Popular Raja Ampat liveaboards Explore all liveaboards
Liveaboard Diving in Raja Ampat
What To Expect on a Raja Ampat Liveaboard
Liveaboards in Raja Ampat are the perfect way to explore this amazing dive area. Allowing divers to visit remote and unspoiled areas of Indonesia. Synonymous with stunning islets, crystal clear water and beautiful white sand beaches Raja Ampat is one of Indonesia's most beautiful regions. The archipelago is made up of more than 1,500 islands scattered across a large section of the coral triangle close to New Guinea, perfect for divers to explore by liveaboard. Its fortunate position between the Indian and Pacific oceans means that it is looked upon as one of the richest areas of marine life in the world.
Besides the numerous smaller islets there are four main islands that Raja Ampat liveaboards visit: Salawati, Batanta, Waigeo and Misool. These islands give rise to the name of the archipelago, ‘the Four Kings’. Local legend tells a story of how four kings emerged from eggs that were found by a woman after they hatched they each became a ruler of one of the main islands.
The area was subsequently conquered by the Europeans and was possessed by the Dutch for a time. In modern times the main industry is tourism, the population are Indonesian and most work either in the tourism industry or fishing. The area has recently introduced a marine park fee for liveaboard visitors to help with the efforts to conserve the marine life in Raja Ampat. This fee helps to support patrols and projects to conserve the reefs. Despite the blossoming tourist industry in Raja Ampat, the area manages to retain its untouched feel especially on a liveaboard anchored off mostly uninhabited islands.
Raja Ampat underwater
The biodiversity of Raja Ampat is second to none, scuba diving here is sure to delight all divers. It was declared the most biodiverse place in the world in 2002. The marine park area is home to over a thousand different species of fish and more than five hundred different corals. Much of the diving in Raja Ampat is in reefs amongst the spread of tiny islands, so a dive cruise suits visiting this area perfectly. These reefs are glorious with an array of colours and unique fish of all shapes and sizes. The visibility can be slightly variable but normally around 25-30 meters is the norm.
There are plenty of sharks to be seen in Raja Ampat from white and black tipped reef sharks to whale sharks and even some rarer ones such as wobbegong shark. Wobbegong sharks are fascinating bottom dwelling sharks, flat with a long tail and what looks like a beard on their mouth they really are a photographer’s dream.
Mantas are also frequent visitors to Raja Ampat and they can be seen in sizeable groups passing over the reefs. Turtles can often be seen grazing on the coral reef and in some areas, pods of dolphins can also pop by to delight divers.
There are a wide variety of Raja Amat liveaboards to suit all budgets. From 5 day liveaboard tours to luxury liveaboard vessels offering 2 week dive trips.
Dive sites of Raja Ampat
The dive sites of Raja Ampat can be varied in the fish and critters living on the different reefs but they are almost all spectacular in their own way.
Misool Island, nicknamed ‘the kaleidoscope’, is special because of the riot of colours across the reefs. Macro lovers will be mesmerised with a huge variety of corals full of all kinds of critters and small reef fish. Pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish and a rainbow of nudibranchs make ideal subjects for macro photographers.
Waigeo is similarly blessed with a rich variety of fish life. Lionfish are hanging around between rocks and you might also catch a glimpse of a juvenile emperor angelfish with its hypnotic colour scheme and clownfish peeking out of an anemone. Fish life is also the main spectacle at Dampier Strait with shoals of trevallies and tuna which can be so huge they affect the visibility in places. The current is particularly hard in this area and it is normally a drift dive. A must-visit during your dive safari.
Mansuar is the place to be for bigger stuff. Here is where the groups of mantas can be seen gracefully swooping past. Turtles are also frequent visitors feeding around the reef along with a host of fish life and beautiful corals.
Cenderawasih Bay, on the other hand, is where you can go to try and find whale sharks. There is a special relationship between these gentle giants and the local fishermen who believe in the luck. They traditionally give fish to the whale shark to bring luck as well which means that there can be several in this area at a time. There isn’t really a season for whale sharks here either so there really is a good chance to dive with them all year round.
Top Tips For divers
- Sea conditions are usually good here but the currents are quite strong so this isn’t really a place for brand new divers.
- There is a one-hundred-dollar marine park fee to be paid upon entering the protected area. This fee pays to continue conservation in the region.
- October to April is the most popular season for diving liveaboards here, although you can dive all year round.
- The water is warm, 26-30 degrees but be mindful of fire urchins when choosing your skin coverage.
Getting to Raja Ampat
Although getting to Raja Ampat is not difficult it does require several flights and boat journeys as there are no direct international flights. You can fly to Sorong from Jakarta and some other larger airports. From here the most popular way to reach the dive sites is by diving on an Indonesian liveaboard. There are a few resorts but the vast majority of diving is from dedicated dive cruises.
There are both motor-boat dive cruises, and the more traditional sailing tours on the grand Indonesian Phinisi sailboats on offer. These beautiful boats offer a peaceful and authentic diving safari experience while you are diving in this isolated and stunning place.
Raja Ampat Diving Reviews
- 9.2 Superb
- 274 Verified Reviews
Excellent - best biodiversity and consistency
Diving Raja Ampat in October on the Raja Ampat Aggressor
Abundant marine life, awesome hard and soft corals. Strong currents, however, and less than great visibility.
Diving Raja Ampat in November on the Ambai
Raja Ampat is the dream location. The reef is pristine and brimming with life, large and small.
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Samambaia
Perfect. I’ve never ever seen reefs this beautiful. The diversity of life was amazing.
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Gaia Love
Incredible diversity and biomass that I had seen nowhere else.
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Mermaid II
Beautiful, amazing reefs and amazing sea life, whether you’re looking for macro or micro. Manta’s were most people’s highlight, but the half meter cuttlefish did it for me. Some tricky currents where competent guides are essential.
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Mikumba 2
Raja Ampat is great. Plenty of small creatures and mantas
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Solitude Adventurer
Truly world class diving. I have worked as a marine biologist in Palau, Thailand, Cambodia, and Australia, and these are the most healthy, complex, and vibrant coral reefs I have ever seen. There was no trash at all on the reefs (though some small patches on the surface). Visibility is not as clear or blue as other sites, but this doesn't distract from the amazing marine life. Hard to imagine diving any other coral reefs after this.
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the Carpe Diem
Not great around Batanta, but otherwise excellent.
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the Coralia
Amazing. Best corals I’ve ever seen and so many creatures to be found.
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the Mermaid II
Amazing diving, could not been better
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the Carpe Diem
Some of best in the world. Bot macro and micro organisms abound. So many nudibranchs that divers raced to creature identification books after dives to learn names. Corals are abundant and varied. Raja Ampat has healthiest reefs I have ever dove.
Diving Raja Ampat in February on the Mari
Healthy corals with a lot of activity. Most dive sites are not crowded. Minimal trash at dive sites.
Diving Raja Ampat in February on the Carpe Diem
The best diving in the world! Incredible biodiversity and beautiful coral reefs!
Diving Raja Ampat in February on the Gaia Love
Amazing, wonderful soft corals and teeming with fish life. There is a bit of current but with a knowledgable dive guide, it is easily manageable.
Diving Raja Ampat in March on the Ondina
The Indonesians have taken great strides in cleaning up the pollution problem—& efforts continue. We were there during the full moon—& the tides/currents were wicked!!!
Diving Raja Ampat in May on the Ondina
Great diving- you really do see all the sea life that is explained to us, wasn’t amazing visibility while I was there, but I didn’t mind.
Diving Raja Ampat in August on the Wisesa
A must for any diver who wants to see the great diversity of marine life this world has to offer.
Diving Raja Ampat in August on the Coralia
If you like macro diving, this is the place for you. There is a wide variety of sea life and countless underwater flora
Diving Raja Ampat in September on the Pearl of Papua
In October, not great for seeing big animals, or anything for that matter.
Diving Raja Ampat in October on the Ilike
It wasn’t peak visibility but it was still amazing
Diving Raja Ampat in October on the Seahorse
I got my Advanced Open Water certification during this trip, and the area was good for the various components (deep diving, night diving, etc.). Strong currents in places, and visibility not ideal at times, but overall, it was great
Diving Raja Ampat in November on the Gaya Baru Indah
Excellent. Diverse corals, fish, sharks, mantas, pigmy sea horses, caves
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the Carpe Diem
Exceptional. Loads of fish but the mantas were the highlight of the week. Lots of other sealife that is my favorite like cuttlefish, octopus and sharks.
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the Mutiara Laut
Visibility was less than ideal at times, but fish life was abundant
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the Akomo Isseki
This was my third trip to Raja Ampat. There has been a dramatic reduction in fish life due to fishermen during Covid.
Diving Raja Ampat in February on the Ilike
Great diversity. Not always great visibility. Often challenging currents.
Diving Raja Ampat in February on the Tiare Cruise
We dove in south Raja Ampat and it was not as good as northern Raja Ampat.
Diving Raja Ampat in February on the Carpe Diem
Fantastic reefs with tons of species.
Diving Raja Ampat in February on the Calico Jack
Visibility was not the best but the abundant sea life was incredible.
Diving Raja Ampat in February on the Lady Denok
World class. From 30 meters up to 10 meters, the life underwater is just stunning.
Diving Raja Ampat in February on the Damai I
The coral is very healthy and we saw species of fish we had never seen before.
Diving Raja Ampat in March on the Gaia Love
So much to see, outstanding biodiversity, warm water, smooth seas. Truly amazing.
Diving Raja Ampat in March on the Solitude Adventurer
Great diving with vibrant corals
Diving Raja Ampat in April on the Ilike
Extraordinary. There is some reef damage from climate change, but it's not too bad (yet).
Diving Raja Ampat in April on the Raja Ampat Aggressor II
Great, healthy and amazingly varied marine life, coral and sites,
Diving Raja Ampat in October on the Raja Ampat Aggressor
Great! The diversity is amazing
Diving Raja Ampat in October on the Emperor Raja Laut
A lot to see and enjoyable
Diving Raja Ampat in November on the Jaya
Incredible, one of the best dive sites in the world
Diving Raja Ampat in November on the Teman
Interesting, but need good experience as current is quite strong there
Diving Raja Ampat in November on the Ratu Laut
Diving was exlellent, lots of fishes and corals, lots to see.
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Pearl of Papua
Fantastic, beautiful corals, lot of fish
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Seahorse
Loved the wobbygones sharks and bumpheads
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Seahorse
Beautiful and healthy corals, amazing biodiversity and strong currents from time to time
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Ratu Laut
Sensational - but can have string current
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Ratu Laut
Excellent! One of the most pristine places on Earth. All the dive sites-- from coral gardens to muck to wall dives, were all wonderful
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Coralia
Live up to its legendary reputation. #1!!
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Mikumba 2
Fantastic! Need to go back for more ...
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Ambai
Amazing - such wonderful diversity and density of life in the water. Visibility was very good in general and the topography was spectacular
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Mermaid II
Among the best in the world
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Teman
Splendid, low visibility on the end of the year
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Manta Mae
Perfect - perhaps the besT place for diving in the world.
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Raja Manta
Good mixed macro and pelagic animals
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the Ambai
Great, shoals of fish and mantas. Great variety in corals and many sea horses and pipe fish
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the White Manta
Sheer abundance of marine life and variety of healthy corals made for incredible diving.
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the Blue Manta
Oustanding corals and fish life! We loved the diversity of dive sites
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the Gaia Love
Better than anywhere else in the world - as all the other much more travelled divers on the boat agreed.
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the Tiare Cruise
Diving was really good, both in terms of quality and quantity. Diverse dive spots.
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the Emperor Raja Laut
One of the best. We enjoyed the diving a lot.
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the Raja Ampat Aggressor
Superb coral, lots of different fish, manta's, sharks, turtles. Only thing to notice is that there could be a chance of strong currents.
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the Mikumba 2
Brilliant, diversity and abundancy of marine life is impressive
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the Seahorse
TOP the most beautiful coral of the world
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the La Galigo
Excellent variety of fish & coral.
Diving Raja Ampat in February on the Mikumba 2
Underwater life- unimaginable, not a great number of one variety, but a tremendous variety of species of almost every single type of marine creature. Visibility- max 20 m, usu.10-15, in the afternoon got worse. Current generally not very strong, several times however really challenging, crazy things going on then.
Diving Raja Ampat in February on the Mikumba 2
Diving in Raja Ampat was ideal. Unbelievable amout of life and variety under water. Fantastic day and night dives. We saw everything from pygmy seahorses to countless manta rays.
Diving Raja Ampat in February on the Lady Denok
Excellent!! Very rich and diverse marine life and some very beautiful dive sites.
Diving Raja Ampat in March on the Ratu Laut
Really really good. Probably going to spoil us for any future diving.
Diving Raja Ampat in March on the Ratu Laut
Raja ampat is great diving point with really beautiful coral and many fish schoolings)
Diving Raja Ampat in March on the Pearl of Papua
Incredible fauna but unfortunately we had bad visibility for most dives.
Diving Raja Ampat in March on the Jakaré
Raja Ampat has lived up it's name as one of the best diving desitination of the world. We've got clear water with high visibility. Incredibly diverse ecosystem. And almost everything that a leisure diver wants to experience. Micros and big things. Including the rare and exotic walking shark, wobbegong and pygmy seahorses. Truly extraordinary. Every dive is an adventure.
Diving Raja Ampat in March on the Raja Ampat Aggressor
ベストスポットは最高。透明度の悪いポイントも多かった
Diving Raja Ampat in March on the Solitude Adventurer
Diving was good but due to weather we were in the southern area rather than northern. Currents weren’t too strong. Lots of nudibranch, saw blue spotted octopus, pygmy seahorse, beautiful soft corals and very shy sharks.
Diving Raja Ampat in March on the Gaia Love
The mix of diving and land excursions was very good
Diving Raja Ampat in May on the Ambai
firstclass diving with an unforgetable diversity of marine life
Diving Raja Ampat in June on the Coralia
Good: poor visibility during the time - early October but still very fishy
Diving Raja Ampat in October on the Gaya Baru Indah
Large schools of fish. Huge variety from macro to pelagic.
Diving Raja Ampat in October on the La Galigo
If you like the unique if you like the rare this is the place for you
Diving Raja Ampat in October on the Jelajahi Laut
After the 2 years break of Corona you can see recoverd reefs, so many different fish and live, Misol is a must to do
Diving Raja Ampat in November on the Ilike
Great! So much Fish, also small and big things. Every Dive Site ist different, you can Dive Same Sites many Times, Always good.
Diving Raja Ampat in November on the Jaya
Crazy amount of fish and corall, beautiful and perfect in shape, allthough sometimes strong current including hooking and negative entry
Diving Raja Ampat in November on the Emperor Raja Laut
Awesome with extremely diverse underwater sea life, never disappointing!
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Mikumba 2
Visibility was poor specially in southern parts, but fish and reefs are healthy.
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Ilike
Amazing dives! easy, in warm water with such a beautiful marine life. Corals, hard and soft, are healthy, huge and beautiful. A lot of fishes, big and small, tiny life like pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs...
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Mari
Misool down south we didn't really like but saw really nice small things and the manta. Central and slight north of Sorong was so beautiful. Loved the coral gardens
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Samambaia
Have you seen a wobbegong before? I didn’t even know what it was till this trip. The corals were simply beautiful — the variety and the colours make us feel that we are swimming in an aquarium!
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Solitude Adventurer
Easy to medium. Perfect vis Good variety of fish
Diving Raja Ampat in December on the Lady Denok
Raja Ampar was the best destination indeed. A good combination of big and small stuffs from Manta/Sharks to Pigmy Seahorse/Nudis. Water temperature was pleasant at 29-31'C
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the Mermaid II
One of the best dive sites I’ve been to with healthy corals, biodiversity, and lots and lots of fish
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the Mermaid II
Incredible. a good mix of pelagic and reef/coral diving. Disappointing that we didn't see any mantas at the cleaning station.
Diving Raja Ampat in January on the Solitude Adventurer
Despite the sometime reduced visibility around February 2023, we had great diving. The currents were weak to medium most of the time. Still the flora and fauna came so close that it was just amazing seeing mantas, turtles sharks, barracuda and huge schools of fish on the dives. For macro lovers also, a lot of things to see on almost every dive.
Diving Raja Ampat in February on the Solitude Adventurer
Visibility wasn't great (time of year) but enjoyed the drive dives and mantas.
Diving Raja Ampat in February on the Tiare Cruise
Exceptional. Vast amount of different fish species. Beautiful coral gardens and very interesting walls.
Diving Raja Ampat in February on the Amaya Explorer
The diving was wonderful as expected. Hard corals and fish life. Mantas galore.
Diving Raja Ampat in February on the Seaisee
Beautiful, diverse marine life and varied landscapes and levels of difficulty. Visibility was poor on some dives unfortunately, but overall this was the best region I have ever dived!
Diving Raja Ampat in March on the Jelajahi Laut
great dive sites, but probably weather issue that why some of the dive visibility not too good. (dusty)
Diving Raja Ampat in March on the Neptune One
Awesome. Full moon week, sometimes heavy current,
Diving Raja Ampat in March on the Blue Manta
Great but disappointed in visibility.
Diving Raja Ampat in April on the Seahorse
Awesome, lots of fish and mantas.
Diving Raja Ampat in April on the Mermaid I
So so: water too warm. I saw often 30 and even 32° C. That had a visible very negative impact on marine life.
Diving Raja Ampat in April on the Blue Manta
Unbelievable the variety and abundance of sea life was absolutely amazing
Diving Raja Ampat in April on the Calico Jack