Dive Into Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat lies in West Papua in eastern Indonesia and is an area made up of hundreds of lush islands. Raja Ampat translates as ‘the four kings’ which is what the four main islands of Salawati, Bantanta, Waigeo and Misool are referred to. It’s one of Indonesia's most beautiful regions and while popular with scuba divers it maintains a remote unexplored beauty.

Here, divers can find some of the most beautiful coral reefs, which are famed for their rich diversity and are among Indonesia’s best. Whether you’re a macro hunter or a big-picture reef scape gawker, you’ll find abundance. The location is a photographer's dream but, camera or not, expect manta rays, wobbegong sharks, walking sharks, reef sharks, turtles, schooling fish, pygmy seahorse, mackerel, tuna, barracuda and a variety of colourful nudibranchs.

Diving Raja Ampat

Diving Suitable For

Raja Ampat’s glorious marine life is fed by currents which sweep around its islands. For this reason, diving is more suitable for qualified and experienced divers, particularly if you opt to explore the area by liveaboard. If you want to learn to dive in this spectacular environment, it's possible on a land based trip, so opt for a dive resort instead.

Diving Highlights

Raja Ampat’s colossal abundance cannot be overestimated, and divers and snorkellers alike will be mesmerised to the diversity on offer. Often, dive resorts have a superb range of dive sites on their doorstep to explore starting with a house reef that’s ideal for snorkelling, while liveaboards explore more of this vast region. 

The Misool, in southern Raja Ampat, brings chaotic colour and macro madness. Mansuar is a manta and turtle heaven, while Waigeo is all about that frenetic reef bustle. Everywhere you look is colourful, busy and a kaleidoscope of variety.

Diving Seasons

Raja Ampat can be dived all year round, but the best conditions are October to April, with the least wind and calmest seas being October and November. Due to the size of the area, small regional variations can occur.

Things to do in Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is no less stunning above the water line. The scattered islands bedecked with lush jungle vegetation, picture-perfect sandy beaches and luxury resorts with overwater bungalows offer some truly stunning scenes. You can explore more of the topside attractions by kayak or on nature walks. Raja Ampat’s birdlife is also spectacular, with two species of birds of paradise endemic. Cockatoos, parrots, hornbills, shelducks and beach kingfishers can all be spotted too. 

Getting There

Raja Ampat is remote. Sorong Airport serves the area and this lies just 10 minutes from the port that will connect you by boat to your chosen destination. 

Connections to Sorong leave from Jakarta, Denpasar (Bali) or Makassar and Manado, and these major gateways open up numerous opportunities for operators serving all major UK and European Airports.

Climate

Raja Ampat is tropical and lies on the equator, and enjoys a year round temperature of 30 degrees. October and November are the stillest months. The area's lushness means rainfall, and the majority of this falls between May and September, with June and July being the wettest months. December and January are often referred to as the area's second monsoon, as they can be just as wet. That said, rainfall is short-lived and passes as fast as it arrives.

Water Temperature & Visibility 

The average water temperature is between 28–30°C, meaning a 5mm suit is ideal.

Visibility is variable, and the area will treat you to twinkling visibility and sparkling oceans – perfect for diving some of the richest reefs on Earth - but do be prepared for lower visibility too.

Time 

Raja Ampat is +9 hours GMT.

Currency

Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).

It’s advisable to exchange a little money before you leave so that you do have some currency when you arrive. ATMs are available at the airport, as are exchange services.

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, and tap and contactless technologies are expanding all the time. That said, if you want to spend money supporting local and traditional enterprises, be prepared with cash.

Flights

International flights from main UK and European airports serve Jakarta and Denpasar (Bali) where connections will take you to Sorong. From Sorong, boat transfers will take you to resorts or connect you with your liveaboard vessel.

Note that Sorong is also served by a direct flight from Manado, which offers an interesting opportunity for those wishing to dive in Bunaken.

Visas

Entry requirements vary from country to country, and it’s important to check the latest visa information well before you travel. Some destinations may allow visa-free entry for a limited period, while others require an eVisa or a visa obtained in advance. To ensure you have the correct documentation for your trip, we recommend checking the official advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or contacting the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

Passports

Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip and meets the entry requirements of your destination. Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your planned return date, while others may have different rules. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, visit the UK Government’s passport guidance or the official travel advice pages for your destination. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

If you’re planning to travel to or via an EU country (with certain exceptions) your UK passport must meet two key requirements, it must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the country and it must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.

Vaccinations & Health Advice

Health and vaccination requirements differ depending on where you're travelling. Some destinations may require proof of specific vaccinations or recommend certain precautions to protect your wellbeing.

We’re not qualified to provide you with specific advice on vaccinations and strongly recommend that you contact your healthcare professional before you travel to discuss the inoculations you may need to consider.

For trusted guidance on health and vaccination advice, refer to the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice, Masta Travel Health or Travel Health Pro websites.