Raja Ampat, located in Indonesia’s West Papua province, is often regarded as one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world. With vibrant coral reefs, abundant marine life, and crystal-clear waters, it’s a diver’s paradise.
Below are the top 10 dive sites in Raja Ampat, including their location, key highlights, dive depths, and what you can expect to see.
Cape Kri
- Location: Near Kri Island, Dampier Strait
- Dive Depth: 5–30 meters
- Why It’s on the List: Known for breaking records for marine biodiversity, Cape Kri boasts over 374 fish species recorded in a single dive.
- Expect to See: Barracudas, giant trevallies, reef sharks, snappers, and schools of fusiliers. Vibrant hard and soft corals cover the reef.
Cape Kri is one of Raja Ampat’s most celebrated dive sites, situated near Kri Island in the Dampier Strait. This site features a sloping reef starting at around 5 meters and extending down to 30 meters, covered in vibrant hard and soft corals.
Known for holding the world record for marine biodiversity on a single dive, Cape Kri is a hotspot for underwater enthusiasts.
Divers can expect to encounter swirling schools of barracuda, giant trevallies, snappers, fusiliers, and reef sharks cruising through the nutrient-rich currents. The site’s marine traffic and biodiversity make every dive here an unforgettable experience.
Blue Magic
- Location: Between Kri Island and Waisai
- Dive Depth: 8–30 meters
- Why It’s on the List: Known for strong currents and big pelagic encounters.
- Expect to See: Oceanic manta rays, grey reef sharks, schools of jackfish, and occasional sightings of hammerhead sharks.
Blue Magic, located between Kri Island and Waisai, is a submerged reef pinnacle rising from the deep to about 8 meters below the surface.
Known for its strong currents, this site is a magnet for pelagic species. The pinnacle is teeming with life, including schools of jackfish, barracudas, and grey reef sharks.
Divers often spot oceanic manta rays gracefully gliding through the blue. With its range of depths and rich biodiversity, Blue Magic is one of the most popular dive sites in the Raja Ampat.
Manta Sandy
- Location: Near Arborek Island, Dampier Strait
- Dive Depth: 5–18 meters
- Why It’s on the List: Famous for being a cleaning station for reef and oceanic manta rays.
- Expect to See: Groups of manta rays gracefully hovering over cleaning stations, alongside smaller reef fish and occasional wobbegong sharks.
Manta Sandy, nestled near Arborek Island in the Dampier Strait, is one of Raja Ampat’s most famous manta ray cleaning stations. The sandy seabed at about 5–18 meters is dotted with coral bommies where cleaner fish await their pelagic visitors.
Divers are advised to remain still and watch as majestic reef and oceanic manta rays glide effortlessly over the cleaning stations. Aside from manta rays, the area is home to wobbegong sharks, small reef fish, and macro critters. This site offers a serene yet awe-inspiring underwater encounter.
Melissa’s Garden
- Location: Near Batanta Island
- Dive Depth: 5–25 meters
- Why It’s on the List: Known for pristine coral gardens, this site offers a kaleidoscope of colors and marine biodiversity.
- Expect to See: Carpet sharks, nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, and vibrant reef fish.
Melissa’s Garden, located near Batanta Island, is a spectacular shallow reef known for its pristine coral formations. The dive begins at around 5 meters and gently slopes to about 25 meters, showcasing a vibrant tapestry of soft and hard corals.
This site is particularly famous for its diversity of macro life, including nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, and colorful reef fish.
Divers often encounter carpet sharks resting on the seabed. With its breathtaking coral gardens and rich marine life, Melissa’s Garden is a must-visit for underwater photographers and macro enthusiasts.
Boo Windows
- Location: Southeast Misool
- Dive Depth: 5–30 meters
- Why It’s on the List: Known for its iconic rock formation with ‘windows’ or holes divers can swim through.
- Expect to See: Schools of batfish, Napoleon wrasse, sea fans, and soft corals.
Located in Southeast Misool, Boo Windows is an iconic dive site known for its unique underwater topography. Large rock formations with distinctive ‘windows’ create natural swim-throughs for divers, offering a magical experience.
The dive site ranges from 5 to 30 meters and is decorated with bright soft corals and sea fans. Divers can expect encounters with schools of batfish, Napoleon wrasse, and vibrant reef fish weaving through the coral structures. The combination of stunning rock formations and thriving marine life makes Boo Windows an unforgettable dive.
Magic Mountain (Shadow Reef)
- Location: Southeast Misool
- Dive Depth: 10–30 meters
- Why It’s on the List: A top spot for both reef and oceanic manta rays, with strong currents bringing in pelagic life.
- Expect to See: Manta rays, white-tip reef sharks, trevallies, and large schools of fusiliers.
Magic Mountain, also known as Shadow Reef, lies in the waters of Southeast Misool. This seamount rises from the depths to around 10–30 meters and is a known cleaning station for both oceanic and reef manta rays.
Strong currents flow through the site, bringing nutrients that attract pelagic fish like trevallies, fusiliers, and white-tip reef sharks. Divers often witness multiple manta rays circling overhead in a mesmerizing display. The vibrant coral formations and bustling marine life ensure that every dive at Magic Mountain is extraordinary.
The Passage
- Location: Between Waigeo and Gam Islands
- Dive Depth: 5–15 meters
- Why It’s on the List: A unique dive site resembling an underwater river with lush mangroves overhead.
- Expect to See: Archerfish, cardinalfish, macro critters like nudibranchs, and vibrant soft corals.
The Passage is a narrow waterway nestled between Waigeo and Gam Islands. Often described as an underwater river, this shallow dive site ranges from 5 to 15 meters and offers a unique experience blending freshwater and saltwater ecosystems.
Sunlight filters through the overhead mangrove roots, creating an ethereal glow. The site is rich in macro life, including archerfish, cardinalfish, and a variety of nudibranchs. The Passage is also home to vibrant soft corals and sponges, making it a fascinating dive for both photographers and nature lovers.
Four Kings
- Location: Misool
- Dive Depth: 10–35 meters
- Why It’s on the List: Four large pinnacles rising from the ocean floor create a haven for marine life.
- Expect to See: Giant trevallies, barracudas, reef sharks, and vibrant coral formations.
Four Kings, located in Misool, is named after the four towering pinnacles that rise dramatically from the ocean floor. These structures are covered in hard and soft corals, creating a vibrant underwater landscape.
The site ranges from 10 to 35 meters in depth and is a hotspot for marine activity. Divers can expect to see giant trevallies, schools of barracuda, and reef sharks patrolling the area. The sheer scale of the pinnacles combined with the bustling marine life creates a truly majestic underwater scene.
Sardine Reef
- Location: Dampier Strait
- Dive Depth: 5–25 meters
- Why It’s on the List: Despite its name, there are no sardines, but the density of fish here creates a ‘fish soup’ effect.
- Expect to See: Schools of fusiliers, sweetlips, trevallies, and barracudas in massive numbers.
Sardine Reef, located in the Dampier Strait, is an oval-shaped reef patch surrounded by open ocean. The reef begins at about 5 meters and gently slopes down to 25 meters, creating a diverse marine habitat.
Despite its name, sardines are not commonly found here, but the reef teems with other fish species like fusiliers, sweetlips, and snappers. Massive schools of fish create a swirling underwater wall, while trevallies and barracudas hunt in the blue. This vibrant site is a visual spectacle and a favorite among divers.
Mike’s Point
- Location: Near Gam Island
- Dive Depth: 5–25 meters
- Why It’s on the List: Known for its dramatic underwater topography with steep walls and hidden caverns.
- Expect to See: Blacktip reef sharks, sea turtles, pygmy seahorses, and a variety of macro critters.
Mike’s Point, located near Gam Island, is known for its dramatic underwater terrain. Featuring steep walls, caverns, and overhangs, the site offers an exciting and varied diving experience.
With depths ranging from 5 to 25 meters, divers will find a mix of macro life and larger marine species. Expect sightings of blacktip reef sharks, sea turtles, pygmy seahorses, and colorful nudibranchs.
The blend of dramatic rock formations and diverse marine life makes Mike’s Point a favorite for adventurous divers.
