Question 1

What is included in the price and what costs extra?

Accepted Answer

The cruise price aboard the Kira Kira liveaboard includes accommodation, all meals served daily, drinking water, tea, and coffee, as well as scuba diving essentials such as 12-litre tanks, weights, and professional dive guide services. Divers can enjoy 2-3 dives per day, along with shore excursions and island explorations. Short-term DAN diving insurance is also available on request.

Mandatory surcharges not included in the base price are national park entrance fees and harbour clearance charges, which must be paid separately.

Additional expenses not covered by the cruise fare include international and domestic flights, visa costs, airport and hotel transfers, scuba equipment rental, 15-litre tank rental, and personal dive gear. Guests should also budget for soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, crew gratuities, and admission fees for arrivals via Bali. Travel insurance is strongly recommended and should be arranged in advance

Question 2

Is the Kira Kira liveaboard suitable for beginner divers?

Accepted Answer

A minimum certification level of Advanced Open Water or Deep Specialty is required to join the dives. The dive crew adjusts dive sites and groupings based on comfort and skill level. Divers uncomfortable with the current can opt for alternate routes or different dive locations. A reef hook is recommended for use at some dive sites

Question 3

Does the liveaboard offer scuba diving equipment rental?

Accepted Answer

Yes, full dive equipment is available to rent, including BCDs, regulators, fins, masks, snorkels, wetsuits, and weight belts. Rental is charged per diving day. Tanks on board are 11.1-litre aluminum with yoke and DIN-compatible valves. Equipment sizes should be confirmed at the time of booking

Question 4

When is the best time to join a Kira Kira trip?

Accepted Answer

For Raja Ampat liveaboard diving, October to May offers the best conditions, with calm seas and visibility ranging up to 30 meters. Water temperatures in this region range from 27-30 °C, and 3-5 mm thermal protection is recommended.

For Komodo liveaboard cruises, the best diving conditions occur between April and November.

Northern Komodo sites have water temperatures around 26-28 °C with generally clear conditions. Divers should bring appropriate wetsuits based on their comfort level and thermal tolerance

Question 5

What is Komodo National Park like?

Accepted Answer

Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in eastern Indonesia, offers one of the most striking and diverse marine and terrestrial environments in Southeast Asia. This remote group of islands is renowned for its nutrient-rich waters, vibrant coral reefs, and the chance to dive among over 1,000 fish species and 300 varieties of corals. The marine biodiversity is extraordinary, with frequent sightings of manta rays, reef sharks, sea turtles, and rare macro life such as mimic octopuses and mandarin fish.

Diving in Komodo spans from exhilarating drifts through channels like The Passage, to dramatic walls and coral-covered pinnacles like Batu Bolong, Crystal Rock, Castle Rock, and The Cauldron. Sites such as Tatawa Besar and Tatawa Kecil offer colourful reef formations and large schools of fish, while Siaba is known for night diving and its unique critter life. Depending on conditions, divers may encounter plankton blooms, bioluminescence, or swirling bait balls.

Beyond diving, the landscape features pink-sand beaches, volcanic ridges, limestone plateaus, and panoramic viewpoints, especially from Padar Island. On land, visitors can trek through arid savannah to observe the iconic Komodo dragons in their natural habitat, accompanied by local rangers on Komodo or Rinca Islands. Traditional villages and cultural encounters also form part of some itineraries.

Daily itineraries vary but typically include three to four dives interspersed with shore visits, kayaking, or relaxing on deck. Highlights include sunrise drifts, sunset dives, and night dives, all adapted to current conditions. Some liveaboards may also offer sailing segments and BBQ dinners on secluded beaches.

Komodo cruises usually depart from Labuan Bajo on Flores Island, accessible via domestic flights from Bali or Jakarta. The region’s waters range from 26–30°C (78.8- 86°F) depending on the season. A 3–5mm wetsuit is recommended, and reef hooks are useful for managing strong currents in certain areas

Question 6

What can I expect from a typical Raja Ampat liveaboard trip?

Accepted Answer

A typical liveaboard diving journey through Raja Ampat begins with embarkation in Sorong, followed by an orientation and safety briefing before setting course for the Dampier Strait. The first dive usually takes place around Friwin Island, providing a relaxed check dive to start the adventure. Subsequent days include iconic dive sites like Mioskon, Blue Magic, Chicken Reef, Yanbuba, Arborek Jetty, Lalosi, and Melissa’s Garden. These locations are rich in coral diversity and marine life, including manta rays, wobbegong sharks, walking sharks, and large schools of fish.

Excursions may also take divers to remote areas like Penemu, Gam, Kawe, and Wayag. Each area offers a unique mix of hard coral gardens, soft coral walls, mangroves, and shallow sandy habitats teeming with life. Many itineraries include visits to villages like Arborek, kayaking in lagoons, and hikes to stunning viewpoints such as those found in Wayag. Notable dive sites include Citrus, Mayhem, Wofo, Black Forest, Eagle Rock, Mike’s Point, and Cape Kri. Conditions are tailored daily to currents and diver preferences, with opportunities for both macro and pelagic encounters.

Water temperatures in Raja Ampat range from 27–30°C (80.6-86°F). Most divers are comfortable in 3–5mm wetsuits. This region’s position within the Coral Triangle ensures incredible biodiversity, making it a premier destination for underwater photographers and marine enthusiasts alike. The trip typically concludes with dives at world-renowned sites before returning to Sorong