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Southwest Papua · Raja Ampat Regency · Indonesia

ai researched· confidence 78%

Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is a vast archipelago in Southwest Papua, Indonesia, widely regarded as one of the world's most biodiverse marine regions.

27–30°CBoat + Shore

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Beneath the surface

Why dive here?

Raja Ampat is a vast archipelago in Southwest Papua, Indonesia, widely regarded as one of the world's most biodiverse marine regions. Its diving is defined by extraordinary coral and fish diversity, manta encounters, strong tidal currents, remote reefs and a mix of resort-based and liveaboard exploration. The main diving areas include the Dampier Strait, the Fam Islands and southern Misool.

17Published dive sites

9Documented marine-life links

4Local operators & liveaboards

Quick facts

Raja Ampat (Indonesia) is a dive destination known for Reef manta ray, Oceanic manta ray and Tasselled wobbegong. Water temperature: 27–30 °C across the year. DIVE-SEEK lists 17 dive sites and 4 dive operators here.

Summarised from DIVE-SEEK's recorded catalogue data; omitted values are not yet recorded.

Ask about Raja Ampat

Answers are built only from our cited catalogue records — where data is missing, the assistant says so instead of guessing.

Diving characteristics

Conditions at a glance

Water temperature

27–30 °C

Typical depth

Research in progress

Maximum depth

Research in progress

Visibility

Research in progress

Current

Research in progress

Accessibility

65 /100

Infrastructure

55 /100

Photography

Research in progress

Certification range

Research in progress

Destination research

Research in progress

Not enough verified data yet.

ai researched· confidence 78%

Trust

Checking trust information…

shore divingboat divingdrift divingnight divingfreedivingnitrox available

Dive sites

Find your next descent

Explore the dive sites of Raja Ampat.

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Blue Magic

8–30 mLevel 4/5

Dampier Strait - An exposed submerged pinnacle between Kri and Waigeo, known for strong current, schooling pelagic fish and possible manta encounters.

Reef

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Boo Windows

3–35 mLevel 4/5

Misool - An iconic Misool reef site where rounded openings in the limestone create the site's famous 'windows'. The site combines shallow reef, wall structure and variable current.

ReefWall

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Cape Kri

3–40 mLevel 4/5

Dampier Strait - One of Raja Ampat's signature reef sites, Cape Kri is a current-influenced ridge at the eastern end of Kri Island, famous for exceptional fish diversity, schooling fish and pelagic encounters.

Year-round possible; conditions depend strongly on tide and current.ReefWall

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Fuzzy Rock

Depth in researchDifficulty in research

Site description is being verified.

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Kabui

Depth in researchDifficulty in research

Site description is being verified.

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Kakatua reef

Depth in researchDifficulty in research

Site description is being verified.

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Manta Ridge

3–20 mLevel 4/5

Dampier Strait - A more current-exposed manta site than Manta Sandy, suited to experienced divers comfortable holding position in moving water.

Reef

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Manta Sandy

2–20 mLevel 2/5

Dampier Strait - A shallow manta cleaning-station site where divers wait in an established observation position rather than pursuing the animals.

Most commonly reported during the October-April main season.Reef

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Melissa's Garden

5–25 mLevel 3/5

Fam / Penemu - An iconic hard-coral garden formed around shallow pinnacles, known for exceptional coral diversity and abundant reef life.

Reef

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Sardine Reef

3–30 mLevel 4/5

Dampier Strait - An exposed oval reef patch surrounded by schooling reef fish and predators. Strong and variable current is a defining part of the site.

Reef

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Selat Kabui

Depth in researchDifficulty in research

Site description is being verified.

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Soft corals in the passage

Depth in researchDifficulty in research

Site description is being verified.

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The Cathedral

Depth in researchDifficulty in research

Site description is being verified.

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The Passage

Depth in researchDifficulty in research

Site description is being verified.

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The Passage

15–35 mLevel 5/5

Dampier Strait / northern Raja Ampat - A narrow tidal channel characterised by strong water movement, steep reef walls and schooling pelagic fish. This is a current-driven dive for experienced divers.

ReefWall

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Urai

Depth in researchDifficulty in research

Site description is being verified.

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White Arrow

Depth in researchDifficulty in research

Site description is being verified.

Marine life

What you can encounter

Seasonality research in progress

DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailable

occasional

Napoleon wrasse

Cheilinus undulatus

Seasonality research in progress

Seasonality

Month by month

Water temperature, visibility, current and rainfall recorded per month rather than reduced to a single 'best time'.

Jan

28–30 °C

Visibility: —
Current: —
Rainfall: —
Diving score: —

Feb

28–30 °C

Visibility: —
Current: —
Rainfall: —
Diving score: —

Mar

28–30 °C

Visibility: —
Current: —
Rainfall: —
Diving score: —

Apr

28–30 °C

Visibility: —
Current: —
Rainfall: —
Diving score: —

May

27–29 °C

Visibility: —
Current: —
Rainfall: —
Diving score: —

Jun

27–28 °C

Visibility: —
Current: —
Rainfall: —
Diving score: —

Jul

27–28 °C

Visibility: —
Current: —
Rainfall: —
Diving score: —

Aug

27–28 °C

Visibility: —
Current: —
Rainfall: —
Diving score: —

Sep

27–29 °C

Visibility: —
Current: —
Rainfall: —
Diving score: —

Oct

28–29 °C

Visibility: —
Current: —
Rainfall: —
Diving score: —

Nov

28–30 °C

Visibility: —
Current: —
Rainfall: —
Diving score: —

Dec

28–30 °C

Visibility: —
Current: —
Rainfall: —
Diving score: —

Monthly diving conditions for Raja Ampat
Month	Water °C	Visibility m	Current	Rainfall	Diving score
Jan	28–30	—	—	—	—
Feb	28–30	—	—	—	—
Mar	28–30	—	—	—	—
Apr	28–30	—	—	—	—
May	27–29	—	—	—	—
Jun	27–28	—	—	—	—
Jul	27–28	—	—	—	—
Aug	27–28	—	—	—	—
Sep	27–29	—	—	—	—
Oct	28–29	—	—	—	—
Nov	28–30	—	—	—	—
Dec	28–30	—	—	—	—

— Not enough verified data yet. Water temperatures are recorded ranges, not a forecast.

Beyond the dive

The journey there

Nearest airport: Sorong / Domine Eduard Osok Airport (SOQ)
Remoteness: 75/100
Infrastructure: 55/100
Price level: 4

Dive centers

Dive with local knowledge

dive_resort

Meridian Adventure Dive

Equipment rental

dive_resort

Papua Explorers Dive Resort

Established Raja Ampat dive resort on Gam Island with direct access to Dampier Strait sites including Manta Point and Cape Kri.

NitroxEquipment rental

dive_resort

Raja Ampat Biodiversity Eco Resort

Equipment rental

dive_center

Soul Scuba Divers

conservationPeraturan - SIPARI Raja Ampat

Regional regulations covering the Raja Ampat conservation areas; zone rules differ between areas.

ai researched· confidence 80%View source

conservationKawasan Konservasi Perairan di Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is managed through a network of marine protected areas with designated zones and rules governing activities such as diving, anchoring and fishing.

ai researched· confidence 85%View source

generalA Marine Rapid Assessment of the Raja Ampat Islands (RAP Bulletin 22)

Scientific rapid assessment documenting exceptional marine biodiversity of the Raja Ampat islands.

ai researched· confidence 85%View source

generalRaja Ampat

Official Indonesian tourism description of Raja Ampat as a diving destination.

ai researched· confidence 80%View source

locationSource

Raja Ampat Islands — point -0.2333, 130.5167, country Indonesia (ID) read from Wikidata Q15088317 (P625, P17→Q252). Set on staff request 2026-10-10.

verifiedView source

marine life presencePopulation estimates suggest Raja Ampat reef manta rays are thriving

Peer-reviewed population study of Raja Ampat reef manta rays.

ai researched· confidence 85%View source

pricingRaja Ampat raises tourism fees to support conservation and communities

Marine park entry fees/permits apply to visitors and were revised for conservation and community funding.

ai researched· confidence 65%View source

seasonDampier Strait diving: Raja Ampat guide

Secondary operator guide used only for interpreting the broad October-April main season.

ai researched· confidence 60%View source

Alpha — the DIVE-SEEK catalogue is being researched and verified destination by destination.