Raja Ampat is located in the province of West Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya) in Indonesia. It is situated in the heart of Indo-Pacific's Coral Triangle which is home to the some of the world's best coral reefs and most biodiverse dive sites.
The word Raja Ampat means "four kings" in the Indonesian language, and this refers to its 4 main islands--Misool, Salawati, Batanta, Waigeo.
Raja Ampat has many great liveaboard options, from basic and mid-range liveaboard boats to some of the luxurious boats in the world, such as the Arenui. The liveaboard operations in the area are renowned for their service and hospitality.
Solo traveler? Check out our guide to the best liveaboards for solo travelers, including several Raja Ampat liveaboards.
Looking for a land-based option? View our selection of dive resorts in Raja Ampat. Or book a Meridian arrival package to make your stay in Sorong more pleasant.
Or check out our wider range of liveaboards in Indonesia.
Find a Liveaboard in Raja Ampat
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Need more options? Can't see the boat you're looking for? Scroll down for the full list of liveaboards available at Bluewater Travel.
Please contact us for the latest availability of the following boats: Arenui, Mutiara Laut, and MV Panunee.
Email us or write to us through the live chat box for booking assistance.
The rates shown below are per person in USD. Some of the operators quote in other currencies and the pricing at the time of booking may vary depending on the latest exchange rates.
raja ampat liveaboard diving
diving season
October to May is considered the best diving season for Raja Ampat when you'll find less rain, calmer seas, and better visibility. You will be able to visit all the main diving hot spots from the north, e.g. Wayag, to the south, i.e. Misool Island.
Mid-June to Mid-September is the monsoon season in Raja Ampat. Most liveaboards do not sail in Raja Ampat during these months as the southern Raja Ampat area becomes inaccessible due to the rough and windy weather.
MERIDIAN ARRIVAL PACKAGE
We have created the following arrival package to make your stay in Sorong more pleasant and allow you time to adjust and carry out a check-dive before joining your liveaboard.
2 Night/3 Day Arrival Package at Meridian Dive Adventures:
$575 per person (double occupancy), $799 per person (single occupancy)
Includes:
- 2 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Pick up from Sorong Airport on Day 1 and transfer to the resort
- 2-tank morning dive on Day 2
- Full equipment rental (excluding computer and torch)
- Beach Towels, Tea, Coffee, Fresh Fruit and Drinking Water on all Dives
Some liveaboards will be able to pick up directly from Meridian Dive Adventures. Ask us for your liveaboard's embarkation policies.
Excludes:
- Meals not included above
- Dive computer and torch
- Raja Ampat Park Permit (approx $83USD, payable onsite in cash IDR only - IDR1,000,000)
Contact us for more information or to book this extension.
combo trips
You can combine your Raja Ampat trip with a trip to some of Indonesia's other great scuba diving destinations. Some liveaboards will do one-way trips between Ambon, the Banda Sea, or another region, to or from Raja Ampat, which is a great way to see a larger more diverse area, as the boat transitions from one region to another. The Banda Sea is an up-and-coming scuba diving destination, known to be one of the few reliable locations in Asia to see schooling hammerhead sharks.
See more information on our in-depth guide to diving in Raja Ampat
- Diving Season: October to May is considered the best diving season for Raja Ampat
- International Airport: Jakarta (CGK), or Manado (MDN)
- Local Airport: Sorong, West Papua (SOQ) which is the departure point for most liveaboards.
- Water Temperature: Range from 27-30˚C(80-86˚F) degrees year-round.
- Wetsuit: 3mm or a shortie. Raja Ampat's waters are known to be very warm year-round. A full wetsuit is always recommended for protection against bites and cuts, but many would find a skinsuit to be sufficient.
- Required Diving Skill Level: Most dive operations recommend 50 dives or more. Less experienced divers might not be able to dive some of the sites, but most dive operations would welcome beginners with additional supervision.
LIveaboards in raja ampat
Bluewater Travel can help you book a liveaboard in Raja Ampat and over 30 other destinations in the world at the same price or even lower than booking any other way. We know the boats, cabins, diving, and logistics better than anyone else in the industry. Email us today or leave us a message through the live chat box to start planning your dream dive vacation in Raja Ampat!
