Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat, the last paradise
Dive The Most Biodiverse Reefs On The World
Raja Ampat, located in West Papua, offers one of the most extraordinary diving experiences on the planet. No other destination in the world will fill your dive logs like Raja Ampat: from whales and dolphins to oceanic manta rays, and a staggering variety of fish at every stage of life. The region is home to 75% of all known coral species, along with countless rare and fascinating marine creatures. Moreover, this spectacular underwater world is spread across more than 1,500 islands, drawing scientists, photographers, snorkelers, and divers from around the globe. In short, the Raja Ampat archipelago —together with neighboring Papua New Guinea— remains one of the last truly untouched marine frontiers, offering a level of biodiversity that surpasses any other coral reef system on Earth. And the lifetime diving adventure!
SCUBA DIVING
Raja Ampat, which translates to “Four Kings,” is named after its four main islands —Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati, and Misool. Surrounding them are over 1,500 small islets and cays, spread across 70,000 square kilometers of largely undeveloped wilderness. This immense seascape supports an exceptional range of underwater habitats, making it a divers’ paradise. No other place offers such a diverse and vibrant diving experience in one destination. The most rewarding way to explore this marine wonderland is by joining a liveaboard or dive cruise, allowing you to reach remote and pristine sites. However, for those who prefer to stay on land, our peaceful dive resorts offer the perfect blend of comfort and nature, with world-class reefs just steps from your door and fully equipped dive centers ready to guide your underwater adventures.
The best way to enjoy the countless diving experiences that Raja Ampat offers is with a dive cruise. Try the Cruising Indonesia Experience now!
DIVE SITES
Each of the dive sites in Raja Ampat offers something different: the karst cliff of Wayag and Uranie, to the deep nutrient-rich bays of Mayalibit, Kabui and Aljui, to the blue water mangrove channels of Kofiau and Gam, to the plankton rich upwelling area of Misool and the Dampier Strait are home to unique assemblages of species that, when taken together, add to produce the most impressive species list ever compiled for a coral reef system of this size and where it is possible to practice all kinds of diving: wall diving, current diving, muck diving and finding all sorts of subjects for your underwater photography collection: photogenic pygmy seahorses, walking sharks, elegant biorostris mantas, impressive shoals of fish from not seeing your dive buddy.
Dive sites in southern Raja Ampat
Misool
From Misool, in our opinion, and not only ours, the most beautiful place in the world for diving, comes some good news: the number of marine species is constantly increasing, which goes against the trend of many seas on the planet that are becoming depopulated!
The beauty of the Misool Island Group will carry you away. This entire region is one enormous ancient limestone basin, and even has limestone as the seafloor. Those who have traveled to Palau can picture these little tropical islands covered of palms, with steep-sided walls where wind and sea have worn the rock away.
Underwater dive sites such as Wagmab, Faraondi, Fiabacet, Boo, Wayil, and Pele boast stunning coral reefs that are home to a diverse array of fish, hard and soft corals, sponges, nudibranchs, and various invertebrates. Notably, both the Wobbegong shark and the Epaulette shark—often referred to as the “carpet shark” and “walking shark”—are endemic to Raja Ampat. Misool Island is renowned for having the world’s biodiversity, according to the Bird’s Head Seascape initiative.
On the island of Batbitim is the Misool Eco Resort and its Conservation Center. Photographers and videographers will enjoy some of the best dives of their careers in the Misool archipelago.
Misool Eco Resort
An archipelago of uninhabited islands: the Misool Island Group, in southern Raja Ampat, homes to Misool Eco Resort
Dive Sites in Central Raja Ampat
Mansuar Island and Dampier Strait
Enjoy one of the most exciting dives of your diving career. Immersed in a profusion of marine life, the sensation is to experience the coral reef as it existed in a timeless Age, before human contact. This dive frames by colorful soft corals, crinoids, and sea fans filled with Anthias. Above them, large schools of jackfish, rainbow runner, and fusiliers, with the occasional tuna approaching this “fish soup” in a race for subsistence. The effect is electrifying. Mansuar is also the best place in Raja Ampat to see giant oceanic mantas (Manta birostris).
Pulau Wai
Pulau Wai is a small atoll with white sand, situated between Batanta and Mansuar. The main attraction for divers is the wreckage of a World War II airplane, which lies upside down at a depth of 80 feet. This American fighter jet is now home to a diverse growth of soft corals and marine life, making it an ideal spot for underwater photography. The surrounding reef is also fascinating for diving, as it generally rises close to the surface and is lush with marine life.
Papua Explorers Resort
A secluded dive resort in a spectacular location, Papua Explorers is a PADI 5* designed to be in perfect harmony with the Papuan natural environment
Kri Island
The place where all the fish sighting records have been shattered. You can also test your luck here. Some of the best photographs by renowned underwater photographers have been captured in these waters. When the diving conditions are optimal, the area’s dive sites are truly exceptional. At Sardina Reef, Cabo Kri, and Koteka, you’ll find unbeatable opportunities for wide-angle photography.
In Pulau Kri are Kri Eco Resort and Sorido Bay Resort.
Sorrido Bay Resort, Pulau Kri
Kri Eco Resort and Sorrido Bay Resort in Pulau Kri, the place where all the fish sighting records have been shattered.
Salawati
We stop here in hopes of a topside glimpse of hornbills and the beautiful and exotic bird of paradise in a birding trek through the verdant jungle early in the morning at sunrise. Dives just offshore provided some of the best critter diving of the trip, offering up a Wobbegong shark, excellent nudibranchs, periclimenes shrimp in carpet anemone, and fun photographing a variety of interesting and personable blennies.
Batanta
A stop for muck diving in Batanta, in search of strange creatures and frog fish in the black sands of dive sites named Black Beauty and Happy Ending.
Cove Eco Resot
Yeben, a small island off the southeast of Waigeo, one of the four main islands of Raja Ampat hosts Cove Eco Resort
Dive sites in northern Raja Ampat
Waigeo Island
Home to a commercial pearl farm, dive spots include Yellow Wall, Tunicate Wall, and Magic Log. The “Yellow Wall” is a memorable and energetic drift along a steep vertical descent. Once there, the fish population is both diverse and abundant. North of Waigeo, the three atolls—Ayu, Bud, and Asia—await exploration by adventurous divers. These atolls boast impressive walls adorned with both hard and soft corals, perfect for scuba diving enthusiasts.
The Passage is a narrow channel that winds almost a mile, connecting the Kabui Bay with the Halmahera Sea. You will have an exhilarating drift dive. The islands around Waigeo: Pulau Wofoh, Pulau Yanggefo, Pulau Yeben, and Pulau Pef also offer great opportunities for diving.
Notably, Pulau Pef is home to a dive resort called Raja4Divers, which deserves special mention.
Raja4Divers, Pulau Pef
A secluded and eco friendly dive resort on Pulau Pef, Indonesia: Raja4Divers
Kawe
Kawe straddles the equator. Our liveaboard anchors in the Southern hemisphere, while you dive north of the equator. A prominent dive site features a towering seamount covered in reef fish and macro subjects. And an inshore site with a sizeable cavern.
Uranie
Diving in a cave with a fantastic set of lights and sharks sleeping on the bottom. In another cave, currents bring mantas and barracudas, which should not be missed.
Wafak
The black forest of Indonesia: at 30m depths, there is a garden of black coral. A must-see. Juvenile batfish, specifically the pinnate batfish (Platax pinnatus), is a striking sight in Wafaq Island. Good chance to see mandarinfish or mandarin dragonet (Synchiropus splendidus) and imitator octopus (Mimic octopus).
Wayag Island
Wayag offers its superstructure for some of the best photos of Raja Ampat. Climbing the difficult slope, your reward is a 360-degree view of the jungle and its surroundings, an outcrop of jungle-covered rocks in waters of every imaginable shade of turquoise and blue, the quintessence of “dream island.”
DIVING SEASON
Raja Ampat can be visited from June to September, contrary to popular belief. During these months, the southeast winds make travel in the southern part of the archipelago, particularly in Misool, more challenging. However, the northern regions, sheltered by the mountains of the Mansuar and Waigeo islands, provide excellent conditions for divers. Water clarity improves during this time, and rainfall is less frequent.
October is the best month to visit Raja Ampat, so if you have the chance, don’t miss it.
From November to May, you can expect perfect diving conditions, allowing you to explore the entire Raja Ampat archipelago.
Diving Facts
- Diving Season: All year round, ideal from October to April -more wind and rain in the other months.
- Rainy Season: From December to March.
- Water Temperature: 27-30°C/80-86°F.
- Visibility: 10-30 meters/32-98 feet.
- Depths: 5-40 meters/16-131 feet.
- Currents: Moderate.
- Surface Conditions: Calm.
- Diver Level Experience: All levels.
- Dive Sites: Currently over 200 known dive sites.
- Length of Stay: We recommend planning 10-14 days on a liveaboard cruise or at a dive resort.
HOW TO GET THERE
Raja Ampat is situated at the far and wild eastern edge of Indonesia, known as West Papua and formerly as Irian Jaya, the portion claimed from Papua New Guinea within the island of Papua, and the second largest on the planet. Scuba divers enter this region through Sorong Airport in the Indonesian province of West Papua (Papua Barat), which is reachable with international flights and domestic connections from Jakarta, Makassar, Manado, or Bali.
Travel Facts
- Airport: Sorong. Accessible via international flights from Jakarta, Bali, Makassar, or Manado. And then a domestic flight to Sorong.
- Weather: 27-35°C /80-95°F. In West Papua, the rainy season runs from December to March. Being located at the Equator, the weather typically features punctual rain showers in the evening or night, with sunny days and clear blue skies.
- Time zone: West Papua GMT +9.
- Transit & Connecting Flights: Depending on your flight schedules, you may need to spend a night in transit in Indonesia before and/or after your cruise. We offer competitive airfares along with convenient flight timetables and accommodations to suit all budgets.
If this seems complicated, don’t hesitate to contact an operator who speaks your language and can assist you in Indonesia. Feel free to reach out to a liveaboard specialist today!
LUXURY CRUISES & CHARTERS
Chartering a full boat in Raja Ampat allows you to customize your cruise and diving experiences to suit your preferences. By renting a liveaboard exclusively, you can select departure and return dates that best fit your schedule, determine your route, and choose your favorite dive sites. This private arrangement lets you explore the best areas at a leisurely pace, unlike traditional trips with other passengers that follow a fixed itinerary.
In addition to diving and snorkeling, Raja Ampat offers a range of exciting activities during surface intervals. The regions of Wayag and Misool are home to a captivating labyrinth of channels, featuring hundreds of small islets and limestone caves that you can explore by kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or speedboat. In these areas, the water resembles a vast river more than an ocean. The impressive caves and tunnels showcase stunning karst topography, with enormous stalactites that enhance the natural beauty. Furthermore, climbing Monte Pindito promises to be one of the most thrilling experiences of your life.
Planning your private charter
Plan your private charter with our list of things to do in Raja Ampat:
• Get your camera ready to document your exploration of Misool’s stunning underwater topography, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant coral reefs.
• Wake up early to hear the dolphins’ greetings in the Dampier Strait. And possibly whales and orcas too.
• Discover the karst region of Misool and its stunning inner lagoons: Balbulol and Wayil.
• Trekking to Danau Karawapop or “Love Lagoon” offers a breathtaking view of its heart-shaped waters.
• Visit to Tomolol Bay cave with the ancestral rock painting.
• Also Wagmab cave is worth to visit.
• Snorkeling is nice everywhere in Misool, guides could choose the spots according to customers skill.
• Pay a visit to Misool Eco Resort, previous request to the management.
• Enjoy of Darat, the best beach in Misool, good also to set barbecue. If Misool rules allow it.
• Snorkelling with mantas around Dampier, is the perfect place.
• On the return trip from Waisai to Sorong, keep an eye out for whales; you can spot them in this area. And Orcas as well. For sure, dolphins.
• Tour to the waterfalls near Arefi Village, northern Batanta.
• An early wake up at 4.00 AM to see the Wilson Bird of Paradise in Dampier.
• Watch the sunset migration of flying foxes in Mioskon.
• Raid on the tender boats in “The Passage”.
• Watch another sunset migration, this time of parrots in Kabui Bay.
• Touring on the tender boats in the spectacular lagoon system of Gam.
• BBQ, snorkeling and day beach in Wofoh.
• Hiking up to the viewpoint of Piaynemo, which offers a spectacular aerial view of Raja Ampat.
• Island hopping on the hundreds of tiny islands in Raja Ampat.
• Trekking up “Mount Pindito” for a spectacular shot of Wayag.
• Learn about natural pearls on the farm of Aljui Bay.
