Gaia Love

Destination: Indonesia

Raja Ampat, Alor, Banda Sea, & Komodo (7-11 Nights) | From $560++/night

Gaia Love Quick Pitch

The Gaia Love is a modern 40 meters steel hull vessel build from the ground up in Batam, Indonesia. It is purpose built to sail and explore the far reach regions of Indonesia. Designed with a modern contemparary look with an emphasis for diving in comfort, she can accommodate up to 22 guests in 11 spacious ensuite rooms.

Why You'll Like Gaia Love

• Year-round luxury dive trips in Indonesia
• 11 spacious ensuite cabins
• Dedicated camera room
• Nitrox available
• Large dive deck

Dive Overview

Diving Raja Ampat will take your breath away with the marine life thriving from the sea floor to the surface and the colorful reef teeming with activity. Exotic sea life and macro critters will overwhelm any marco photography enthusiast. Komodo features an extremely rich biodiversity born of a land of contrasts: from warm waters and tropical species, to cooler currents with temperate ocean life, offering such a diverse range of dive sites and special features. When diving the Forgotten Islands, one can expect long walls with extremely healthy coral life and immaculate, untouched seamounts. The Banda Sea offers some of the world’s richest reefs, unspoiled corals, and large pelagic fish. And diving the Lesser Sunda area brings a constant source of marine life surprises, with a wealth of tiny creatures to the larger fish species and marine mammals.

[See: Komodo, Alor & Flores, Ambon & Banda Sea, & Raja Ampat Dive Travel Guides] 

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Accommodations

Types of Cabins, Amenities and Photos

Gaia love Accommodation Overview

She accommodates up to 22 guest in 11 spacious ensuite rooms; six on the upper deck and five on the lower deck. Each room averages in size of approximately 20 square meters, individual air-conditioning and ensuite bathrooms with hot water. Upper deck rooms will feature an additional private outdoor balcony.

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General Facilities

Dining Area (LEFT) & Camera Room (RIGHT)

Sundeck (LEFT) & Dive Deck (RIGHT)

Gaia Love Liveaboard Boat Features

• Modern contemporary design saloon
• Entertainment system
• Massage services
• Top/sun deck and bar
• Camera room

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Gaia Love LIVEABOARD deck plan

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Schedule, Rates & Availability

Book the Gaia Love liveaboard online with us. You never pay more and often pay less! 

Prices are per person in USD and do not include national park fees.

[See also: Inclusions & Exclusions]

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Inclusions

• Air-conditioned twin share accommodation with attached bathroom
• Any shore activities or excursions organized by Dive Gaia
• All meals, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages
• Guided diving activities (up to 4 dives a day)
• Use of aluminum 12L dive cylinders, weights and weight belts
• Same day land transfer to and from the nearest embarkation or disembarkation airport
• Airport transfer to and from port for embarkation or disembarkation
• Government taxes
• Complimentary glass of wine per person at dinner
• Use of entertainment system in cabins and saloon where available
• Shared use of the camera room

Exclusions

• Harbor clearance and national park fees between USD22 and USD25 per day depending on the destination; and fuel surcharge (where applicable)
• Any international and domestic air, land, sea transportation, visas and any other taxes or fees associated
• Courses and certifications
• Accommodation and meals before and after the cruise
• Alcoholic drinks (unless otherwise stated)
• Gear rental (subject to availability)
• Enriched Air Nitrox (available for certified divers only)
• Massages and Spa treatments (other than welcome massage)
• Dive, travel or trip interruption insurance and dive insurance (it is mandatory to have dive insurance on all trips aboard Gaia Love)
• Onboard purchases
• Private tours
• Laundry
• On-board telecommunication and satellite broadband
• Crew gratuity

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Other Dates & Availability

For more information on other departure dates that are not listed above and on availability email us at info@bluewaterdivetravel.com or call us at +1-310-915-6677 and we will gladly help you plan your dream dive vacation!

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Dive Information & Itineraries

Raja Ampat

Located within the Indonesian archipelago off the northwest tip of Bird’s Head Peninsula in West Papua (Irian Jaya). Comprising hundreds of jungle-covered islands, the area is known for it’s beaches and coral reefs rich with marine life. Raja Ampat, translated directly as “four kings” was named for the 4 main islands in the area – Weigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool. Dive Gaia trips offer divers the opportunity to explore the entire region.

• West of Sorong, Batanta Island offers incredible critter sites for the macro enthusiast.
• In the south of Raja Ampat is the island of Misool. Be wow-ed by the profusion of colorful soft corals and sea fans beautifully draping the reefs. Expect to encounter both the oceanic and reef mantas. Towards the western tip of Misool, be intrigued by one of the world’s most stunning mangroves.
• Located in central Raja Ampat is Dampier Strait (which flows between Waigeo and Batanta), where nutrient-rich ocean currents create an incredible underwater environment. Everything which makes for a wonderful dive can be found here. Home to iconic dive sites Cape Kri and Blue Magic, be surrounded by schools of fish and the unique thrill of “fish thunder” – the loud booming sound made when a large number of fish move rapidly through open water. Further west is the island of Arborek, known for it’s jetty dive and it’s cleanliness. Travelling north west of Dampier Strait is the Penemu Islands famous of it’s hard coral gardens and stunning lagoon view.
• Northern Raja Ampat covers the islands of Weigeo, Kawe and Wayag. Visit the pearl farm of Aljui Bay in between exploring the pearl farm’s jetties famous for it’s unique critters and sleeping woobegongs. West of Waigeo, the rocks and seamounts in the Kawe area are truly singular as they actually sit on the equator. Kawe is one of the few places in the world where you can travel between the northern and southern hemispheres while diving! Yet, this is not the only reason to be excited about this dive. A combination of currents and feeding stations in this area combine to draw in a profuse amount of fish life, as well as huge mantas. Cruising even further to the north, we visit the Wayag area. This isolated, uninhabited area sprinkled with verdant limestone islands, bordered by slivers of white sandy beaches and palm trees, represents what people usually have in mind when they think of paradise. The only thing to rival the landscape here is the diving. It is truly spectacular, with extensive and untouched hard coral reefs. As the majority of Wayag’s islands have yet to be explored, it is very likely that many more dive sites will be found in this still remote area.
• Other attractions includes ancient rock paintings and caves off the island of Misool and the rare crimson bird of paradise on Waigeo.
• Luxury liveaboard diving with Dive Gaia offers charters out of Sorong that enables you to explore this area extensively while pampering yourself with the hospitality and comfort we provide. Shorter Raja Ampat dive itinerary is also offered in Dive Gaia's Ambon (Ceram) to Sorong (West Papua) trip.

raja ampat 9d/8n sample itinerary

• Day 1 
• - Embarkation Sorong.
• - One of our Cruise Directors will meet you at the airport.
• - Welcome aboard.
• - Cabin orientation, boat and dive deck briefing
• - Set up camera, dive equipments
• - Check dive within Sorong harbor vicinity
• - Welcome dinner at 7:30pm
• - Trip itinerary briefing
• - Overnight travel
• Day 2 - South Raja Ampat - Misool (Daram / Yelliet)
• - Radio check in with Misool Eco Resort
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• Day 3 - South Raja Ampat - Misool (Boo / Fiabacet)
• - Radio check in with Misool Eco Resort
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• Day 4 - South Raja Ampat - Misool (Warakaraket / Wayil)
• - Radio check in with Misool Eco Resort
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• - Overnight travel (schedule will depend on favorable currents)
• Day 5 - South Raja Ampat - Misool (Balbullol)
• - Radio check in with Misool Eco Resort
• - 3 day dives and 1 late evening dive
• - Overnight travel
• Day 6 - North Raja Ampat - West Waigeo / Penemu
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• - Land excursion
• - Overnight travel
• Day 7 - Dampier Strait
• - 3 day dives and 1 late evening dive
• Day 8 - Dampier Strait
• - 2 day dives
• - Port clearance at Waisai
• - Travel back to Sorong
• Day 9 - Sniff Sniff
• - Disembarkation Sorong
• - Airport transfer
• - Meals will be served based on your departure time

Komodo

Diving this famous dive destination, which is located within the Coral Triangle, the area boasts the world’s highest marine biodiversity. Under the jurisdiction of the park rangers over 1,000 species of fish and hundreds of different corals are protected. Dive sites stretch from the warm waters of the Flores Sea (Pacific Ocean) in the north to the chillier waters down south in the Indian Ocean. The underwater terrain presents many contrasts, with sheer cliff walls, pinnacles, sandy flat bottoms, underwater plateaus, slopes, caves, swim-throughs and channels – all with differing colors, sizes and types of both hard and soft corals. Expect encounters with pelagics and we promise no dull moment any macro enthusiast with a wide range of critters. Get your macro lens ready for unusual critters and critters that are only special to this area.

Komodo National Park boast countless deserted beaches, hiking trails, great wildlife, lagoons and home to a large species of lizard world known as the Komodo dragons.

Although there is diving year-round in Komodo, the best period is considered to be April through November. Currents in parts of Komodo can be strong – so we dive according to the tides … but with so many great sites to choose from we can always adapt the schedule for the best diving.

Dive Gaia offers Komodo National Park trip itineraries on its own and in Bali-Labuan Bajo (Flores), Bima (Sumbawa) to Labuan Bajo (Flores) and Labuan Bajo (Flores) to Maumere (Flores) itineraries.

komodo national park 10D/9N SAMPLE ITINERARY

• Day 1 
• - Embarkation Labuan Bajo.
• - One of our Cruise Directors will meet you at the airport.
• - Welcome aboard.
• - Cabin orientation, boat and dive deck briefing
• - Set up camera, dive equipments
• - Check dive 
• - Welcome dinner at 7:30pm
• - Trip itinerary briefing
• - Overnight travel
• Day 2 - Sangeang
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• - Overnight travel
• Day 3 - North Komodo
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• - Sunset hike (weather permitting)
• Day 4 - North Komodo & Rinca
• - 2 day dives, 1 evening dive and 1 night dive
• - Land excursion including a small hike
• - Overnight travel (schedule will depend on favorable currents)
• Day 5 - South Komodo
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• - Overnight travel (schedule will depend on favorable currents)
• Day 6 - Horseshoe Bay
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• - Wild Komodo Dragons
• - Overnight travel (schedule will depend on favorable currents)
• Day 7 - Padar
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• - Pink beach
• Day 8 - Current City
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• Day 9 - Current City
• - 2 day dives
• - Flying Foxes
• - Head back to port
• Day 10 - Sniff Sniff
• - Disembarkation Labuan Bajo
• - Airport transfer
• - Meals will be served based on your departure time

Forgotten Islands

Indonesia’s “Forgotten Islands”, also known as the Southeast Moluccas (Maluku Tenggara), are not a single destination, but rather a 1,000 km long chain of archipelagos stretching from Timor to West Papua on the island of New Guinea. Undeveloped, distant from population centers and far off any beaten path, these “Forgotten Islands” have been largely isolated from the rest of Indonesia and the world.

Diving the Forgotten Islands, one can expect long walls with extremely healthy coral life and immaculate, untouched seamounts. Look for the giant barrel sponges and immense sea fans. In the shallows the hard coral gardens are decorated with colorful anthias. ‘Big stuff’ can include schooling hammerheads, silver, white and black tip reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, mobula rays, bumphead parrotfish, eagle rays, turtles, thresher sharks along with schooling jacks, barracuda, surgeonfish and fusiliers. ‘Small stuff’ includes pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, octopus, triggerfish, lionfish, moray eels, scorpionfish and dragon shrimps.

Indonesia is not greatly affected by seasons that prohibit diving, so instead it is more important to factor in the weather and the calmness of the seas in terms of enjoying the crossings, when planning a trip to this remote archipelago.

The Forgotten Islands on board Dive Gaia offers divers the opportunity to cruise around this chain of remote beautiful islands while enjoying the casual comfort, amenities and unique service that we offer. Itinerary embarks in Maumere (Flores) and disembarks in Tual (Kei Islands). Smaller dive itinerary coverage is also offered in Banda Sea itinerary.

Banda Sea

Diving in the Banda Sea offers some of the most unique diving adventures to be found in Indonesia. Once sought by Columbus and Marco Polo, the Banda Islands were the original Spice Islands and the most coveted destination on earth, particularly by the Dutch and Portuguese, who colonized the islands and exported the indigenous nutmeg and cloves. History tells of a violent past under colonial rule.

Now, the seas around these tropical paradise islands are coveted for their spectacular diving and snorkeling on some of the world’s richest reefs, unspoiled corals, and large pelagic fish. Steep drop offs, impressive hard coral and some fast currents make this area absolutely breathtaking. Schools of jacks are a familiar sight, as are large tuna, many turtles, Napoleon wrasse, groupers, rays, sharks, large lobsters and sea snakes. There are also special critter sites for the macro enthusiast including the chance to dive with unusual critters at sites around Ambon Bay. Along the crossing, it is possible to revel in the spectacle of thousands of seabirds, including the comical yet attractive frigate birds and boobies.

Enjoy a land excursion that covers the historical Banda Neira and surrounding islands. Visit the local museum and enjoy the art work and many antiquities from the Portuguese and Dutch. Learn about the land trade of the island of Run and Manhattan between the Dutch and the British. 150 steps or so up a hill and you will be intrigued by the old fort building design. Next, we head to the nutmeg and spice farm. Enjoy Tante’s homemade cinnamon tea accompanied with her secret recipe snacks and nutmeg jam . Fresh nutmeg jam, nutmeg and yours to order cinnamon sticks are for sale. On your walk back to the pier visit the old Dutch governor’s mansion “House of VOC”, which was recently converted to a hotel. Original master pieces including the 6 old tiles were restored and kept in it’s original location within the property.

Dive Gaia offers trip itinerary that embarks in Maumere (Flores) and disembarks in Ambon (Ceram). Part of the Banda Sea itinerary is also covered in Tual (Kei Islands) to Ambon (Ceram) itinerary and in Ambon (Ceram) to Sorong (West Papua) itinerary.

banda arc 13d/12n SAMPLE ITINERARY

• Day 1 
• - Embarkation Maumere
• - One of our Cruise Directors will meet you at the airport.
• - Welcome aboard.
• - Cabin orientation, boat and dive deck briefing
• - Set up camera, dive equipments
• - Check dive 
• - Welcome dinner at 7:30pm
• - Trip itinerary briefing
• - Overnight travel
• Day 2 - Solor & West Lembata
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• - Overnight travel (schedule will depend on favorable currents)
• Day 3 - West Pantar & South Pantar
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• - Overnight travel (schedule will depend on favorable currents)
• - Vessel will be travelling within the pelagic migration route, keep your cameras ready
• Day 4 - Pura / Alor / Reta
• - 2 day dives, 1 late evening dive
• - Diving with the kids of North Pura
• - Vessel port clearance
• - Overnight travel
• Day 5 - Wetar
• - Time zone changed to WIT + 1 hour
• - 3 day dives and 1 late evening dive
• - Overnight travel
• Day 6 - Nyata
• - 3 day dives and 1 late evening dive
• - Overnight travel
• Day 7 - Damar Islands
• - 3 day dives and 1 late evening dive
• - Overnight travel (schedule will depend on favorable currents)
• Day 8 - Nils & Desperandum
• - 3 day dives and 1 late evening dive
• - Overnight travel (schedule will depend on favorable currents)
• Day 9 - Manuk
• - 3 day dives and 1 late evening dive
• - Overnight travel (schedule will depend on favorable currents)
• Day 10 - Banda Islands
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• Day 11 - Banda Islands
• - 2 day dives and 1 late evening dive (Mandarin fish)
• - Land excursion
• - Port clearance
• - Overnight travel (schedule will depend on favorable currents)
• Day 12 - Nusa Laut
• - Report in to village head
• - 2 day dives
• - Head to Ambon
• Day 13 - Sniff sniff
• - Disembarkation Ambon
• - Airport transfer
• - Meals will be served based on your departure time

Maumere & Alor (Lesser Sunda Area)

Diving the eastern waters of Lesser Sunda brings a constant source of marine life surprises, with a wealth of tiny creatures to the larger fish species and marine mammals. Handsome variety of dive sites covering eastern Flores, Adunara, Solor, Lembata (Kawula), Pantar, Alor, Pura Reta and Ternate to be explored and charm divers from all level of experience from fishy sites to critter hunting, from colorful walls to volcanic black sand. Be aww-ed by stunning sunrises, magical sunsets and witness the fireworks of one of the country’s most active volcanoes.

The Indonesian government has recently agreed to protect this area in order to secure a safe route for migrating cetaceans as they pass through the straits to their feeding grounds in the deep waters of the Banda Sea.

Trips offer divers the opportunity to see some of the most spectacular and untouched coral reefs in Indonesia along with the chance to witness unique behaviors of the many rare and wonderful critters to be found around the Pantar Strait. Divers can expect to see Rhinopias (lacey scorpionfish), pygmy seahorses, manta rays, schooling dolphins, pilot whales and even the occasional migrating blue whale! Be smitten by the charming free diving children of North Pura and catch the ladies of Pulau Ternate weaving colorful ikats.

Dive Gaia offers a range of trip dates to ensure you can experience this superb destination extensively. Dive Gaia covers a shorter Lesser Sunda experience within the Banda Sea (Maumere, Flores to Ambon, Ceram) and The Forgotten Islands (Maumere, Flores to Tual, Kei Islands) itineraries.

lesser sunda 11D/10N SAMPLE ITINERARY

• Day 1 
• - Embarkation Mauemere
• - One of our Cruise Directors will meet you at the airport.
• - Welcome aboard.
• - Cabin orientation, boat and dive deck briefing
• - Set up camera, dive equipments
• - Check dive 
• - Welcome dinner at 7:30pm
• - Trip itinerary briefing
• - Overnight travel
• Day 2 - Solor & Adunara
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• - Overnight travel (schedule will depend on favorable currents)
• Day 3 - West Lembata
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• - Overnight travel
• Day 4 - West Pantar
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• - Overnight travel (schedule will depend on favorable currents)
• - Vessel will be travelling within the pelagic migration route, keep your cameras ready
• Day 5 - South Pantar
• - Report in to local village head
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• Day 6 - Pantar Strait / Pura / Alor / Reta
• - Report in to local village head is required for all areas with village within vicinity
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• Day 7 - Pantar Strait / Pura / Alor / Reta
• - Report in to local village head is required for all areas with village within vicinity
• - 3 day dives and 1 night dive
• - Walk on Buaya
• Day 8 - Pantar Strait / Pura / Alor / Reta
• - Report in to local village head is required for all areas with village within vicinity
• - 2 day dives and 1 late evening dive
• - Diving with the kids of North Pura
• - Port clearance
• - Overnight travel
• Day 9 - North Lembata and Komba
• - 3 day dives
• - The beauty of an active volcano
• - Overnight travel
• Day 10 - North East Flores
• - 2 day dives
• - Travel to Maumere
• Day 11 - Sniff Sniff
• - Disembarkation Maumere
• - Airport transfer
• - Meals will be served based on your departure time

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Other Information

Boat Specifications

• Length: 40m
• Breadth: 10m
• Draft: 2.1m
• Hull Type: Marine Steel
• Engine: 2 Yanmar 829 bhp
• Compressors: 3 Bauer PE250 Compressors
• Generator: Two Kohler 80kw Power System (Shielded)
• Fresh Water: 52,000 L
• Desalination: 2 Spectra 2,800 Gallons/day system
• Cruising Speed: 10 knots
• Max Speed: 12 knots
• Fuel Oil Capacity: 66,000L
• Range: 6,570 Nm
• Maximum guests: 22
• Number of cabins: 11

Practical Information

• Time Zone: GMT +8 and GMT +9
• Local Currency: IDR (Indonesian Rupiah)
• Language Spoken: English & Indonesian
• Payment Onboard: Cash (IDR, USD, EUR) and credit cards. All credit card payments are subjected to a 3.5% surcharge.

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Underwater Gallery 

Underwater photos by Mathieu Meur

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