Indonesia with Mark Strickland on Dive Damai I

Choose from two different itineraries. Either Manokwari to Biak for eleven nights or Biak to Manokwari for fourteen nights.

This part of Indonesia is still a very new destination. While exploring the region this past year many of the live aboards found that the north coast of the birds head peninsula did not offer enough great diving for the distance traveled. It is an open ocean crossing and the one highlight was the turtle nesting but they have been unable to go ashore there due to the conditions. The boats have decided to eliminate that part of the trip and focus on Cenderawasih Bay. They have found some very good dive sited near Biak as well. You will still enjoy the wrecks of Manokwari and the whale sharks of Cenderawasih Bay and now with additional diving in the Biak area.

Professional Photographer Mark Strickland will be coaching photographers on composition and camera settings to help them get the most out of each underwater opportunity.

Rates include: Return transfers to/from the airport to the vessel or from/to any hotel and the airport the day of embarkation or disembarkation, within a distance of 20km, Accommodation with A/C in twin or double bed cabin with en-suite showers and toilet. (An additional 50% will apply for single supplement), All meals and drinks while on board (excluding Spirits), Air-nitrox 32% and 36% Tanks, weight belt and weights and complete dive gear (3 or 5mm wet suit, regulator, bcd, fins, mask and dive computer, FOC pony bottles, FOC torches, Cruise director, Experienced Dive Guides, with a maximum of 3 customers per guide, Unlimited daytime diving and night dives (schedule permitting), National Park entrance fee and government taxes, All vessel port and harbour fees, Land tours and group activities organized by Dive Damai, Laundry, Complete dive gear: BCD, regulator, 3 or 5mm wet suit, mask, fins and computer: AVOID PAYING EXCESS LUGGAGE!!

Dive Damai is dedicated to small groups and offers the chance to enjoy diving remote areas in Indonesia, while experiencing unprecedented service and an unlimited amount of dives and bottom time.

"Damai" is an Indonesian word meaning "peaceful", and perfectly reflects our vision, providing tranquility above the water while avoiding crowds down below.

Our vessel is purpose-designed and for cruising and diving Indonesian waters, with passenger well-being always the top priority. Equipped with the latest navigation, communication and safety equipment, our vessel sets a new standard for safety as well as comfort, service and passenger amenities.

Of course even the best ship is only as good as her crew, and this is another area where Dive Damai shines. Every trip is managed by a seasoned western cruise director, complimented by our experienced and ever-helpful Indonesian crew, all of whom are dedicated to making your diving holiday the trip of a lifetime.

The reefs and the boat are yours, we will be entirely at your disposal to make your holidays the best experience ever. Gourmet food, exceptional service and the best reefs all for you with a 3 divers per guide ratio.

All 4 of MSY Damai spacious, comfortable staterooms are well over 30 sq. meters each and have separate ensuite bathrooms.

Some cabins even have bathtubs and private balconies!

The guides are among the best in Indonesia, and constantly strive to meet your every need and exceed your expectations. Whatever your diving goals, our team will spare no effort to help you achieve them. Personalized service is our specialty, with groups limited to 3 divers per guide, allowing us to stay close and look for special creatures while you while you concentrate on your photography. This approach also gives us more time to spend with each diver, whether you are interested in photography or not. And, by keeping groups so small, you will have more special moments surrounded by marine life and less by strobes, cameras and other divers.

In order to make your lives easier, Dive Damai provides all the necessary gear to you free of charge so you can travel light and just bring your photo-video equipment.

Like many of you, we love to take underwater photos and video. We do not claim to get better results than anyone else, but we do have years of firsthand experience. We understand the passion and dedication that is required for successful underwater imaging, and realize its importance our guests, whether amateur or seasoned professional. Through the years we have learned much about what it takes to capture good images, helping us design a program to match the needs of even the most experienced image makers.

• Complimentary Pony bottles on board for your own safety and comfort
• Individual rinse tanks
• Individual space, clearly separated, at the camera station with both 110V and 220V connections
• Underwater photo-video pro at your disposal (please, consult our schedule for more information) to assist our customers in any field they might need
• Projector lounge
• 32% or 36% Complimentary Nitrox for added safety and/or to prolong your bottom time
• Nikon D200 and Sony HDR-HC7 video with all the ports, lights etc, to be used by our customers free of charge in case of damage of their own one.

Mark Strickland’s life-long interest in the sea has included over 10,000 dives and careers as lifeguard, boat captain and scuba instructor. His passion for underwater photography has led him to many top dive locales, including Thailand, where he spent 17 years as Cruise Director on a series of live-aboards. An avid marine naturalist, Mark has discovered several nudibranch species. He is co-author and principle photographer for Lonely Planet’s award-winning book, “Diving and Snorkeling Thailand”, and his work appears in many magazines, books and displays around the world. Currently, Mark leads several dive trips each year to his favorite destinations, while working on a career-spanning large-format pictorial book. For a sampling of Mark’s work, visit www.markstrickland.com