Raja Ampat — The Best Diving Area on Earth

Raja Ampat (literally: "Four Kings") is an archipelago of over 1,500 islands off the coast of West Papua — and by unanimous opinion of marine biologists and divers, the most species-rich marine area on the planet. The numbers are breathtaking:

• 1,508 fish species (more than in the entire Caribbean)
• 600 coral species (75% of all known coral species worldwide)
• 700 mollusk species
• Regular sightings of manta rays, wobbegong sharks, whale sharks, pygmy seahorses, and epaulette sharks (which can actually "walk")

Raja Ampat lies at the heart of the Coral Triangle — the marine equivalent of the Amazon rainforest. The currents from the Pacific and Indian Oceans meet here, bringing nutrients that create an ecosystem of unparalleled productivity.

The Best Dive Sites

• Manta Sandy & Manta Ridge: Cleaning stations where oceanic manta rays (wingspan up to 7 meters!) circle in groups — one of the most reliable manta spots in the world
• Cape Kri: The world record for the most fish species on a single dive was set here — 374 species in 60 minutes
• The Passage: A narrow, current-rich passage between two islands with soft coral gardens and mangroves above water
• Misool: Remote island group with pristine reefs and the most photogenic karst formations in Indonesia

Arrival & Logistics

Raja Ampat is remote and not cheap. The journey leads via Sorong (flight from Jakarta 5–6 hours, from Makassar 3.5 hours), then by ferry to Waisai (2 hours, 200,000 IDR). From there by speedboat to the dive resorts and homestays.

The options: Liveaboard (7–10 days, from 2,500 € including 20+ dives, full board) for the full program, or Homestay on one of the islands (from 500,000 IDR / 30 € per night including full board) for budget travelers who make day trips from there.