Raja Ampat Liveaboards

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.

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 including options such as the Andamari Phinisi for divers interested in exploring Komodo National Park alongside Raja Ampat.

On our own Raja Ampat trips we typically settle into a rhythm of three or four dives a day: early‑morning on seamounts with sharks and schooling fish, late‑morning on manta cleaning stations, then afternoon and night dives on walls and jetties packed with critters. A liveaboard lets you wake up already on site and time dives around tides and currents rather than day‑boat schedules.

Diving Season

October to May is generally considered the best time for Raja Ampat liveaboards, with less rain, calmer seas and better visibility. In this window most boats can reach the full spread of hotspots from the far north (Wayag, Kawe) down to Misool in the south.

From roughly mid‑June to mid‑September the southeast monsoon brings stronger winds and choppier seas, particularly in southern Raja Ampat. Many liveaboards re‑position to other parts of Indonesia during these months, and itineraries that do run tend to focus on more sheltered central/northern areas or on combination trips.

Combo Trips

If you’re unsure which route to pick, we can match central‑only trips (great first‑timers’ itineraries) vs north–south expeditions and Raja Ampat + Banda Sea crossings depending on your dates, experience and wish‑list.

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

International Airport: Jakarta (CGK), or Manado (MDC)

Local Airport: Sorong, West Papua (SOQ), which is the departure point for most liveaboards.

Water Temperature: ranges from roughly 27–30 °C (80–86 °F) year‑round.

Wetsuit: 3 mm full suit or shortie. Raja Ampat’s waters are very warm, but a full suit is still recommended for protection from stings and scrapes; many divers are comfortable in a skinsuit.

Required Diving Skill Level: most dive operations recommend around 50 logged dives and some experience in current. Less‑experienced divers might not be taken to the most demanding sites, but many boats will welcome confident beginners with additional supervision.

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.

Raja Ampat Liveaboard FAQs

Is Raja Ampat too advanced for me?

Raja Ampat has everything from gentle reef slopes to high‑energy current dives. Most liveaboards recommend at least Advanced Open Water (or equivalent) and some recent experience in currents. Confident, well‑guided beginners can still enjoy many sites, but may sit out the strongest‑current dives.

How long should I book for a Raja Ampat liveaboard?

Most itineraries are 7–10 nights. Seven nights works well for a focused Dampier Strait or central route; 10 nights or more is ideal if you want to include both north and south Raja Ampat or add on a crossing to Banda Sea / Ambon.

What’s the difference between central, north and south routes?

Central / Dampier Strait trips focus on manta sites, classic reefs and jetties around Kri, Gam and Mansuar. North adds limestone island scenery and more remote reefs around Wayag and Kawe. South / Misool is all about dramatic soft‑coral pinnacles and seamounts in a private marine reserve. Some expeditions link all three.

Should I choose a liveaboard or a resort in Raja Ampat?

A liveaboard is best if you want to cover a lot of ground and dive 3–4 times a day with minimal transit. A resort suits those who prefer more space, downtime and flexibility, or are travelling with non‑divers. Many guests combine both – a week on a boat plus a few nights at a resort.

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: $499 per person (double occupancy), $579 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)