Raja Ampat may be difficult to find on a map but it is a scuba diving experience quite unlike any other and one of the all time great Indonesian dive destinations. This is a vast expanse of sea, peppered with literally hundreds of tiny islands and coves, which means the only way to truly explore Raja Ampat is on a liveaboard diving holiday. The bio diversity is off the charts with walls, reefs, pinnacles, caves, mangroves and black sands, each creating a unique eco system
Given the vast geography and seasonal nature of Raja Ampat's dives sites, not all trips follow the same routes. Some trip may offer Raja Central & North, others may offer central and South, whilst some may dive all 3 regions. You can dive Raja Ampat from several liveaboards, each offering different trip durations. Please do ask your travel consultant at the time of booking for your specific departure
As the name implies, the Raja Ampat Discovery explores this vast corner of the globe. There is much still to discover but Raja Ampat lies at the heart of the coral triangle and the reefs are in pristine condition. Areas such as Fam and Kawe boast an enormous quantity of schooling fish. Regular shark sightings at Fiabacet and Uraine are an undeniable highlight. Mansuar is the place to head for mantas and turtles. Epaulette and wobegong sharks can also been seen, rushing across the seabed at Waigeo. Snorkel with the resident dolphin pod in between dives! Macro lovers will be in paradise at Bantana or Kri where muck diving is the order of the day with a myriad of bright, colourful critters - some of which have only been recently identified by science! Pygmy sea horses, mimic octopus, cockatoo wasps, coleman shrimps... there is no end to what miniature marvels await.
The Raja Ampat Discovery is a wish list itinerary. Photographers should make this a must see destination. Diving conditions can vary enormously from site to site so it is advisable to be advanced and comfortable with drift dive procedures. Nitrox is available on board but this is not a technical itinerary.
Drop out of the rat race and let the dedicated guides and crew spoil you. Splash from the back dive deck into a marine wonderland that will leave you speechless each and every day.
Blue Manta Explorer is possibly the largest, purpose built steel hulled liveaboard diving in Indonesia to date. Measuring 45 meters in length (148 feet) the 22 spacious cabins are situated over three decks. Modern and classy, Blue... Learn more about Blue Manta Explorer
Dive into Raja Ampat is a beachfront dive resort located at the Waiwo Resort in Waisai, a short ferry ride from Sorong. It is the sister resort of the popular Dive into Lembeh. The resort has been recently renovated, with new room... Learn more about Dive Into Raja
Launched in 2022, Emperor Harmoni is a contemporary Indonesian liveaboard diving the world class sites of Raja Ampat, the Banda Sea and Komodo. With year round departures and longer cruise itineraries we know this new liveaboard w... Learn more about Emperor Harmoni
Emperor Raja Laut is a distinctive, hardwood schooner, sailing the stunning seas of Indonesia. Built by one of the area's premier boat builders in 2005. she is perfectly adapted to the island hopping nature of dive liveaboards in ... Learn more about Emperor Raja Laut
Solitude Adventurer brings the Solitude fleet's fresh, modern liveaboard style to Indonesia. A 36-metre aluminium catamaran, she comfortably sleeps 18 divers, reaching the most exciting sites in Indonesia's big fish dive calendar.... Learn more about Solitude Adventurer
White Manta Explorer is a 152 ft (46m) by 33 ft (10m) purpose-built steel hull dive vessel. Stable, sophisticated, and reliable, the yacht is perfect for extended itineraries to the most exotic regions of Indonesia. Guests will di... Learn more about White Manta Explorer
Scuba Travel works with the most exclusive liveaboards in Indonesia, all diving in and around the Raja Ampat area. However, there are several options regarding your trip duration so you can find the ideal liveaboard for your once in a lifetime trip to Raja Ampat.
Please speak to your travel consultant for specific information about which sites your chosen liveaboard and departure date will (and won't) visit. Specific sites/areas cannot be guaranteed due to weather, sailing conditions and will ultimately be at the captain's discretion.
Liveaboards diving Raja Ampat
Blue Manta Explorer, White Manta Explorer, Emperor Harmoni, and Solitude Adventurer all run itineraries to dive Raja Ampat seasonally.
Some itineraries will focus on seasonal areas of the Raja Ampat marine park (ie North or central or South Raja) and may not visit all areas.
Embarkation Points
Most trips depart from Sorong.
Trip Durations
You can dive Raja Ampat from several liveaboards, each offering different trip durations. This means that the exact itinerary will depend on which boat and duration you chose. Please ask your travel consultant at the time of booking to outline in more detail your proposed itinerary and dive sites.
Please note the exact number of dives on a trip will depend on local weather conditions and diver experience levels etc. The above number of dives are intended as a rough guide only.
Arrival and Departure
Depending on which liveaboard you will be joining you may need to overnight in Indonesia at either end of your holiday. Most trips will also require you to catch a domestic flight to reach the boat. Common stop over points are Bali, Sorong and Jakarta.
Raja Ampat North
Some of Raja Ampat's most famous dive areas are found in the northern part where the pelagics are concentrated. Here you find Cape Kri and the Dampier Straits. If you are a photographer it is all about wide angle here, with vast sea fans. Kri is the for many divers one of the undeniable highlights of this itinerary with just everything. Around Airborei you can find huge manta rays which are feeding or being cleaned. Aluji Bay switches from big fish to macro with ghost pipefish, toad fish and bob tail squid. The area is also great for wobegongs and ribbon eels. In Waya you have it all. The corals are out of this world, when the current runs you get pelagics and if not there are all manner of critters and scenic arches. Kawe is an area with such dense marine life you will be blown away.
Raja Ampat South
The best known areas of Raja Ampat in the South are Misool and nearby Fam. Misool is a tiny island surrounded by dense hard coral reefs. Surrounded by mushroom like islets, there are some good speedy drift dives which in turn bring in larger fish including sharks, mobula, barracuda and tuna. In Fiabacet you find the photogenic Boo Windows, a series of arches in the reef which make for the most photogenic image. The reef is swarmed by smaller reef fish. Daram is a soft coral reef with outstanding sea fans and vast barrel sponges. And home to the rare halimeda ghost pipefish, frogfish and flamboyant cuttlefish. Batanta is the ideal spot for some nudibranch hunting.
Between dives
Between dives there are several opportunities on all over the boats to go ashore. Explore a volcanic island, visit a pearl farm, grab the canoes and go exploring... The excursions will vary from trip to trip but all are designed to help you get to see even more of this remote region.
Disembarkation Points
Most trips return to Sorong.
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