Dune World: Schedule, Deals, Reviews

Our diving trip on Aurora to the Misool area in Raja Ampat was an unforgettable experience! The safety briefing was thorough, and the rescue exercise at the end increased our confidence in the dives. The dive guides were extremely professional, and our dive guide Hari did an excellent job, avoiding any potential currents and ensuring our safety. All dives were breathtaking, and getting in and out of the water was effortless. Nitrox was always available at 32%, which made the dives on Our Diving Trip to the Misool Area more enjoyable. The boat's sundeck was spacious and comfortable, with clean sunbeds for relaxation. The food was delicious, and the beer was cold, creating a pleasant atmosphere onboard. The crew did everything they could to create a friendly and relaxing environment, and it was great that the dive guides had the opportunity to mingle with the divers. Although the lounge area did not have public restrooms and our cabin was a bit far away, this did not detract from the quality of the experience. Our cabin was spacious with plenty of storage space, and the pillows and blankets were very comfortable. Overall, this diving trip was a fantastic experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in diving!

Pros: 1) Exceptionally smooth and reliable operation, thanks to the highly experienced dive guides and attentive boat crew. 2) The operator is French, and they take food seriously. So, every meal literally felt like a three-course fine dining experience, ranging from authentic French dishes (even foie gras!) to traditional Egyptian and classic American cuisine. 3) Cabins are spacious and comfortable, even when shared. After every morning dive, you’ll be greeted with playful and creative towel art in your room (made me crack up). Cons (not really cons, but good to know): 1) Internet/WiFi is limited, especially the farther south you go. Starlink works only in the briefing room on the upper deck. It’s worth buying a prepaid SIM card at the airport for more reliable connection in your cabin, though service still drops in remote areas like Brothers Island or near the Sudanese border (Zabargad). 2) Since the operator is French, most guests are French-speaking. This isn’t a problem, as dive briefings and instructions are always provided in both French and English. But be aware that the main social language onboard tends to be French. 3) Outside of peak season (when groups exceed 24 divers), there are usually only two dive guides, which means about 9–11 divers per guide. If you’re already comfortable diving without close supervision from guides or divemasters, this won’t be an issue. However, if it’s your first time in such a setup (since many other dive destinations operate at a smaller ratio of around 6 divers per guide), just be mindful. Pay close attention during dive briefings and make sure to stick with your buddy throughout the dives and you should be fine. All in all, I’d absolutely choose Dune Silky (formerly Alia) again for a true Red Sea liveaboard experience. it’s one of the few that genuinely lets you circumnavigate Red Sea from the far North through the central B/D/E all the way to the Southern tip near the Sudanese border.