Damai I Liveaboard Overview

woman smiling on an overlook platform with the ocean and coastline behind herDIVEIN contributor Rebecca Strauss taking a selfie near a city canal
By
Yvonne Press
woman smiling on an overlook platform with the ocean and coastline behind her
Contributor at DIVEIN.com
Yvonne is a TDI instructor trainer and rebreather instructor with more than two decades of diving experience. After learning to dive on the Great Barrier Reef,...
Rebecca Strauss
DIVEIN contributor Rebecca Strauss taking a selfie near a city canal
Editor at DIVEIN.com
Rebecca has been an avid traveler and scuba diver for many years. She began her editorial career by updating travel guides, which took her all over...
Damai I liveaboard phinisi schooner at anchor with masts rigged and flags flying
Damai I allows you to explore Indonesian diving in comfort and safety.
Damai I traditional phinisi liveaboard anchored at sea under a sunset sky
Damai I combines centuries of traditional skills and decades of experience in boat building with modern safety technology.
Damai I liveaboard, a traditional Indonesian sailing yacht, at anchor on calm water
Booking a space on this 131-foot (40 m) yacht opens the door to incredible diving while indulging in a luxurious environment and outstanding personal service.
Outdoor dining table set at sunset on the Damai I's upper deck with island views
When you’re not exploring Indonesia’s seas, take advantage of relaxing massages and other spa therapy treatments, all of which are included in the liveaboard cost.
Dive deck of the Damai I liveaboard with scuba tanks set up in individual stations under a canvas awning
Each diver has their own sizable dive station with an individual rinse tank.
Dense school of trevally swirling together underwater near Damai I's dive sites
Unlimited buddy diving – need we say more?
Hammerhead shark swimming through open blue water with another in the distance
The Damai I also offers one of the best diver-to-guide ratios in the region, with a maximum of four divers following one guide or instructor.
Vivid pink soft coral and anemone with schooling fish on a Raja Ampat reef
Raja Ampat offers a rainbow of color everywhere you look.
Bumphead parrotfish gathered together over a reef in Raja Ampat
The sheer volume of life and biodiversity can't be beat in Indonesia.
Rows of scuba tanks and dive gear set up on Damai I's dive deck
Each diver gets their own dive station on Damai I, so gear stays organized and ready between dives.
Warm wooden cabin on Damai I with a double bed and en suite bathroom
All of Damai I’s seven cabins are spacious and well-equipped.
Shaded outdoor lounge deck on Damai I with daybeds overlooking the sea at sunset
You’ll be spoiled for choice in a relaxation space that offers three dedicated deck areas with a combination of shade and spaces for sun worshippers.
Damai I master cabin with a large bed, folded towels and flowers set against wood paneled walls
All the staterooms are large and beautifully decorated.

Raja Ampat, Komodo, the Banda Sea, and the Forgotten Islands – the list of destinations covered by the Damai I liveaboard reads like the equivalent of a ‘Who’s Who’ of Indonesian diving destinations.

Aside from covering these crowd-pleasers, this liveaboard also travels to some hidden gems. East of Raja Ampat, Cenderawasih Bay allows you to explore WWII wrecks. You could also be diving the one-of-a-kind Salvador Dali sponges of Gorontalo or exploring the little-dived reefs of Halmahera and Kalimantan.

Those looking for something less off the beaten track could discover Bali’s manta rays and mola mola from a liveaboard base? Every single itinerary promises an unforgettable trip.

Damai I allows you to explore Indonesian diving in comfort and safety. Designed in Tanjung Bira, south Sulawesi, this vessel was built by one of Indonesia’s most prestigious and experienced boat builders. Damai I combines centuries of traditional skills and decades of experience in boat building with modern safety technology.

Read on for our in-depth review of the Damai I.

About this overview

To help you decide whether this liveaboard fits your dive style, budget, and comfort needs, we’ve researched the boat, itinerary, onboard experience, diving setup, and overall value.
We review liveaboards based on the details that matter most during a multi-day dive trip, including cabins, food, crew support, dive operations, safety, route quality, and how the boat compares with similar options in the destination.

Things we like:

  • Beautifully designed yacht crafted by one of Indonesia’s most renowned boatbuilders
  • Excellent ratio of dive guides to divers
  • Outstanding camera facilities
  • Great combination of familiar and off-the-beaten-track itineraries

Things we don't like:

  • No internet access

Diving on the Damai I liveaboard

Pair of mandarinfish displaying bright patterns while pairing on a reef
Purple spiny scorpionfish camouflaged among coral rubble on a Raja Ampat dive
Dive deck of the Damai I liveaboard with scuba gear and tanks staged under a canvas awning
A pair of banded sea snakes entwined together underwater
A school of scalloped hammerhead sharks cruising in blue water near Damai I dive sites

Unlimited buddy diving – need we say more? Actually, we do. The Damai I also offers one of the best diver-to-guide ratios in the region, with a maximum of four divers following one guide or instructor. This means not only will divers have plenty of opportunity to explore underwater, but they will also have experts close by when it comes to navigating currents, finding the best spots for pelagic species, and seeing some of the strange macro life this archipelago has to offer.

 All of Damai I’s journeys have been scheduled to make the most of Indonesia’s seasons— think of it as being in the right place at the right time to get the most out of your diving.

Damai I has some of the best facilities for photographers out of all the liveaboards in Indonesia, but let’s start with the dive deck itself. Each diver has their own sizable dive station with an individual rinse tank. Underwater photographers will love the camera room with separate workstations and charging stations for everyone. That means you never need to wait for others to finish before looking after your camera or preparing for the next dive.

Speaking of dives, all dives are done from the liveaboard’s two high-speed tenders, ensuring you reach your destination quickly and comfortably. It’s a great way to make sure you descend in exactly the right place. 

Highlights:

  • Unlimited buddy diving
  • Excellent space for underwater photographers
  • Individual dive stations and rinse tanks for every diver
  • 4:1 guide to diver ratio

Onboard the Damai I

Cozy indoor lounge salon aboard the Damai I liveaboard at dusk
Shaded sundeck with blue loungers and ocean views aboard the Damai I
Outdoor deck seating with red cushions overlooking the coastline from the Damai I

The Damai I is so much more than a vessel that delivers you to your dive site. Booking a space on this 131-foot (40 m) yacht opens the door to incredible diving while indulging in a luxurious environment and outstanding personal service. When you’re not exploring Indonesia’s seas, take advantage of relaxing massages and other spa therapy treatments, all of which are included in the liveaboard cost.

All of Damai I’s seven cabins are spacious and well-equipped, but if you’re looking for a true treat, consider choosing one of the master staterooms. Stateroom five is located to the rear of the lower deck and is exceptionally large, as well as offering panoramic views. You can choose between a king-size bed or two large single beds, and the cabin features two wardrobes, desks, bedside tables, and four reading lights.

Located to the rear of the main deck, stateroom six may be slightly smaller than stateroom five, but it more than makes up for that with a private balcony. Of the remaining five standard cabins, three can be converted from double to twin beds, so they’re ideal for sharing.

When you’re not diving or spending time in your cabin, you’ll be spoiled for choice in a relaxation space that offers three dedicated deck areas with a combination of shade and spaces for sun worshippers.

Highlights:

  • Beautifully designed, traditional wooden interiors
  • Private balcony on one of the master staterooms
  • Massages and spa treatments available as part of your liveaboard package
  • Three relaxation areas offer plenty of space to enjoy the scenery between dives

Dining on the Damai I

Indoor dining salon with a long table aboard the Damai I liveaboard
Bar and coffee station aboard the Damai I liveaboard
Outdoor dining table set on the Damai I's deck at dusk
Guest relaxing on cushions beside the sunset dining table aboard the Damai I

The Damai I’s culinary team has one goal—to make guests feel like they’re dining in a four-star restaurant with unparalleled ocean views. As a diver on this liveaboard, you’ll be treated to three gourmet meals every day. Some meals are served buffet-style while others will be delivered a la carte, but all are chef-prepared.

Despite the remote locations the Damai I visits, the chefs never compromise on food quality. The team stocks the boat in advance but also uses locally grown produce and regularly transports food to the boat. Aside from the main meals, divers can enjoy snacks throughout the day.

For many divers, a sunset beer or a glass of wine with their dinner rounds out a successful day of diving, so enjoy a free glass of table wine, beer, or a soft drink with your evening meal. The crew also offers wine by the bottle for purchase, and guests are welcome to bring their own wine and spirits.

Because of the remoteness of some of the departure points, the culinary team asks divers to let them know of any dietary requirements well in advance to make sure specific ingredients reach the boat in time.    

Highlights:

  • Enjoy 4-star cuisine with incredible ocean views
  • Combination of buffet and a la carte meals available
  • One glass of wine included with dinner

Things we like:

  • Beautifully designed yacht crafted by one of Indonesia’s most renowned boatbuilders
  • Excellent ratio of dive guides to divers
  • Outstanding camera facilities
  • Great combination of familiar and off-the-beaten-track itineraries

Things we don't like:

  • No internet access
Key facts
Year built: 2009
Max divers: 12
Rental equip: Yes ($)
Camera station: Yes
Internet: No
Min logged dives: No minimum
Nitrox: Yes ($)
Aircon: Yes
Trip length: 8+ Nights
Price range: Luxury
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