Diving In Raja Ampat: A Complete Guide

Raja Ampat, located in Indonesia’s West Papua province, is often regarded as one of the world’s premier diving destinations. With its rich marine biodiversity, stunning coral reefs, and remote, untouched islands, it offers an unparalleled underwater experience. The region is home to more than 75% of the world’s coral species and an incredible variety of marine life, making it a must-visit for divers of all levels.

The archipelago’s pristine underwater environment is due in part to its remoteness and dedicated conservation efforts. Preserving the delicate marine ecosystem of Raja Ampat is crucial, as it plays a vital role in maintaining global biodiversity. Conservation initiatives led by local organisations, marine protected areas (MPAs), and sustainable tourism practices help protect this underwater paradise for future generations.

Getting to Raja Ampat

Flights and Transportation

Reaching Raja Ampat requires some planning, as it is a remote destination. The nearest major airport is Domine Eduard Osok Airport (SOQ) in Sorong, which serves as the gateway to the archipelago.

>>Read my full guide to Sorong airport

Flights to Sorong are available from Jakarta, Bali, Makassar, and Manado, with airlines such as Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, and Batik Air offering regular services. Travellers should plan for possible layovers, as direct international flights are not available. Once in Sorong the journey continues by sea.

Ferry or Speedboat Options

To reach the islands of Raja Ampat you need to take ferry or speedboat from Sorong to Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat Regency on Waigeo Island. Public ferries run daily, taking approximately two hours, while private speedboats offer faster, more flexible transfers at a higher cost. From Waisai, additional boat services connect to resorts, homestays, and liveaboards throughout the region. Many of the liveaboard dive boats start in Sorong and will offer a direct transfer from the airport.

View over Sorong at sunset in Raja Ampat

Diving sites in Raja Ampat

Popular Dive Sites

Raja Ampat boasts a vast array of world-class dive sites, each offering unique experiences:

Manta Sandy – Known for its manta ray cleaning stations, this site provides breathtaking encounters with these graceful giants. Divers can observe mantas circling above the sandy bottom as cleaner fish remove parasites from their bodies. This is a carefully controlled cleaning station with areas marked for divers.
Cape Kri – Famous for holding the world record for the highest number of fish species recorded in a single dive, making it a must-visit for marine life enthusiasts. Expect schools of barracuda, jacks, and reef sharks.
Blue Magic – A deep pinnacle dive site featuring schooling fish, reef sharks, and occasional encounters with oceanic manta rays. Strong currents can make it a thrilling dive for experienced divers.
Citrus Ridge – Known for its strikingly colourful soft corals, this site is home to an abundance of marine life, including schooling sweetlips, barracuda, and various species of reef sharks.
The Pier at Sawandarek – An extraordinary muck dive site featuring vibrant coral growth beneath the wooden pier. This site is home to schools of fish, wobbegong sharks, and macro life such as nudibranchs and ghost pipefish. It is also home to some of the largest turtles I have ever seen.
Melissa’s Garden – A spectacular coral garden with a vast expanse of pristine hard corals. The site is teeming with colourful reef fish.
Arborek Jetty – A popular site for both day and night dives, offering the chance to see large schools of fish, mantis shrimp, and even bobtail squid hiding among the coral-encrusted pilings.

>> Read my full guide on my favourite dive sites in Raja Ampat

Dive sites Around Misool

Misool, in the southern part of Raja Ampat, is renowned for its incredible biodiversity and unique underwater formations. Some of the top dive sites include:

Four Kings – A site consisting of four underwater pinnacles covered in soft corals and home to large schools of fish, including jacks, fusiliers, and barracuda. Reef sharks are commonly spotted here. Currents can be strong and a reef hook is useful.
Boo Window – Named after its iconic rock formation with two window-like swim-throughs, this site features stunning coral gardens and abundant marine life, including pygmy seahorses and wobbegong sharks.
Magic Mountain – A submerged seamount that attracts pelagic species, including manta rays, mobula rays, and grey reef sharks. The strong currents make it an exhilarating dive for experienced divers.
Living Colours – A breathtaking coral reef dive with an explosion of colours from vibrant soft corals and an abundance of reef fish. Expect encounters with turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and schooling snappers.

>> Discover more about the Misool Dive Sites

Unique Marine Life Encounters

Divers in Raja Ampat can expect to see a dazzling array of marine species, including:

Manta rays, both reef and oceanic varieties
Blacktip, whitetip, and wobbegong sharks
Pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and rare macro critters
Vast coral gardens teeming with vibrant fish species
Schooling jacks, fusiliers, and bumphead parrotfish

a green and black nudibranch in Raja Ampat

Best time to visit Raja Ampat

Dry Season (May-September): Ideal for calm seas, excellent visibility (up to 30+ metres), and vibrant coral gardens. Perfect for underwater photography and exploring deeper sites.
Wet Season (October-April): Best for encountering manta rays, pelagic species, and witnessing coral spawning. Nutrient-rich waters attract abundant marine life, though visibility may be slightly reduced.
Transitional Seasons (April-May, September-October): A mix of dry and wet season conditions, offering good visibility and diverse marine life.

>> Read more about the best time to visit Raja Ampat

Level of qualification and experience needed

Beginner Divers

Some areas are suitable for Open Water-certified divers, particularly sheltered dive sites with minimal currents. Resort-based diving with guided supervision can help new divers gain confidence in these conditions. Raja Ampat is also a good location for new divers to experience a night dive.

>>Learn more about night diving in Raja Ampat

Intermediate and Advanced Divers

Many of Raja Ampat’s premier dive sites, such as Blue Magic and Cape Kri, feature strong currents and require good buoyancy control. Advanced Open Water certification and experience with drift diving are recommended. Sites with deeper depths also require divers to be comfortable with managing their air consumption and ascent procedures.

Liveaboard vs. shore-based diving

When planning a diving trip to Raja Ampat, divers can choose between liveaboard and shore-based diving, each offering distinct advantages.

The choice between liveaboard and shore-based diving ultimately depends on diving goals, budget, and preferred travel style.

Liveaboards

Liveaboards provide access to remote and diverse dive sites, allowing divers to explore locations such as Misool, the Dampier Strait, and the Fam Islands without the need for daily boat transfers.

This option maximises underwater time, offers a more immersive diving experience, and often includes night dives and early morning dives to less crowded sites.

Liveaboards also offer the convenience of all-inclusive accommodations, meals, and guided dives, with vessels such as Blue Manta covering extensive routes.

>>Find out if Blue Manta is the liveaboard for you

Shore Based Diving

Shore-based diving is ideal for those who prefer a more relaxed schedule or want to combine diving with other activities such as cultural experiences and island exploration.

Resorts like Papua Explorers Dive Resort and Turtle Dive Homestay offer easy access to local reefs, allowing divers to explore sites such as Cape Kri and Arborek Jetty with minimal travel time.

Staying at a dive resort or homestay also supports local communities and can be a more budget-friendly alternative to liveaboards.

One of the small isalnd resorts in Raja Ampat with a sandy beach and jungle in the background

Things to do in Raja Ampat that don’t involve diving

While Raja Ampat is world-famous for its diving, there’s plenty to explore above the waterline. Hike to panoramic viewpoints like Piaynemo and Pindito Peak for sweeping views of limestone karsts and turquoise lagoons.

Snorkelling offers access to vibrant reefs without the need for dive certification, and shallow house reefs often teem with just as much life as deeper dive sites. Kayaking through mangrove forests and narrow island channels provides a peaceful way to explore, with the chance to spot hornbills, parrots and even baby reef sharks in the shallows.

Cultural visits to local villages such as Arborek and Sawinggrai offer a chance to learn about Papuan traditions, buy handmade crafts, and experience the gentle rhythm of island life.Conservation Efforts in Raja Ampat

What to pack for Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is remote and undeveloped, so it’s essential to come well-prepared.

Lightweight, breathable clothing is best for the tropical heat, with long sleeves and trousers for sun and mosquito protection. A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and reef-safe sunscreen will protect against the strong equatorial sun. Bring sturdy sandals or shoes with good grip for hikes and jetty walks.

Waterproof dry bags and zip-lock bags will help keep gear safe from salt and humidity. Include a small medical kit, insect repellent, and any personal medications, as supplies are limited. Don’t forget a reusable water bottle, head torch for power cuts or night walks, and extra memory cards for your camera, this is a place you’ll want to remember.

>>Get a full packing list for Raja Ampat

Sustainable Tourism Practices

Divers are encouraged to practice responsible tourism by minimising their environmental impact. This includes using reef-safe sunscreen, avoiding touching marine life, and adhering to sustainable diving guidelines.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Raja Ampat has designated large sections of its waters as marine protected areas, restricting fishing and other activities that could harm the coral reefs. These areas help preserve fish populations and allow the ecosystem to thrive. Having dived inside and out of the MPA, the benefits of this designation to the reef is very noticable. Our shake down dive at Red Light District just outside Sorong and outside of the MPA was very different to all the other dives.

Local Conservation Initiatives

Organisations such as the Misool Foundation and Raja Ampat Research and Conservation Centre (RARCC) work to protect the region’s marine biodiversity. These groups engage in reef restoration, community education, and sustainable fishing practices to ensure long-term conservation efforts are effective.

Community Involvement

Many conservation programs actively involve local communities, providing alternative livelihoods such as ecotourism and sustainable fishing. These initiatives ensure that conservation efforts benefit both the marine environment and the people who depend on it. Programmes also support local education, empowering future generations to continue protecting Raja Ampat’s ecosystem. One large programme is on Misool where local communities are encouraged and supported to diversify their incomes away from fishing.

Diving Raja

Diving in Raja Ampat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that offers unparalleled marine biodiversity, breathtaking underwater landscapes, and unique wildlife encounters. By practising sustainable tourism, visitors can help preserve this incredible marine paradise for future generations.