The world's most biodiverse waters are waiting, and securing passage to the very best sites should not be a barrier. The 32.5-metre MSY Mola Mola 1 liveaboard is a cosy and modern solution, purposefully positioned as the economy option within its fleet. Built in 2018 from ironwood in traditional Indonesian style, this mono-hulled motor yacht specialises in running affordable liveaboard diving safaris to the famed triangle of Raja Ampat, Komodo, and the greater Banda Sea. The Mola Mola 1 ensures an intimate experience, hosting a maximum of just 16 guests in air-conditioned cabins, each equipped with a private ensuite bathroom.
Confidence in the Mola Mola 1 operation stems from an operator with over a decade of experience in liveaboard management. The professional crew, including friendly and knowledgeable dive guides, maintains a strict 'safety comes first' policy. Dive protocols are clearly established, limiting depth to 30 metres and bottom time to 60 minutes, allowing divers to concentrate fully on the stunning marine life.
The infrastructure for diving with the Mola Mola 1 liveaboard is highly functional. Site transfers are handled swiftly and conveniently by 2 motorised tenders. Crucially, certified EANx users receive complimentary nitrox, and guests are supplied with both 12 and 15 litre tanks, along with DIN adaptors. The dive deck supports convenience post-dive, featuring 3 fresh water showers and 2 toilets.
Underwater photographers will discover the Mola Mola 1 is well-appointed for their specialist needs. Facilities include separate rinse tanks, a dedicated camera table on the dive deck, and an internal, air-conditioned camera room. This workspace is secured with multiple power stabilisers for the safe preparation and charging of sensitive gear.
Between dives, guests are sustained by an excellent blend of delicious international favourites and traditional Indonesian cuisine, cooked fresh daily using locally sourced ingredients. The air-conditioned lounge serves as a central social hub, providing a full entertainment system complete with a TV, DVD, music, books, magazines, and games.
For those moments when you wish to remain on the surface, a paddleboard is available to explore the calm anchorages. The MSY Mola Mola 1 liveaboard provides a trustworthy, value-driven base, successfully combining traditional aesthetics with modern diving amenities for an unforgettable Indonesian dive safari.
Mola Mola 1 has 8 teakwood cabins - 4 upper deck cabins with seaview windows, 2 with double beds and 2 with twin beds; and 4 twin bed cabins with portholes on the lower deck.
All the cabins have:
- Air conditioning
- Windows or portholes
- Private bathroom with toilet, hot water shower, hand basin
- Shower gel and shampoo, towels
- Reading lights
- Cabinet, shelves and mirror
- Small desk
- Mains outlet 220 volts, twin flat pin socket - 24 hours per day
- Bedding and space for luggage
- Fire warning system
- Life jackets and fire extinguishers
No. of bathrooms / showers - 8 / 8 - hot water
Raja Ampat National Park North & Central
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: from Raja Ampat: Saonek, Penemu, Wayag, Wofoh, Yangefo, Dampier Strait: Arborek, Mioskon, Mansuar, Cape Kri. Land visits for trekking and sightseeing. Blue River visit.
Day 1
You will be met by the Mola Mola 1 crew at Sorong Airport and transferred to the harbour where the yacht is anchored. Its crew and other guests await you. After a welcome drink and boat safety briefing, you will be assigned to your cabin. After lunch, you can set up your dive gear and prepare for a check dive around Matan Island. In the evening, after dinner, the liveaboard will head north to Penemu.
Core Days
You will soon discover why Raja Ampat is considered as a world class diving destination. Enjoy the abundance of tropical fish around pristine soft and hard corals, including snappers, soldierfish and anthias. The macro marine life is also excellent. From frogfish to pygmy seahorses, pipefish to nudibranchs of every form and colour. A wide angle lens will also be necessary for your pictures to snap as trevallies, barracudas, mantas and sharks, plus the endemic spotted wobbegong, even in shallow waters. Day after day you will want to extend your bottom time!
From the first day of diving you will enjoy the routine of you safari starting with a wake up call and a light breakfast followed by the 1st morning dive at around 07:30 am. Spend your surface interval enjoying a larger breakfast of coffee, tea, cereal, toast and eggs before the 2nd dive at 10:30 am. All meals will be served in the air-conditioned dining room. The menu features tasty and varied dishes, from local Indonesian to international cuisine - Shabu-shabu, Yellow rice and seafood BBQ. There is a bar and 24 hour tea and coffee making facilities.
On the final full day there are 2 morning dives scheduled then after lunch Mola Mola starts its way back to port.
Final Day
Enjoy a final breakfast before saying goodbye to this fantastic liveaboard and crew. Transfer back to Sorong airport, where the crew will assist you with check in procedures.
Raja Ampat National Park South
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: from Raja Ampat: Misool - Wayil, Fiabacet, Boo, Balbulol, Farondi; Batanta. Trekking to Love Lagoon, snorkeling in Jellyfish Lake.
Day 1
You will be met by the Mola Mola 1 crew at Sorong Airport and transferred to the harbour where the yacht is anchored. Its crew and other guests await you. After a welcome drink and boat safety briefing, you will be assigned to your cabin. After lunch, you can set up your dive gear and prepare for a check dive around Matan Island. In the evening, after dinner, the liveaboard will head north to Misool.
Core Days
You will soon discover why Raja Ampat is considered as a world class diving destination. Enjoy the abundance of tropical fish around pristine soft and hard corals, including snappers, soldierfish and anthias. The macro marine life is also excellent. From frogfish to pygmy seahorses, pipefish to nudibranchs of every form and colour. A wide angle lens will also be necessary for your pictures to snap as trevallies, barracudas, mantas and sharks, plus the endemic spotted wobbegong, even in shallow waters. Day after day you will want to extend your bottom time!
From the first day of diving you will enjoy the routine of you safari starting with a wake up call and a light breakfast followed by the 1st morning dive at around 07:30 am. Spend your surface interval enjoying a larger breakfast of coffee, tea, cereal, toast and eggs before the 2nd dive at 10:30 am. All meals will be served in the air-conditioned dining room. The menu features tasty and varied dishes, from local Indonesian to international cuisine - Shabu-shabu, Yellow rice and seafood BBQ. There is a bar and 24 hour tea and coffee making facilities.
On the final full day there are 2 morning dives scheduled then after lunch Mola Mola starts its way back to port.
Final Day
Enjoy a final breakfast before saying goodbye to this fantastic liveaboard and crew. Transfer back to Sorong airport, where the crew will assist you with check in procedures.
[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].
Exploring the rich underwater landscapes of Indonesia requires stamina, and the Mola Mola 1 liveaboard supports this with a consistent daily rhythm and satisfying meals. This structured routine quickly becomes second nature for divers, ensuring replenishment between dives.
The safari begins with a wake-up call, followed by a light breakfast to prepare for the first morning dive, which typically starts around 7:30 am. Once back aboard, the surface interval is dedicated to a larger breakfast, featuring coffee, tea, cereal, toast, and eggs, before the second dive commences at 10:30 am. Lunch and dinner are the anchors of the day's dining.
All meals are served buffet-style in the air-conditioned dining room, with a menu featuring a tasty and varied blend of local Indonesian and international cuisine. Expect popular local dishes like yellow rice, along with international offerings such as Shabu-shabu and fresh seafood BBQ. The Mola Mola 1 also provides a bar and 24-hour tea and coffee making facilities for complimentary hot drinks throughout your stay.
