Question 1

Facilities Available with Emperor Harmoni

Accepted Answer

Emperor Harmoni is efficiently fitted to provide comfort throughout the trip. The air-conditioned lounge on the main deck offers plush sofas and a 49″ HD flat-screen entertainment system with a library of digital movies, books, and music. There is also a selection of board games on offer. The dining area is spacious and big enough to accommodate meals, while the international bar caters for a variety of tastes. Divers have a dedicated camera station to prepare their cameras for underwater photography. An open area on the upper deck with sunbeds and beanbags provides ample opportunity to relax after a day of diving. WiFi is available on board at an extra cost and can be used when signal allows

Question 2

What Diving Requirements Should Divers Know?

Accepted Answer

The boat maintains a maximum diving depth of 40 meters, although the exact depth depends on a diver’s training and certification level. Divers are responsible for ensuring their insurance covers their chosen depths. Conditions in areas like Komodo and Raja Ampat can include unpredictable and strong currents, particularly during the new and full moon phases.
Certification is required for all divers to at least Advanced Open Water or equivalent to join these trips. The boat requires 50 logged dives minimum prior to the Komodo itinerary and 30 logged dives minimum prior to the Raja Ampat itinerary. Drift dives can be expected on many dives for both routes; therefore, comfort in current-heavy waters is suggested. No technical diving, solo diving, or decompression diving to allow safety to be the utmost priority

Question 3

When to Go Diving in Indonesia?

Accepted Answer

Diving conditions in Indonesia vary across destinations and seasons. Raja Ampat experiences the best visibility and calmest waters between October and May, when rainfall is minimal, and seas are relatively flat. This period is ideal for exploring Raja Ampat’s renowned biodiversity.
The Banda Sea has the best diving conditions during transitional months: March to April and September to December, when the seas are calmer. Komodo National Park has excellent conditions during the dry season, from April to October. Divers visiting South Komodo during this time may experience cooler waters, which bring in nutrient-rich currents, enhancing marine life sightings.
In general, Indonesia can offer diving all year round, but each area has its best time to dive due to seasonal weather, water conditions, and marine life activity

Question 4

What Marine Life Can Be Seen on Emperor Harmoni Itineraries?

Accepted Answer

Indonesia is renowned for its marine life, with dives ranging from critter action right through to encounters with huge pelagics. A real hotbed for marine biodiversity, Raja Ampat is considered home to over 80% of all the coral species known in the world, over 1,300 species of fish, and 27 types of marine mammals. Local dive sightings include the sharks known as Wobbegong, pygmy seahorses, manta rays, and schools of fusiliers and barracudas. Critters such as nudibranch, mantis shrimp, and pipefish delight the macro enthusiast.
The Banda Sea attracts divers seeking hammerheads, thresher sharks, and silvertip sharks, commonly sighted patrolling the blue. Schools of tuna, Rainbow Runners, and barracuda are common, while the reef itself hosts Blue Ring octopus, stargazers, and frogfish.
Komodo National Park is equally impressive, with healthy coral reefs hosting white and blacktip sharks, grey reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, and hawksbill turtles. The nutrient-rich waters attract mantas and mobula rays, while macro life hides among pink and orange soft corals. Leaf scorpionfish, crocodile fish, and blue ribbon eels are highlights for critter lovers

Question 5

What Are Water Temperatures Like in Indonesia?

Accepted Answer

In Indonesia, the water temperature is usually warm, at 27°C on average. The temperature does vary depending on location and time of year. At South Komodo, the waters can drop to 20°C, especially during upwellings. A 5mm wetsuit will serve divers better in these cooler waters, but in other areas, a 3mm wetsuit is usually fine throughout the year.
The normal sea temperatures in Raja Ampat and the Banda Sea never fluctuate much, which means that comfortable diving, without heavy exposure suits, occurs within a range of 27°C to 30°C. The water can be cooler during transitional months because of thermoclines below 20 meters, though divers may encounter this

Question 6

What is so Special about Diving in Indonesia?

Accepted Answer

Indonesia's waters represent some of the most diverse in the world, offering different experiences across regions. The mix of dramatic reefs, strong currents, and nutrient-rich waters creates an environment where large pelagics, reef species, and macro life thrive. Raja Ampat's coral reefs host an unparalleled range of marine life, while the Banda Sea attracts pelagic species in deep, clear waters. Komodo dynamic conditions deliver encounters with sharks, rays, and critters, making it a standout for both wide-angle and macro enthusiasts.
The specific ecosystem of each region ensures that no dive is ever the same, catering to divers of all preferences and skill levels in an exceptional manner