Raja Ampat

Gangga Divers at the Papua Paradise Eco Resort 

Gangga Divers at the Papua Paradise Eco Resort offers a very high standard of professional dive services.

Dive groups are at most four guests to one dive guide, so that everyone can enjoy the superb diving.

Nitrox is available free of charge to those certified. For those not certified, Gangga Divers is a PADI 5-star resort, which means it offers a full range of PADI courses.

New or very well-maintained Aqualung dive equipment can be hired. 8, 12, and 15-litre aluminium tanks are available with DIN or international fitting.

You’ll appreciate the locked storage facility if you bring your gear. Storage crates, rinse tanks, and a drying area are also provided.

Photographers and videographers will love the padded camera trolleys that allow you to wheel your equipment safely and effortlessly from room to dive centre. There’s even an air-conditioned dedicated camera room with workstations within the dive centre.

To ensure a great dive experience, Gangga divers have 10 small fibreglass boats. Most take a maximum of 5 divers, and all have silent engines, which minimises intrusion and maximises your enjoyment of the reef. Towels, fresh water, tea and coffee, fruit, and snacks are onboard, and each boat has full safety equipment onboard. 

Combined scuba diving and accommodation packages are available for stays of 7 nights or longer. Please enquire for a holiday price.

Dive into Raja Ampat 

Guests using Dive into Raja Ampat’s dive centre will love the newly upgraded facilities and both new and upgraded boats.

Photographers and videographers more than have their needs met. The dive centre boasts a dedicated camera room with workstations. The centre has lockable dive gear storage. All tanks are 12 litre aluminium with DIN valve and adaptors are available. Nitrox is currently not available.

The usual dive schedule comprises 2 dives in the morning, a return to the resort for lunch, and then another dive in the afternoon, with around 30 dives sites in close proximity to the resort. 

Combined scuba diving and accommodation packages are available for stays of just 3 nights or longer and can be combined with a liveaboard. Please enquire for a holiday price.

Meridian Adventure Dive Centre

The Meridian Adventure dive team are on hand to deliver exceptional service to over 75 dive sites rich in Raja Ampat. Scuba divers are transported to dive sites on one of 5 custom build dive boats in 5 to 45 minutes. The marine biodiversity hotspot is home to schooling fish, hundreds of coral species, pelagics and sharks.

With a maximum of 1 to 4 per dive guide and only 10 per boat there is plenty of room for all and helps to keep dive sites uncrowded. Dive sites accessed include the famed Blue Magic known for its manta rays, Sauwandarek Jetty with strong currents drawing in shoaling tropical fish, and Melissa Garden with vibrant coral species and rich marine life.

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°C-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 the international airport in 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.