Diving Raja Ampat

Truly one of the most unique diving destinations on the planet, Raja Ampat offers everything that a discerning diver could want in a diving holiday.  Raja Ampat is home to more than 1500 islands and islets in an area approximately 40,000 square km. It’s located on the far western edge of West Papua province in eastern Indonesia.  Long known as home to the highest number of fish species in the world, the warm waters of Raja Ampat offer incredible marine life encounters. As the Raja Ampat area is so large, it’s often broken into three distinct areas when describing the region: Misool in the south, the Dampier Strait in the middle, and the Wayag/Kawe/Dampier area in the north.

Dampier Strait

Most of the resorts are based in the middle area of Raja, near the Dampier Strait, as this is the closest point to the gateway towns of Waisai and Sorong.  However, there are a few resorts based further north and even one in the far south of the Misool area.  However, the best way to explore the wonderful Raja Ampat region is via a liveboard vessel.  A liveaboard can easily visit all of the best diving areas in Raja Ampat in comfort and style.  We regularly organize escorted trips to Raja Ampat aboard one of our partner liveaboards. This is a great way to introduce our guests to the wonders of this amazing corner of the world.

Highlights of the region include the beautiful karst islands of Misool and Wayag with their white sandy beaches.  However, the beauty above is just a fraction of what can be seen below the surface of the blue Pacific water.

Misool

The Misool area is known for vertical walls, large schools of fish, endless colours of soft corals and sea fans. Fast action pinnacle dives and manta ray sites are in abundance.  In the Dampier Strait area, there is a huge variety of dives including fast paced and fish filled seamounts and village jetties.  Beautiful coral reefs and several unique areas to interact with manta rays are also available. The northern areas of Raja Ampat offer more raw diving along the Pacific coasts of the islands. Vast amounts of fish swirl around offshore islets. Beautiful beaches and lagoons populate areas such as Wofoh and Wayag.  The vast majority of vessels spend their time between Misool and the Dampier Strait region. However, a few venture further north during longer itineraries and when conditions are calm.

We have a variety of different resorts and liveaboards that we work with in the Raja Ampat region. If you would like to know more about visiting the area please do drop us an email and we would be more than happy to help you book a trip to Raja Ampat. You can join a trip escorted by us or with one of our trusted partners.