Raja Ampat Liveaboard Packages — 5, 7, 10-Day & Custom Trips

This classic seven-day itinerary concentrates on the nutrient-rich channel separating the islands of Waigeo and Batanta. The Dampier Strait is defined by its powerful currents, which can run between 1 and 4 knots, attracting dense schools of fish and large pelagics. The route is a sequence of globally recognized sites.

• Cape Kri: This site holds the world record for the most fish species identified on a single dive. In 2012, Dr. Gerald Allen documented 374 distinct species here. Divers can expect to see massive schools of trevally, barracuda, and sweetlips. The reef top sits at 5 meters, dropping to a slope that exceeds 40 meters.
• Blue Magic: An offshore pinnacle that rises to 7 meters from a 30-meter seafloor, this site is a magnet for oceanic manta rays (Mobula birostris) and grey reef sharks. Its exposed location means dives are planned precisely according to tidal charts to manage the strong downcurrents.
• Manta Sandy: A dedicated cleaning station for reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) at a depth of 15-18 meters. During the peak season from December to March, divers can observe dozens of mantas queuing for service from wrasses. Strict observation protocols are in place to protect the animals.
• Sardine Reef: Contrary to its name, this reef is known not for sardines but for its overwhelming biomass of fusiliers, surgeonfish, and bannerfish. The current sweeps divers along a vibrant, sloping reef at depths of 10 to 25 meters. For more detail, read our guide to diving the Dampier Strait.

An alternative seven-night voyage focuses on Misool, an archipelago of hundreds of karst islands in southern Raja Ampat. This route requires a longer open-water crossing from Sorong (approximately 8-10 hours) but rewards with distinct topography and marine life. Misool is protected by a 1,220 km² Marine Protected Area and a no-take zone established in 2007. The area is characterized by dramatic underwater landscapes, soft coral proliferation, and significant pelagic activity.

• Magic Mountain: An iconic seamount that is one of the few places on earth where both reef mantas (Mobula alfredi) and the larger oceanic mantas (Mobula birostris) can be seen at the same cleaning station. The pinnacle starts at 7 meters and slopes down past 40 meters.
• Boo Windows: Named for two large, swim-through "windows" in the rock at a depth of 5 meters, this site is celebrated for its kaleidoscopic soft corals and rich macro life. The topography is a direct result of the region's limestone composition.
• Nudi Rock: A small island shaped like a sea slug, this site features steep walls covered in sea fans that host the Raja Ampat pygmy seahorse, Hippocampus pontohi. Strong currents are common on the outer points.