Raja Ampat
The Four Kings
The Indonesian archipelago of Raja Ampat is located near the northwest coast of New Guinea. It consists of some 1,500 islands, often mountainous, the largest of which are Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool. The first three are located in the Pacific Ocean, Misool is in the Seram Sea.The archipelago is located at the western edge of the Pacific Ocean, where the waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans meet, giving rise to a strong continental current from the Sahul.
About 75% of all coral species in the world and thousands more species of fish, mollusks, plants, and birds find a home deep under the clear blue waters, in the quiet lagoon between the karst constellations, and up in the picturesque hills and jungles.
General information
Reach Raja Ampat
To reach Raja Ampat, you will have to take a domestic flight to Sorong. Sorong is the largest province in West Papua Province. If you’re flying in from an international destination, you won’t be able to find a flight that goes straight to Sorong. Once in Sorong, you can take a taxi to the Sorong ferry harbor, the departure point of your cruise.
Seasons - Water t° - Visibility
Unlike other parts of Indonesia, weather in Raja Ampat is relatively stable all year around, consistently around 25-32°C, with high humidity at times causing it to feel hotter. There is a typical dry season, rainy season and windy season. Many of the islands (especially the 4 big islands of Salawati, Batanta, Waigeo and Misool) have microclimates that vary substantially from islands nearby. October from April is the ideal time to visit based on dryer weather and calmer wind. It is also during this period that manta rays are present in the northern region of Raja Ampat. The water temperature can vary from 22°C to 29°C throughout the year, offering very pleasant diving possibilities.
HIGH lights of Raja Ampat
A Unique & Wild Scenery
Piaynemo
Piaynemo is one of the most iconic views of Raja Ampat. When you arrive at Piaynemo your boat will anchor at the small dock at the bottom of scrubby cliffs. Looking up you’ll find yourself faced with what looks like a big climb. However, the 300 stairs are in good repair and aren’t so difficult to climb. This lookout on top of an impressive limestone peak offers a stunning view across the star-shaped lagoon at Piaynemo. One of the most impressive views of Raja Ampat.
Arborek Island
Raja Ampat has a formation of many beautiful islands. One of them is called Arborek, and it becomes a recommended vacation destination for both locals and foreigners. The charming sea and soothing white sand make it a perfect option for relaxation, after all. Apart from the nature beauty, Arborek is also famous for its local village (Kampung Wisata), offering interesting traditions and entertainment. It takes roughly thirty minutes to walk the entire coastline of Arborek. The island is known for its very hospitable ‘Tourism Village’ and exceptional handicrafts.
Kri Island & Yenbuba Village
Kri is quite a small island. It’s a long, narrow, forested island that is really part of the neighbouring Pulau Mansuar, from which it is separated by a narrow and shallow strait. Diving and snorkelling are pretty much what it’s all about at Kri. Many say that Kri’s reefs are the best in Raja Ampat ! The next activity is to visit a nearby village, which is called Yenbuba. Some villagers live there and they may introduce local culture to visitors. Actually, most of them live as a fisherman. The thing is they use a traditional method in catching the fish, which involves a spear. Only the locals are able to perform it, as it requires both skills and experience.
Telaga Bintang
This 5-pointed star-shaped lagoon is located just 5 minutes by boat from Piaynemo. Once we reach the mainland, all that remains is to climb a few dozen steps carved into the rock. The climb, although short, is not for everyone. You have to be at least athletic and once at the top not be subject to vertigo. If you have the courage to reach the ridge, you will enjoy, like us, a totally unobstructed view of Telaga Bintang on one side and karst islets on the other plunging into turquoise water.
Diving In Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat has been described by many scientists as the richest place for Marine life on Earth. The biodiversity is just wonderful with weird and rare underwater creatures everywhere you look. Many new species have been discovered over the last few years in the archipelago. Raja Ampat diving is characterized by its mindblowing diversity, featuring a plethora of medium to large size fish, good macro, and great hard and soft coral reefs, along with some muck and mangrove sites.
Famous Dive Sites
The Last Paradise
CAPE KRI
Current : +++
Max depht : 40 m
Species : Barracudas, Moray eels, Tuna, Turtle, Grouper, Scorpion fish, Lion fish
Cape Kri is simply the dive site of the world record for the highest number of species in a single dive! At the crossroads of different currents at the tip of Kri Island, the fauna and flora are of an incredible density and diversity. Sharks of all kinds, multiple schools of fish, an amazing diversity of coral, rare specimens for macro fans... everything is there! Sometimes you just have to go down, hang delicately on a rock and admire the show. Nobody comes back disappointed from a dive at Cape Kri!
BLUE MAGIC
Current : ++
Max depht : 35 m
Species : bighead jacks, barracudas, dogtooth tuna, grey reef sharks and wobbegong sharks.
Blue Magic, off the coast of Waigeo, consists of a pinnacle, which starts at 8 meters and goes down to 35 meters. On the top of the pinnacle, there are all kinds of nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, and scorpion fish, as well as several cleaning stations. Bigger fish are seen as you descend and it is common to encounter bighead jacks, barracudas, dogtooth tuna, grey reef sharks and wobbegong sharks.
THE PASSAGE
Current : +++
Max depht : 5 m
Species : moray eels, scorpion fish, lion fish, seahorses, leaf fish, toad fish, stone fish
The Passage is a unique drift dive site! It is a kind of narrow canyon of 30m width located between Gam Island and Waigeo Island, which could be described as a river flowing between two islands. This configuration gives it a unique micro habitat that will delight photographers! The passage is full of pygmy seahorses, numerous nudibranchs, gorgonians of all colors, antennae of all shapes and textures...
MIKE'S POINT
Current : +++
Max depht : 30 m
Species : whitetip and blacktip sharks, eagle rays, green turtles, sea snakes, schools of barracudas, Napoleon wrasse
Mike’s Point is a fascinating and popular dive site, located in the Eastern tip of Kerupiar island, just off the South-East coast of Gam, almost smack in the middle of the Dampier Strait. It is an area very distinct from the others, due to its history. During the Second World War the U.S. Air Force confused it with a Japanese ship and bombed it. The impacts on the rock created grooves in the wall, sort of like caves, where you can now dive.
MANTA SANDY
Current : ++
Max depht : 20 m
Species : Manta rays
Manta Sandy is a dive appropriate for everyone, since it is only 18 meters deep, making it ideal for beginners. The currents are variable. In this area there is a large concentration of plankton which, together with the currents, attracts the manta rays. You will see the typical ones, but also some black mantas that are less common. In order to not upset their habitat, please keep in mind that, during the dive, we remain behind the rocks, watching the animals swimming around.
YENBUBA JETTY
Current : -
Max depht : 30 m
Species : nudibranchs, sergeant fish, angelfish, barracudas, rainbow cuttlefish, tuna
From the jetty, on Waigeo Island, opens a superb dive site, accessible to beginners and snorkelers, from 6 to 30 meters deep. With its crystal clear water, the site offers a visibility of more than 90 meters in good weather, which makes it a perfect spot for underwater photographers. On a gentle slope, a profusion of multicolored corals, breathtaking gorgonians and fishes are gathered.
Our Circuits
Leisure Circuit
7 days 6 nights
Diving Circuit
9 days 8 nights
Raja Ampat Fleet
Luxury floating hotel
