Raja Ampat has long been known as a paradise for divers from around the world. This archipelago on the eastern tip of Indonesia is located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, making Raja Ampat an abundant marine treasure. Imagine diving in a blue ocean filled with colorful coral reefs and abundant life.
Raja Ampat is not just for seasoned divers; it welcomes divers of all levels. If you’re looking for the best diving spots in Raja Ampat, Komodo Luxury has crafted the perfect guide to help you explore this underwater wonderland. Ready to dive in?
Best Diving in Raja Ampat
The Raja Ampat archipelago, with its over 1,500 islands, offers a plethora of exceptional diving sites. Each dive spot promises encounters with diverse and beautiful marine life. Here’s Komodo Luxury’s list of the top diving spots in Raja Ampat:
Cape Kri
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Depth: 3m – 40m
Current: Mild – Strong
The first best diving spot in Raja Ampat is Cape Kri in the Dampier Strait. Considered one of the crowns of Raja Ampat. This dive site is home to approximately 374 species on a single dive. This dive spot is located between the Western tip of Kri Island and the tiny islet of Koh.
The currents in Cape Kri’s waters are strong enough to bring a constant flow of marine life, making it an ideal place to encounter manta rays, sharks, schools of barracuda, and various other fish. As the currents often rise and fall, you must be prepared for an exhilarating drift.
Gray and blacktip sharks regularly patrol the reef’s outer edges, as they are regular visitors. You will find vast schools of sweet lips, groupers, giant trevally, and snapper in shallower waters. Drift through the swift currents and witness a stunning tapestry of life at this world-renowned dive site.
Mioskon
Level: All levels
Depth: 2m – 25m
Current: None – Strong
Mioskon is a pinnacle dive that rises from 25 meters or 82 feet below the surface, giving divers of all levels plenty to explore. This pinnacle is famous for being home to schools at all depths. You might hang with schools of trevallies fusiliers, yellowtail snapper, and blue-lined snappers.
It’s also famous for being the ideal place to spot Wobbegong sharks. And be sure to dive under the coral ledges to see tiny Pontohi Pygmy Seahorses on the coral rocks. You may encounter a blue-ringed octopus at this dive spot if you’re lucky.
Blue Magic
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Depth: 9m – 30m
Current: Mild – Strong
Located between Mioskon and Cape Kri, Blue Magic is invisible from the surface. It is an underwater pinnacle that starts out at about 7 meters and heads down to 30 meters. Blue Magic is renowned as a cleaning station for oceanic mantas, so it’s easy to spot Manta rays here.
Blue Magic is in the middle of the blue ocean, with moderate to strong currents. These currents bring many large schools of fish swarming around the reef. The moderate to strong currents here attract large schools of fish, including Spanish Mackerel, Giant Trevally, Barracuda, Dogtooth Tuna, and countless Jacks. You can also spot Blacktip Reef and Gray Reef Sharks, bumphead Parrots, and huge oceanic Mantas.
Manta Sandy
Level: All levels
Depth: 2m – 18m
Current: None – Mild
Manta Sandy is a must-visit for manta ray enthusiasts. You can observe these magnificent creatures year-round at Manta Sandy. This dive spot offers year-round sightings of majestic Manta rays, with up to 20 mantas seen at once on some days. But be warned that mantas love currents, so be careful of strong currents. Although Manta Sandy is famous for its Manta rays, this diving spot also offers other marine life, such as the Wobbegong shark, Spotted Eagle Ray, and various types of reef fish such as angelfish, butterflyfish, and damselfish.
Mike’s Point
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Depth: 2m – 35m
Current: None – Strong
Mike’s point offers some of the best diving in Raja Ampat and even the world. This dive site has unique topography because the US Air Force repeatedly bombed the island during World War II. As a result, the shattered boulders created beautiful crevices and overhangs.
Located in the middle of Dampier Strait, you’ll see Spanish Mackerel and Black Tip Reef Shark hunting. Or you can dive in the shallows to see Wobbegong and Epaulette sharks, turtles, and even sea snakes.
Sardines Reef
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Depth: 3m – 30m
Current: Mild – Strong
Sardines Reef is another of the best dive sites in Raja Ampat. This place is one of the most popular dive sites because the diversity of fish life here is very beautiful and similar to Cape Kri. Around the reefs of this dive site, you will be amazed by the number of Fusiliers, Surgeonfish, Snapper, Damselfish, and butterflyfish.
You will also have the opportunity to see predatory fish such as Barracuda, Spanish Mackerel, Giant Trevallies, and several types of Jack. Sardines Reef is also the place to see some unique species, such as Oceanic Triggerfish, Bumphead Parrotfish, and Napoleon Wrasse.
Arborek Jetty
Level: All levels
Depth: 2m – 18m
Current: Strong
Arborek Jetty is one of the 3 main Jetties in Raja Ampat that holds a lot of beautiful marine life. Thousands of fish, such as schooling jacks, colorful coral reefs, and giant clams, can be found under this jetty. Although suitable for all levels of divers, be aware that this is not an easy dive due to the strong currents. Therefore, this is one of the most fun free-diving sites in Raja Ampat.
Raja Ampat Diving Liveaboard
Raja Ampat is a remote archipelago that can only be accessed by boat. With dive spots spread far apart, the best way to experience a diving adventure in Raja Ampat is by joining a Raja Ampat Liveaboard.
By joining a Raja Ampat liveaboard, you won’t need to travel back and forth from your accommodation to the dive spots. Instead, you’ll live aboard the boat, allowing you to explore numerous dive sites over several days. This setup maximizes your time in the water and ensures a seamless diving experience.
Consider booking your Raja Ampat Liveaboard with a trusted tour operator like Komodo Luxury. With over 9 years of experience, Komodo Luxury offers private Raja Ampat tour packages that will take you to the best diving spots in Raja Ampat. Our Raja Ampat tour packages provide a customizable and personalized journey. Enjoy an intimate sailing experience with a boat dedicated exclusively to you. Contact us now to make your Raja Ampat liveaboard dreams come true.
