Scuba Diving in Raja Ampat
The Ultimate Guide
Raja Ampat, the “Four Kings,” is an archipelago of more than 1,500 islands at the edge of Indonesian West Papua. Its reefs sit in the heart of the Coral Triangle, where Pacific currents funnel nutrients into shallow seas and feed the world’s richest marine biodiversity. Diving here means gliding over colourful walls and coral gardens buzzing with more than 550 species of hard and soft corals and an estimated 1,500 fish species. You’ll meet blacktip and whitetip reef sharks on almost every dive, witness giant trevally and dogtooth tuna hunting schools of fusiliers, and encounter wobbegong “carpet” sharks, turtles, manta rays and dolphins. From cape pinnacles swarming with life to calm bays rich in macro critters, Raja Ampat offers endless variety. Above water, karst limestone islands and emerald lagoons provide spectacular scenery between dives.
Difficulty
Moderate
Temperature
27-30°C
Visibility
10-30m
Diving Highlights
Best Months to Dive
Getting to Raja Ampat for Diving
✈️Transportation
Getting to Raja Ampat requires patience but the journey is worth it.
Most travelers fly domestically to Sorong (SOQ) in West Papua; flights depart daily from Bali via Makassar or from Jakarta via Makassar.
Another option is to fly from Singapore to Manado in North Sulawesi and then take an hour‑long flight to Sorong.
From Sorong, you can either take a short flight to Waisai airport or board the public ferry for a two‑hour crossing to Waigeo Island.
Dive resorts and liveaboard operators meet guests at Waisai or the Sorong ferry terminal and arrange speedboat transfers to their islands.
Country
Indonesia
Currency
Indonesian Rupiah
Electricity
220V, 50Hz, Euro Plug
Cost of a Dive Trip in Raja Ampat
Day Trip
Dive Resort
Liveaboard
Meal
Accommodation
Best Dive Sites in Raja Ampat
🐠Cape Kri
Cape Kri in the Dampier Strait holds a world record for fish species diversity. On one dive marine biologist Dr. Gerald Allen counted 374 species. Expect clouds of fusiliers, trevally, snapper and barracuda swirling above pristine corals, with blacktip and whitetip reef sharks patrolling the blue.
🐢Mioskun
Famous for its resident wobbegong sharks, Mioskun features a coral column that drops to 25 m. Large bumphead parrotfish and swirling schools of sweetlips and surgeonfish make this one of Raja Ampat’s most active sites.
🦈Melissa’s Garden
A shallow plateau carpeted in soft corals and sponges, Melissa’s Garden is ideal for macro lovers. Wobbegong sharks lurk under ledges and mantas occasionally glide overhead, but the real draw is the kaleidoscope of colours and tiny critters.
🐙Blue Magic
An underwater pinnacle rising from 7 m down to 30 m, Blue Magic offers both pelagic action and macro delights. Expect predator fish, huge schools of fusiliers, pygmy seahorses and the chance of seeing giant manta rays cruising around the seamount.
🐚Manta Sandy
This sandy plateau near Mansuar Island is a famous manta ray cleaning station. Divers kneel behind a line of rocks while dozens of mantas circle overhead; black mantas are occasionally seen.
🦑Chicken Reef
A sandy patch at around 20 m with gentle currents, Chicken Reef is home to garden eels, huge schools of black snappers, fusiliers and butterflyfish. It’s a great second dive or relaxed afternoon spot.
🐡Arborek Pier
The pier at the tiny island of Arborek shelters vast schools of mackerel and trevally. Giant clams litter the seabed and snorkelers can enjoy the sight from the surface. Freediving among the swirling fish is a highlight.
🦀R4DR House Reef
The house reef of the Raja Ampat Dive Resort hosts the endemic walking shark (kalabia). It’s a great site for night diving and snorkelling, with colourful corals and an abundance of small critters.
What Divers Say About Diving in Raja Ampat
Yuki Tanaka
Underwater Photographer / Master Scuba DiverRaja Ampat lives up to the hype. 🐠 I’ve never seen reefs so alive — at Cape Kri the sheer variety is mind‑blowing, with schools of fusiliers, trevally and snapper swirling above a rainbow of corals, and reef sharks cruising lazily in the blue. One morning at Mioskun we hung motionless while a wobbegong dozed under a ledge and giant bumphead parrotfish plowed past; later, at Manta Sandy, half a dozen graceful mantas circled inches above our heads on the cleaning station. Not every dive is adrenaline‑charged — Melissa’s Garden is a peaceful, shallow coral garden ideal for macro hunting, while Arborek Pier is perfect for snorkelers with schooling mackerel and giant clams. Currents can be strong on some sites, but experienced guides time dives to make them manageable. After each dive, lounging on a wooden sundeck with karst islands all around, it feels like you’re at the edge of the world.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diving in Raja Ampat
When is the best time to go scuba diving in Raja Ampat?
Raja Ampat is diveable year‑round, but most divers prefer the dry season from October to April when seas are calm, visibility is excellent and manta rays gather at cleaning stations.
What marine life can I see while diving in Raja Ampat?
Expect blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, schooling trevally, dogtooth tuna, barracuda and fusiliers, plus wobbegong sharks, walking sharks, turtles, manta rays, pygmy seahorses and occasional dolphins.
Is Raja Ampat suitable for beginners?
Many sites have strong currents and require experience, but there are plenty of sheltered bays and gardens such as Melissa’s Garden and Arborek Pier that are suitable for beginner divers and snorkelers.
How do I get to Raja Ampat?
Fly to Sorong via Makassar from Bali or Jakarta, or via Manado from Singapore. From Sorong take a short flight or a two‑hour ferry to Waisai/ Waigeo and transfer to your resort by speedboat.
How many dive sites are there in Raja Ampat?
There are over 200 named dive sites across the four main islands and surrounding islets, ranging from reef pinnacles and steep walls to mangrove channels and jetties.
Can I dive with manta rays in Raja Ampat?
Yes. Sites like Manta Sandy and Blue Magic provide year‑round manta encounters, especially from October to April when plankton attracts them in large numbers.
What are the water temperatures and visibility in Raja Ampat?
Water temperatures stay around 27–30 °C, and visibility typically ranges from 10 to 30 m depending on the site and season.
Is a liveaboard better than a resort in Raja Ampat?
Both options are popular. Liveaboards access remote northern and southern regions and pack in up to four dives per day, while dive resorts offer comfortable stay‑and‑dive packages around Dampier Strait with fewer logistics.
Do I need to pay marine park fees in Raja Ampat?
Yes. All visitors must purchase a Marine Park Entry Permit on arrival in Sorong or Waisai. The fee funds conservation and community projects (prices vary for domestic and international visitors).
Are there mosquitoes or malaria risks?
Raja Ampat is in a malaria zone; travellers should consult a travel doctor about prophylaxis and use repellents and long sleeves, especially at dusk.