Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat – The Crown Jewel of Indonesian Diving

Raja Ampat, often hailed as the epicenter of marine life on Earth, is a destination every diver dreams of. Situated in the heart of the Coral Triangle, this remote region of West Papua offers a breathtaking combination of marine biodiversity, healthy coral reefs, and stunning landscapes above and below the waterline. The sheer variety here is unmatched—over 1,500 species of fish and 600 species of corals make these waters some of the richest anywhere in the world.

Beneath the surface, divers are welcomed by schools of fusiliers, sweetlips, and trevallies, along with reef sharks, manta rays, wobbegong sharks, and even dolphins. Macro photographers will also be rewarded with pygmy seahorses, pipefish, and a dazzling range of nudibranchs. Above water, the beauty continues with dramatic limestone cliffs, , and pristine white-sand beaches.

Highlight Dive Sites – Central Area

  • Cape Kri – One of Raja Ampat’s most iconic sites, holding the record for the highest number of fish species ever recorded on a single dive. Strong currents bring in barracudas, trevallies, reef sharks, and swirling schools of fusiliers.
  • Blue Magic – A submerged seamount where the action rarely stops. Oceanic manta rays, Spanish mackerel, and schools of tuna frequently appear, while reef sharks circle the slopes.
  • Sardine Reef – Despite its name, you won’t find sardines here—just a stunning coral-covered mound overflowing with anthias, snapper, trevallies, and patrolling predators.
  • Mioskon – A gentle site perfect for long, relaxed dives. Look for sweetlips congregating under ledges, wobbegongs resting on the sand, and tiny critters hiding among vibrant coral gardens.
  • Arborek Jetty – A photographer’s paradise, with soft corals clinging to the jetty pylons, schools of fish swirling beneath, and macro life such as nudibranchs and pipefish.
  • Manta Ridge – A must-dive for manta enthusiasts. This current-swept ridge serves as a cleaning and feeding station for both reef mantas and oceanic mantas. Watching these graceful giants hover in formation as cleaner wrasse go to work is one of Raja Ampat’s most unforgettable sights. 

Misool – A Hidden Paradise of Soft Corals and Big Fish

Located in the southern part of Raja Ampat, Misool is a remote marine sanctuary protected by local conservation efforts. Its dramatic underwater landscapes are filled with soft corals, sea fans, and schools of reef fish, all nourished by nutrient-rich currents. Here, divers find the perfect blend of pelagic encounters and macro treasures.

Highlight Dive Sites – Misool

  • Fiabacet – A dazzling chain of reefs overflowing with reef fish, snappers, fusiliers, and colorful corals.
  • Boo Windows – Named after the natural swim-through “windows” carved into the reef, this site offers a surreal underwater panorama of reef sharks, snappers, and playful anthias.
  • Magic Mountain (Karang Bayangan) – One of Raja Ampat’s signature sites, where both reef mantas and oceanic mantas gather to feed and be cleaned. Grey reef sharks and schools of barracuda often patrol nearby.
  • Nudi Rock – Famous for its nudibranch diversity, alongside lush soft corals, sea fans, and wide-angle reef scenes.
  • Jellyfish Lake – A unique inland lagoon surrounded by limestone cliffs, home to thousands of non-stinging jellyfish. Swimming here is a surreal experience unlike any other.

A Destination Beyond Compare

With its combination of Dampier Strait’s exhilarating currents and manta encounters and Misool’s kaleidoscope of soft corals. Raja Ampat truly lives up to its title as the crown jewel of Indonesian diving. Every dive reveals something new, whether it’s a giant manta gliding overhead, a pygmy seahorse clinging to a sea fan, or a reef exploding with fish life.

For divers seeking both adventure and serenity, Raja Ampat delivers an underwater journey that is as diverse as it is unforgettable—a place where every moment feels like diving in the richest seas on the planet.