Diving in Raja Ampat

Explore diving in Raja Ampat

Scuba Diving in Raja Ampat: Explore Indonesia’s Pristine Reefs

Raja Ampat, meaning “Four Kings,” is located in the West Papua province of eastern Indonesia. The four main islands—Misool, Batanta, Waigeo, and Salawati—are part of a vast archipelago of hundreds of islands, many uninhabited, offering some of Indonesia’s most pristine reefs and breathtaking tropical scenery.

Raja Ampat dive sites are renowned for their incredible marine biodiversity and abundance. Whether you’re searching for pelagic encounters or tiny critters, diving in Raja Ampat delivers unforgettable experiences. Highlights include large schools of fish, manta rays, reef sharks, wobbegong sharks, walking sharks, turtles, Spanish mackerel, tuna, barracuda, pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, cuttlefish, and a plethora of crustaceans, all thriving among pristine coral reefs.

With unparalleled diversity and vibrant underwater life, Raja Ampat remains one of the top dive destinations in Indonesia and a must-visit for any scuba enthusiast.

When to dive in Raja Ampat

Best Time for Scuba Diving in Raja Ampat:

The ideal time for scuba diving in Raja Ampat is from October to April, when seas are calmer, visibility is excellent, and water temperatures are warm, ranging between 27–30°C. This period offers the best conditions to explore the archipelago’s pristine coral reefs and encounter its incredible marine life, including manta rays, reef sharks, wobbegong sharks, turtles, and a variety of colorful critters. While diving is possible year-round, the October to April seasonprovides optimal conditions for drift dives, critter spotting, and pelagic encounters, making it the perfect window for both beginner and experienced divers.

Book your diving in Raja Ampat

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How to Get to Raja Ampat for Diving

The main gateway for scuba diving in Raja Ampat is Sorong Airport (SOQ), with most liveaboards and dive resorts offering convenient airport pickups and transfers. While it’s possible to fly into Waisai, it’s a less common entry point, so travelers should plan to transfer to Sorong if arriving there. Some Komodo liveaboards also include Raja Ampat as part of their itineraries, sailing from Labuan Bajo, making it possible to combine multiple Indonesian diving destinations in one trip. With well-organized transfers and flight connections, reaching Raja Ampat’s world-class dive sites is straightforward, allowing divers to quickly access its pristine reefs, abundant marine life, and vibrant coral ecosystems.

Time Zone

UTC+09:00

Phone

+62

Currency

INR

Voltage

220 V

Pressure

Bar (bar)

Plug

C, F

Languages

Indonesian

Domestic airports

Domine Eduard Osok Airport (SOQ)

International airports

Sam Ratulangi Intl. (MDC)

Thanks, from PADI.

This page wouldn't be possible without contributions from the following PADI members: Papua Diving - Sorido Bay, Mikumba Diving. Disclaimer

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