Raja Ampat, located in Indonesia’s remote West Papua province, is often hailed as the crown jewel of global diving.  Situated in the heart of the Coral Triangle, this archipelago boasts the highest marine biodiversity on Earth, with over 1,500 species of fish and 500 types of coral.  There really is nowhere else on earth like it.  Divers are treated to a breathtaking range of underwater experiences, from vibrant coral reefs and dramatic drop-offs to manta ray cleaning stations and encounters with smaller critters like pygmy seahorses. Whether exploring via a secluded eco-lodge or a liveaboard vessel, Raja Ampat offers access to world-class sites like Misool, Dampier Strait, and Cape Kri.  This is absolutely the pinnacle of any marine life encounter experience dive destination.

When to go

Raja Ampat is affected by wet and dry seasons.  Diving is best here between October - April, and if you choose a liveaboard trip this is the only time of year they will operate.

How to get there

Although not geographically far away, it can be tricky to get to Raja Ampat.  The best airport to fly into is generally Sorong.  To get to Sorong from Australian cities, you will need to transit in Jakarta or Denpasar as a general rule, and often this connection will be overnight.  Hot tip here - get us to look at the confusing flight itinerary for you!

Where to stay

Liveaboard trips are very popular in Raja Ampat and often do anywhere between 7-14 night itineraries.  These always include a lot of diving, and the benefit of travelling this destination this way is that you can steam overnight on the boat to dive spots that may not be accessible from a resort you choose to stay.  Beware the price tag of these trips, but we do think it is worth it as a bucket list option.  There are over 65 options, so let's have a chat to narrow them down a bit more based on what you're after.

For land-based stays, we don’t think you can go past Dive Into Raja Ampat at Waiwo Resort.  This is 4-star accommodation, and a top-notch dive operation that has a load of experience.  This is also a fabulous option for your hip pocket.

Highlights

Everything under the water.  Seriously, the diving here is second to none.