The abundant waters of Raja Ampat cast a spell on all who descend into them – scientists, photographers, novices, and lifetime divers alike. Raja Ampat, situated at the heart of the Coral Triangle, holds the prestigious title of the most marine bio-diverse place on earth.
A recent count of fish and coral found over 1400 reef fish species and more than 600 species of coral in Raja. 75% of all the world’s coral species can be found in this region! Whether you are diving for pelagics, wildly stunning coral, or everything in between. Raja Ampat is must dive destination for avid scuba fans.
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Raja Ampat is known for its world-class diving for a good reason. The region offers some of the world’s most diverse and pristine dive sites, with an incredible variety of marine life, including rare and alluring species like pygmy seahorses and walking sharks. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, Raja Ampat has something to offer.
In addition to fantastic marine life, Raja Ampat is home to some of the most spectacular underwater landscapes globally, making it a unique dive destination. The crystal-clear waters surrounding the limestone islands make for breathtaking scenery, and the dive sites range from walls and pinnacles to lagoons and coral gardens. You’ll be amazed by the abundant hard and soft coral species and the marine life they attract.
Scuba diving in Raja Ampat isn’t just about the underwater world. Several indigenous peoples call the area home. As a visitor, you can learn about the local culture and traditions. You can visit local villages, watch traditional dances, and even try your hand at woodcarving or weaving. This unique cultural experience will add a new dimension to your scuba diving trip.
Raja Ampat is a leader in sustainable scuba travel, with many dive operators and resorts committed to eco-friendly practices. By diving into Raja Ampat, you can support sustainable tourism and contribute to conserving the region’s precious marine ecosystems. Diving responsibly and sustainably is good for the environment and ensures that future generations can enjoy the beauty of Raja Ampat, and the marine life will thank you too.
Raja Ampat is situated in the west of Indonesia and is the same land mass as Papua New Guinea. Sorong is the central town where you will fly before your dive trip.
Sorong is located on the Bird’s Head Peninsula, and Raja Ampat, (Four Kings) refers to the four major islands off the coast of the peninsula. The islands are, Misool, Waigeo, Batanta, and Salawati.
Yes, it would be best if you were a relatively experienced diver to enjoy diving here safely and have enough control to avoid damaging the coral and irritating the marine life. The currents in Raja can often be strong, and the destination is remote. This is somewhere to dive in a safe and controlled manner.
Diving in Raja Ampat is not cheap, and you need to factor in the cost of travel and time spent to get there. This is one of the reasons why it is such a bucket list dive destination, as well as one of the reasons why it remains so pristine.
Furthermore, to experience the best Raja Ampat offers, it is best dived by liveaboard. That said, a few well-placed dive resorts can access some remarkable diving and represent a good choice for boat-adverse divers. The price of liveaboards ranges depending on the comfort level and service, although there are some great, less expensive options.
Undoubtedly, the cost of diving Raja Ampat lies at the higher end of the price range for scuba travel in Southeast Asia. So make it one of your ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ dive holidays. You won’t regret it.
The scuba diving in Raja Ampat is simply incredible. It is one of the very best dive destinations on the planet. The experiences I have had diving there are almost unparalleled in my scuba career. If you would like to know more just get in touch.
October to May is generally considered the best time to dive Raja Ampat. The monsoon from November to June can make the water a bit rocky, and you can expect rain. Although Raja Ampat is a year-round diving destination, some liveaboards spend most of the year there.
You can expect flatter waters during the high season, and the visibility will be better.
This dive destination is not where you get certified as a diver or even upgrade your current level. It is one of the best scuba destinations on the planet, and you want to put all your energy into experiencing the area’s wonders. However, some liveaboards run courses, and a few dive shops or resorts will also run diver training. Fire us a message for more information on dive courses in Raja Ampat.
There are a handful of great dive resorts such as this one here. But ultimately, to experience the best diving that Raja Ampat offers, you should consider a liveaboard. Dive liveaboard trips in the area will usually concentrate either on the south, or the north and last about 7 nights. If you want to discover all the best diving over the whole area, then a 10-night dive cruise would be the best decision. After all, you have travelled all that way.
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