Route Description - Raja Ampat
Diving in the region of Raja Ampat, Indonesia is all about diversity - not only diversity of species, but also of dive sites. In some areas soft corals and sea fans dominate, others have an amazing range of hard corals, seagrass beds, mangroves, shallow reefs, drop offs, caves, black sand and white sand. Then there are the fish, lots of them, in more shapes and sizes than anywhere else in the world. This itinerary visits many of the top sites in North Raja Ampat and the Dampier Strait.
Sample Interary:
Day 1: Embarkation at 13:00
Days 2-6: Up to 4 dives a day, scheduled as follows:
- Light Breakfast followed by a briefing & dive 1
- Full Breakfast, relaxation followed by briefing & dive 2
- Lunch, relaxation followed by briefing & dive 3
- Snacks and relaxation
- Briefing for Sunset or Night dive
- Dinner
Day 7: Up to 2 dives
Day 8: Disembarkation no later than 10:00
Dive sites we visit may include but are not limited to:
Mansuar Island & the Dampier Strait
The dive sites around Mansuar and the Dampier Strait are known for fast drift dives and big fish schools, with daily site selection based on current conditions.
Manta Sandy: A famous cleaning station at 18 metres (60 ft), attracting various manta rays, along with dragonets and Black-tip reef sharks.
Cape Kri: Home to an incredible diversity of marine life, including a world record of 374 fish species, such as Scribbled filefish and Bumphead parrotfish.
Blue Magic: A finger-shaped reef from 8 to 30 metres (26–98 ft), known for vibrant corals and schools of jacks, with the chance to see manta rays.
Sardine Reef: Teeming with fusiliers, snappers, and bumphead parrotfish, plus sightings of white-tip and black-tip reef sharks.
Mioskon: Ideal for spotting pygmy seahorses and giant moray eels, with trevally often hunting in the area.
Mike’s Point: Features varied topography and unpredictable currents, with chances to see sweetlips, batfish, and sharks.
Friwinbonda: Great for night dives, where lionfish hunt glassfish and other intriguing critters can be found.
Gam & Yangeffo Islands
Melissa’s Garden: Known for hard coral gardens and sightings of trevally and black-tip reef sharks.
Mayhem: Notorious for strong currents, perfect for larger fish like barracuda and eagle rays.
Citrus Ridge: A vibrant reef with colourful soft corals and opportunities to see pygmy seahorses and pelagic species.
Batanta Island: Famous for muck diving, home to unique species like mimic octopus and ornate ghost pipefish.