Dampier Star

The Dampier Star is operated by Dampier Dive Cruises and is fully certified under PADI, SSI standards. We carry satellite communication, a defibrillator, emergency oxygen on every tender, and a dedicated chase boat. All cruise directors are Divemaster or Instructor-level and hold current EFR and DAN oxygen provider certifications.

For Raja Ampat, the prime diving months are October to April. We schedule itineraries to match peak marine-life activity during that window. Travel outside peak season is still rewarding but expect more variable conditions.

Diving is rated intermediate. Expect some drift dives, depths to 30 m, and strong surface currents at a few sites. Divers should be comfortable with negative entries and maintaining buoyancy in moving water.

Included: all meals and soft drinks, shared cabin accommodation, up to 4 guided dives per day (3 on travel days), weights, tanks, airport transfers on charter days, and marine park fees where applicable. Not included: flights to the departure port, alcoholic beverages, crew gratuity (standard 10% of the trip cost), dive insurance, and any Nitrox surcharge where relevant.

Ten cabins across two decks — upper-deck cabins feature larger windows and sea views. All cabins have individually controlled air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms with hot-water showers, 110/220V outlets, and crisp hotel-grade linens changed mid-trip. Ocean-view cabins feature a picture window; lower-deck cabins feature a porthole.

Indonesian and pan-Asian buffets with strong vegetarian options. We accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, and most food allergies with advance notice — please tell us at booking so we can provision correctly. Breakfast is buffet-style, lunch and dinner are served family-style, and there is always a hot drink and fresh fruit bowl between dives.

Tanks and weights are included. A full rental set (regulator, BCD, wetsuit, computer, fins, mask) is available at $28 per day, or any individual item on request.

Nitrox (up to 32%) is available for a flat $150 per trip surcharge. If you are not yet certified, the on-board instructor can run a 1-day Nitrox specialty course during the trip.

Our recommended minimum is Open Water with 25+ logged dives, some drift-diving experience recommended. Less-experienced divers can often join, but may sit out one or two of the more advanced sites at the cruise director's discretion — this is a safety call, not a service downgrade.

A mix of European, Australian, and American divers — the Dampier focus attracts divers who have been before and want to return. Our average group is 14–18 divers from 5–8 nationalities. Solo travelers are common and can opt for a shared cabin at no single supplement on most departures. The minimum age on board is 16.