Our Raja Ampat diving liveaboard experiences offer divers (and snorkelers) one of the best tropical reef experiences on the planet.

Raja Ampat's incredible fish and coral diversity was discovered by Dr Gerry Allen - a marine expert who has worked with the Aqua-Firma team on reef surveys in elsewhere in Indonesia. His surveys at Raja Ampat on behalf of Conservation International, suggested that the marine life diversity in the area is the highest recorded on Earth. With 1,309 fish species and around 600 hard coral species, nowhere else can rival these waters for coral reef diversity and health; seemingly resistant to the warming effects of the surrounding sea water. To put the scale of Raja Ampat's diversity into perspective, the area contains 75% of the world's coral reef species which is more than 10 times the number of corals found in the Caribbean. These waters are also home to some of the strangest looking fish, including wobbegongs, or carpet sharks, which entice their prey using their front whisker lobes. Other unique and interesting species include pygmy seahorses, manta rays, dugongs, whales and dolphins.

Dive Sites

Throughout our liveaboard experience you will encounter a wide range of diving conditions and topography including steep drop offs, underwater pinnacles, sea mounts, mangroves, lagoons and the wrecks of Second World War ships and planes.

Formally known as Irian Jaya, Raja Ampat translates as 'Four Kings' referring to the four main islands in the archipelago: Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo. It also includes the far west part of Indonesian New Guinea. Above the water the islands are a mesmerizing green appearing as little green rainforest pinnacles surrounded by a vivid turquoise border of water. Raja Ampat and West Papua are still one of the world's remaining wilderness areas who's ecological and cultural secrets are only just being revealed. Sustaining these hugely important terrestrial and marine ecosystems is extremely important for the future prosperity of our oceans and rainforests, acting a an important refugia for the creatures and plants which inhabit the region.

The key to the diversity and pristine reef conditions found in Raja Ampat is the area's relatively small human population and lack of infrastructure. This is a real diving frontier and therefore relatively less visited providing a unique diving and snorkelling experience. Raja Ampat can easily be combined with other diving destinations in Indonesia such as Komodo, Sulawesi, Bali and the second most diverse pat of the archipelago: the Derawan group of islands. For more information please Contact Us.

Diving Conditions

The visibility and exceptional health of the coral reef in Raja Ampat makes it the ideal location for underwater photography. The best diving takes place between 5 - 40m with visibility ranging from 10-30m. Current strength ranges from weak to moderate and is particularly strong during spring tides and in the channels between close islands. Surface conditions are predominantly flat and calm with water temperatures ranging from 27 - 30°C. Raja Ampat is ideal for intermediate and advanced level divers who have some experience of currents and exercise good buoyancy control so that contact with corals can be avoided.

When to Go

The best time to dive at Raja Ampat is between the months of October - April when incidences of wind and rain are lowest.

Beyond Raja Ampat

Our Indonesia team has many years of experience working, diving, sailing and studying the reefs, cultures and wildlife of the Indonesian archipelago; a depth of knowledge which enables us to provide you with unique insights and experiences that go well beyond the normal scope of dive travel. Whether you want us to make your travel from dive location to dive location as smooth as possible, or you would like to explore something of the country's spectacular volcanic scenery, wildlife and cultures, please call us for an introduction to tailor made travel in Indonesia.

Insights into the World's Most Diverse Reefs From 14th - 24th January 2013, we have a liveaboard journey to the world's most diverse coral reefs which will be led by Aqua-Firma Marine Scientist and Scientific Commercial Diver, Charlotte Caffrey. In addition to a full programme of diving, Charlotte will provide evening talks and advice about coral reef ecology, its conservation and threats, global efforts to regenerate corals and introduce the principles of reef check surveys.  In light of Raja Ampat’s newly declared status as a shark sanctuary, Charlotte will also provide insights into shark research and threats from around the world. Charlotte’s career stretches from the Equator to both polar regions and includes 7 years working in South East Asia, monitoring coral reefs, assessing their health and implementing initiatives to safeguard their future. Responsible for the health of 100km of fringing reefs in Indonesia’s Riau archipelago, she was privileged to work alongside Conservation International’s  Dr Gerry Allen, whose discovery of Raja Ampat’s diversity took both the world of marine conservation and diving by storm. Charlotte witnessed first hand the acute impact of the 1998 el Niño bleaching event on her reefs. The threats of the shark finning, dynamite and cyanide fishing  have also been a constant challenge throughout her professional career. During the years when Charlotte was leader of the Reef Check programme for the Riau area, she worked together with Dr Gregor Hodgson with whom she pulled key community figures into a local community awareness programme. One such initiative was the production of a guide to the underwater life of Indonesia, co-written with Dr Kal Muller, author of Diving Indonesia and other titles. Liveaboard only price: £2,490 pp sharing

 

 

 

Raja Ampat holidays - World best coral reef vacation - Diving Tours Indonesia - Indonesian Liveaboard Holiday - Diving Trip of a Lifetime - Diving off Western Papua - Indonesian diving highlights - Responsible Travel - Sustainable Ecotourism - Wildlife and Marine Life Safaris - Derawan - Bali hotels and accommodation temples & culture - Kalimantan - Borneo - Papua New Guinea - Lombok - Sulawesi - Sumatra - Siberut - Orang Laut fishing communities - Orangutan Rainforest Camp Leakey - Tanjung Puting National Park - Tana Toraja - White Water Rafting