Diving on the Damai II liveaboard
Unlimited buddy diving is a signature offering of both Damai vessels, and it’s certainly a great option to make the most of your trip if you simply want to see as many dive sites as possible. Aside from incredible coral gardens and rich marine life, you may also encounter dolphins on the surface and possibly even below the water.
All dives start from the spacious dive deck, which has individual dive stations for every guest, giving even the most discerning divers enough room to prepare their equipment. From the liveaboard, divers travel on two custom-built tenders to the drop points to ensure easy access to the action.
Depending on your itinerary, you may also have a chance to explore WWII wrecks or experience the thrill of diving in stronger currents. Thanks to the ratio of 4:1 between divers and guides, divers can both feel safe in challenging conditions and know that everyone gets the best possible vantage point during marine life encounters.
If you’re a keen underwater photographer, the Damai fleet offers some of the best facilities you could wish for. Just a few steps from the dive deck, behind the air-conditioned salon is a dedicated camera room, making it easy to work on your images and footage between dives.
Highlights:
- Unlimited buddy diving
- Well-designed workstations for underwater photographers
- Individual dive stations and rinse tanks for gear—even larger than those on sister ship Damai I
Onboard the Damai II
This beautiful, luxury phinisi-style boat was built for divers who are looking to experience the ultimate in diving and travel. Reaching remote destinations and potentially discovering new dive sites no longer means forgoing comfort and style.
Traveling on the Damai II allows divers to combine both. This 131-foot (40 m) yacht was built in South Sulawesi, one of the region’s best-known areas for boatbuilding. Master boat builder Pak Hadji Baso, who also built this liveaboard’s sister ship Damai I, created a stunning vessel that combines traditional craft with modern-day comfort and safety.
Divers will find the exceptional service and uncompromising standards they’re used to from Damai I, but there are also welcome additions such as the capacity for satellite Wi-Fi. Small design changes have made sure the Damai II offers passengers more deck space, allowing for an even more comfortable journey.
As for accommodations, on the lower deck you’ll find four twin and double cabins, beautifully fitted out with wooden furnishings. Each cabin has a double bed and a daybed, and some can be converted to twin-share cabins, ideal for friends traveling together. Aside from a desk, wardrobe, reading lights, a bedside table, and ensuite bathroom, you’ll also find a flatscreen TV preloaded with an entertainment collection.
Also on the lower deck is the first of two master suites, with the second on the main deck. More spacious than the Damai II’s normal cabins, these cabins are equipped with king-size beds, two bedside tables, desks, and reading lights. The bathrooms are spacious, but our favorite features of both cabins are the private balconies that allow you to enjoy the spectacular scenery around you as if you were on your own private yacht.
Last but not least, there is another twin or single cabin on the bridge deck, just behind the wheelhouse. Slightly smaller than the other cabins, this is ideal for single travelers or sun lovers who’ll enjoy having direct access to the sundeck from their cabin.
Highlights:
- Private balconies on both master suites
- Massages included as part of your liveaboard package
- Spacious sundecks on the bridge deck
Dining on the Damai II
Like its sister ship the Damai I, the Damai II offers the kind of cuisine passengers would expect from a 4-star restaurant, complemented by unparalleled ocean views. Divers will dine on a combination of Indonesian delicacies and Western favorites, many of which are based on locally sourced ingredients, especially fresh fruit and vegetables.
Passengers will be treated to three gourmet meals every day, some served buffet-style and some table-side. If you still feel hungry between dives, don’t worry—the crew always has snacks at the ready to keep you well-fueled for your dives.
To round off your day of diving, the Damai II includes beer and soft drinks, as well as one glass of table wine with dinner. If you’d prefer a wider selection of wines, you’re welcome to bring your own on board or purchase wines by the bottle from the on-board selection.
Highlights:
- Expertly prepared combination of Indonesian and Western food based on local produce where possible
- Enjoy 4-star gourmet meals three times a day
- One glass of wine included with dinner
