Diving in Raja Ampat, Indonesia – Everything You Need to Know

If you’re an experienced scuba diver, chances are you’ve heard that Raja Ampat is one of the best places in the world for a diving trip. The remote archipelago in Indonesia is blessed with colourful coral reefs and a vast array of marine life which is any diving enthusiast’s dream. 

However, Raja Ampat is notoriously difficult to get to and can be quite expensive, so if you’re considering a diving holiday in this marine paradise, planning is everything. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about diving in Raja Ampat. From the best time of year for a diving holiday in this Indonesian gem to the best diving spots and what to pack, we cover all the important aspects that will ensure you have the most thrilling diving experience that will go off without a hitch.

The Best Time of Year for Diving in Raja Ampat

The best time to visit Raja Ampat for diving is during the dry season, which typically runs from October to May. During these months, the sea is calmer, visibility is at its peak and underwater conditions are ideal. This is also the best time for interactions with a diverse array of marine life like colourful corals and rarer species, like walking sharks.

The average temperature in Raja Ampat from October to May is around 31°C during the days and drops to a lovely 24°C in the evenings. The microclimates of the islands can have a significant impact on the overall weather conditions in Raja Ampat, which can make it very difficult to predict. However, sea temperatures remain at a static 29°C year round, so the water is always ripe for a diving trip in Raja Ampat. 

You will find many liveaboard operators running diving trips during this period as it is the peak season for diving in Raja Ampat. Likewise, dive resorts will be geared up for the high season and will have everything you need for the perfect diving trip.

The Best Places for Diving in Raja Ampat

There are numerous dive sites around Raja Ampat, each offering a unique experience. The archipelago is made up of over 1,500 islands and cays, offering ample places for eager divers to explore the rich marine wonderland.  

In this section, we cover the best diving destinations in Raja Ampat that are suitable for a variety of skill levels. From the diverse reefs of Cape Kri to the gentle pinnacle of Mioskun, we highlight the best diving sites in Raja Ampat that you don’t want to miss. 

Manta Ridge

Perhaps one of the most popular dive sites in Raja Ampat, Manta Ridge is a top choice for divers who are hoping to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing manta rays in their natural habitat. Manta Ridge is a cleaning station that attracts dozens of majestic rays and is the best spot to get a picture of the beautiful creatures. It is located between Mansuar Island and Arborek Island, in the centre of Raja Ampat.

Manta Ridge is a reef slope that reaches depths of 40 metres, but it can be done as a shallow dive as you can watch the wonderful marine life flitting around at just 6 metres deep. The rays are usually accompanied by a range of other fish species like yellow pilot fish and cleaner wrasse, which eat parasites that live on the Manta Rays. You may also see a few turtles flitting through the reef, making Manta Ridge a prime spot for wildlife encounters. 

While it is a beautiful diving spot, Manta Ridge is only suitable for experienced divers. The currents here are very strong and flow in all directions, which can make having a comfortable dive rather challenging. It is recommended that you use reef hooks to stay in the same spot and this will enable you to witness the dancing Manta Rays without fear of being swept away. 

Cape Kri 

Another spectacular dive site in Raja Ampat is Cape Kri, considered to be one of the best places to go diving in Indonesia. Due to multiple converging currents, the area is rich in nutrients which has produced a stunning array of marine flora and fauna. It is commonly ranked as one of the best diving spots in the world and once you experience the underwater paradise, you’ll understand why. 

Cape Kri is situated in the Dampier Strait, near Mansuar Island in the northern region of Raja Ampat. It is accessible by boat from many diving resorts and holds the highest record for the number of species encountered on a single dive. The fantastic biodiversity at Cape Kri makes it one of the most exciting dive sites in Raja Ampat as there’s no telling what colourful creatures you may encounter. 

Cape Kri is a great spot for both novice and experienced divers. Shallow sections only reach depths of 5 metres, which is ideal for beginners who want to swim alongside marine life. More daring and experienced divers can explore depths of 40 metres and observe a magnificent selection of coral species.  

Blue Magic 

If you’re looking for an extraordinary dive experience, then you have to take a trip to Blue Magic. Situated between Cape Kri and Mioskon, the site is a popular stop on liveaboard diving trips. An underwater pinnacle which rises from the seafloor, the pinnacle is covered with corals and sea sponges and is the only natural structure for miles, so it attracts some larger species too. 

Divers can expect to see a multitude of fish species, including schooling fish like trevallies, barracudas and fusiliers. The site is also known for encounters with larger marine animals, including reef sharks and giant trevallies, and is another great spot to see elusive oceanic manta rays. Due to the array of different corals, it’s a great place for macro photography, as you can take stunning shots of smaller sea critters hiding in the coral formations.

Blue Magic is suitable for a variety of experience levels, but beginners may feel more comfortable with a knowledgeable guide. The currents at Blue Magic can be quite strong and change very quickly, so having a guide who is experienced is vital for navigating the ephemeral waters. 

Mioskon

Divers looking for a more relaxed dive will find the best experience at Mioskon. This beginner-friendly diving spot is situated near the island of Mansuar in the northern part of Raja Ampat. Thanks to its fabulous coral column, it’s a very popular dive site that offers some of the best marine life encounters. 

Mioskon is renowned for its vibrant coral gardens. Divers can expect to encounter a wide variety of corals, including colourful hard and soft corals which provide a visually stunning backdrop for underwater photography. You will find the site teeming with different types of reef fish and crustaceans, and it’s also one of the best places to see wobbegong sharks hiding in the caves and crevices.

This dive site enjoys a more gentle current which makes it a great choice for beginners and inexperienced divers. It can pick up occasionally, so it’s best to check with your guide or dive operator to ensure the conditions are safe. Depths at Mioskon typically range from 5 metres to around 25 metres offering a varied diving experience.

Liveaboards or Dive Resorts, Which is Right For You?

We’ve mentioned liveaboards a fair bit throughout this article and we thought it best to highlight what these are and if it is the right choice for your diving trip.

Liveaboards are exactly what they sound like. Rather than staying in a resort and taking boat trips to different dive sites in Raja Ampat, you stay aboard a cruise ship and tour multiple diving sites. They’re a great option for travellers who want diving to be the main focus of their trip and provides easy access to the top diving spots in the archipelago. 

Alternatively, there are dive resorts in Raja Ampat providing comfortable accommodation and easy access to nearby dive sites. Many of these resorts will offer diving trips and tours which may be more ideal if you want to spend some time beachside and enjoy the comforts of a deluxe resort. 

While liveaboards ensure you hit the top dive sites and make the most of your trip, they can be very expensive. Staying at a resort is much more cost-effective, as long as you don’t mind having to take some long boat rides to reach the best dives and possibly not hit every site on your itinerary.

To ensure you have the best Raja Ampat trip, you want to pay careful attention to what you pack. Experienced divers may want to bring their top-of-the-line kit, but getting it all the way to the islands could be quite a challenge. As such, we’ve provided some advice for what to pack that ensures you have all the essentials for an amazing diving holiday in Raja Ampat. 

As you will be surrounded by water, you will want to pack plenty of swimwear. This includes bathing suits as well as rash vests which will protect you from the hot sun. We also recommend bringing reef-safe sunscreen that will stave off sunburn and help conserve the amazing natural beauty of Raja Ampat. 

When it comes to diving and snorkelling gear, a lot of it can be rented from tour providers or may be included in the cost of a liveaboard trip. However, we do recommend bringing your own mask, snorkel and fins as you will need them to fit comfortably during dives. We also recommend bringing your own wetsuit, a 3mm to 5mm wetsuit is suitable for the warm waters of Raja Ampat.

You may want to bring some of your own gadgets like a well-serviced regulator or diving computer. While these items may improve your diving experience, you will want to make sure that they are insured as they could get damaged during your thrilling dives.

As well as packing advice, we also wanted to give you some top tips that will make your Raja Ampat diving holiday perfect. We cover some general tips as well as some more specific ones, so whether you’ve never dived or have been doing it for years, this section is bound to help you plan your visit. 

First and foremost, ensure you have appropriate diving certification. Some dive sites in Raja Ampat may require advanced or speciality certifications due to their currents and depths. You will also want to practise your buoyancy control as several of the coral formations in Raja Ampat are very delicate. 

The biggest issue you’ll have when diving in Raja Ampat is getting there. The remote location is notoriously difficult to reach and will typically require at least 3 flights before you’re on one of the islands. There are 2 airports in Raja Ampat, Waisai and Sorong, and neither receives international flights, so you’ll likely have to fly to an Indonesian city like Makassar before heading to Raja Ampat.

Overall, Raja Ampat is a prime destination for travellers seeking a diving holiday. The unspoilt reefs have some of the richest biodiversity on the planet and offer a glimpse into the marine world that can’t be experienced anywhere else. There is a range of diving spots that will suit multiple divers, from novices to veterans, so every diver will have an amazing experience.

Although reaching this immaculate archipelago can be challenging, within the tropical paradise lies the promise of an unparalleled diving experience. The beauty of the underwater realm in Raja Ampat will undoubtedly leave divers in awe, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Thinking about booking a diving trip? Check out our other articles like The Best Places to Snorkel in the Mediterranean for some travel inspiration.