Name: Epica
Brand: Scuba Republic
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 9.03 (30 reviews)

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

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.

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

9.2 Superb
Diana K
United States

An Epic-a Experience

The Epica liveaboard was a wonderful experience! I went in July and got to see some amazing marine animals, the most beautiful corals, and most of the dive sites were only our group or very few other people since it was off season. The reefs were amazing and we even got to see a manta (despite time of year)! The trip had 18 dives and they were all so wonderful, I can't pick one as my favorite. Raja Ampat does not disappoint and totally lives up to the hype. I came here as a new diver and was nervous that I wouldn't be able to hold up but Josh and Stefan quickly helped and guided me to becoming an advanced diver. They're both extremely knowledgeable about the area - both on land and under water. Josh and Stefan went above and beyond to make sure that the trip was amazing and that everyone was having a great experience. In fact, the entire crew of the Epica were amazing and wonderful. The crew were so kind, keep the boat running smoothly, made sure all the gear was good to go, tanks filled, and the chef is amazing. The food was always great and they are accommodating to any food allergies. I feel like 7 days wasn't enough, I could have gone for a few more.

Recommended for: Dive location, guides, food

7.6 Good
Kristin H
United States

Amazing diving and wonderful guides

By far, the quality of the diving was the highlight of the trip. All the central Raja Ampat dives were gorgeous. The guides were knowledgeable and safe. Another highlight was the short hike up to the look out in pianemo geo.

Recommended for: The guides were great, food was good and the diving was fantastic.

9.6 Exceptional
Charles M
United States

Couldn't have asked for a better experience

Josh and his crew did everything they could to make this an unforgettable experience. Everything was perfect from the moment we stepped on the boat until we sadly got dropped back off at the port. If you need 5star accommodations, this isn't for you, but if your looking for great diving, great people and great food could not find a better option.

Recommended for: The diving, the crew, the atmosphere on the boat

9.6 Exceptional
Becky Y
Canada

Budget liveaboard, but delivered the dives at Raja Ampat with a Bang!

I learned that Epica is owned by Scuba-Republic which also owns the Jaya Liveaboard that takes divers to both the Raja Ampat and Komodo. The company also runs the Bira Diver Camp in South Sulawesi. With a wealth of experience, it was no wonder that Epica was expertly run. Due to its basic, no frill (but ever so clean, well-maintained and cheery!) boat, wholesome but not fancy meals and somewhat small sleeping quarters, Epica’s price is a lot lower than the more luxurious boats at Raja Ampat. Cheap does not mean cutting corners on this boat! Matt, the Dive Leader Extraordinaire, ran a tight ship, and took his job very seriously. He made sure that all the dives were well-organized and all the details, big and small, were taken care of (He and Shali, the dive master, gave us the most thorough pre-dive briefings that I‘ve ever come across!) and that everything went smoothly on the trip! For Heaven’s sake, Matt and Shali even played card games with us EVERY single evening to keep us happy and engaged! The Epica Captain and the crew were equally attentive and very capable! So, all 5 of us divers just enjoy our dives and had the times of our lives on this totally customers- oriented liveaboard. Among the many wonderful marine creatures that we came cross in Raja Ampat, we were very lucky as we saw many majestic giant manta rays in our 2 dives at the manta cleaning station at the Blue Magic dive site. In one dive, they kept coming to us for a solid hour! (My GoPro went out of battery and SD card!) Woebegong sharks, the very unique-looking sharks indigenious to Raja Ampat, were seen quite often in our dives. Honestly, even on our first dive (a check dive) at a site near Waigeo Island (our departure point) that was known to be murky, we came across a huge cuttlefish that camouflaged and changed its colors and textures right in front of our eyes! How exquisite!

Recommended for: Giant manta rays, Dive Masters and the crew, price

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

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!

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

10 Exceptional
katie P
United Kingdom

Amazing week on the Epica

Every day was a highlight, sardine reef was the best dive and so exciting to do a night dive for the first time!

Recommended for: The diverse marine life, the staff on the Epica and the food! a

9.2 Superb
Alexandra M
France

Best liveaboard ever :)

Les plongées de nuit sont incroyables ( rencontre de créatures en tout genre) Certains sites où nous sommes complètement entourés par d’immenses bancs de poissons L’echange continue avec nos guides de plongées toujours présents aussi bien sous l’eau que sur le bateau, toujours prêts à répondre à nos moindre question et à nous demander si tout va bien. L’excusion Au couché de soleil du fabuleux pianemo. L’ambiance jeune et dynamique de tout le staff.

Recommended for: La biodiversité des sites, la qualité de l’organisation, le professionnalisme et la sympathie du crew

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

9.6 Exceptional
Geoffrey M
United Kingdom

Amazing trip and so glad I booked onto Epica!

Diving amongst huge shoals of fishes, the pristine coral reefs and the astonishing biodiversity. The whole dive team and boat crew were superb too. Loved the little hike up to the viewpoint on Pyanemo island and the beach BBQ on the last night was a nice touch as well.

Recommended for: The dive guides, the boat crew and the fabulous diversity of marine life.

10 Exceptional
Tom P
Belgium

The perfect liveaboard for the price!

Everything

Recommended for: Very friendly crew (shout out to director Josh), great food and good schedule

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

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

9.2 Superb
Choong P
Malaysia

Amazing dive experience and living a boat

The encounter of different varieties of underwater fishes which may hard to be seen in other part of the world. The dolphins and whale sharks that swim around the boat while sailing across the different island. The friendly and helpful crews give the most comfortable trip on the boat

Recommended for: The best view above and underwater. The experience dive guide put the safety and comfort as the priority of each guest

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

7.2 Good
Hjalte R
Denmark

Nice diving, boat condition was bad

Diving

Recommended for: Diving, food and guides

8.8 Fabulous
John H
United Kingdom

Wonderful Dive site unique to the Raja Ampat

Rare opportunity to see Raja Ampat special creatures and fish in fantastic locations.

Recommended for: The guides were very knowledgeable, Unique locations and the wonderful guests

8.8 Fabulous
Maurice L
Netherlands

Absolutely fantastic

It's a budget friendly boat so do not expect anything fancy. It's the crew, the diving and the freshly made food that makes the trip fantastic. I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone who is on a budget and still wants to dive the highlights of the Dampier Strait.

Recommended for: The crew, the diving, the food

9.6 Exceptional
chris C
Australia

Amazing

The diving in raja ampat is amazing, so much life and variety of species to see. The dive and boat crew were fantastic, went above and beyond to look after all the divers. The amount of work they all put in was seriously impressive. My Seven days on the Epica was filled with moments of laughter, and a relaxing vibe. Thanks to all involved for a memorable trip.

Recommended for: Exellent dive masters and boat crew, fantastic food

6.8 Review score
Anthony S
Canada

Speechless

Diving sites, friendly crew and value

Recommended for: The diving, crew, value

8.0 Very good
Stef B
Netherlands

Amazing experience, with some room for improvement

The trip was amazing, we had such a blast! The staff was super friendly, fun and very knowledgeable! The divesites are just amazing (although we had some bad luck visibility wise). The manta’s where an absolute highlight! Nevertheless there where a few things epica could improve (maintenance wise): there was a problem with the air compressor (what was fixed after a few days), the boat experienced many many small cockroaches on board (never read this in the reviews so assume this is a new problem), the boat is basic which is absolutely fine for us and it had all we needed, but the bathroom/shower facilities could have been a bit cleaner / better maintained.

Recommended for: Friendly staff, dive sites and great tasty food

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

Epica, Indonesia

Choose your departure date

2023

2024

2025

Boat features

Food & Drinks