I won a trip for 2 on a liveaboard in North Sulawesi...Indonesia---how cool is that!!

[johnnie2times]

First off, I never win things like this. The most I ever got away with was I found $40 once on springbreak 17 years ago, that is about it. I'm pumped, I won this trip through PADI (everything paid for) for referring divers to go for their open water certification.

I never been on a liveaboard before and I can't wait, I just need to book it by the end of this year (I'll probably go later in the year).

The liveaboard is on the North Sulawesi Aggressor. Has anyone been diving with this company before, I have heard from a few that they do a great job.

I really have not looked into it yet as far as when the best time of year is to go. Has anyone been over there? I would like to get a feel of when the best time to go as far as weather, water temp., visblility, etc., maybe a certain time of the year certain fish aggregate there like the lemon sharks do here.

Any suggestions or reccomendations on going on a liveaboard in general would be appreciated. (certain things to bring I maybe wouldn't think of unless you were on one before) ---Thanks in advance!

By the way the flights look way long, thats a bummer, o'well.

-John

[riplipper]

trip for two....your one and Im two.... :thumps:

[Mobile Diver]

Congrats!!

[bug_power]

B My Valentine :)

[CBP]

Congrats!!

I was on a liveaboard in Australia in November,
I would definatley bring your own gear and plan on paying some overweight. I had to pay about $180 overweight (the worst chages were the domstic flights not the international flight) between the 6 flights I took. If you have a soft dive bag (like me)Put your regulator,computer and other easily breakable stuff in another bag. I didnt do it but in the future I will also bring some back up stuff like bands, straps, o-rings, etc.

each boat is different but the one I was on was very picky about diving a reverse profile, I saw several people have to miss a few dives because they dove deeper on the 2nd dive than the first.

Have a great time! I really enjoyed my trip and cant wait to do another. Are you able to hunt on that boat??? I couldnt....I asked because I was seeing lobster as big as my tank

[Nikki]

That is AWESOME! Congrats! :thumps:

[Mulloway]

Congrats! Sulawesi Indonesia has geat dive sites. Manado is at the top of Sulawesi, you'll get to see lots of unique critters, eg. flambouyant cuttlefish, nudibranches and pygmy seahorses. the place is divable all year round, peak season is at the end of the year as everyone flocks there during the NE monsoon. I go on livaboard all the time, all you'll be doing is sleep, dive, eat, veg out, dive, eat, veg out..... its the company tht counts on a boat. you can have a great boat but unfriendly divers and that'll make the trip sucks.

Tips for livaboard diving:
1- get to know the crew, especially the divemaster or dive guide and the crew who is charging the tanks.
2- square away all equipment immediately after every dive, you'll be provided with basket to put your gear in.
3- be early for the dive briefing, not nice to let everyone wait for you.
4- be considerate to other divers especially at the ladder.
5- do not, I repeat, do not drink too much alcohol in the evening, chamber could be days away, and you'll spoil everyone's holiday if an accident happen.
6- remember to tip the crew, indonesian crews get peanuts for all the shit they do, they would be very grateful.

[johnnie2times]

Thanks for the advice--

CBP--No hunting allowed on this liveaboard.