Raja Ampat Dive Season Opens

Raja Ampat, in West Papua province, contains the highest recorded marine biodiversity of any location on earth — over 1,500 fish species and 600 coral species in an area spanning around 40,000 square kilometres of reef, island and open water. The best time to dive here is October through April, when the northwest monsoon brings calm seas and visibility regularly exceeding 20 metres.

Why October to April Is the Prime Season

The May-to-September period brings the southeast monsoon with rougher seas and reduced visibility, particularly in the southern part of the archipelago. October sees conditions improve rapidly as the monsoon shifts. By November the water is warm (around 27-29 degrees Celsius), visibility is excellent, and the full range of liveaboard routes become accessible.

Peak marine life encounters during this period include: wobbegong and walking sharks (epaulette sharks), which Raja Ampat is particularly known for; large schools of barracuda and trevally at sites like Cape Kri; manta rays at Dampier Strait cleaning stations; and pygmy seahorses on sea fans throughout the archipelago. Whale sharks are occasionally sighted, though not reliably.

Liveaboard vs. Staying on Land

Most serious divers reach Raja Ampat by liveaboard, which allows access to remote sites across the archipelago that day-trip boats cannot reach. Liveaboards depart from Sorong (reached by flights from Makassar or Jakarta) and run routes of 7-14 nights. Prices for reputable operators start at around USD 200-250 per person per night. Book at least six months ahead for the peak October-December window.

For those on a tighter budget or not diving every day, guesthouses (homestays) on Waisai island and the surrounding islands offer day-trip access to the closer reefs. Sorong is the transit point for all arrivals; see our Sorong city page for accommodation and transfer information.

Practical Information

A Raja Ampat Marine Park entry fee applies to all visitors (approximately IDR 500,000 per person in 2025; verify current rates locally). Your dive operator or guesthouse will assist with the tag. Bring cash in rupiah to Sorong as ATMs on the outer islands are unreliable or absent.

For more on planning a diving trip, see our guides to Raja Ampat diving and Indonesia liveaboard diving.