Explore West Papua

In West Papua lies the 1,500 islands that comprise the Raja Ampat archipelago. The four main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta, and Waigeo have been found to house astonishing levels of marine life - with 75% of the world’s total hard coral species!

West Papua diving offers pristine coral reefs, captivating swim-throughs, cavern, and tunnels as well as the chance to drift effortlessly among pinnacles and walls in the ocean’s strength. Sight sharks at Mansuar Island, large groups of manta rays or hunt with eagle eyes for macro critters - pygmy seahorse, frogfish and bobtail squid are all residents.

At Misool, the southern-most island of Raja Ampat, venture out under the light of the moon where you may discover the epaulette shark which has ingeniously crafted its fins into foot-like appendages so it can walk across the sandy seabed hunting for prey. While scuba diving in West Papua visitors can also stop at Indonesia’s largest national marine park, Cenderawasih Bay. Here, divers can spot whale sharks with ease as the resident colony feeds on the offcasts of local fishermen.

The dive resorts in West Papua are ever-increasing yet, they tend to be based in northern Raja Ampat. Misool, further south, has only one dive resort and if you intend to experience the whole of Raja Ampat and Cenderawasih, visiting liveaboards are the option for you. With strong currents in the area, it’s suggested to have completed beginner dive courses before visiting this beautiful part of the world.

Places to Explore

Raja Ampat

56 Divesites 10 Centers

Raja Ampat is known as one of the best places for diving in Indonesia with pristine coral reefs and some of the most biodiverse waters in the world.

Upcoming Events

Professional Level Programs / Courses

Soul Scuba Divers

Assistant Instructor

01 Dec 2025

The Assistant Instructor rating is the next step after becoming a Divemaster along the scuba instructor pathway. It allows you to collect valuable teaching experience, practice briefings, teach academics, and conduct in-water training. If you want to further your career as a dive professional, you can finish the Instructor Training Course, pass the Instructor Evaluation, and become an Open Water Diving Instructor.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Mantastic Scuba Paradise

Open Water Diver

16 Dec 2025

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★★ Ransiwor

5 minutes away from the closest dive center, coral garden with slope, schools of fishes, good for pygmy seahorse and wobbegong sharks, mild current, easy for beginners

1,130
Logs
898
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Blue Magic

Challenging dive site, This is the one site where anything can happen….and it usually does! Be ready for an amazing dive here! one of the most popular dive site in Raja Ampat

2,305
Logs
1,686
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Yenbuba Jetty

5 minutes away from the closest dive center, easy slope with artificial and coral reef, entering water near to the jetty, mild current, easy for beginners.

3,542
Logs
2,380
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Turtle House Reef

Wonderful close by house reef right in front of Turtle Divers Raja Ampat center, offers sensation of slope colorful soft and hard corals combination. Average shallow between 12 - 16 meters with mostly light current condition give you calm and easy dive experience.

225
Logs
94
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Tapor Tamiyam, Cape Kri, Raja Ampat

Cape Kri dive site is located on the northeastern end of Kri Island. A famous Raja Ampat dive site that holds the world record for the dive site with the highest number of species (374!) sighted on a single dive (record held by Gerald R. Allen, marine biologist)

5,397
Logs
3,240
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Sauwandarek

This is one of the main jetties to visit in the Raja Ampat area. You will spend a long time around the jetty. Once you swim away from the jetty, you will be surrounded by schools of fusiliers and amazing reefs.

4,532
Logs
3,072
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Mambetron

North site of kri island near Soulscuba house reef. Don’t forget to have a look into the blue you can have some ocean gift manta ray passing by. And also some sharks.

120
Logs
96
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ P-47 Plane Wreck

45 minutes boat ride from Soul scuba divers, Airplane wreck lies between 26m-33 metre. Airplane wreck is from WW2 pacific war and its an American P-47D aircraft

227
Logs
204
Divers
30.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Koi island

Ten minutes boat ride away from Soul scuba divers, slopy wall, drift dive within many sharks and schools of fishes. The reef starts from 5 meter until 40 meters.

274
Logs
234
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Pasir Timbul

Ten minutes away from the Soul scuba divers dive centre, beautiful slope coral reef, drift dive site with plenty of action with fish and sharks.

189
Logs
162
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Dilaut

10 minutes boat ride away from Soul scuba dive center, nice and easy dive site, suitable for beginner level divers, goof for underwater photogrpayhy

15
Logs
15
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
25.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Mike’s Point

15 minutes from Soul Scuba divers dive centre, you will arrive into a small little mushroom shaped island, where you will decent into shallow coral garden. Overhang and wall, you might want to take your Underwaterlight with you!

561
Logs
504
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Citrus Ridge

One hour boat ride from closest dive center, witness on the way the beautiful fauna that Raja Ampat has to offer. Macro to big schools of fishes. The endemic yellow coral that you find on this dive site gave the name of “Citrus“.

2,081
Logs
1,572
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Mayhem

One hour boat ride from Soul scuba divers dive centre, on the way to the dive site you can witness dolphins, pilot whales and many birds. The coral reef starts at 5-7 meters and continue until 40 meters.

1,650
Logs
1,289
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Lao Lao

20 minutes away from closest dive center, deep dive site, good for advanced divers, medium to strong current, interesting coral formations with schools of fishes, possibility to finish the dive on the Mioskun dive site.

1,523
Logs
1,025
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in West Papua

West Papua offers some of the world's most captivating dive sites. Notably, the Raja Ampat region is renowned for its vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. Dive enthusiasts can explore the Cape Kri site, famous for its bustling fish population and occasional shark sightings. For a unique experience, the Cross Wreck near Sorong offers a fascinating dive into history, where divers can explore a sunken Japanese patrol boat from World War II, now home to a variety of sea life. Shore diving is equally rewarding, with the Arborek Island providing easy access to stunning underwater vistas. Night dives here unveil mesmerizing nocturnal behaviors of marine creatures, offering an unforgettable experience. West Papua offers a balanced blend of shore and liveaboard diving options, catering to both casual divers and those seeking extended underwater adventures in its pristine waters.

The best Months to dive in West Papua

West Papua offers excellent diving conditions year-round, making it a sought-after destination for divers. The region experiences warm waters with temperatures ranging from 27°C to 30°C throughout the year. Visibility is typically exceptional, often reaching up to 30 meters, providing clear views of the vibrant marine life.

Diving is possible all year, but the best conditions are usually from October to April during the dry season when weather is calmest. However, the rainy season from May to September can bring stronger winds and currents, slightly affecting visibility and diving conditions. Despite this, diving remains feasible and rewarding during these months, with careful planning and consideration of local weather patterns.

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

Gurano Babintang Dive School

Jl. Kompleks Perikanan No1, 98362 Kab Teluk Wondama, PB - IDN

Raja Ampat Biodiversity Nature Resort

Yenanas Beach, Yenbeser Village, Raja Ampat Regency, 98414 Waisai, PB - IDN

Mangrove Diver

Pulau Mansuar, - Raja Amapat, PB - IDN

Mantastic Scuba Paradise

Nyandepapir, 98472 Raja Ampat Regency, PB - IDN

Raja Ampat Aggressor

Raja Ampat, RI - IDN

TURTLE DIVERS RAJA AMPAT

Pulau Mansuar Kecil, District Meos Mansar (Kri Island), 98427 Yenbuba - South West Papua, PB - IDN

Soul Scuba Divers

Kri Island, Meos Mansuar, 98472 Raja Ampat, PB - IDN

Agusta Eco Resort Diving Center

Agusta Island, Raja Ampat, Sauandarek, Meos Mansar, 98412 Raja Ampat, PB - IDN

Scuba Republic Indonesia

Jl. Saporkren RT 001/Rw 001 Raja Ampat, 98482 Sorong, PB - IDN

Zanclus Dive Center

Jl. merpati, Komplek Perum Sosial, waisai, 9108043 Raja Ampat, PB - IDN

Kurkapa Meos Mansar, 98472 Waisai West Papua, IDN