Dive Destinations
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Indonesia’s Raja Ampat Islands are the beating heart of the Coral Triangle and one of the most biodiverse marine regions on Earth. This remote archipelago is a diver’s dream, offering crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and an extraordinary array of marine life, from manta rays and wobbegongs to pygmy seahorses and massive schools of pelagics. With more than 1,500 islands, limestone pinnacles, and turquoise lagoons, Raja Ampat feels like an untouched underwater paradise where every dive is a new adventure.
For divers, Raja Ampat is not just about the marine life; it’s about the experience of immersion. The islands provide dramatic underwater landscapes with walls, slopes, caves, and pinnacles sculpted by ocean currents. From macro photography to drift diving and pelagic encounters, there’s something for everyone.
The Jef Fam Group, located west of Batanta, is a serene cluster of limestone islands offering some of Raja Ampat’s most picturesque dive landscapes. Shallow aquamarine bays, narrow channels, and dramatic cliffs create a playground for underwater exploration. Hard coral gardens thrive here, while south-facing walls host vibrant soft corals, mushroom corals, and green sea pens. Bird Rocks (Batu Burung) is particularly renowned for the rare tasselled wobbegong resting under ledges and among cabbage corals.
Divers will also find giant tridacna clams exceeding one metre in length, small schools of fusiliers, and endemic gobies sheltering in crevices. The mix of shallow reef flats and deep walls makes the area ideal for drift diving and macro observation alike, offering a variety of scenes for both photographers and nature enthusiasts.
Jef Fam Group is a versatile dive destination, combining calm shallow reefs with dramatic walls that offer both large-scale vistas and detailed micro-life encounters. Every dive is a new adventure, rich in color, variety, and photographic potential.
Farondi Island, east of Misool, features labyrinthine tunnels, caverns, and steep limestone walls. Divers exploring southwestern coves encounter ledged gardens covered in soft corals, progressing into overhangs and cylindrical holes teeming with marine life. Currents sweep fusiliers and small trevallies along the slopes, providing dynamic, visually engaging dives.
The area is a haven for small, cryptic species. Whip coral gobies, camouflaged shrimps, juvenile damselfish, and other reef dwellers find shelter in the crevices. Macro photographers will enjoy the interplay of sunlight filtering through cavern entrances, highlighting the textures and vibrant colors of both coral and marine inhabitants.
Farondi is perfect for divers who want to combine dramatic underwater topography with intricate micro-life. Each dive feels unique, with new species and behaviors revealed in the interplay of currents, light, and coral formations.
Yangelo Island, opposite Gam Island, is known for its vibrant coral gardens and pinnacles rising sharply from deep channels. Shallow bommies host swarms of glassfish, fusiliers, and trevallies, while strong currents draw larger predators, including dogtooth tuna and giant trevallies. Visibility is excellent, making the site ideal for underwater photography.
Macro enthusiasts will find anemonefish, banded sea snakes, and various endemic gobies along the reef slopes and ledges. The interplay between pelagic action and small reef dwellers creates dynamic, multi-scale diving experiences, rewarding both action-oriented and detail-focused divers.
Yangelo offers a combination of colorful coral gardens, large predator encounters, and micro-life discoveries, making it a site that satisfies both drift divers and photographers seeking diverse underwater experiences.
Bird Wall on Waigeo’s south coast is a gentle sloping reef that gradually descends to 30 metres. The scattered bommies and rocky areas create ideal habitats for unusual macro species, including sea dragons and mushroom coral pipefish. The abundant small crevices also allow for sightings of juvenile emperor angelfish and other cryptic reef life.
The Corner, exposed to currents, brings pelagic action closer to the reef. Stronger currents draw fish toward shelters, providing divers with unique viewing opportunities. Macro photographers will find a treasure trove of nudibranchs and shrimps in the shallows, while deeper slopes offer glimpses of reef sharks and resting wobbegongs. Green turtles occasionally appear during safety stops.
Bird Wall and The Corner combine accessibility with rich biodiversity, allowing divers of all levels to enjoy both action and detail. The interplay of currents and terrain makes every dive here dynamic, with different discoveries on each visit.
Wayag, in northern Raja Ampat, is world-renowned for its towering limestone karsts and turquoise lagoons, both above and below water. Two Hump Rock’s twin pinnacles attract large schools of barracuda, trevallies, and batfish, while Cathedral Rock’s steep walls with overhangs provide shelter for hammerhead sharks and other pelagics. Drift diving is a highlight here, offering expansive views of pelagic encounters and dramatic underwater landscapes.
Bommie Bowl is a macro paradise, home to pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and colorful anthias. Far Out Rock, further offshore, delivers deep-water encounters with grey reef sharks and Napoleon wrasse, alongside impressive soft corals and barrel sponges. Ridge Rock offers gentle swim-throughs and caverns, making it ideal for detailed exploration.
Wayag’s combination of dramatic topography and diverse marine life offers divers a complete spectrum of experiences. From sweeping pelagic scenes to intricate macro environments, this archipelago is a bucket-list destination for every underwater adventurer.
Kawe Island is a remote northern site featuring steep slopes, pinnacles, and reef corridors with dynamic currents. Changgo Pinnacle is particularly striking, with dense schools of big-eyed jacks, barracuda, and batfish creating a swirling curtain around divers. The complex boulder formations and tunnels between 12–25 m provide both shelter and hunting grounds for numerous species.
Eagle Rock is famed for manta ray cleaning stations, attracting mantas and grey reef sharks into shallow channels. Black Rock showcases towering black coral formations that shelter sweetlips, snappers, and pygmy seahorses, while shallow ledges are perfect for macro enthusiasts seeking leaf scorpionfish or small nudibranchs.
Kawe Island offers a combination of large-scale pelagic spectacles and micro-life wonders. Its varied topography ensures that each dive is unique, from the action-packed pinnacles to the serene shallow ledges perfect for photography.
Resort diving packages in Raja Ampat cater to a wide range of travelers. Resorts offer unlimited shore dives, multiple boat dives per day, and guided experiences across nearby reefs. Nitrox is included at most eco-resorts, providing extended bottom times for enriched diving. Packages also accommodate newcomers and advanced divers, from macro enthusiasts to pelagic hunters.
Many resorts provide full board packages, dive gear rental, and small group ratios to ensure personalized attention. Divers can choose half-day trips to nearby sites or full-day excursions to remote pinnacles and channels. Night dives reveal rare nocturnal species, decorator crabs, and other cryptic critters, adding another layer of adventure to each package.
The Calico Jack is a 30m traditional Phinisi schooner, built from teak and ironwood, offering an intimate and luxurious liveaboard experience for a maximum of 10 guests. It explores Raja Ampat, Komodo, Banda, Ambon, and Alor, with seasonal itineraries that include Misool, Dampier Strait, Waigeo, Cenderawasih Bay, and Triton Bay. Divers can enjoy three dives per day, plus alternate night dives, conducted from two dive-focused speedboats with six dive stations each.
All cabins are air-conditioned en-suite rooms with double or twin beds, and the vessel provides laundry service. The Calico Jack also offers snorkelling gear, sea kayaks, SUPs, and wakeboards, catering to both divers and active guests. With spacious lounge areas, sundecks, and onboard entertainment including TV, DVD, and music systems, this vessel combines classic Indonesian elegance with top-tier diving amenities, perfect for small groups seeking personalized service and intimate cruising.
Key Features:
Calico Jack is perfect for divers who want a boutique, immersive liveaboard experience, offering both exceptional diving and elegant, small-group cruising in some of Indonesia’s most pristine marine environments.
The KM Panunee is a 35m (116ft) steel and aluminium-hulled liveaboard designed for divers and underwater photographers seeking an immersive Indonesian diving experience across Raja Ampat, Komodo, Banda, and Ambon. This Thai-owned vessel accommodates a maximum of 20 guests, with 9 shared bathrooms and 2 suites featuring private en-suite facilities. Notably, it also offers 2 single-bed rooms ideal for solo travellers.
The dive deck is spacious, with individual camera stations, rinse tanks, and air hoses for photography equipment. Guests can relax on the sundeck or in the air-conditioned saloon, which offers TV, DVD, music, and a well-stocked movie library. Meals are served buffet-style in an open-air restaurant, with free soft drinks provided throughout the journey. The Panunee is a Dive The World Gold Range product, making it a well-run, comfortable, and professional choice for a high-quality liveaboard adventure.
Key Features:
The KM Panunee is ideal for divers seeking comfort, ample space for photography, and expert crew guidance while exploring some of Indonesia’s most iconic dive regions.
Misool Eco Resort is a private island sanctuary in the heart of Raja Ampat, offering an extraordinary combination of remoteness, luxury, and ecological stewardship. The property is built almost entirely from reclaimed and locally sourced materials, with 19 spacious villas and cottages nestled along pristine beaches or over shallow water. Guests enjoy full-board packages, guided scuba diving, and access to a conservation-focused environment, including a patrolled 1,220 sq. km private no-take zone. Free nitrox is available to certified divers, while Wi-Fi throughout the property ensures you can stay connected if needed.
The resort’s dive center provides easy access to over 60 remarkable dive sites within a one-hour boat ride. Iconic sites such as Boo Windows, Magic Mountain, and Yilliet showcase the region’s extraordinary biodiversity. Divers encounter vibrant soft and hard corals, schooling fusiliers, reef sharks, and occasional manta rays. Macro enthusiasts can explore pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and other cryptic creatures, while night dives reveal the hidden wonders of the reef.
Misool Eco Resort provides a perfect balance for divers seeking world-class underwater experiences within a sustainably managed environment. Its combination of remote location, luxurious accommodations, and abundant marine life makes it a bucket-list destination for both eco-conscious and adventure-driven divers.
Kri Eco Resort, established in 1994, is the first dive lodge in Raja Ampat and offers authentic, eco-conscious accommodations on the legendary Dampier Strait. Built using local materials and traditional craftsmanship, the resort sits above shallow, crystal-clear waters where blacktip reef sharks patrol the lagoon. The overwater cottages feature balconies with stunning views of the reef, and the main dining and lounge areas are designed to keep guests connected to the marine environment. Sustainability and conservation are at the heart of Kri Eco Resort, with staff actively involved in protecting local ecosystems and educating guests about responsible diving practices.
Diving from Kri Eco Resort is exceptional, with more than 30 world-class dive sites within a 10 km radius. Nearby highlights include Cape Kri, known for its enormous schools of dogtooth tuna and chevron barracuda; Sardine Reef, famous for its tightly packed schooling fish; and Blue Magic, which draws pelagics and large groupers. Two morning dives are standard, with optional afternoon or night dives, while the unlimited diving package allows guests to explore the resort’s house reef at their leisure. Free nitrox for certified divers extends bottom time and enhances safety, making Kri Eco Resort ideal for both casual divers and those seeking more challenging drift dives.
Kri Eco Resort combines pioneering eco-accommodation with unparalleled access to some of Raja Ampat’s most iconic dive sites. Its emphasis on sustainability, conservation, and high-quality diving experiences ensures that every stay is both environmentally responsible and memorably adventurous.
Meridian Adventure Dive Resort is a premier land-based diving destination in Raja Ampat, ideally located just a short ferry ride from Sorong via Waisai. Its accessibility allows for flexible package planning with no fixed start or end dates, making it ideal for divers seeking convenience without compromising on adventure. The resort offers 30 modern, modular rooms with private bathrooms, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi, providing comfort after a day on the water. Dining is a mix of international and local flavors at the a la carte restaurant, while non-diving guests can enjoy paddleboarding, cultural tours, waterfall excursions, or relaxing by the pool and spa.
The diving program at Meridian Adventure Dive Resort is exceptional, with daily access to over 100 sites across Raja Ampat, including Misool, Kawe, Wayag, and Aljui Bay. Custom-built dive boats with long-range capabilities ensure that divers reach even remote sites efficiently, without added cost for long-distance excursions. With a guest-to-guide ratio of just four, experienced guides provide personalized attention, safety, and expert knowledge of each location. Divers can expect two morning and two afternoon dives per day, along with optional night dives, while gear rental is included and GoPro footage of each dive is provided free of charge, allowing guests to capture unforgettable moments.
Meridian Adventure Dive Resort balances world-class diving with comfort, convenience, and community-focused hospitality. Its eco-certified operations, high-quality equipment, and access to Raja Ampat’s most iconic dive sites make it a perfect choice for both newcomers and experienced divers seeking a memorable and immersive marine adventure.
Agusta Eco Resort is a private-island retreat in the heart of the Dampier Strait, offering a combination of comfort, relaxation, and access to world-class diving. The resort features charming cottages with large windows overlooking the ocean, a freshwater swimming pool, and a spa, all designed for guests to unwind after a day exploring the reefs. Built with sustainability in mind, the property uses solar panels, limits single-use plastics, and incorporates eco-friendly practices, making it a conscious choice for environmentally minded travelers. The open-plan restaurant serves a rotating menu of Indonesian and Italian cuisine, ensuring that meals are as delightful as the diving.
The resort’s location provides convenient access to over 80 dive sites within a short boat ride. Daily diving packages include 2–4 boat dives, visiting both nearby and more remote locations such as Yenbuba, Mioskon, Sawandarek Jetty, Blue Magic, Manta Sandy, and Cape Kri. Dive boats are well-equipped, accommodating up to 10 divers per trip with a low guest-to-guide ratio, ensuring personalized guidance and safe exploration. Whether drifting along strong currents, exploring coral pinnacles, or spotting unique critters like pygmy seahorses, giant groupers, and reef sharks, divers will find a variety of experiences tailored to different skill levels.
Agusta Eco Resort provides a balanced combination of adventure and tranquility. Its proximity to world-renowned reefs, sustainable operations, and comfortable amenities make it an ideal choice for divers seeking immersive Raja Ampat experiences while still enjoying resort-style comfort and leisure.
HamuEco Dive Resort is an intimate, budget-friendly property situated on Waigeo Island in central Raja Ampat. The resort offers authentic immersion in the region’s marine environment with simple yet comfortable accommodations, including beachside cottages and over-water bungalows. Guests enjoy local Indonesian cuisine, a relaxed atmosphere, and easy access to nearby villages and natural attractions. The property prides itself on connecting visitors with local culture while providing practical diving amenities for an affordable and rewarding experience.
Diving at HamuEco is both flexible and engaging with packages including 2–3 boat dives per day, plus unlimited unguided jetty dives for guests who wish to explore independently. Dive sites within a 12 km radius include Sardine Reef, Blue Magic, Mioskon, Cape Kri, and Five Rocks, providing opportunities to encounter pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, wobbegongs, and vibrant macro life. Boats are small, accommodating up to 5 divers, and maintain low diver-to-guide ratios for a personalized experience. Whether exploring coral gardens, walls, or shallow pinnacles, divers are guaranteed an intimate and engaging connection with the reef.
HamuEco Dive Resort offers a highly accessible and personal Raja Ampat experience. Its small scale, affordability, and proximity to exceptional dive sites make it an excellent choice for travelers seeking authentic, off-the-beaten-path adventures while still enjoying comfortable accommodations and attentive service.
Indonesia’s Raja Ampat Islands are the ultimate destination for divers seeking unparalleled biodiversity, dramatic underwater landscapes, and authentic eco-conscious experiences. From manta rays and wobbegongs to pygmy seahorses and massive pelagic schools, every dive reveals wonders unique to this equatorial paradise. With its remote location, pristine reefs, and carefully managed marine environments, Raja Ampat offers an immersive journey into some of the most vibrant ecosystems on Earth.
With sustainable resorts, flexible diving packages, and world-class dive sites, Raja Ampat caters to every type of diver, from underwater photographers to adventurous explorers. Each day spent in these waters promises something new, whether it’s discovering hidden macro life, drifting with massive schools of fish, or simply marveling at the diversity and scale of the coral gardens. For those seeking a transformative and unforgettable experience, Raja Ampat is nothing short of extraordinary.
For divers ready to experience the magic of Raja Ampat firsthand, there’s no better way to plan your adventure than with Dive The World. Whether you’re seeking a liveaboard journey, a land-based resort stay, or a tailor-made diving package, Dive The World ensures every moment in Raja Ampat is safe, seamless, and unforgettable. Start your dive adventure today and immerse yourself in the heart of the Coral Triangle.
