Packing List for a Dive Trip to Indonesia

Packing for a dive trip to Raja Ampat requires careful consideration due to the remote location and limited availability of certain supplies. Bringing the right gear and essentials will ensure a comfortable and hassle-free experience.

The items listed below are what I found useful on my trip to dive Raja Ampat. Weight limits are the biggest issue with the small planes limiting hold luggage to 25kg even with an add-on for dive gear and cabin bags limited to small dimensions at 7kg. While our bags were not weighed, other divers on the same flight had everything weighed and measured and charges added.

A soft bag for your dive kit makes transfers easier as all the luggage has to be shuttled to the liveaboard or hotel by boat and once onboard storing a soft folding bag is much easier than a hard case.

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Essential dive gear

Check all your kit at least 2 weeks before departure so you’ve got plenty of time to repair or replace anything that’s broken and get any servicing completed. I always like to jump in a pool to check everything is working okay before I leave when I can.

Most liveaboards have kit for hire but this can be hit or miss. If you want to reduce the amount of kit you carry with you, email the boat well ahead of time with your sizes to confirm they will have what you need onboard and available.

• Mask, snorkel, and fins – While some dive operators provide rental gear, having a well-fitting mask and comfortable fins makes everything much easier. Your own kit is just much nicer. If you have a prescription mask make sure you bring a spare or you will not be seeing much if you lose your mask.
• Wetsuit (3mm or 5mm full-length) – Water temperatures range from 27-30°C, but a full wetsuit provides protection from marine life and prolonged exposure. I dived in a 3mm and was conformtable although towards the end of the week was beginning to get chilly after an hour underwater.
• BCD and regulator – Bringing personal dive equipment ensures familiarity and comfort, though rentals are available. I much prefer to bring my own so I know servicing is up to date and I know where everything is. You can get lightweight travel BCD’s that can help with weight issues.
• Booties – While the water is warm you will need something on your feet. Diving for extended periods with just slipper fins gets really uncomfortable and you will feel the cold.
• Dive computer – Essential for monitoring depth, dive time, and decompression limits. Most operators require divers to have their own. Given how far it is to medical support, having a computer is essential in my opinion. Learn how to use it before you go, especially if you are using nitrox and need to adjust the % before each dive. I dive with a Suunto Ocean and have my Suunto Nova as a backup incase the battery dies or something goes wrong with my computer mid-trip.
• Surface marker buoy (SMB) and reel – Useful for safety, especially in areas with strong currents. While the dive guides have an SMB on every dive, you never know when you will be seperated from the group. As well as having it with you, practice deploying it so you are efficient when you need to use it quickly.
• Reef hook – Essential for diving in strong currents. The boats will have some hooks, but it is much better to come prepared.
• Underwater torch – Important for night dives and exploring darker areas. Don’t forget to bring spare batteries or a charger.
• Spare O-rings, fin straps, and mask straps – Small gear failures can happen, and replacements may not be readily available. The dive boat will carry some essentials (I bit through my mouthpiece!), but they will not have everything on board.

Photography and documentation

• Underwater camera and housing – Raja Ampat is a paradise for underwater photography, so a good-quality camera setup is recommended. I use an Olympus TG6 in a housing with a backscatter mini strobe. Small and compact but perfect for this type of diving.
• Memory cards and external storage – Extra space is essential for storing high-resolution images and videos. I use smaller 32GB cards and change them each day. This means that even if disaster hits, I’m only loosing a day of images not the whole week. I also backup to my computer and a USB memory stick every night so nothing is lost.
• Chargers, spare batteries, and power bank – Electricity access on liveaboards or remote resorts can be limited at times, by having a power bank and spare batteries you can charge up when power is available and not worry about down time.
• Logbook and certification cards – Many dive operators require proof of certification and logged dives. Make sure all your records are up to date before you depart. Screen shot your qualification record on your phone as there may not be internet access when you need to show your online records.

Travel and personal items

• Lightweight, breathable clothing – The tropical climate means lightweight, moisture-wicking clothes are best.
• Swim-wear – bring at least 3 swimsuits, shorts or bikinis to wear under your wetsuit. This means you can change into dry layers between dives. Also bring some large deck pegs to hang cossies out between dives to dry.
• Long-sleeved rash guard or dive skin – Provides sun protection and reduces the need for excessive sunscreen use. Also useful if your wetsuit is snug and needs some slide to get it on.
• Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses – Essential for sun protection between dives.
• Insect repellent – Mosquitoes can be present, especially around shore-based accommodations.
• Reef-safe sunscreen – To protect the skin while minimising environmental impact. Some sunscreens also protect against stings which can be useful. Raja Ampat does not allow divers to wear gloves so it easy to get a passing sting from coral or jellyfish.
• Reef-safe shampoo and soap – Helps minimise environmental impact. I tend to use reef-safe conditioner between dives just to stop my hair turning into a bird nest each day. I just rinse with fresh water after the dive and slop the conditioner on.
• Dry bag – Useful for keeping valuables safe on boat rides. I have my passport, money, charger and cable and phone in my dry bag at all times on the boat as an emergency grab.
• Cash in Indonesian Rupiah – Credit cards are not always accepted, especially in remote areas, so carrying cash is essential for tips, small purchases, and local fees.

First aid and health essentials

• Seasickness medication – Important for those prone to motion sickness, especially on liveaboards. While the seas are usually calm, storms pass through and there is always the sea that gets you even if you don’t normally get sick.
• Basic first aid kit – Includes plasters, sting relief cream, antiseptic wipes, arnica and pain relievers. You will always find someone with a stash of medications but much easier if you have your own.
• Rehydration salts or electrolyte tablets – Helps prevent dehydration after multiple dives. Also good to have incase of stomach upsets.
• Personal medications – Essential prescription medications should be packed in sufficient quantities, as pharmacies are limited.

Optional but useful items

• Travel towel or sarong – Quick-drying and versatile for boat trips and beach visits.
• Books or e-reader – Great for relaxation between dives. there isn’t much reading time and it is always the balance between a snooze and a book!
• Eco-friendly laundry detergent – Useful for washing clothes to minimise how many clothes you pack. Just remember that humidity makes things harder to dry so never wash the day before you leave or you will be travelling with wet laundry.
• Small backpack or daypack – Handy for excursions and carrying essentials. You may have a chance to go onshore and a small bag to take with you makes life easier.

Tips for Diving in Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is a world-class diving destination, offering unparalleled biodiversity, stunning underwater landscapes, and unforgettable marine encounters. To help you plan your trip, here’s a summary of key points covering how to get there, the best time to visit, where to stay, and what to expect underwater.

How to Get to Raja Ampat

To reach Raja Ampat, most international travellers first fly into major Indonesian cities like Jakarta or Bali. From there, domestic flights are available to Sorong, the gateway to Raja Ampat. Regular flights operate from cities such as Jakarta, Bali, and Makassar. Once in Sorong, a ferry or speedboat ride to Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat, takes about 2-3 hours. For divers looking to explore remote areas, liveaboard trips are an excellent option, providing direct access to some of the region’s most pristine dive sites.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Raja Ampat depends on what you want to experience. The dry season, from May to September, is ideal for calm seas, excellent visibility (often exceeding 30 metres), and vibrant coral gardens. This period is perfect for underwater photography and exploring deeper dive sites. The wet season, from October to April, is characterised by higher rainfall and stronger winds but offers incredible opportunities to encounter manta rays, pelagic species, and even coral spawning events. Nutrient-rich waters during this time attract abundant marine life, though visibility may be slightly reduced. Transitional seasons, such as April-May and September-October, provide a balance of good visibility and diverse marine life, making them a great time to visit as well.

Where to Stay

Raja Ampat offers a range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. Eco-friendly resorts, such as Misool Eco Resort, Papua Explorers, and Raja Ampat Biodiversity Resort, provide comfortable stays with easy access to dive sites. For a more local experience, homestays on islands like Arborek, Kri, or Gam are budget-friendly and allow visitors to connect with local communities. Liveaboards are another popular choice, especially for divers who want to explore remote sites and multiple regions of Raja Ampat. These floating accommodations vary in price and comfort, catering to different budgets.

Tips for Visiting Raja Ampat

When planning your trip to Raja Ampat, it’s important to book early, as accommodations and liveaboards fill up quickly, especially during the dry season. Pack light, bringing lightweight, breathable clothing, reef-safe sunscreen, and a waterproof bag for boat trips. Respect the environment by following responsible diving practices, such as avoiding contact with marine life and not littering. Ensure you have travel insurance that covers diving and bring a basic first aid kit and any necessary medications. Finally, engage with local communities respectfully and support sustainable tourism initiatives to help preserve this incredible destination for future generations.