Epica, Indonesia

Name: Best of Dampier (Waisai - Waisai)
Start: 2027-01-31
End: 2027-02-06
Location: Indonesia

9.2 Superb

Aircon Cabins
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly

from $ 224 / day Check dates

“The crew is incredible: a mix of experienced western and local dive instructors. ”
Tobias Z, Germany

Highlights

Budget-friendly liveaboard to explore Raja Ampat
Maximum 4 divers per guide for a personalized experience
Visit famous panoramic viewpoints in Raja Ampat

The Epica liveaboard offers a budget-friendly way to explore Raja Ampat. She is simple but comfortable, catering to 12 guests in 6 basic twin cabins. Cabins are above deck to catch the ocean breeze and share 2 bathrooms with fresh-water showers. Meals are freshly prepared, offer a mix of local and international cuisine, and are served 'family-style' on the upper deck. The large upper deck is also kitted out with hammocks and bean bags, making it a great place to relax between dives and enjoy the incredible sunset at the end of the day.

Groups are kept to a maximum of 4 divers per guide and split according to experience levels so everyone can make the most of their diving. Enjoy the rich, diverse underwater world with a chance to see amazing marine life, from cool critters to large pelagic life such as manta rays and various species of sharks. You will also have the chance to visit one of the famous panoramic viewpoints in Raja Ampat. The trips on Epica are designed to make the most out of your experience in Raja Ampat when traveling on a budget.

Book online today to reserve your space.

Choose your departure date

Date

Itinerary

Price

Select

28 Oct

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

FULL

05 Nov

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

FULL

13 Nov

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

FULL

21 Nov

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

FULL

29 Nov

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

Select Cabin only 3 spaces left

07 Dec

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

Select Cabin only 4 spaces left

15 Dec

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

Select Cabin available

22 Dec

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

Select Cabin available

30 Dec

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

FULL

09 Jan

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

Select Cabin available

17 Jan

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

Select Cabin available

31 Jan

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

Select Cabin available

Included: VAT, Drinking Water, Tea & Coffee, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Land Excursions, Cabin Towels, WiFi internet.

Required Extras: National Park Fees (Rp2,000,000), Port Fees ($140).

Optional Extras: Gratuities, Airport Transfer, Hotel Transfer, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft drinks, Private Dive Guide (Rp750,000 / day), Rental Gear, Scuba Diving Courses ($30-190), Snorkeling Guide (Rp750,000 / day).

Book now, pay later: You can easily place your booking online. We will then hold the spaces for you and you can confirm with a payment later.

* Extra fees are shown per person.

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Boat features

Aircon Cabins
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
Sun Deck
Non-Smoking Rooms
Custom built for diving
Charging stations
Outdoor Dining
Available for Charter
Local & International Crew
Leisure Deck

Food & Drinks

Vegan Options
Vegetarian Options
Beer available
Full-board Option
Snacks All Day
Buffet style
Western Food
Local Food
Set Menu Dinner

If you have any specific dietary requirements whilst on-board your cruise, you can add this to your special requests on step 2 of the booking form. We advise limiting these requests to religious beliefs or food allergies.

Diving

Shaded Diving Area
DIN Adaptors
Rinse Hoses
Dive deck
Tenders for diving

Languages Spoken

The crew speaks English.

Gear Rental

Equipment is available for rent on this boat. Please provide your rental needs on the booking form. If the rental gear is not included in the price, you will need to pay for it on board the boat. Show prices

Cabin Types

Boat Specifications

Year built: 2016

Length: 24 meters

Engines: Mitsubishi 200p

Max guests: 12

Number of cabins: 6

Number of bathrooms: 2

Tenders: 3.5 meters with 15hp Yamaha

Water capacity: 3600 liters

Boat navigation and safety

GPS
Radio VHF/DSC/SSB
Oxygen
First Aid Kits

Epica Reviews

9.2 Superb

Vessel

7.8
Crew

9.3
Food

9.8
Diving

9.7
Value

9.3

10 Exceptional
Maik R
Germany

Great time on Epica
I had a great tim on Epica Liveaboard… everything was good organized and the cruise director mad a fantastic job! He talked with the dive guides about the dive sides and always looked for safety and great dives! The food was fantastic thank you TaTa, the Girl with the loud voice 😊. The crew always helps us at revelry situation and was amazing friendly! The boot is a budget boot but have everything you need for having a great time! I liked the Jung guests how just want to have fun and great dives. Erroneous was happy and wi had a great time with Mantas, Sharks Nudies, Pygmy’s ….. I will come back!!!
Recommended for
Great Team. Amazing Dives. Very good organized.
04 Nov, 2024

8.4 Very good
Tobias Z
Germany

Basic boat paired with very professional diving
The boat is really basic, but this is what we expected. Surprisingly, the cabins have an AC though. The crew is incredible: a mix of experienced western and local dive instructors. One night the local instructors even played music for us.
Recommended for
The crew (especially the cruise director). The non-diving activities (e.g. snorkeling in mangroves). The selected dive sites (e.g. mud diving).
06 Apr, 2025

10 Exceptional
Oliver S
United States

Great!
Two Americans on epica for the week, 19 dives, great food but lots of fried food. Always rice, veggies and protein, we are vegan and always had tofu or tempeh. Easy accommodations with AC! 12 people on board plus staff, two bathrooms. Great staff, always excited to see you! Diving with groups of 3-4. Great experience! Top dives in raja Ampat!
Recommended for
Staff excitement, locations, evening trips
19 Mar, 2024

10 Exceptional
Rivkah J
United States

MAGIC!!!
The boat was very well organized and comfortable. The atmosphere was great and crew was friendly and professional. Food was great. The dive sites were above and beyond my imagination. Definitely one of the best experiences I've ever had!!! Highly recommended!!
Recommended for
Crew, food, comfort
31 May, 2019

8.4 Very good
Marco Lorenzo Flavio C
Italy

Wake up. Dive. Enjoy. Repeat
Every day was a surprise, every dive was amazing. The crew of the boat make everything to make you feel at home and our dive guides were amazing, not only underwater. The boat is basic, but who need a fancy yacht when you already have everything you need for diving and enjoying one of the best spot in the world?
Recommended for
Raja Ampat underwater corals and marine life; Our dive guides Fandy and Josh; The peace of the night
28 Mar, 2019

10 Exceptional
Ines B
Germany

Unforgettable time, loved it!
Loved my time on board of the Epica! It‘s not my first liveaboard and some of them were fancier, but I never had a better time than here. Staff is always friendly and helpful, the boat was very clean, food was great too (good choices for vegetarians!) and diving was amazing. Schedule is awesome and great mix between diving and land excursions. If you‘re looking for a budget option to dive Raja Ampat, look no further. Big thanks to Josh and his amazing crew!
Recommended for
Friendliness Vibe Diving
14 Jan, 2020

10 Exceptional
Sofía B
Uruguay

The best trip
The diving spots I enjoyed the most were chicken reef and Melissa’s garden, was absolutely magical. What made the trip so amazing was the good vibes from the manager and the kind hearts of the crew ❤️
Recommended for
The diving, the crew and the experience
16 Aug, 2023

9.2 Superb
Antoine F
Canada

Amazing trip
Wonderful experience onboard Epica. Raja Ampat diving is really something else and the crew and dive guides made the trip great. The boat is really basic you get what you pay for. I definitely recommend Epica for divers looking for an affordable way to dive in Raja Ampat.
Recommended for
Dives. Crew friendliness. Activities.
20 Nov, 2024

9.2 Superb
Femke F
Netherlands

Fantastic trip
It was 9 fantastic days at the Epica! From the start there was immediately a warm welcome by the crew! Everything was clearly explained and before each dive there was a good briefing by the cruise director Brad. The loft on the boat was great, and the trips in between were super beautiful. You won't be short of anything on the Epica, I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Recommended for
Good food!. Helpful crew. Fantastic guide.
05 Dec, 2024

Translated from Dutch

9.2 Superb
Olivier P
France

Don't hesitate, you have to go!
Very satisfied with this liveaboard. Very friendly participants and a perfect, dynamic and attentive supervision. Just like the crew and the chef who delighted us throughout the stay A bit of aging diving equipment as far as the one I got is concerned, but sufficient. The cabins that had put me off at the registration are finally pleasant thanks to their direct access to the deck. Eric is a really efficient organizer and guide. It was great
Recommended for
Dives and guide. Meals. Crew service.
23 Nov, 2025

Translated from French

77 reviews

9.2 Superb
77 Verified Reviews

Sort reviews by:

9.6 Exceptional
Borja G
Spain

Amazing
Great crew, great group and spectacular diving.
Recommended for
Diving, food, company
21 Jun, 2024

Translated from Spanish

9.2 Superb
David G
Austria

Great experience
Awesome team
Recommended for
Very friendly crew. Good food. Great atmosphere.
11 Jan, 2025

10 Exceptional
Theodore O
United States

Good for snorkelers as well
Excellent trip. I went as a snorkeler not a diver but also had a great experience. Brad and Rikson always arranged a good drop point or different approach for dive sites for me. Boat driver, Donny, was attentive and kept track of my location as well as the divers even if they were a bit different. Very safe. Side excursions added a lot.The crew were great.
Recommended for
Well organized and on schedule. Sites! Many of the "big ones" but some less-traveled as well. Food.
12 Feb, 2025

10 Exceptional
Lando E
Germany

Amazing time in Raja Ampat
It was my first liveaboard and it was such a great experience. The dives were amazing and the crew was so friendly and always had a smile on their face, I enjoyed it so much. Food was amazing, too, everything was well planned and prepared, I can't recommend it more.
Recommended for
Corals. Crew. Diving.
22 Jun, 2026

9.2 Superb
INHEE J
South Korea

Make myself at home
I earned confidence of diving through this trip, thanks to Josh, who is my diving guide. Under the sea world is different from in Maldives, which was my previous trip. Here I could see more coral reefs and fish friends in and around them.the bottom line is I fully enjoyed being part of the sea world for 1300 hours.
Recommended for
Dive sites, dive guide, staff attitude
30 Sep, 2019

8.4 Very good
Bastian S
Germany

Very enjoyable dive cruise
Manta Ridge, followed by many other fantastic dives during the week. Crew is a highlight on its own - thanks for an unforgettable week 🙏
Recommended for
Diving, Crew and Food
08 Mar, 2023

8.8 Fabulous
Michaël J
France

If budget is your main constraint, this LA is definitely worth the price for the Raja Ampat experience
This is probably the cheapest liveaboard you can have in Raja Ampat, but then still "not cheap". The comfort on the boat is minimal, but the truth is when diving 3 or 4 times a day, this is really not an issue. Everybody during the week loved the experience. The diving is absolutely amazing, the staff was extremely nice, and I also enjoyed the extra activities (local village visit, islands, last evening beach bonfire). Because of the cheap price and no nitrox, the general level was skewered toward beginners, but that didn't impact my experience cause we had a nice group of more experienced divers. The dives were relatively easy all week along anyway.
Recommended for
Diving. Islands. Staff.
09 Mar, 2026

9.2 Superb
Issie A
New Zealand

Best experience of my life so far
Seeing the underwater wonders Meeting new friends Being in such a beautiful natural environment
Recommended for
Amazing dive guides, fantastic staff and a great atmosphere on board
07 May, 2020

9.6 Exceptional
Amélie S
France

Memorable
This trip was memorable and it is thanks in part to the team! A big thank you for this whole adventure.
Recommended for
The atmosphere. Security. The dives.
26 May, 2026

9.6 Exceptional
Grace S
Australia

Absolutely beautiful diving, amazing staff and serious value for money
Every dive brought something completely different, barracuda and trevally schools, rays, huge jump head parrotfish and the most beautiful, pristine coral. Raja ampat is absolute paradise, with stunning sunsets every evening. The Epica and it’s amazing staff made it an unforgettable experience
Recommended for
The staff!
21 Aug, 2019

8.4 Very good
Angus K
United Kingdom

Excellent Raja Ampat
Amazing diving and other excursions. The group dynamic 5 different types of shark, 5 different types of ray. Thousands of fish and stunningly beautiful coral!
Recommended for
The group, the crew, the diving
29 Jan, 2020

9.6 Exceptional
stephan S
Netherlands

Professional and friendly guidance
Diving, underwater world, fantastic Raja Ampat, and the good protection of the nature park.
Recommended for
Diving, Christmas board special, fun
07 Jan, 2024

10 Exceptional
Justin G
Canada

HUGE Manta Rays
Absolutely incredible Melanistic Manta Ray sightings. I highly recommend the Epica.
Recommended for
The nature. The instructors. The staff.
13 Mar, 2026

9.6 Exceptional
Paula J
Canada

Worth every penny!
The diving was incredible. The food was delicious. An excellent dive, eat, sleep, repeat experience. The two shore excursions were absolutely lovely. Manta cleaning stations. Amazing coral. Fish doing fish stuff in multitudes. Can't ask for much more.
Recommended for
Experienced guides & crew. Quality food. Quality of dive briefings.
11 May, 2026

9.2 Superb
Laurence N
France

Almost perfect
The dive sites superb.Manta rays.Sunrises and sunsets.
Recommended for
Professionalism of the staff, the outings on land, the food.
18 Oct, 2023

9.2 Superb
Alexandra M
France

Best liveaboard ever :)
The night dives are incredible (encounter with all kinds of creatures)Some sites where we are completely surrounded by huge schools of fish The exchange continues with our dive guides always present both underwater and on the boat, always ready to answer our slightest question and ask us if everything is okay. The excursion At sunset of the fabulous pianemo.The young and dynamic atmosphere of all the staff.
Recommended for
The biodiversity of the sites, the quality of the organization, the professionalism and the friendliness of the crew
07 Nov, 2019

10 Exceptional
Jessica W
United States

Epic experience
It is difficult to pinpoint because there were so many. The diving was magical. I have never seen such a variety and great numbers of fish and sea life and the coral/plant life of the reefs were stunning. This is the diving that can bring you to tears of joy. The shore excursions were great too, especially the trip to the Pianemo Viewpoint and the beach BBQ.
Recommended for
Phenomenal diving: from sea creatures to coral and reef variety. Outstanding crew: our dive guides and crew made the trip unforgettable. Quality of the trip for the price cannot be beat.
28 Mar, 2019

10 Exceptional
Nicolas C
France

Amazing crew and dive guides for the friendliest liveaboard of Raja Ampat
Our liveaboard on Epica with the Scuba Republic team was perfect! The young spirit of the crew and dive guides is really appreciated as well as their professionalism about the dive sites we visit throughout the 10 days. Dive sites are the best we have encountered seeing many wonderful species such as manta rays, 5-6 shark species, lots of macro and beautiful coral gardens very healthy and colourful. Food is amazing and always served as soon as you need it and the "chill area" and sundeck is a great plus to relax between dives ! Even if the boat is not the biggest you will find, it is good for 14 divers + crew. I highly recommend this trip if you are looking for a younger and funnier alternative to more "experienced and serious dive groups" on liveaboard..!
Recommended for
Wonderful dive sites, great atmosphere on the boat, professional equipment
28 Nov, 2019

9.2 Superb
Johannes B
United States

Great value for money, friendly and knowledgeable staff
Highlights of the trip were the epic dives followed by great food and vibe above water. No luxury here but great diving with great people for a budget price.
Recommended for
Amazing dive sites, value for money and friendly staff
03 Dec, 2017

9.2 Superb
Eric David S
Canada

Budget for thé price not the service
The Epica is a “budget” liveaboard only because of its price, it doesn’t show much on all the rest. Sure, the cabins are basic and you have to share the bathrooms but the diving, the service and the FOOD (omg how great it was) were all perfect for us. The crew, from dive guides to the person refilling our tanks and the dinghy driver and helper ( the very lovable Tandy)were so nice, always smiling and helpful in any way they could. It’s a tight ship but the space made the guests become part of the family and we never felt cramped. Our cruise director, Karin - also being one of the dive guide - was super organized, clear in the briefings and a mine of information about all things diving-related. We felt safe and extremely well looked after and had a great time. If you’re looking for a first liveaboard to explore just about the same dive sites as the fancier ones, the Epica is an excellent choice for Raja Ampat. Thanks to all the crew: Jarot, Paris, Aldi, Rahmat, Tandy, Anif, chef Endi and our guides: Karin,Pius and Fendi, you’re the best !
Recommended for
The crew on this liveaboard Is the loveliest there is. Smiles all around.. The diving was excellent and the dive guides at the top. Clear briefings too.. The chef Endy cooked up some great food onboard. Cake, guys, cake on a boat !.
12 Oct, 2026