Meridian Adventure Dive Resort - Scuba Dive, Multiday Dive Package, Multiday Snorkeling Package | Raja Ampat

🙋🏻 FAQs 

• How do I get to Waisai?
  Once you land in Sorong at Domine Eduard Osok Airport (SOQ), there are two options to reach us.The public option is budget friendly, but you are restricted by the ferry operating hours.
  1. Public FerryThe ferry departs Sorong daily at 09:00am and 14:00pm. The travel time is about 2 hours.
  Ferry Tickets:
  - VIP (air-conditioned): IDR 215,000 (approx. US$ 15) per person
  - Economy: IDR 100,000 (approx. US$ 9) per person
  2. Private Speed Boat
  The pick-up and drop-off times are flexible. The travel time is about 1hrs30mins.
  This option is great for groups, we need a minimum of 8 persons for one way transfer. The cost is US$ 150 per person one way.
  
• What about airport transfers? 
  Airport to Ferry:
  There are many taxi’s available as you exit the airport that can take you to the ferry terminal. They charge approximately IDR200,000 (approx. US$15.00).
  Ferry to Resort :
  The resort is a short 7 min walk from the ferry terminal, via the wooden deck which runs along the water line towards the marina and exiting on the property next to the resort. There is also many taxi’s available to drive you the straight to the hotel reception, and the charge approximately IDR100,000 (approx. US$7.00)
• When can I visit?
  The beauty of our resort is that you can visit and dive all year round. Some resorts and liveaboard’s are seasonal due to undesirable sea conditions where they are located, however in the archipelagos in which we cruise and the capabilities of our dive boats, diving all year round is easy. From October to March we have Manta Ray season and from April to September we have reef sharks season.
  
• What is the time zone at the resort?
  Eastern Indonesian Time (GMT +9hrs). We are 1 hour ahead of Bali and 2 hours ahead of Jakarta.
  
• Why can I not bring any kind of sunscreen?
  It is estimated that between 6 – 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen wash off people and go into reef areas every year. Unfortunately, one of the main ingredients in sunblock (oxybenzone) inhibits the growth of baby corals, and kills coral polyps. Even low levels of sunscreen (62 parts per trillion), can activate the algae viruses and completely bleach coral. Sun protection is essential and we strongly advise you bring sunscreen that does not include harmful ingredients such as oxybenzone, homosalate, octinoxate and octisalate, in order to minimise the harmful effects on the most biodiverse waters in the world. These sun creams are readily available in stores or online. Typically, companies will label their products as “reef-safe” but always check the ingredients to be sure.

🙋🏻 FAQs (🏝️ Resort) 

• Child / Babysitting Service?
  We cannot offer child/ babysitting services. If requested for a small fee, select resort staff can be allocated to stay and play with children. However, we kindly ask that an adult in the party watch over the children at all times as the staff and management at Meridian Adventure Dive Resort cannot be held responsible for any care-taking required
  
• Payments & Foreign Exchange?
  You can pay at the resort by credit or debit card (Visa & Mastercard) with no surcharges. There are also ATM’s on the island, so it is easy to draw cash, please note there is a daily cash withdrawal limit of IDR2,500,000 per transaction, but sometimes you can draw 2 or 3 times in a day if needed. For forex, please note that the local banks on the island only accept fresh printed large denomination USD bills. Small $1, $5, $10 are not accepted. CARDS & CASH: only IDR cash is accepted onsite. Visa & Mastercard credit or debit cards are accepted with no surcharges. We do not accept amex.
  
• What sort of power do you have?
  The resort has 220 volts, 24 hours a day. All power points are international multi-plugs, so there is no need to buy a special adapter for your plugs.
  
• What level of service can I expect? 
  As part of our commitment supporting the local community and bringing sustainable tourism to the area, most of our employees are born in Waisai or surrounding Raja Ampat islands. They have developed their English language along the way and are proud of the skills they have learned and service they provide since joining the Meridian Adventure Team. This happy and genuine persona filters through the work they do, and in turn adds to the whole experience you will feel when staying with us.
  

🙋🏻 FAQs (🤿 Dive)

• How many dives can I do?
  Our packages offer either 2 dives or 4 dives per day. We take our guests out for a two tank dive in the morning and a two tank dive in the afternoon, maximising the travel time between dives sites, all while getting a fantastic view along the way.
  Dive schedules and sites change depending on weather, ocean conditions and resort occupancy. No far reef charges. We go to the best dive sites for the specific days’ weather conditions.
• Topography and depths?
  Most of the reefs start off shallow around 5 to 7 meters and have a gradual slope reaching down to 40 meters, while the average dive depth is around 10 to 25 meters depending on deco time.
• What is the average visibility?
  Visibility ranges between 15-30 meters, but a normal of 20 meters in most areas.
• What is the average water temperature?
  Temperatures can vary from 30°C to 25°C but a normal range for most areas is 27°C to 29°C.
• What about currents?
  Currents are what make Raja Ampat diving so special and can vary, the dive guides will always check the current prior to a dive. It is very important that you dive Raja Ampat on the right tides. If you dive all the sites at the right time, the currents are not strong and the dives are magnificent. It is perfectly safe to even do your Open Water Course in Raja Ampat with us.
• How big will my dive group be?
  This ratio will depend on the certification and comfortability level of the guest divers. The dive boat can accommodate 10 guest divers. A ratio of 4 guests per dive guide.
• Do you offer night Dives?
  Yes, we can certainly arrange a night dive in line with tidal streams. Please enquire once you have checked in.
• What if I have my own equipment?
  The dive package includes Aqualung equipment, but we do understand that divers prefer the comfort of their own gear, the choice is yours. We can accommodate both YOKE and DIN regulators. Weights are all soft weights, perfect to fit integrated BCDs. We do not offer any weight belts. We offer 12L aluminium tanks.
• Do I have to wear an exposure suit?
  For your own protection and comfort it is best to dive with a wetsuit. We offer the Aqualung 2/3mm Sport Flex suit. Any suit between 2 to 3 mm thickness will be perfect.
• Can I request a personal dive guide?
  Yes, certainly if you would feel more comfortable a personal dive guide can be provided for an additional fee. Advanced notice is appreciated.
• What if I haven’t dived in a while?
  Depending on your certification and last logged dives, we can offer you a scuba review (reactivate or refresher) in our swimming pool before the first day of diving. I am not yet a diver.
• Do you offer dive courses?
  Yes. We are a 5 star Padi Dive Resort offering discovery and beginner courses as well as courses for advance divers. We also offer a wide variety of activities to experience during surface intervals and for non-divers.
• What about child divers?
  Youngsters above the age of 10 with diving certifications can join on all the dives with a parent or guardian.As a PADI Dive Resort, we can offer scuba diving experiences or courses starting from 8 years of age to those with no certification. Children can also enjoy the reefs through snorkelling if they are strong swimmers and accompanied by a parent or guardian. It is advised to bring own soft equipment like fins, mask, snorkel and wetsuit for a perfect fit.
• What type of boat/s do we travel on?
  A 10m Gemini rigid-hull inflatable boat with dual V6 250HP Yamaha 4 Stroke Engines. Our customised dive boats revolutionise functionality and comfort of dive boat operations and will change the way you dive forever. The space, comfort and long range capabilities make this ideal for multi-purpose use. The 600mm diameter tubes makes the pontoons exceptionally comfortable to ride on to and from dive sites.
• What safety equipment do you have onboard the dive boats?
  Emergency medical aid oxygen (DAN system), First Aid, VHF radio and compass. Pontoon repair kit, tool kit, a double action pump and two paddles. Life jackets, a flare kit and fire extinguisher are also onboard.
• Can I do deco diving?
  No, we are a recreational scuba diving resort and due to our remote location we dive very conservatively. We do not allow deco diving, with maximum depth at 30 metres. We do not allow rebreathers, tech and solo diving. Divers agree to adhere to safe diving practices and Raja Ampat diving regulations at all times
  
• Is Nitrox available? No, not currently
  
• What can I do if I don’t dive?
  There are many activities to do, if you do not dive. You can relax by the pool or on the lounges in the resort. Many of the dive sites are also amazing snorkelling sites, so you too can enjoy the same sites. There are island beaches and villages by many of the dive sites for you to relax and explore whilst the divers are under the water. Sightseeing hikes to Raja Ampat’s famous viewpoints can also be arranged.
  

How to Use Your Voucher

• Please present the e-voucher on-site