive deck, where you gear up and either step into the diving tender or dive directly from the mothership.

Meals are freshly prepared by the chef and are a mix of international favourites as well as Indonesian specialties, served buffet-style in the main deck dining area. Epica may be no frills but offers a fun and affordable way to dive the world-class sites of Raja Ampat and, for some, that is the perfect mix!

Epica has 6 standard twin bed cabins on the main deck. All cabins share 2 bathrooms.

All the liveaboard cabins have:

Cooling fans
Portholes
Shared bathroom with toilet, hand basin and cold water shower
Space for luggage

100% organic cotton bedding and towels
Life jackets and fire extinguishers
220V electricity supply with round 2-pin sockets - available 24-hrs per day

No. of bathrooms / showers - 2 / 2 - shared

Raja Ampat National Park Central (7 Days / 6 Nights - 19 Dives)

Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, wall diving

Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat: Dampier Strait: Kri, Mansuar, Arborek, Yenbuba, Sawandarek, Manta Sandy, Jef Fam Islands, Saporkren, Yanggalo. Excursion to Arborek Island, Mioskon beach, Penemu viewpoint.

Day 1
Your diving adventure in Central Raja Ampat begins as you step aboard the Epica in Waisai. After being escorted to your cabin, you'll gather with fellow divers and crew for a welcome briefing to review safety protocols and the week's itinerary. The afternoon unfolds at a relaxed pace - you'll set up your dive gear, complete a check dive to ensure everything feels right, and then have free time to settle in. Meals are served on the inviting upper deck where you can soak in your first views of the archipelago. As the sun dips below the horizon, raise a glass during sunset cocktails, celebrating the incredible diving ahead before retiring to your cabin, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of the boat.

Days 2 - 6
These days settle into a perfect rhythm of diving, dining and relaxation - the quintessential liveaboard lifestyle. Each morning, your cruise director carefully selects dive sites based on conditions and group preferences, ensuring you experience Raja Ampat's underwater wonders at their best.
From your very first descent, you'll understand why this is considered the ocean's biodiversity epicentre. Pristine coral reefs explode with colour, draped in vibrant sponges and swaying sea fans. Expert guides help spot camouflaged critters like pygmy seahorses and exotic nudibranchs, while majestic mantas glide into cleaning stations and reef sharks patrol the drop-offs. The sea if full of life at every scale - from massive schools of hunting barracuda to delicate clouds of anthias dancing in the current. Between dives, refuel with delicious meals and drinks, swap stories with new friends, or simply bask on deck surrounded by the stunning island scenery.

Day 7
All too soon, you'll complete your final early morning dive, savouring every moment of your last underwater exploration. After rinsing and drying your gear, enjoy the leisurely cruise back to Waisai - the perfect time to exchange contacts with your dive family, reminisce about the week's highlights, and capture those last breathtaking views of the islands. A light lunch is served before you disembark, your camera full of memories and your logbook bursting with incredible encounters, as you transfer to Sorong with a profound appreciation for Raja Ampat's marine magic.

Raja Ampat National Park South & Central (9 Days / 8 Nights - 21 Dives)

Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, wall diving

Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat: Mioskon, Misool: Love Lagoon, Balbulol, Daram, Wayilbatan, Yilliet, Farondi, Fiabacet; Dampier Strait: Penemu, Gam, Cape Kri, Sardine Reef, Arborek, Sawandarek, Gam, Jef Fam, Manta Ridge. Bird Watching with a local Papuan guide, snorkelling at Jellyfish Lake, Penemu viewpoint, beach visit for flying foxes, cave paintings.

Day 1
Your Raja Ampat diving adventure of Misool and the Dampier Strait begins as you board the Epica liveaboard in Waisai. After settling into your cabin, you'll gather with fellow scuba divers for a comprehensive welcome briefing covering safety procedures and the week's itinerary. The afternoon unfolds at a leisurely pace as you prepare your gear and complete a check dive in nearby calm waters to ensure everything is perfectly adjusted. Between exploring the boat's amenities and getting to know your dive crew, delicious lunches and dinners are served on the upper deck with panoramic views of the surrounding islands. As the sun paints the sky in vibrant hues, toast to the incredible diving ahead with sunset cocktails before retiring to your cabin, gently rocked by the waves.

Days 2-8
These days settle into the perfect liveaboard rhythm of diving, dining and relaxation. Your cruise director carefully selects each day's dive sites from Misool's kaleidoscopic reefs to the Dampier Strait's thrilling currents, balancing conditions with group interests.
In Misool, you'll explore breathtaking seamounts draped in soft corals and swim through dramatic underwater caverns where reef sharks patrol. The Dampier Strait delivers exhilarating drift dives where mantas swoop through cleaning stations and schooling barracuda form silver tornadoes. Expert guides point out camouflaged wonders like pygmy seahorses and flamboyant nudibranchs hiding among sea fans, while the sheer abundance of life - from hunting dogtooth tuna to clouds of anthias - will leave you awestruck. Between dives, savour chef-prepared meals, lounge on the sun deck spotting dolphins, or review your underwater photos as the boat moves between these world-class dive locations.

Day 9
All too soon, you'll complete your final early morning dive, savouring every moment of your last descent into these biodiverse waters. After rinsing gear and packing, enjoy a leisurely cruise back to Waisai - the perfect time to exchange contacts with new friends and reminisce about unforgettable encounters with mantas, wobbegongs and the region's famous 'fish tornadoes'. A light lunch is served as you take in final views of the limestone karsts, before disembarking with a camera full of memories and a logbook overflowing with incredible sightings, transferring to Sorong with a deep appreciation for Raja Ampat's underwater wonders.

Raja Ampat National Park North & Central (10 Days / 9 Nights - 25 Dives)

[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].

6 am - Wake Up & Light Breakfast
Upper deck dining area. Small breakfast options:
* Cereals: Coco Crunch, Corn Flakes, Oatmeal
* Fresh fruit (watermelon, pineapple, banana)
* Juices (orange, apple, or tropical blends)
* Coffee, tea, milk

7 am - Dive 1
Morning dive briefing → Departure by tender

9 am - Full Breakfast Buffet
Upper deck dining area. Hot and cold options:
* Eggs (omelette, sunny-side-up, scrambled)
* Toast / bread (butter, jam, peanut butter)
* Pancakes (with syrup/honey)
* Sausages or baked beans (some days)
* Fresh fruit and yoghurt
* Coffee, tea, juices

10:30 am - Dive 2
Second dive of the day

12:30 pm - Lunch Buffet
Upper deck dining area. Indonesian and Western mix:
* Rice (white, fried, or yellow)
* Chicken (crispy fried, curry, pan-seared)
* Seafood (grilled fish, prawns, calamari)
* Vegetarian (tempeh, tofu, stir-fried veggies)
* Salad bar (lettuce, cucumber, tomato)
* Fresh fruit (mango, papaya, melon)
* Dessert (sometimes pudding or jelly)

2:30 pm - Dive 3
Afternoon dive session

4:30 pm - Snack Time
Upper deck dining area. Light snacks:
* Sweet (cake, fried banana, doughnuts)
* Savoury (popcorn, sandwiches, spring rolls)
* Coffee and tea available

6 pm - Land excursion OR Night dive Option 1: Land visit - Beach walk, viewpoint hike, or village tour. Sundowner drinks (optional)
Option 2: Night dive (if scheduled). Briefing at 5:45 pm → Dive at 6:15 pm

8 pm - Dinner Buffet
Upper deck dining area. Varied Menu (rotated daily):
* Rice / Pasta (fried rice, spaghetti, or noodles)
* Proteins (grilled fish, butter prawns, BBQ chicken)
* Vegetarian (tempeh, tofu, veggie stir-fry)
* Sides (steamed veggies, fries, mashed potatoes)
* Soup (especially after night dives, e.g. chicken soup)
* Dessert (fruit platter, sometimes ice cream)

9:30+ pm - Relaxation
* Drinks at the bar (optional)
* Briefing for next day's dives

Additional notes: ** Coffee, tea, and water available all day. ** Dietary requests (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.) should be informed in advance. ** Night dives may adjust dinner timing slightly. ** Non-divers can replace dive slots with snorkelling or relaxation.

DEPARTURE SCHEDULE & PRICES

MORE TRIP DETAILS

Dive experience: For Cenderawasih, Ambon and Banda trips - minimum requirement is advanced with 25 logged dives. All other trips - Open Water with 4 dives.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced English and Indonesian-speaking divemaster(s) (max 4 divers per DM), torch for night dives, tanks, weights and weightbelts, all taxes.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (full set incl. dive computer: USD 36 per day), dive insurance, hotel or airport transfers, Raja Ampat - park fees USD 92, diving fees USD 31, and port fees USD 100. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash - EUR, USD, and IDR, credit card).

Optional extras: Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, transfers from Sorong airport/Meridien hotel to the boat (USD 50 per person one way), transfers from Labuan Bajo airport to the boat (USD 10 per person one way). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.

How to get there: Raja Ampat: The Epica liveaboard departs from Waisai in West Papua. You can fly directly to Sorong from Jakarta, Ujung Pandang (Makassar) and Manado. From Bali there are convenient connections via Ujung Pandang (Makassar) and Manado. We will help you arrange return domestic flights between Bali or Jakarta and Sorong, if necessary. You can either make your way to the departure point in Waisai independently (there is a Sorong Waisai ferry leaving at 09:00 hrs) or you can arrange a VIP transfer. The meeting point for the VIP transfer service is the Meridien Hotel in Sorong at 07:30 hrs. You will then be transferred to the ferry. The transfer and ferry ticket price are included in the VIP transfer service price. Guests already in Waisai meet at the tourist information in Waisai harbour at 11:00 hrs. For more details, including airlines, see our travel information section.
The last dive of the trip will be at around 10:00 hrs on the last day of the trip. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving. If your cruise ends in Waisai you will disembark in time for the ferry at 14:00 hrs. Expected time of arrival back in Sorong is 16:00 hrs. Arriving a day before your cruise and departing the day after your cruise is strongly advised.

Non-diver rate: 10% off the published price.

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travellers may choose to share a cabin or pay a supplement of 75% for their own cabin.

Dive clubs and group discounts: None.

Whole boat charter rate (per night): There is none available for this boat. Please contact us to enquire for a full charter.

Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow

Amira

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Customer rating: Excellent!

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