Scuba Diving Liveaboard in Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat sits at the center of the Coral Triangle and is on most divers’ lists. A liveaboard is the only way to reach the sites spread across the archipelago. Our dive travel team has selected the boats worth taking.
Best Season for Diving Liveaboards in Raja Ampat
While diving is possible year-round, the best time to visit Raja Ampat is from October to April, when winds are calmer. The months of November to March are especially great for spotting manta rays at cleaning stations like Manta Sandy and Magic Mountain.
From May to September, stronger winds prohibit sailing to the southern part of the park and Misool area. But the Central and Northern part of Raja Ampat offer great conditions. During these monhts, you will also have more chances to have dive sites all for yourself as many boats are cruising in Komodo from April to October.
Water Temperature: 27to 30°C (81 to 86°F)
Visibility: 10 to 30 meters (30 to 100 feet)
Who is it for?
While most dive sites in Raja Ampat are accessible to divers of all levels. Less experienced divers will enjoy beautiful shallow reefs and cruising around jetties or cleaning stations.
Sites like Cape Kri and Blue Magic have strong, shifting currents, so they are reserved for divers with at least an Advanced Open Water certification. Many liveaboards carry instructors and run specialty or advanced courses on board, so less experienced divers are catered for.
Budget for a Diving Liveaboard in Raja Ampat
Like many remote locations, a trip to Raja Ampat can get quite pricey. Our team has selected for you liveaboards for every budget. From budget-friendly cruises to luxurious floating hotels, we got you covered, and we will help you find the best liveaboard for you.
Budget Liveaboards
Budget liveaboards start around $200 to $300 per night, with shared cabins and basic facilities. Shorter trips run 5 to 6 days and cover Kri, Mioskon, Arborek Jetty and Friwinbonda.
Standard and Deluxe Liveaboards
Priced between $300 and $450 per night, these liveaboards strike a balance between comfort and affordability. Expect private cabins, delicious meals, and the guidance of experienced dive crews. Trips typically range from 7 to 10 days and cover all of Raja Ampat’s wonders, from North to South.
Luxury Liveaboards
For a premium experience, luxury liveaboards start from $500 to $600 per night. These vessels feature spacious cabins with en-suite bathrooms, fine dining, and exceptional service. Trips typically range from 7 to 12 days, blending world-class diving with luxury amenities.
Additional Costs
- Marine Park Fees: Raja Ampat Marine Park fees are typically not included in the liveaboard price and range from $200 to $255 per trip.
- Fuel surcharge: Depending on the itinerary, some boat charge additional fuel srucharge to cover longer sailing costs.
- Equipment Rental: If you’re not bringing your own gear, expect to pay $30 to $40 per day for a full set.
- Crew Tips: A 10% tip of the trip’s total cost is a customary way to thank the hardworking crew.
Main Areas & Dive Sites in Raja Ampat
Central Raja Ampat – The Dampier Strait
The heart of Raja Ampat’s diving action, Dampier Strait is famous for its nutrient-rich waters and strong currents that attract an abundance of marine life.
Marine life highlights: Schooling fish, manta rays, reef sharks, wobbegong sharks, epaulaette sharks
Notable Dive Sites
- Cape Kri: Hold the world record for fish species counted in a single dive. Expect to see huge schools of jacks, snappers, and occasional reef sharks.
- Sardine Reef: Named for its massive schools of sardines, this site also attracts larger predators like Spanish mackerel and tuna.
- Blue Magic: A submerged reef known for manta ray encounters and large pelagic fish. Strong currents make this site suitable for experienced divers.
North Raja Ampat – Wayag
Wayag is known for its mushroom-shaped karst islands and for having some of the least-dived reefs in Raja Ampat.
Marine life highlights: Eagle rays, reef sharks, wobbegong sharks, barracuda, coral gardens
Notable Dive Sites
- Eagle Rock: Features dramatic walls covered in sea fans and soft corals, with frequent eagle ray sightings.
- Cathedral: an underwater cavern system where the light comes through from above.
Fam Islands
The Fam Islands cover 700 square kilometers. Three main islands, the largest being Piaynemo (also called Pulau Penemu), with dozens of smaller islets around them. Wall diving and reef diving, in generally calmer conditions.
Marine life highlights: Hard corals, reef fish, wobeggong sharks, occasional pelagics
Notable Dive Sites
- Melissa’s Garden: A spectacular hard coral garden with abundant reef fish and excellent visibility.
- My Reef: known for its coral formations and for wobbegong sharks.
South Raja Ampat – Misool
Misool is the southern part of Raja Ampat, and holds some of the healthiest reefs in the world. Hundreds of small islands and cays form a maze of channels, walls and protected bays.
Marine life highlights: Manta rays, devil rays, Napoleaon wrasse, bumphead parrotfish, schools of barracudas and jacks, soft corals, macro life
Notable Dive Sites
- Magic Mountain: A legendary site known for its resident manta ray population and incredible biodiversity.
- Boo Windows: Famous for its natural “windows” in the reef and exceptional macro life.
- Nudi Rock: a macro photographer’s site, with many nudibranch species and pygmy seahorses.
How to choose and book your Raja Ampat diving liveaboard?
With many boats and itineraries to choose from. our team of dive travel experts is here to help you find the best option for you. Just fill in the form on this page or contact us by email / WhatsApp and tell us what you are looking for. We will provide the best options according to your budget, level of diving and the time of the year you plan to travel.
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