It was 2 years ago, we asked friends for recommendations for a diving trip of a lifetime, my husband and I assuming it would be our last dive trip. I was turning age 70, had begun diving age 65 and we had both recently retired! Indonesia was the top recommendation, a dive shop owner in Arizona suggested, and we were soon introduced to the Arenui! How fortunate for us: ALL expectations exceeded; the boat, the cruise directors, the crew, the accommodations, the food and a boat filled with new friends. Dive sites were unbelievable, no words! Never in my life did I expect to experience such an awesome experience in all aspects! This trip was created for us as “our trip of a lifetime” and it FAR EXCEEDED our expectations! I could never dreamed of more exceptional diving – the diversity is AWESOME. The staff of the Arenui: ALL ARE AWESOME. I have never encountered such a staff committed to customer service. EXTRAORDINARE! They also work non-stop. Boat: awesome. Diving: awesome. Crew: awesome. Food: awesome.
Archives: Testimonials
Lori Ann
Seeing the abundant reefs and masses of fish in Raja Ampat for the first time is an experience I treasure. Clearly the best dive environment I have ever experienced. Going from that to Mandarin Fish and then muck diving provided an incredible variety of experiences. Can’t wait to come back! The design of the boat is beautiful and the crew could not be more helpful. It was so nice to not have to drag my tank and weights around; so nice to have help getting wetsuit on and off.
Laura & Mark
Arenui has spoiled me for dive trips. No other liveaboard will come close to providing the quality of service and outstanding dive sites. Can’t wait to come back in April of 2018. Boat: I love this boat so much – it will be hard to ever do another liveaboard. Please build an “Arenui II” for a different area of the world and we will come! Diving: excellent dive spots – each and every dive, I got to see something new and unique to the area. Crew: I can’t believe how wonderful your whole staff is, especially Lisa and G. They work and act as a family and have made every friendly effort to make us feel at home at the Arenui. Everyone deserves a raise!! Food: excellent.
Claudette
Have already a trip booked in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Boat: excellent. Diving: great dive sites. Crew: all were fabulous. Very attentive and helpful. Food: excellent presentation and preparation.
Rebecca
I’m full of gratitude that I was able to experience this trip on the Arenui. One of the best trips of my life! Thank you very much! Boat: cabins are luxurious, clean and well-stocked. Rooms tidied twice daily – very nice! Diving: no words to describe the wonders of the sea. Food: great effort by kitchen staff to accommodate my requests.
Paul & Claire
Very hard to think of one particular experience since the whole trip has been out of this world. We are particularly grateful to the crew for making such a fuss of us on our honeymoon. This has to be the best choice for any dive-loving newly weds (or about to be weds). What an amazing trip. I honestly can’t fault anything/anyone. This is a very special experience in a mind-blowing part of the world. Thank you so much for making our honeymoon amazing. We have had a wonderful time. Thank you! Boat: beautiful vessel, very well maintained. Great balance between excellent amenities and providing a cultured/romantic environment. Diving: the best diving I have done. The knowledge of the guides is second to none. World-class dive sites, like diving in a fish tank. Crew: every single member of crew is amazing!! Professional, friendly, attentive. G and Lisa run a great team. Joni was an exceptional guide, his knowledge and safety made us comfortable from the first dive. Massages from Wenton and Wayan were fantastic. Food: wow! I can’t imagine how it could get better the chefs onboard were incredible. What awesome food!
Carolyn
Every trip has been perfect. Each person of the staff is thoughtful and helpful. Thank you.
Ginny & Frank
As always the experience from booking to each day on board to departure could not have gone more smoothly. Arenui has managed to deliver the best of all worlds. Unforgettable. Lisa and G are magic together – what a pleasure to spend time with them again. Boat: wonderful experience all around – I just LOVE this boat and operation. This is my idea of a PERFECT dive vacation. Diving: fantastic diving – dive crew was amazing – everything it was “supposed” to be and more. DMs are truly excellent at their jobs as are the tenders. Everyone is friendly – but attentive to their jobs. DMs were great at making sure everyone saw the “special” things. Awesome! Ronald was our guide this trip and he is amazing. Great at finding critters – managed the dives well – a good mix of fun and safety. Crew: fantastic crew. Everyone super attentive and friendly. Lisa and G run a perfect blend of hospitality and professionalism. The crew works well together. Lots of joking around but never at the expense of being ready for whatever was happening. Incredible! What a GREAT crew! Food: perfect! Loved how they accommodated anyone who needed it. Great variety. Excellent taste – don’t know if I looked forward to the meals or the diving more. Together it was heaven!
Pierre & Gerda
Thank you for a wonderful time. It was very relaxing while busy. Great excursions to the look out and CAVE and diving was wonderful. Boat: the most luxurious boat I have been on. Well thought out cabins with ample storage. Diving: great guides, they know the sites and marine life. Very good briefings. Crew: a great crew, very attentive and always anticipating our needs. It was nice to see familiar faces (prior trip 2015) and the crew seems to really enjoy what they are doing. Food: excellent food. Exceptional!
Pauline & Nadeem
We will be back on Forgotten Islands, or Komodo or this trip again – with the same CREW! Simply stunning trip! One of my best adventures ever! And something to remember all my life. The boat is gorgeous, the crew is exceptional. Boat: when I dream of a boat, I dream of Arenui. Rocking music of the wood, its beauty, comfort, everything. Diving: not just excellent, PERFECT. Lisa is a wonderful divemaster! Perfect dive plans always, awesome sense of humor, always showing lots of things we would otherwise never see. Crew: PERFECT. It’s the whole TEAM, i.e. everyone together, who is outstanding. Same crew as 1.5 years ago (almost)! That says a lot. And the guests can appreciate the excellent atmosphere! Food: delicious! Too much, but wonderful!