WhenToDive
Southeast Asia · Indonesia · 0.23°S 130.52°E

Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is widely regarded as the epicenter of marine biodiversity on Earth. The archipelago of over 1,500 islands in West Papua sits in the heart of the Coral Triangle and hosts more species of fish and coral than anywhere else on the planet. Diving here is characterized by strong currents, dense pelagic activity, and reefs that feel impossibly alive. Liveaboards are the standard way to dive it, though land-based resorts in Waisai and on Kri and Mansuar provide access to the central sites.

Skill
intermediate
Budget
high
Airport
Sorong (SOQ)
Visa
Visa on arrival for most nationalities, 30 days

Raja Ampat is widely regarded as the epicenter of marine biodiversity on Earth. The archipelago of over 1,500 islands in West Papua sits in the heart of the Coral Triangle and hosts more species of fish and coral than anywhere else on the planet. Diving here is characterized by strong currents, dense pelagic activity, and reefs that feel impossibly alive. Liveaboards are the standard way to dive it, though land-based resorts in Waisai and on Kri and Mansuar provide access to the central sites.

The year at a glance

Jan 3
Feb 3
Mar 4
Apr 4
May 4
Jun 3
Jul 2
Aug 2
Sep 3
Oct 5
Nov 5
Dec 4
Score 1–5 · water, visibility, conditions, species 1 2 3 4 5
Jan 3/5
Water
27–29 °C
Viz
15–25 m
Sea
moderate
Rain
high
Feb 3/5
Water
27–29 °C
Viz
15–25 m
Sea
moderate
Rain
high
Mar 4/5
Water
27–29 °C
Viz
20–30 m
Sea
calm
Rain
moderate
Apr 4/5
Water
28–30 °C
Viz
20–30 m
Sea
calm
Rain
moderate
May 4/5
Water
28–30 °C
Viz
20–30 m
Sea
calm
Rain
low
Jun 3/5
Water
27–29 °C
Viz
15–25 m
Sea
moderate
Rain
low
Jul 2/5
Water
27–29 °C
Viz
15–25 m
Sea
rough
Rain
low
Aug 2/5
Water
27–29 °C
Viz
15–25 m
Sea
rough
Rain
low
Sep 3/5
Water
27–29 °C
Viz
20–30 m
Sea
moderate
Rain
low
Oct 5/5
Water
28–30 °C
Viz
25–40 m
Sea
calm
Rain
low
Nov 5/5
Water
28–30 °C
Viz
25–40 m
Sea
calm
Rain
moderate
Dec 4/5
Water
28–30 °C
Viz
20–30 m
Sea
calm
Rain
high

Signature dive sites

The sites you'll hear about in every briefing.

  • 01

    Manta Sandy

    Cleaning station where mantas queue to be cleaned by wrasse. Drift dive over sand with shallow coral bommies.

    0.56°S
    130.68°E
  • 02

    Blue Magic

    Submerged seamount in the Dampier Strait with wall-to-wall fish, schooling trevally, and mantas on passing currents.

    0.61°S
    130.69°E
  • 03

    Cape Kri

    Holds the record for most fish species counted on a single dive. Gentle slope with prolific reef activity.

    0.56°S
    130.69°E

What you'll see

Top species with their April status.

Reef Manta Ray

Reef Manta Ray

Mobula alfredi
April · Peak
JFMAMJJASOND
Wobbegong Shark

Wobbegong Shark

Orectolobidae (family)
April · Peak
JFMAMJJASOND
Pygmy Seahorse

Pygmy Seahorse

Hippocampus bargibanti (and related species)
April · Peak
JFMAMJJASOND
Whale Shark

Whale Shark

Rhincodon typus
Year-round
JFMAMJJASOND

Getting there

Gateway

Fly into Sorong (SOQ). Visa: Visa on arrival for most nationalities, 30 days.

Best months

Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, Dec

Avoid

Jul, Aug

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