MV Raja Ampat Aggressor Liveaboard Review

The Aggressor and Dancer Fleet are globally reknowned. The diving of Raja Ampat is world-class. It’s therefore inevitable that Aggressor Fleet – with a reputation of providing liveaboard safari options at the world’s best diving locations – would have their vessel MV Raja Ampat Aggressor operating at some of these amazing dive sites.

Raja Ampat (“Four Kings”) in the waters of Indonesia is famous for legendary scuba diving. Indonesia itself is the world’s largest archipelago – some 18,000 islands are distributed in their waters. It’s also an area famous for exceptional marine biodiversity and aquatic life. It’s said that over 3000 fish species and 600 species of coral make these waters their habitat.

Although the diving here can sometimes be challenging, the visibility in the waters here can be up to 50m depending on site, season and the prevailing conditions. If you love marine life, here you may spot moray eels, cuttlefish, octopus, turtles, trevally, groupers, frogfish and, on occasion, sharks. Or, if critters are your thing, here you may find macro life such as pygmy seahorses and ghost pipefish.

The vessel, MV Raja Ampat Aggressor, was originally built in 2009. She is 30m long and 9m in beam. And, courtesy of her powerful diesel motors, capable of cruising between destinations at 10knots. While outwardly not as stylish as the tradionally styled Samambaia, she is purpose built for diving. She has every conceivable piece of emergency and safety equipment and is complimented by 2 diving tenders equipped with 40hp outboard engines for safety and logistical ease. The vessel is built to Lloyd’s Classification and American Bureau of Shipping standard.

You can check the availability and prices for this Boat here.

Cabins and Boat Layout

There are just two cabin options on the MV Raja Ampat Aggressor:

• Deluxe Stateroom – Approx. 8ft x 8ft in size, these cabins are double OR twin berth (amenable) depending on your circumstances. Depending on individual cabin selection there is queen-bed double and single bunk style above. Each cabin has private TV/DVD media and a private ensuite bathroom with shower.
• Master Stateroom – Approx. 8ft x 10ft in size, this cabin is more spacious and has a queen-sized bed, picture window for more natural light, TV/DVD media, private bathroom and shower and a hair dryer.

On the main deck is a camera room where you can privately charge and edit your various cameras. There is a salon/lounge area, also air-conditioned, with soft seating, coffee tables and an entertainment centre for evenings and surface intervals.

Deluxe Stateroom

The dining area, next to the galley, is well-proportioned and you’ll be able to sample the tasty dishes served by the chef onboard. There are ‘western’ or local food options. As well as vegetarian options if required.

Salon/Lounge

Snacks are available all day in the highly unlikely event you’re still puckish and beer and wine is available.

Sun Deck

On the top of the vessel is an excellent partially-covered sun deck where you can relax and read a book or listen your ipod between dives.

Diving onboard Raja Ampat Aggressor

The English-speaking crew are there to take the headaches out of diving logistics. There is a spacious dive deck on the main deck of the vessel and tenders drop and pick you at the best spots after each dive briefing from the professional crew.

Dive platform

There are DIN/yoke adaptors should you have brought your own regulators, photography coaching and continuing education course onboard are available.

Diving takes place from the tenders

All diving is conducted from the diving tenders.

Itineraries

There are a choice of 4 different itineraries; Raja Ampat, Cendarawasih Bay, Banda Sea and Triton Bay – depending on season.

Expect to pay around EUR2,473 for a 8 day/7 night trip. This equates to 240/day, making her marginally competitive for the region. Please note that this does not include some extras such as port/marine park fees, alcoholic drinks and crew tips.