Scuba Republic Review – Liveaboard, Dive Safari & Base Camp in Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat is one of the most extraordinary dive destinations on the planet — but with so many options, how do you decide whether to explore it by liveaboard, dive safari, or from a land-based base camp?
We’ve been lucky enough to dive with Scuba Republic across all three formats over the years: sailing on their liveaboards, joining a multi-night dive safari, and diving directly from their Waisai base camp. Each offers something completely different, and in this guide we’ll share our honest experiences to help you choose the one that’s right for you.
Who Are Scuba Republic?
Scuba Republic are one of Indonesia’s most respected dive operators, with bases in Raja Ampat and Komodo. They’ve been running trips in Raja Ampat for well over a decade and have built a reputation for passionate dive guides, a strong safety record, and an eco-conscious approach.
We first discovered them six years ago, and since then we’ve joined multiple trips — both as guests and as dive professionals. That gives us a unique perspective on what it’s like to dive with them across their different offerings.
Option 1 – Scuba Republic Liveaboards
Scuba Republic currently operate four different liveaboards in Raja Ampat. We’ve had the chance to dive on two of them: Epica and Jaya. They’re very different experiences, so here’s our breakdown.
Epica – Budget-Friendly Adventure
Epica is the more affordable of the two boats. Cabins are smaller, and facilities more basic, but the diving is every bit as spectacular. You’ll visit the same legendary sites — from Cape Kri to Manta Sandy — and Epica also includes the Piaynemo viewpoint hike and village visits.
The vibe on board is adventurous and social. If you want to experience Raja Ampat liveaboard diving on a budget without missing out on the key sites, Epica is a fantastic option.
Jaya – The Iconic Phinisi
Jaya is Scuba Republic’s original phinisi sailing boat, built in 1999 and run by the same cruise director and team for more than a decade. It’s a well-oiled machine: incredible customer service, a crew who know Raja Ampat inside out, and dive guides with an uncanny ability to find you everything.
This is our top pick for liveaboard diving in Raja Ampat. The atmosphere is premium without being pretentious — think adventure comfort, not floating five-star hotel. Between dives you can snorkel around the boat, enjoy island excursions, and relax on deck as the phinisi sails past limestone karsts.
Why Choose a Liveaboard?
Liveaboards are the best choice if your main focus is the underwater world. They allow you to reach remote sites, time dives with the tides and currents, and maximise your time in the water. The comfort of living on board and diving straight off the stern is hard to beat.
Option 2 – Scuba Republic Dive Safari
A dive safari is Scuba Republic’s unique middle-ground option: part liveaboard flexibility, part cultural immersion. Instead of staying on a boat, you move between islands and dive sites, sleeping in local Papuan homestays each night.
We joined a 6D/7N safari in Central Raja Ampat and loved the balance it struck. We dived iconic sites like Cape Kri, Melissa’s Garden, and Blue Magic, but also spent evenings in villages like Arborek and Pam, where we even watched a traditional Papuan dance competition.
The diving is phenomenal, but the cultural side is what makes a safari truly memorable. You’ll notice differences in bird songs between islands, taste unique meals at each homestay, and wake up to sunrises over untouched lagoons.
Pros: Affordable compared to liveaboards, authentic cultural immersion, flexible dive planning.
Cons: Comfort is very basic — bucket showers, damp rooms, mosquitos and the occasional rodent — and you’ll need to pack and unpack daily.
Dive safaris can run from 3 nights up to 10, depending on how much time you have. For us, 6 nights felt like the perfect balance.
Grab our Free Raja Ampat Pro-Packing Guide to help you pack like a pro with bonus tips – it’s got everything we wished we bought with us in there! Plenty of things we’d have never thought of either! Download it for free here.
👉 Learn more: Read our FULL Guide to Scuba Republic’s Dive Safari
Ready to book? Mention this article when booking with Scuba Republic for 10% off your Dive Safari trip.
Option 3 – Diving from Scuba Republic’s Base Camp (Waisai)
Finally, there’s Scuba Republic’s Base Camp in Waisai, the gateway to Raja Ampat. This is a smart option if you’re:
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Spending a night or two in Waisai before/after another trip
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Wanting to do check dives before a safari or liveaboard
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Testing rental equipment before heading further afield
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Short on time but still want a taste of Raja Ampat diving
The base camp gives you access to solid central Raja Ampat dive sites, and there’s even the option to hire a private boat and guide for a more personalised experience.
This isn’t aimed at beginners — Raja Ampat’s currents make it a destination best suited to divers with some experience — but it’s a flexible, budget-friendly way to dive if you can’t commit to a longer trip.
Which Option is Right for You?
Choosing between Scuba Republic’s liveaboards, dive safari, and base camp really depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for.
Go for a Liveaboard if… you want maximum dive time, the best chance at hitting sites in perfect conditions, and the classic Raja Ampat adventure.
Choose a Dive Safari if… you want to combine island-hopping and cultural immersion with incredible diving, all at a more affordable price.
Stay at Base Camp if… you’re looking to do check dives before a trip, warm up with some central sites, or only have a couple of nights in Waisai.
Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison:
Scuba Republic Diving Options – Quick Comparison
| Option | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liveaboard – Epica | Divers wanting the most budget-friendly way onto a Raja Ampat liveaboard | – Lower cost compared to other vessels – Access to same world-class dive sites – Visits Piaynemo viewpoint & villages – Snorkelling/swimming around the boat when moored | – Smaller boat and cabins – More basic facilities (still comfortable, but budget-focused) |
| Liveaboard – Jaya | Divers seeking the “classic” Raja Ampat experience with comfort & service | – Iconic phinisi sailing boat with 10+ years of reputation – Highly experienced, long-standing crew & cruise director – Phenomenal dive guides who find everything – Premium atmosphere, strong customer service | – More expensive than Epica – Still not “luxury yacht” style (think adventure comfort, not 5-star) |
| Dive Safari | Divers who want both island exploration and epic diving | – Stay in homestays across multiple islands – Cultural immersion & authentic experiences (Papuan villages, dance competitions, varied landscapes) – Flexible dive planning – Affordable middle ground between liveaboard & resort – Available from 3–10 nights | – Basic accommodation (bucket showers, damp rooms, mosquitos/rodents possible) – Daily packing/unpacking – Smaller boats, lunchboxes not hot meals |
| Base Camp (Waisai) | Divers doing check dives before a trip, or visitors only stopping in Waisai for a few nights | – Ideal for check dives before liveaboard/safari – Good for testing rental gear or warming up – Access to solid central Raja Ampat dive sites – Option to hire private boat/guide for flexibility | – Not for beginners (currents can be strong) – Range of sites more limited compared to safari/liveaboard – Day trips mean longer boat rides vs sleeping close to sites |
Our Final Thoughts on Scuba Republic
We’ve been diving with Scuba Republic across different formats for years — and we keep coming back for a reason. Whether you’re sailing aboard Jaya, adventuring across the islands on a dive safari, or warming up at Base Camp, their passion, knowledge, and consistency shine through.
For divers whose top priority is the underwater world, liveaboards remain our number one recommendation (especially Jaya). But for those who want a mix of culture and diving, the dive safari is a truly authentic way to explore Raja Ampat. And if you’ve only got a few nights, Base Camp offers the flexibility to still enjoy some of the most spectacular reefs on Earth.
👉 Learn more and book directly with Scuba Republic.
Plan Your Raja Ampat Dive Trip
We’ve shared our honest experience of diving with Scuba Republic across liveaboards, dive safaris, and base camp — but as with any dive travel, it’s always best to do your own deeper research. Check recent reviews, compare operators, and make sure the trip you choose matches both your experience level and expectations.
👉 Free Resource: Before you go, don’t forget to download our Your Free Raja Ampat Pro-Packing Guide — the exact checklist we use to prepare for diving in this remote part of Indonesia. Download it here and make sure you don’t forget the essentials.
💬 Have Questions? Drop them in the comments below — we’ll do our best to answer, whether it’s about currents, gear, or choosing between liveaboard and safari.
🤝 Dive Resorts & Liveaboards: If you’re a dive operator interested in working together, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch via our contact form.
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