Epica
Diving Raja Ampat on a budget
ONLY $2,225 / day for a 10-people charter
About Epica
24m | 6 CABINS | 4 CREW
Epica Liveaboard is a budget liveaboard, sailing in Raja Ampat all year-round. A traditional fishing boat, completely refitted for diving with sustainably planted trees, the Epica is an open, breezy boat with two decks and a little sun deck on top of the captain’s cabin.
The lower deck sits just above the ocean and contains 6 guest cabins with AC and bunk beds, accommodating up to 12 guests. Epica is your best choice for a Raja Ampat budget liveaboard, while still enjoying the comfort of an in-room AC and the luxury of opening your door to a breezy, beautiful ocean view.
With a length of 24m she may not be the biggest boat in the area, but definitely one of the faster ones!
Cabins are basic and without frills but are equipped with AC, power sockets, and fans for your convenience. Two shared bathrooms provide freshwater showers, shampoo, and soap to keep up with basic hygiene. Conveniently located at the stern on the lower deck is our dive prep area. Here we fill the tanks, set up equipment, and get ready for our dive adventures. Often, we get to jump directly from the Epica onto the sites. Others may require us to take a quick trip in our tender.
The upper deck serves as a common area where you can lounge in a bean bag, take a nap in the hammock, and browse through fish books. This is also where all our buffet-style meals are served. A big table provides ample room to gather in the evening for a round of cards.
Epica cruises Raja Ampat all year round and offers different itineraries depending on the season and length of the cruise. They have one thing in common – they are designed to make the most of your experience in Raja Ampat when traveling on a budget!
Tour Dates
Please see the complete schedule below the itinerary section.
Exterior
Interior
Activities
Prices
USD 1,730
(IDR 27 juta)
per person for 7D/6N
Best of Dampier
USD 2,160
(IDR 34 juta)
per person for 9D/8N
Dampier / Misool
Inclusions
3 meals per day, fruit and light snacks
Drinking water, tea, and coffee
Fresh towels and linens
Dive guide
Weights, weight belts, and tanks (DIN tanks available)
Transfers between Waisai harbour and Scuba Republic Raja Ampat Beach Bungalows, for guests staying there before or after the liveaboard trip
Exclusions
Full sets of dive equipment available for rent (excluding computer) at per trip price:
7D/6N 140 USD
9D/8N 180 USD
Or per piece, per day:
BCD: 5 USD
Regulator: 5 USD
Boots & Fins: 4 USD
Wetsuit: 4 USD
Mask: 2 USD
Computer (not available)
Marine park fees:
for foreign nationals IDR 1,000,000 per year,
for Indonesian citizens IDR 350,000
Local dive contribution:
foreign/Indonesian nationals IDR 500,000 per trip
Harbour fee: 100 USD
Crew gratuities (recommendation: approx. 10% of trip cost / person)
Private guide (inquire for current prices and availability)
Refresher or course dives (inquire for current prices and availability)
Soft drinks & alcoholic beverages (available for purchase)
Flights
Insurance
Ferry and transfers between Sorong and Waisai
*VIP transfers to/from the Sorong airport or hotels nearby can be arranged on request for 50 USD/person one-way. Please arrange when booking. We aim to catch the 9am ferry. *This condition can change because Ferry schedule changes are outside our authority.
Cash payments of EUR, USD, and IDR or credit cards (plus 3%) are accepted.
Itineraries
Best of Dampier - 7D/6N
Starting and ending our adventure in Waisai we dive approximately 19 of the most spectacular sites Raja Ampat has to offer. On our way through the Dampier Strait we explore the reefs around Kri, Mensuar, Arborek, the Fam Islands, and Yanggalo.
Dampier / Misool - 9D/8N
Epica takes you on a 9-day journey through the Dampier Strait and the Southern part of Raja Ampat – the heart of the world’s coral reef biodiversity.
A Raja Ampat Cruise brings you to one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, located in the very heart of the coral triangle. Unspoilt, remote and packed with life it is home to 75% of all known corals species and close to 1500 species of fish including at least 35 that are endemic to the region.
Misool - 10D/9N
Epica takes you on a 10-day journey through the Dampier Strait to the North of Raja Ampat. With a total of 27 dives and 4 land excursions, we show you the best Raja Ampat has to offer. 2 night dives give us a chance to observe the nocturnal marine life. In Wayag we trek to a spectacular viewpoint and watch the baby sharks on the beach and in central Raja Ampat we take the 341 steps to admire the breath-taking view of the Bintang Lagoon at Piaynemo.
Tour Dates
Special Trip Itineraries (Date to be Announced)
Southern Showdown - 10D/9N
Epica takes you on a 10-day journey through the Dampier Strait and the Southern part of Raja Ampat – the heart of the world’s coral reef biodiversity. With a total of 27 dives and 5 land excursions, we show you the best Raja Ampat has to offer. In Batanta we trek to a spectacular waterfall, in Misool you get to swim in one of the world’s few Jellyfish lakes, and in central Raja Ampat we take the 341 steps to admire the breath-taking view of the Bintang Lagoon at Piaynemo.
King of the North - 10D/9N
Epica takes you on a 10-day journey through the Dampier Strait to the North of Raja Ampat. With a total of 27 dives and 4 land excursions, we show you the best Raja Ampat has to offer. 2 night dives give us a chance to observe the nocturnal marine life. In Wayag we trek to a spectacular viewpoint and watch the baby sharks on the beach and in central Raja Ampat we take the 341 steps to admire the breath-taking view of the Bintang Lagoon at Piaynemo.
What our guests are saying
Lisa H (Epica/Raja Ampat, 2 Oct ‘23)
I went on my very first liveaboard with Scuba Republic on Epica (6N7D Raja Ampat, best of Dampier) and it was an unforgettable experience.
Not only did I enjoy the remote setting and digital detox but also the entire trip was filled with amazing dives and great company. The Epica crew (special shoutout to the leader Rolly and my divemaster Eric) is fantastic and very professional. I felt very safe and taken care of at all times.
The food was great and varied and it was incredible to see how one chef could cook in this tiny kitchen for 24 people on the boat (12 guests, 12 crew members)!
The boat is basic but you have everything you need.
Raja itself is wonderful and seemingly untouched and rural. We saw a huge variety of fish and amazing corals I have never seen anywhere else in the world. We saw a variety of sharks incl. the carpet shark! Dive. Eat. Sleep. Repeat. You won't regret going on a trip with Scuba Republic!
Sofia B (Epica/Raja Ampat, 8 Aug ‘23)
I just had the most amazing experience with Epica liveaboard, it was the best trip I’ve done in my life. It’s billed as a budget option but trust me, the kind of service and comfort I got was nowhere near 'budget' - it was all premium!
First things first, the boat's super neat and sooo comfy! They've set up the top deck like the ultimate chill zone with shaded areas, bean bags, and the most comfy deck bed for those after-dive naps.
Food? … Read more
Johanna F (Epica/Raja Ampat, 17 Oct ‘23)
The best experience you could imagine! The whole package of the Epica ( 6N7D Raja Ampat, best of Dampier) is just epic. Incredible, stunning, overwhelming and beautiful dive sites, where you can’t get enough of - they leave you speechless and close to tears❤️! Really professional diveguides (Erik and Rolly) with the best vibes and perfect guiding and support. It will be hard for me to dive with any other guides now, as they were just the best. We got delicious food, with a lot of variety and they were even taking care of allergies and stuff. The crew on the boat is super friendly, warm, welcoming, supporting and professional. Thank you guys for this time- it will be in my heart forever and I will come back for sure. Miss Epica already❤️❤️❤️
Natan Salkowski (Epica/Raja Ampat Apr ‘19)
Wonderful crew! All were friendly & helpful. Felt very well cared for & taken care of. Food was delicious – liked the fruit available. Thanks for having H2O bottles & recycling – appreciate the eco-consciousness.
Shawn D (Epica/Raja Ampat, 2 Oct ‘23)
I spent 7D/6N on Epica doing the "Best of Dampier" dive trip, and it was an amazing experience. Not only is the diving in Raja Ampat spectacular and varied (drift dives, wall dives, beautiful jetty dives, cool macro and photo opportunities, plus night dives), but it was so much fun because of the dive guides and the crew of the Epica who made sure that everybody had the best time possible. Rolly was an excellent cruise director, and Resli was amazing at finding tiny nudibranchs and flatworms for me to take photos of. The boat crew and other dive guides were professional, friendly, safety conscious, and brilliant at their jobs.
Addditionally, the food on Epica needs a special mention. The chef is a magician, and was able to provide outstanding and varied meals every single time. It's impossible to pick a favourite meal during my week on the boat! I'd highly recommend Epica and their team to anyone contemplating a dive trip in Indonesia.
Jessica Walkup (Epica/Raja Ampat Mar ‘19)
My 1st liveaboard experience. Absolutely wonderful crew & guides / instructors. I love that they are environmentally conscious. Really enjoyed the Indonesian food and the shore excursions. The diving was outstanding and I learned so much about currents buoyancy control, and fish / coral / reef life identification. Will 100% come back.
