There's a extensive amount of dive web pages With this great destination. Located in the centre of the Coral Triangle, the level of marine biodiversity found in Raja Ampat is unmatched anywhere else on this planet.
The northern and central areas of Raja Ampat feature thrilling dives packed with fish, interesting drift dives and delightful hard coral reefs. Right here, the mass movement of h2o on Just about every tide attracts massive faculties of fish and plenty of manta rays, like monumental huge manta rays. Night dives to the jetties During this region are specially unforgettable to the Odd and excellent critters you can see.
The southern location of Raja Ampat is characterised by spectacularly colourful gentle corals And large sea enthusiasts. Maritime everyday living is equally impressive with mantas, sharks and macro life galore.
Raja Ampat covers a huge space, so a liveaboard is an ideal technique to take a look at The nice dive websites. Delight in Raja Ampat in the consolation of the liveaboard. Book with us now!
Greatest Dive Web-sites in Raja Ampat
We've divided the very best dive web-sites in Raja Ampat into some wide areas – Dampier Strait northern dive websites, central dive websites and Misool.
We have explained beneath the top dive web pages in Raja Ampat. There are various other fantastic dive places, but you'll find too many to say them all. Now we have protected the preferred, and those visited most often with the liveaboards.
Raja Ampat - Dampier Strait Dive Sites
The distances amongst the dive web sites from the north is usually pretty huge. Therefore, We now have break up the diving in Raja Ampat's north into individual spots.
Wayag
During the incredibly north of Raja Ampat is a gaggle of islands all over Wayag. The viewpoints in this article will award the adventurous Using the atypical see of Raja Ampat. Several small limestone islands nestled during the apparent blue waters of the lagoons are a little bit of paradise.
The liveaboards mainly take a look at this place for your viewpoint and lagoons. Young manta rays and a fantastic quantity of black-idea reef sharks shelter within the relaxed, shallow waters here. You may do a few dives below beside the limestone islands. The reefs Here's rocky slopes with very good likelihood to see nudibranchs, scorpionfish, Napoleon wrasse, bumphead parrotfish munching about the difficult corals and maybe a passing ray.
Kawe
The equator dissects the massive island of Kawe. South of the equator is two excellent dive internet sites.
Black Rock
Situated about the west coast of Kawe Island this substantial dive website demands not less than two dives to swim throughout. The everyday entry stage is over the northwest Component of the dive web-site the place Here are a few small pinnacles lined with comfortable corals and sea supporters. Swimming towards the south a mild slope is existing with extremely massive bushes of black corals internet hosting teams of oriental sweetlips and snappers. If drifting to your southern Section of the internet site, you are going to come across significant rocks with Considerably maritime life to check out. Watch out in to the deep water for pelagics which include dogtooth tuna, Spanish mackerel and the occasional white tip and gray reef sharks. Manta Rays have frequently been noticed in this article way too.
Eagle Rock
Liveaboards typically do some dives on This web site on account of its dimensions. Eagle Rock is household to the largest reef manta ray populace inside the northern part of Raja Ampat. Significant aggregations of black snappers and yellowtail barracudas are generally close to. The west Portion of the location has huge rocks right down to 25 metres coated with sea enthusiasts where pygmy seahorses are found. Ghost pipefish camouflage them selves during the black coral bushes. Wobbegongs and stingrays are consistently noticed from the cracks in the boulders. With the shallow rock, hydroids are present, which is a superb opportunity to see Pontohi seahorses.
Aljui Bay
White Arrow
The wall of Aljui is incredibly extraordinary in areas with numerous crevasses alongside the wall. Sea enthusiasts and tender coals are existing on the site. Lots of species of nudibranchs are seen below. Provide along a dive light to find out the marine existence that utilizes the tiny cuts during the wall to cover from predators. Ghost pipefish, longfin comet fish, and juvenile snappers tend to be viewed here. Appear in The ocean supporters with the uniquely coloured yellow Bargibanti pygmy seahorse.
Aljui Bay Jetty
There is a huge pearl farm Within the bay, and so they created a few jetties together the coastline. Fantastic destination to do an afternoon dive to check out the sandy slope the place you will discover major hard coral heads. This is among the internet sites in which wobbegong sharks are Virtually confirmed. You will find a incredibly substantial resident college of yellow lined scads beneath the key jetty. In the course of evening time this dive web site transforms into among the most efficient for macro marine daily life within the north Element of Raja Ampat. Spot-tail frogfish, ghost pipefish, flamboyant cuttlefish as well as endemic going for walks shark (Epaulette shark) are a few of the highlights of This page.
Penemu
This is a well-liked place with the liveaboards due to superb viewpoint in this article. Usually there are some astounding dives right here as well.
Melissa's Backyard garden
Essentially the most-healthful tricky coral reef in Raja Ampat. An enormous plateau slopes off into sandy locations with significant coral heads. Wobbegong sharks lie beneath these bommies, surrounded by glassfish. Take a look at across the plateau in advance of heading up to the shallows. The immaculate tough corals host 1000s of colourful anthias and fish faculty all around this space. Blacktip reef sharks are sometimes found cruising excessive with the corals.
Batu Rufus
Batu Rufus has a fantastic really hard coral backyard garden during the shallows, a wonderful ecosystem for blacktip reef sharks. Walls towards the west are covered with smooth corals, sea fans and amazing red anemones. Find out the techniques in the sandy rubble slopes for the south with significant coral heads all together the slope wherever Pontohi pygmy seahorses are often found. Examine the shallows excellent to accomplish your basic safety stop at the location and dive genuinely Among the most popular swim troughs in the region.
Raja Ampat - Central Dive Web sites
Dampier Strait is named following British navigator William Dampier. The massive human body of drinking water separates the islands of Waigeo and Batanta. The dive sites are predominately on the northern aspect with the strait around the islands of Kri and Mansuar. With about 30 dives sites in just a 10-kilometre radius of those islands, there are actually a lot of to write down about in this article. We record several of our favourites.
Manta Sandy
Manta rays appear here to the cleaning station. Look for a location in the sand, kneel down, and watch the clearly show! In case the mantas You should not show up, there is an abundance of macro existence in the sand. Watch out for wobbegong sharks within the reef. You will find a permanent ranger's station built around the sandbanks, and you can study the conservation of these majestic rays in the locals.
Arborek Jetty
One of several villages frequented most inside the central A part of Raja Ampat is Arborek Village. Right here the locals created a small jetty exactly where the maritime life is concentrated, from the massive faculty of Yellow Lined Scads to your exceptional blue-ringed octopus. A gentle slope with reef and sandy locations drops all the way down to 25 metres. You will find substantial coral heads, the best habitat for wobbegong sharks. Arborek Jetty is The perfect dive site to accomplish within the afternoon and is frequently dived at nighttime. Reef manta rays are viewed swimming by due to the vicinity of Manta Sandy.
Cape Kri
Cape Kri is the dive internet site that set Raja Ampat to the map. Situated in the central place of Raja Ampat, from the Dampier Strait. Dr Gerry Allen recorded 374 various species on one tank dive at this amazing dive internet site. Schooling sweetlips, jacks, surgeonfish, barracudas, fusiliers and batfish may be sighted all together this dive web-site. Blacktip reef sharks swim while in the shallows, and gray reef sharks cruise from the deep. Turtles, napoleons and bumphead parrotfish also are often noticed in this article.
Sardine Reef
Sardine Reef is The most popular dive internet sites while in the Dampier area as a result of superior focus of fish action. Barracudas, batfish, bumphead parrotfish, black snappers, sweetlips and massive universities of neon fusiliers are often existing on this site. If The existing is functioning black idea, white tip and grey reef sharks will be patrolling the reef. There are many huge boulders on the edge of your reef included in smooth corals, fantastic locations for the wobbegong sharks to hide. Because of the vicinity from the dive web site Blue Magic, large manta rays are often found below along with turtles especially in the shallows in the reef. The title Sardine Reef is because of the many marine everyday living remaining packed into one particular dive site like a can of sardines.
Blue Magic
A small pinnacle that claims magic! Gray reef sharks prowl huge schools of jacks, snappers and fusiliers. Wobbegong sharks lie under the coral heads. And huge manta rays enjoy to return below for the clean. Situated near Mioskon island, this pinnacle is a necessity on your go to to get the magical expertise with the biggest ray during the ocean. Alongside the shallows of the head, There are some significant boulders property to frogfish, Pontohi seahorses and infrequently blue-ringed octopus.
Raja Ampat - Misool Dive Web sites
The dive internet sites With this southern Section of Raja Ampat are concentrated in the region southeast of Misool island, on the list of four kings. Misool has countless dive sites It'll be not possible to mention all of them.
Misool is an unlimited area. Several liveaboards will expend The full working day in a single space of Misool. We've stated underneath many of the preferred areas and our favorite dive websites in them.
Fiabecet
An enormous ridge connects the two large islands of Kalig and Boo. The ridge rises towards the surface in numerous parts, producing magnificent dive web-sites.
Nudi Rock
Previously mentioned h2o, this rock seems like a nudibranch. Below the surface area is a substantial dive web site plastered with colourful tender corals. The health of this reef draws in abundant marine life. Pygmy seahorses, schooling barracuda, wobbegong sharks, turtles, looking jacks, reef sharks, colourful anemones internet hosting anemone fish, delicate coral pipefish and of course nudibranchs.
Batu Kecil
"Batu" means rock and "Kecil" usually means small. The compact rock is the one A part of the positioning that breaks the floor but underwater it is the other. With walls during the north and likewise inside the south, this large dive website is usually dived at any time with the working day. On either side, the extensive degree of smooth corals is further than perception. Large Napoleon wrasse swimming about are constantly a address. Hawksbill turtles are practically resident to This page.
Whale Rock
The name arises from probably the most notable rock shape that is like a whale. An unlimited program with an excessive amount to see in just one dive, the internet site includes two islands. 1 tiny and a person even larger, and in between You will find there's coral head with one of the most number of comfortable corals you are going to ever see! There is not a no cost space to the rock for more corals to develop on it. Listed here the currents run from north to south which is why the center rock is paradise for divers and for your corals that grow there. There are usually nutrients passing by all day lengthy. White idea reef sharks often patrol the center rock. The hard coral gardens on both equally islands are healthy as is often. You'll find excellent prospects to discover blacktip reef sharks and turtles swimming close to inside the shallows.
Boo & Nearby
Boo Windows
An iconic shallow swim-by means of is one aim of this fantastic dive internet site. It has even showcased within the front include of a book about Raja Ampat. Another is definitely the prolonged ridge that is a hub of activity. Unsuspecting snappers school above camouflaged wobbegong sharks. Manta rays arrive at the cleaning stations listed here. Grey reef sharks patrol the deep and curious blacktip reef sharks check out the divers during the shallows. As with many dive sites in Misool, the immense degree of colourful comfortable corals may possibly blow your mind! Essential-do dive web-site in Misool.
Shadow Reef
Shadow Reef aka Magic Mountain is near to Boo. Right here it is possible to see reef and huge manta rays, certainly one of a not many sites on the planet where you can see both equally species on one particular dive. Furthermore, The entire pinnacle is wholly lined in fish lifetime! This is a very popular dive web-site, and you'll see why as soon as you leap in. This substantial pinnacle is rather busy! Snappers, barracuda, jacks, batfish, fusiliers, gray reef, groupers to call a few of the resident fish here. To the Fortunate divers, a dolphin might move by too.
Yuliet
This dive web-site is an Get More Information in depth underwater reef that often confuses divers due to the measurement of your little rock that comes out on the drinking water. The northern Section of the site has remarkable walls right down to 30 metres which has a big colony of sea followers web hosting the Denise pygmy seahorse along with the Bargibanti pygmy seahorse. Gentle slopes are from the east and west with sizeable barrel sponges and whip corals. A little ridge to the south of the website is wherever, according to the current, There exists frequently a scorching location for giant concentrations of fish for instance Chevron barracudas and spadefish. The shallows of Yuliet have really substantial bommies included fully in smooth coral and several really hard corals, an ideal spot to carry out the protection prevent.
Wayilbatan
Neptune's Lover Sea
For numerous scuba divers, This great site results in being their favourite internet site right after a few minutes from the dive. The dive site is found from the channel developed by Wayilbatan Island and Warakaket Island. The northern part contains an exceptionally Mild slope all the way down to 35 meters that transforms right into a wall that is probably among the list of richest in delicate corals and sea admirers in the region. There is great marine existence to view. Pygmy seahorses are on a regular basis observed, and on occasion, the biggest reef-involved fish on this planet the enormous grouper is often witnessed in the middle of the channel resting or swimming by together the wall. The shallow, difficult coral garden during the south in the dive web site is brain-blowing, the ideal place to complete the last 3 minutes on the dive.
Marriage Cake
Just about the most extraordinary underwater topography in the region, with ledges slopes and partitions, This great site has it all. In November and December Wedding day Cake plays host to substantial educational institutions of silverside fish which can be the favourite foodstuff of the Mobula rays. Frequently observed Listed below are massive teams of Mobula feeding over the silverside fish, and that is an practical experience of a lifetime. Inside the west, within the sandy slope Component of the website, turtles and some specific fish including the pink eye goby as well as excellent colourful flasher wrasse males exhibiting their pectoral fin to draw in the ladies are sometimes noticed.
Wayili Rock
This great site is routinely dived during the afternoon or as a night dive. Right here it is often Charming to begin to see the existence of a giant faculty of spadefish and barracudas. Slopes towards the east Portion of the positioning and remarkable mini walls from the west kind this wonderful dive. Remarkable tough coral gardens inside the shallows are in which reef octopus and turtles appear to scrub while in the late afternoon. In the course of the night time dives the endemic epaulette shark is nearly certain. Numerous divers here have also seen the smallest pygmy seahorse on this planet, the Satomi pygmy seahorse.
Daram
Candy Store
The Sweet Retail outlet walls are totally covered in marine existence. You can find a lot soft coral and whip corals there are not quite a few vacant places along the walls, dropping down to 35 metres as well as. The coral is so colourful that divers made a decision to give This page the identify of Sweet Retail outlet due to a lot of colour in a single location. The tricky coral within the shallows is remarkable, and also the best part is that it's at the right depth to carry out the protection quit. Napoleon wrasse, turtles in addition to a resident school of neon fusiliers make This web site an awesome choice to dive at any time on the day.
Andiamo
Andiamo is a large web-site with incredible maritime daily life dwelling on it. For the east of the site, You will find a pinnacle wherever a major faculty of barracudas and spadefish have adopted it as their household. The top itself is covered with smooth coral and gorgonian sea followers. Pelagics, sharks and perhaps large manta rays have been noticed in this article. Just after within 35 minutes you could swim to the main rock. The deep wall within the north or the slope area to the south, in both equally Instructions, are see this covered with marine everyday living. Educational institutions of yellow snappers are normally waiting while in the shallows. Right here the barrel sponges expand to incredible measurements creating them one of several highlights of the positioning.
Other Pursuits
Several liveaboards will go to the area of Penemu for that viewpoint there. Quick measures to the highest will award you with a good looking perspective through the limestone formations in the crystal-distinct waters under.
Arborek Village can be a favorite spot for liveaboards to visit. The children here love site visitors and will adhere to you all around this completely kept village. Carry alongside materials for the school or treats for the youngsters for excess smiles!
Tomolol Cave is an extremely special expertise. Have a journey with the pearl farm from the bay in to the maze of limestone formations. At the conclusion of the beautiful tour, a huge cavern will abruptly appear. You are able to swim by this extensive cavern and become astonished with the rock formations. Huge stalactites and stalagmites have already been forming inside Tomolol Cave for 1000s of several years.
Many areas of Raja Ampat are merely ready to get explored. The infinite limestone islands and rocks create top secret lagoons. Liveaboards might acquire you over a lagoon tour to take pleasure in these attractive seascapes.
Shorelines are everywhere in Raja Ampat! Just request your liveaboard to drop you off concerning dives to examine a beach all to yourselves.
Marine Park and Conservation in Raja Ampat
The Raja Ampat Maritime Protected Region community addresses a place of one,185,940 hectares. It had been made in 2002 and it is comprised of seven unique marine secured places. They can be managed via the Raja Ampat Regency as well as Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries in partnership with regional communities and with guidance from Global NGOs.
All people to Raja Ampat are expected to get a allow that is valid for twelve months. The cash collected goes towards the operational expenditures of maintaining the MPAs and also to Neighborhood conservation and growth initiatives.