Epica, Indonesia

Name: Best of Dampier (Waisai - Waisai)
Start: 2026-11-29
End: 2026-12-05
Location: Indonesia

9.2 Superb

Aircon Cabins
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly

from $ 234 / 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.

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Date

Itinerary

Price

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31 Aug

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,650

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08 Sep

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

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16 Sep

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

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24 Sep

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

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02 Oct

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

Select Cabin only 2 spaces left

10 Oct

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

FULL

18 Oct

9 Days / 8 Nights

$ 2,395

FULL

28 Oct

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

FULL

05 Nov

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

Select Cabin only 5 spaces left

13 Nov

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

FULL

21 Nov

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1,750

Select Cabin available

29 Nov

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.

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

9.6 Exceptional
Denis G
Germany

A week in paradise
We stayed at Epica for a week.The personal highlight was the dive site "Melissas Garden".A great variety of fish and great intact reefs.We were more than satisfied with the professional crew and with Karin as our guide!She found even the smallest seahorses and thus fulfilled a dream of my friend to see them in the water.
Recommended for
The professional crew, especially Karin our guide. The dive sites with the intact reefs. The food on board.
02 Jun, 2026

Translated from German

9.6 Exceptional
Audrey H
France

Fabulous
I did a 7d/6n cruise aboard Epica which was fabulous. The dive sites are great, there is a bit of daily navigation but without being excessive which allows us to rest between dives. The boat is open which gives an impression of freedom, with places in the sun, others in the shade, mattresses and poufs which is very pleasant to rest. The cabins are small but comfortable with AC, shower and toilet correct and clean. The meals were all excellent! And the team was really very professional, listening to our desires while remaining discreet and non-invasive. Juanita the dive director was really very nice, very professional and very attentive to everyone! I recommend 100%
Recommended for
Dive site. Professionalism of the team. Excellent meal.
04 Oct, 2025

Translated from French

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

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

9.6 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
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
02 Mar, 2020

8.8 Fabulous
Caroline J
France

Superbe experience
The spots chosen by the team all lived up to our expectations!! The dives were amazing. Our dive guide did everything so that we could enjoy it to the fullest and knew how to share with us the pleasures and surprises of the ocean, whether in macro or for bigger ones. Looking forward to going back one of these days!!
Recommended for
The dive sites were amazing, we ate well, the team on board was great
03 May, 2024

Translated from French

8.8 Fabulous
Edward H
United Kingdom

Amazing trip with world-class diving on a budget boat
Amazing trip with world-class diving on a budget boat
Recommended for
value for money. Quality and Diversity of diving. Friendly crew.
28 Aug, 2025

8.0 Very good
Barbara H
Switzerland

Diving in a easy going boot in Raja Ampat mpat
Well organizerd, safety First, very good food. Good group.
Recommended for
The briefing of Erik, 6 stars. Nice and lovely crew. Good Air condition in the cabine.
01 Dec, 2025

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

76 reviews

9.2 Superb
76 Verified Reviews

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9.2 Superb
Gabriel G
Austria

Amazing trip with an amazing crew!
The crew on boat was brilliant and the diving spots amazing. I had a wonderful week on Epica and I ate some if the best dishes I have eaten during my travels in Indonesia.
Recommended for
Diving spots, Food, Crew
11 Mar, 2024

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
08 Oct, 2019

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

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

9.2 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

10 Exceptional
Laura V
Spain

Amazing
Diving spots, food.. everything!
Recommended for
Diving instructors and crew!
08 May, 2023

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

9.6 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

Translated from Dutch

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
17 Dec, 2019

9.2 Superb
Adam W
Poland

Great team in a wonderful location
If underwater experiences are more important to you, you won't be bothered by a noisy generator ;-))
Recommended for
We were only 3 divers and each had their own cabin so it was luxurious. A very competent team that ensures your comfort, your palate and your safety. We dived 4 times a day in absolutely unique places, although sometimes in very strong currents.
22 Feb, 2024

9.2 Superb
bryan A
Spain

The best dives!
Highly recommended epic, if you are not very demanding with luxuries and comforts, it has the basics but what is really important are the dives and they were incredible I recommend going a day before and staying in the center of scuba republic because if you arrive on the day the ferry starts it may be delayed and you have to get the cards and permits... This way you will leave as soon as possible, you are picked up at the port of Waisai on arrival, dinner and breakfast are included. There are more luxurious and more expensive boats, it depends on what you want, but honestly, in terms of value for money, epic has been a great success.
Recommended for
The crew. The food. The guides.
24 Dec, 2024

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
21 Aug, 2019

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
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

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

9.6 Exceptional
sheana M
United States

Incredible trip!
We saw so many incredible things like Pygmy seahorses, tons of reef mantas swimming above us, 2 oceanic rays (this was rare!), octopuses, sharks like black and white tip reefs and wobbegongs. Our dive master Rolly was awesome, the food was good, things happened on schedule (I love the punctuality!) and the weather was superb. I’ll remember this forever
Recommended for
Oceanic mantas rays, octopuses, and wobbegongs
25 Feb, 2024

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
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

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