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Dampier Strait Liveaboard Diving

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Liveaboard Diving in Dampier Strait

What To Expect On A Dampier Strait Liveaboard

Dampier Strait liveaboards visit this stretch of water that sits between two of the larger of the Raja Ampat islands, Waigeo and Batanta. The strait is named after the British navigator William Dampier who charted much of the region around the Raja Ampat islands and Papua during the 17th century.

The region was subject to a fair amount of military activity during the Second World War. The allied planes even bombed one of the small islets in the strait. From the air the phenomenal currents were mistaken for a submarine wake and a completely uninhabited island was heavily bombed.

The underwater topography and the fact that it is between two larger islands means that the currents are very strong. The currents bring plankton rich waters up from the deep which attracts a huge number of fish and bigger pelagics to the strait. A good selection of liveaboards visit Dampier Strait as part of a Raja Ampat dive itinerary.

Dampier Strait Underwater

The position that the Dampier Strait is in means that the currents are plankton rich and full of fish life. The reefs are excellent because like the rest of the Raja Ampat islands the Dampier Strait is inside of the coral triangle. The dive sites are normally caked with corals full of critters and beautiful reef fish.

Dampier also enjoys particularly good conditions for divers to see some bigger animals. Mantas are frequently seen here on liveaboard dive cruises, sometimes in large numbers. It is not unusual to see groups of them swimming in the current, mouths wide open feeding on plankton. They also come down close to the reefs which makes this a top photography and videography opportunity.

Mantas aren’t the only bigger fish on offer here with white and black tipped reef sharks to be found sleeping on the reefs. During the day is a good time to look out for them hiding under rocks with their conspicuous tails sticking out. Wobbegong sharks can also be seen camouflaging themselves on the bottom, resting during the day. They are a fascinating shark and their strange bearded chins make a great macro shot.

Dive Sites of Dampier Strait

There are a number of excellent dive sites visited by liveaboards in the Dampier Strait, but for fish life none come close to Sardine Reef. Oddly there aren’t any sardines but there is no shortage of fish here to make up for it. This is the kind of place where you will be surrounded by amazing shoals of trevallies for the whole dive. Don’t let that distract you from the Wobbegong sharks that are lurking on the bottom though. Nearby, Cape Kri is also crowded with fish shoals and you can also see barracuda hanging about.

Many divers join liveaboards to Raja Ampat to see the mantas and Manta Sandy in the Dampier Strait is the place to catch them. The currents mean there is plenty of food for them here and it isn’t unusual for them to swim near to the sandy bottom. Photographers should have their cameras ready for a close-up.

Top Tips for Divers

  • The conditions in the Dampier Strait mean that this is not really a good dive area for new divers.
  • Heavy current on the dive sites can be very strong so a few extra lanyards would be a good idea.
  • The entire region is quite isolated and there are not so many facilities, so make sure you bring ample spares with you.

Getting to the Dampier Strait

Reaching the Dampier Strait area requires some time and a few different modes of transport. The airport in Sorong in West Papua is the closest to the Raja Ampat islands. There are no international flights to this airport but you can get there from Jakarta and Singapore. There are some ferries from Sorong to the islands but most divers opt for a diving cruise.

Indonesian liveaboards typically start in Sorong and take from a week to two weeks to visit the best dive sites in the region. There are different kinds of diving liveaboards available to suit various styles and budgets. The conventional motor vessels customised as dive boats offer comfortable accommodation and a smooth diving experience. For a more unique experience many divers enjoy the traditional Indonesian sailing boats. These beautiful vessels are a peaceful and traditional way to enjoy the islands.

Dampier Strait Diving Reviews

  • Rating 9.2 out of 10
  • 9.2 Superb
  • Rating 9.2 out of 10
  • 9.2 Superb
  • Connie C
  • Flag of United StatesUnited States

We saw mantas at Manta Sandy amazing experience. Schools of fish everywhere, lots of big fish, turtles, corals, sharks, amazing!

Diving Dampier Strait in April on the Sea Safari 8
  • Rating 9.6 out of 10
  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • John R
  • Flag of United StatesUnited States

Some of our best and most spicy dives occurred here, J knew just how to plan the dives to deliver the best encounters. I would like to return and stay in Kri where you can dive some of these sites daily!

Diving Dampier Strait in April on the Calico Jack
  • Rating 9.6 out of 10
  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Douglas K
  • Flag of United StatesUnited States

Not the pinnacle of diving in Raja Ampat, but it gets you going.

Diving Dampier Strait in February on the Gaia Love
  • Rating 9.2 out of 10
  • 9.2 Superb
  • Sharon E
  • Flag of United StatesUnited States

Wowies! Wow, wow, wow. I am spoiled forever. Schools upon schools of different kinds of fishes swimming, swarming above, midwater, eye level and below us. Think fusiers, snappers, sweet lips, jacks, barracuda swimming and swirling, surrounding you all in the same space.

Diving Dampier Strait in December on the Jaya

What to know about diving in Dampier Strait

What is the Dampier Strait?

The Dampier Strait is the channel separating Waigeo and Batanta, two of Raja Ampat's four main islands, in Indonesia's West Papua province. It's one of the most biodiverse dive regions on Earth, home to sites like Cape Kri and Sardine Reef where record-setting fish counts have been recorded.

What is diving like in the Dampier Strait?

Diving in the Dampier Strait means strong, nutrient-rich currents, dense schools of fish, and frequent sightings of manta rays and pygmy seahorses at sites like Cape Kri, Sardine Reef, and Mike's Point. Water temperatures typically run 82–86°F (28–30°C), and most visitors dive here from a Raja Ampat liveaboard or a resort based in the strait.

What is Cape Kri, and why is it famous?

Cape Kri is a dive site in the Dampier Strait famous for holding the record for the most fish species counted on a single dive, a record set in a survey conducted by ichthyologist Dr. Gerald Allen. It remains one of Raja Ampat's most iconic sites and a benchmark for the region's biodiversity.

Who is Dr. Gerald Allen, and what record did he set at Cape Kri?

Dr. Gerald Allen is an ichthyologist known for his reef-fish survey work across the Coral Triangle, and he set the record for the highest number of fish species identified on a single dive at Cape Kri in the Dampier Strait. That survey helped establish Raja Ampat's reputation as the epicenter of marine biodiversity.

What is Sardine Reef known for?

Sardine Reef, one of the Dampier Strait's signature sites, is known for dense schools of fusiliers and other baitfish that draw in larger predators. It's a favorite for divers who enjoy wide-angle scenes of swirling fish activity.

Can you see manta rays in the Dampier Strait?

Yes — the Dampier Strait is one of Raja Ampat's more reliable areas for manta ray sightings, thanks to the nutrient-rich currents flowing through the channel. Several cleaning stations in the area give divers a good chance of encountering them.

What is a pygmy seahorse, and where can you spot one in the Dampier Strait?

A pygmy seahorse is a tiny, camouflaged seahorse species, often just half an inch to an inch (roughly 1–2.5 cm) long, that clings to sea fans and soft corals. The Dampier Strait's reefs are a well-known area to find them, making the region popular with macro photographers as well as wide-angle shooters.

Which two islands border the Dampier Strait?

The Dampier Strait runs between Waigeo, Raja Ampat's largest island, and Batanta, one of its other main islands. The channel between them concentrates nutrient-rich currents that make the strait one of the most biodiverse dive areas on Earth.

Is the Dampier Strait suitable for underwater photography?

The Dampier Strait works well for both wide-angle and macro photography, given its combination of manta encounters, schools of large fish, and tiny critters like pygmy seahorses. It's one of the reasons the area draws so many dedicated underwater photographers.

What certification level is recommended for diving the Dampier Strait?

The Dampier Strait has a mix of site conditions, so while some areas suit intermediate divers, its stronger-current sites are better handled with advanced open water certification or solid drift-diving experience. It's worth checking site-specific conditions with your operator before booking.

How do you get to the Dampier Strait?

Access to the Dampier Strait begins with a flight to Sorong, the main gateway to Raja Ampat, followed by a boat transfer into the strait. Most visitors reach it as part of a broader Raja Ampat liveaboard or resort-based itinerary.

What is the best time of year to dive the Dampier Strait?

Raja Ampat's diving conditions are relatively mild year-round compared with more seasonal parts of Indonesia, though the drier months generally bring calmer seas to the Dampier Strait (as of 2026). Manta sightings and fish activity can vary by month, so it's worth asking a local operator about current conditions.

Is there a marine park fee for diving in the Dampier Strait?

Yes — diving in the Dampier Strait requires the same Raja Ampat marine park entrance permit (often called a PIN or SIL) required across the wider archipelago, with fees that have changed periodically (as of 2026). The fee applies park-wide rather than to individual sites.

What is the water temperature in the Dampier Strait?

Water temperature in the Dampier Strait generally sits within Indonesia's typical 79–86°F (26–30°C) range, consistent with the wider Raja Ampat region. It stays warm enough year-round that a standard 3mm wetsuit is usually sufficient.

How does the Dampier Strait compare to other Raja Ampat dive areas?

The Dampier Strait is generally considered one of Raja Ampat's most biodiverse and currently active regions, home to headline sites like Cape Kri and Sardine Reef. Compared with calmer areas like Batanta's muck-diving sites, it leans more toward big-fish, current-driven diving.

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