International dive trip · Indonesia
Dive Raja Ampat from a beachfront island lodge: mantas, reef sharks, huge fish schools and macro life in the heart of the Coral Triangle.
Get more infoRaja Ampat sits off the western tip of New Guinea and is widely regarded as one of the richest marine environments on Earth. This trip bases you at a beachfront lodge on Mansuar Island, at the southern end of Waigeo, so the best-known sites are a short boat ride away rather than a long transit.
Staying on land means you can settle in, dive at a relaxed pace and finish the day with a sunset or night dive on the jetty house reef. It suits divers who want world-class variety, from mantas and sharks to tiny macro subjects, without living on a boat.
Diving is done from a boat based at the lodge, visiting sites around the southern tip of Waigeo and, on some days, neighbouring areas such as Gam, Penemu and Arborek. Sites range from open ridges with big fish action to sheltered jetties and gardens that reward slow, close-up photography.
Expect warm water of roughly 26 to 29 degrees C, with deeper cooler layers in places, and hot, humid air in the mid-20s to low 30s. Currents can run at some of the headline sites, so good buoyancy and a willingness to follow your guide's briefing are important.
Days follow a simple rhythm: morning dives, a rest and lunch back at the lodge or on the water, and an afternoon outing, with the house reef available for sunset and night dives. Time between dives is for hammocks, the beach and the shaded jetty.
Rooms are in beachfront cottages with a veranda facing a long white sand beach. They are air-conditioned with a private hot-water bathroom, mosquito net and in-room safe. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily in open-air dining areas, there is a bar, and Wi-Fi is available in communal areas.
Getting there involves international flights to Indonesia and a domestic connection to Sorong, followed by a boat transfer to the lodge. This is a remote area with very limited medical facilities, so comprehensive dive insurance is essential. We will confirm flight routing, extra nights and what is included.
Packages are offered in shorter and longer options, with different numbers of included dives. Nitrox, rental gear and park fees may be separate, so confirm the details with us before booking.
| Destination | Indonesia |
| Trip style | Lodge-based diving |
| Trip length | Offered as 7 nights (12 dives) or 10 nights (18 dives), with optional extra dives; confirm current options with us. |
| Best season | Raja Ampat is dived year-round and conditions are relatively stable. Many divers favour the drier months, roughly October to April, for calmer seas, but the source material gives no single best window, so confirm with us for your preferred month. |
| Certification level | Open Water minimum is generally workable; Advanced Open Water and some current experience are recommended because of drifts and currents at key sites. Bring your certification card, logbook and dive insurance. |
Pricing, dates and what is included are confirmed per departure. Send us your questions and we will come back to you.
Not strictly, but Advanced Open Water and some drift or current experience will make the trip much more enjoyable. Talk to us and we can help you decide whether a refresher or a course beforehand would help.
You fly to Sorong via a connection in Indonesia, then take a boat transfer to the lodge on Mansuar Island. We will confirm routing and any overnight stops when you enquire.
The area is remote and the nearest hyperbaric chamber is far away, so conservative diving, good hydration and comprehensive dive insurance are essential. Insurance and certification are checked on arrival.