frequently asked questions
Answers to a range of questions frequently asked by Kararu guests prior to their arrival in Indonesia. You can download and print a copy of this page in Adobe Acrobat format by clicking on the icon at right. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions not answered here.
Do I need to bring money onboard the vessel?
All meals and soft drinks are included onboard but you might wish to purchase alcoholic drinks and other snacks. In addition, Kararu has an onboard shop selling a range of Indonesian products. During shore excursions you may wish to purchase local handicrafts and will find it useful having some of the local Rupiah currency.
What currencies should I bring to Indonesia?
Bring a strong western currency either in cash or travelers's cheque's. When bringing American dollars it is best to bring $100 notes (in good condition and printed after 1999). Travelers's cheque's. are accepted at money changers and hotels but you will receive a reduced rate of exchange, this will also be the case for notes of lower denomination. All other major currencies are accepted in popular tourist destinations such as Bali and with less rules about note denomination.
Can I use my credit card in Indonesia?
Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops as well as onboard with Kararu. Visa and MasterCard are the best credit cards to bring. Most shops will insist on charging a 3% fee for using a credit card. Hotels and restaurants will apply an additional 10% tax and often a service charge of between 5% and 11%. Banks will give cash advances for a fee of 1% to 2% of the amount drawn in Rupiah.
How do I pay for purchases on the live aboard?
Onboard purchases can be paid in local Rupiah or any western currency with either cash or travelers's cheque's. Kararu also accepts credit card payments for Visa and Mastercard. There will be a sales tax of 10% added to all payments made on board.
What is the policy about tipping the crew?
It is the norm to tip the crew between $100 and $150 per trip. We have 19 boat crew members and they share this tip equally amongst themselves.
Do the Divemasters share in the crew tip?
No, the divemasters' have a separate tip box. There is no norm for this tip to go by but any gratuities are most welcome.
Can I tip the crew on my credit card?
Yes, but a surcharge of 13% for tax and services will be applied.
What can I expect the water temperature and visibility to be like?
Typically, the northern shores are warmer (80-86F), with clearer waters, whereas the southern waters are colder (70-75F) with poorer visibility.
What wetsuit do you recommend?
This is always a difficult question to answer because people have different reactions to temperature. For the northern shores a 3mm suit or even a skin is fine. For the southern waters 5mm is the norm although 3mm with a hooded vest is often used by guests.
Do you rent dive equipment onboard?
Yes, we have a large range of dive equipment onboard including wetsuits should the water be too cold. We insist on our guests all diving with a dive computer and a surface marker (safety sausage). You can rent these onboard should you wish. Please enquire to info@kararu.com should you wish a full list of rental prices.
How many dives can I expect to do on the trip?
It is the aim of Kararu to offer our guests as much diving as weather, sea conditions and time permit. It is usual to do 35 dives on an eleven night trip and 21 dives on a 7 night trip. Please note that there is no diving on the first day of the regular liveaboard itineraries as we will be steaming to our first dive site.
Do you offer shore excursions or tours?
Yes and all costs involved are included in the trip price. On Komodo Island live aboard dive safaris we visit the Komodo dragons and on Irian Jaya liveaboard trips we offer jungle treks to see Cassowaries and the Bird Of Paradise. Guests are also very welcome to go ashore on the islands during a trip when we are at anchor.
Bali is also a wonderful place to take time to explore and Kararu Dive Voyages offers a number of tours and excursions that may be taken either before or after the trip. Please see our travel services section for further details.
Any more questions?
We look forward to welcoming you onboard and sharing the delights of the region with you. Should you have any further questions then please do not hesitate to contact our office