MSV Amira dive boat review
MSV Amira is a wooden Phinisi which was built in 2010. Discovering the waters of Indonesia, the 52 meters boat offers a charming blend of traditional sailing and scuba diving. Also, the Amira’s diving cruises are longer than the usual cruise and allow you to discover the best dive sites of Indonesia. Indeed, most trips are 12 days and 11 nights around Komodo or Raja Ampat.
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Cabins & Layout
The Amira welcomes up to 19 guests on-board its famous lengthy diving cruises on the Indonesian archipelago. Indeed, you will find 9 double cabins as well as 1 single cabin on the ship. Every cabin is independent and comes with air-conditioning, a private bathroom, safety box, and much more.
You can check the availability and prices for this boat here.
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Amira’s on-board facilities
On the Amira, you will find a warm wood paneling interior as well as comfortable and large spaces. Plus, the quality service spells total luxury. In fact, when not scuba diving, guests can relax in the lounge area or on the spacious sundeck admiring Indonesia‘s landscapes. Also, the 2 onboard chefs serve both buffet style local food and western dishes.
Facilities and services:
- 3 Zodiac dinghies
- Free nitrox system
- Closed re-breathers for rent (for EANx-certified divers)
- Fully- 80m² dive deck with freshwater showers & toilets
- Camera room with charging stations, table and rinse tank
- 30m² air-conditioned saloon with TV, video and music system
- 40m² dedicated restaurant with bar
- Movie library, books, and magazines, diving books
Price starts at 4,870$US for a 12 days / 11 nights diving cruise
Click here to Check Availability and Prices for this Boat
Customer Review
“What more could you ask for if all the things and services that you need are given to you? From comfy cabins to good facilities, incredibly-helpful staff and great service, MSV Amira has it all to achieve an extraordinary diving experience. The boat is well-designed and well-kept. Although it was almost full when I had my trip, there was still enough space for everyone. The crew showed their welcoming gesture by giving us fresh towels after every dive.
The whole crew was absolutely willing to help out. Some even helped me rinsed my gear. I was in awe with the divers who guided us because all of them were stupendous in identifying the marine organisms we met along the way even the minutest ones. Diving in Raja Ampat was an exhilarating experience for me. The dive sites were mesmerizing, the coral reef formations were beautiful and the itinerary and service of MSV Amira made diving more fun and enjoyable!
I am a naturally shy person but the crew made me and the rest of the guests feel comfortable. They have fine set of SCUBA equipment. Their equipment was well-taken cared of. I am grateful to one of the crews who allowed me to rent a computer when mine suddenly froze. There is a variety of food. Most of the local and international dishes served were delicious. They also served us cakes and tea for afternoon snacks.
I’m thankful that I went on board with MSV Amira for they created a remarkable Rajah Ampat experience for me!”
– Ralph, UK, 2014
Where does this liveaboard dive boat go?
Check out the fabulous places where this dive boat travels to.
Note: some destinations may not be listed below, please enquire for more details.
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Komodo Island
Diving in Komodo Islands is all about action! It is BIG fishes land! With wonderful coral, it is just incredible diving all year round.
Wakatobi
Wakatobi has some of the finest coral in the world, amazing biodiversity and one of the best places in the world for macro photography! On the right day, the visibility can be outstanding!
Raja Ampat
Richest Reef in the World, Amazing Biodiversity, Wonderful Coral, perfect place for underwater photography.
Gili Islands, Lombok
Diving in Gili islands is great for swimming with Turtles! It can also be a great spot to take your next diving course as the dives here are relatively cheap.
Lembeh Strait
Best Muck Diving in the World! One of the Best spot in the World for Macro Underwater Photography. Amazing Biodiversity!
Bunaken, Manado
Diving in Bunaken is just fantastic for wall Diving, Coral gardens, endless visibility, incredible biodiversity. Also staying on an isolated island is something really special to experience!
Tulamben
One of the best Wreck Dives in the World!!! And the most easy for sure, 30m from the Shore and starts at 4m deep! Fantastic Marine life and great Coral!
Pemutaran, Lovina
No current, Good visibility, unusual Marine Life and one of the BEST Diving sites around Bali for Muck Diving: Puri Jati (P.J.).
Padang Bai
Night Diving, Underwater Macro Photography, Resident Whitetip Reef Sharks, Huge green Turtles, and crystal clear water! Also a great Snorkelling spot!
Menjangan Island
Menjangan Island is famous worldwide for Wall diving with small caverns to explore. The reef and Coral are also great. A very nice wooden wreck from the 19th century: Anker Wreck.
Nusa Penida / Nusa Lembongan
One of the best spots in the world to see the rare Mola Mola and the graceful Manta Rays! Big fishes and action with lots of sharks. Very good Visibility and stunning Coral.
Candidasa
It is all about action! Big pelagic fishes, hunting action in the current, and many Sharks! Regular seeing of Hammerhead Sharks and Mola Mola!
Bali
Diving in Bali is simply amazing as you will see both an incredible array of marine life and plenty of wrecks. Indeed, Bali's underwater world will expose you to meet interesting critters, fishes of all sizes and mantas rays among others! Plus, scuba diving in Bali means being all in for stunning underwater visibility and great opportunities for drift diving. !
Indonesia
Diving in Indonesia will suit every diver's hopes and desires. In a land of opportunity, dive spots range from those suited to beginner divers wishing to learn in perfect easy conditions to unexplored dive sites with fierce currents for those more experienced divers looking for a challenge.
Amed
Magnificent coral, no current, relaxed and easy diving, possibilities for night diving, good place for underwater macro photography, and a great snorkelling spot.
- If you have been diving on board this liveaboard dive boat in Indonesia & Raja Ampat, please share your review and let us know what you thought. Please post your comments in the review section below, by doing so you will help fellow divers to plan their next diving trip
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I had a wonderful trip in 2014 on the Amira. I liked the spacious dive deck and her modern facilities, which gave me enough comfort. It was also very clean, sleek and classy. I enjoyed hanging out in the upper deck. Sharks and other pelagic sightings were possible there. The roomy sundeck was perfect for sunrise and sunset viewing. I also stayed there when I want to upload and edit my underwater photos. They had a good selection of movie which you can watch while hanging out in the air-conditioned saloon.
The staff was informative and the boat crew attended to our needs. I have observed also that all the diving equipment were well-maintained. I have to say that the local and foreign dive masters were all conversant and well-acquainted about their job. Aside from helping us in identifying marine creatures faster, they also have a good sense of humor which keeps a relaxing vibe.
I also appreciate the effort that MSV Amira exerted in serving sumptuous dishes. My diving buddy who is a vegetarian, didn’t worry for her meal since the chef onboard also catered to this type of diet. I believe that MSV Amira 1 will last longer in this liveaboard industry because of the quality service and outstanding assistance they give to the customers!
Dive, eat, sleep, repeat. No kidding, I dove as much as 4 times a day on this boat. When not diving, I could use a sea kayak and paddle around. It was a paradise for marine biodiversity, I have never seen and learned so much in such a short period of time. The boat is beautifully designed, practical and comfortable at once. The crew was amazing, helpful and knowledgeable .
Amazing experience. The vessel, the inflatables and the equipment were all newer and easy to use. We ate plenty of good food and the kitchen staff is nice and accommodating. The boat crew is smart, well trained and professional. Amazing week holiday!
My wife and I just returned from a 14 day trip aboard the MV Amira. It is the 9th Liveaboard that we have been on. It ranks 2nd to last and I would not return to it. Though there were many issues the worst was the constant presence of diesel exhaust on the dive deck and in the salon. I have not experienced this on any other vessel. The Manager came on board late in the cruise. Without prompting he beelined to us. At one point he said that they were having problems with the tuning of the engine and that it was creating a lot of smoke but that they had ordered parts to get it fixed. He intimated that this was an abnormal condition. Another diver who was a returnee was standing next to us during our conversation. Once the Manager had taken his leave I asked the diver if there had been problems 5 years ago when he was on board. He said yes, not quite as bad, but yes. I feel for the crew members who spend there lives in a toxic atmosphere. As a retired firefighter I am all too aware of the long term effects. The salon cannot be enclosed since it has no glass windows. Only curtains that partially cover the openings during rain. The only A/C on board is an anemic one in your room. The room also has a small fan but there are none elsewhere on the ship. There is a small A/C unit in the forward salon but a crew member is always in front of it working!
As far as the diving goes the dive masters would go beyond 70’ on every dive and would usually have you start with your nose in the current even when it was avoidable. Though we would stay above them and do shallower dives our computer was still often in the yellow (Oceanic Pro Plus). There were 2 local guides that were both excellent both in knowleged and attentiveness. They soon realized that we did not want to “push our computers” and began to dive profiles the way that I was trained. Several other divers (one was also a dive master) soon joined us. We were not the only ones to be discontented. 2 of the other “divemasters” were clueless.