Plan Your Trip

Raja Ampat Liveaboard Pricing — Cost Breakdown & Inclusions

Q: What is the standard gratuity for the crew?

While discretionary, a gratuity of 5-10% of the liveaboard price is the industry standard in Raja Ampat. For a $5,000 trip, this would be $250-$500 per guest. This is typically given to the cruise director at the voyage's conclusion, who distributes it among the 12-20 crew members, many of whom work behind the scenes to ensure a seamless and safe expedition.

A Raja Ampat liveaboard price reflects an all-inclusive, multi-day expedition into the epicenter of marine biodiversity.

Book Now on WhatsApp Book Your Liveaboard

The cost structure for these voyages accounts for vessel operation, expert dive guidance, and full board across a territory of 40,000 km². The typical Raja Ampat liveaboard rate ranges from $450 to $850 USD per person, per night, contingent on the phinisi vessel’s specifications, cabin class, and the itinerary’s duration. This rate grants access to dive sites like Cape Kri, where Dr. Gerald Allen documented a record 374 reef fish species on a single 2012 survey. Understanding the components of the total Raja Ampat liveaboard cost is the first step in planning a precise and efficient diving expedition. Our fleet offers several tiers of accommodation and service, detailed in our complete liveaboard packages.

Coral reef and reef fish — Colorful underwater landscape of a coral reef

Deconstructing the Raja Ampat Liveaboard Rate

The nightly rate is the foundational cost element for any voyage. This figure is a composite, bundling the primary operational expenses of a remote, mobile dive platform into a single, predictable price. It covers your berth in a private, air-conditioned cabin, all meals and non-alcoholic beverages, and a full dive program. For a standard 8-day/7-night itinerary, a diver can anticipate a base cost between $3,600 and $6,800 USD. This price point reflects the logistical complexity of operating in West Papua, from sourcing provisions in Sorong to maintaining safety and navigation equipment across more than 1,500 islands. The variance in the Raja Ampat liveaboard price is primarily determined by the vessel itself—its size, age, number of guests, and onboard amenities like dedicated camera rooms or en-suite bathrooms with hot water showers. A higher rate often corresponds to a lower guest-to-guide ratio, ensuring more personalized dive planning and surface support.

Cabin Classes and Vessel Tiers

Phinisi vessels, the traditional Indonesian schooners used for our charters, are not uniform. They are hand-built in Sulawesi and range from functional, comfortable platforms to floating luxury villas. Our pricing structure mirrors this diversity. A standard cabin on a mid-range vessel typically features twin bunks or a double bed with a shared or private bathroom. A master suite on a premium vessel, by contrast, might offer a king-sized bed, panoramic windows, a private balcony, and a large en-suite bathroom. The nightly rate for a master suite can be 25-50% higher than a standard cabin on the same vessel. When selecting a voyage, consider the vessel’s specifications. A ship like the Dewi Nusantara accommodates up to 18 guests, while smaller, more intimate phinisis might host only 8-12. This choice directly impacts both the social dynamic and the final Raja Ampat liveaboard cost.

Comprehensive Inclusions: What Your Voyage Rate Covers

An inclusion list provides a clear accounting of the services and amenities covered by your base rate. Our objective is to manage all logistical elements once you board the vessel in Sorong, allowing you to focus entirely on the diving. Every one of our Raja Ampat liveaboard voyages is structured to be nearly all-inclusive, covering the core components of the expedition. The following items are standard across our entire fleet:

Private Cabin Accommodation: Air-conditioned cabins with fresh linens and towels, cleaned daily.
Full Board & Refreshments: Three chef-prepared meals per day, plus snacks, coffee, tea, and purified drinking water. Menus blend Indonesian and Western cuisines.
A Full Dive Program: Up to four guided dives per day, including sunrise, day, dusk, and night dives, subject to itinerary and conditions. This includes dives at current-swept sites like Sardine Reef, which requires precise negative entries.
Tanks, Weights, and Weight Belts: Standard 12-liter aluminum tanks with INT/DIN valves are provided.
Expert Dive Guides: Services of an experienced Indonesian and/or Western cruise director and local divemasters with a minimum of 1,000+ logged dives in the region. Their knowledge is critical for locating endemic species like the Raja Ampat pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus pontohi).
Tender & Skiff Support: All dives are conducted from high-speed tenders for rapid and precise drops and pickups.
Airport & Hotel Transfers: All ground transfers between Sorong (SOQ) airport and the phinisi on embarkation and disembarkation days.

Exclusions and Surcharges: Planning for Additional Costs

Exclusions are costs not bundled into the nightly rate. These are typically variable expenses, government-mandated fees, or optional services that not all divers will require. A transparent understanding of these additional items is essential for accurate budgeting. The total Raja Ampat liveaboard cost will include these components, which are settled either in advance or onboard at the conclusion of the trip.

Key exclusions to anticipate include:

Raja Ampat Marine Park & Port Fees: This is a mandatory government levy. The Marine Park entrance fee is IDR 1,000,000 per person (approx. $65 USD) and is valid for one year. Additional port clearance fees average $150-$250 USD per person for a standard trip. These fees directly fund conservation efforts and local community programs within the Coral Triangle.
International & Domestic Flights: Your travel to the departure port of Sorong (SOQ) is not included. Major carriers like Garuda Indonesia and Batik Air operate flights from Jakarta (CGK). We recommend arriving in Sorong at least one day prior to embarkation. Details on logistics can be found in our guide to planning your trip to Sorong.
Dive Equipment Rental: While tanks and weights are included, personal dive gear (BCD, regulators, wetsuit, computer, mask, fins) is not. Full equipment rental is available for approximately $40-$60 USD per day. A 3mm wetsuit is standard for the 27–30°C water temperature.
Nitrox Fills: Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx) is highly recommended for the repetitive, multi-day dive profiles in Raja Ampat. The cost is typically $10-$15 USD per fill or offered as a package for $150-$250 USD for the entire trip.
Alcoholic Beverages: Beer, wine, and spirits are available for purchase onboard.
Crew Gratuities: Gratuity is discretionary but customary. The industry standard recommendation is 5-10% of the liveaboard rate, paid in cash (IDR or USD) to the cruise director at the end of the voyage for distribution among the entire crew.
Travel & Dive Insurance: Comprehensive travel and dive insurance (including medical evacuation) are mandatory for all guests and are not included in the trip price.

Dunia Baru liveaboard sailing Raja Ampat

Private Phinisi Charter Pricing

A private charter is the complete reservation of a phinisi vessel for your exclusive use. This option provides ultimate control over the itinerary, schedule, and daily activities, making it the preferred choice for UHNW families, dedicated photographic groups, or dive clubs. A full private charter allows for a bespoke itinerary, whether that means focusing on the manta ray aggregations in Misool from December to March or spending extra days searching for the endemic wobbegong shark (Eucrossorhinus dasypogon) in the Dampier Strait.

The Raja Ampat liveaboard price for a full charter is calculated based on the vessel's capacity and nightly rate, not on a per-person basis. Charter rates for a premium 10-12 guest phinisi typically range from $7,000 to $12,000+ USD per night. For a 10-night expedition, the total charter cost can range from $70,000 to $120,000 USD, plus exclusions. This cost includes the entire crew, from the captain and engineers to the chefs and dive guides, dedicated solely to your group. This model offers exceptional privacy and flexibility, allowing for itinerary adjustments mid-voyage to pursue specific marine life encounters or explore remote, seldom-visited Raja Ampat dive sites.

Payment Schedules and Deposit Policies

Securing your place on a voyage or charter follows a structured payment process. This ensures both your reservation and the vessel's operational schedule are confirmed well in advance. Our payment and deposit policies are aligned with industry standards for high-value remote travel.

Booking Confirmation

To confirm your booking, a non-refundable deposit is required.

For individual or small group bookings: A deposit of 30% of the total liveaboard rate is due within 7 days of receiving your invoice.
For private charters: A deposit of 30% is also required, calculated from the total charter price.

Your space is not secured until this initial deposit is received. We recommend prompt payment, as availability during the peak season of October to April is limited.

Final Payment

The remaining balance of your invoice is due before the trip's departure.

The final payment of 70% is due 90 days prior to the embarkation date.
Bookings made within 90 days of departure require full payment at the time of booking.

We will send a reminder invoice as the deadline approaches. Failure to remit the final payment by the due date may result in the cancellation of your booking and forfeiture of your deposit. All prospective divers are encouraged to initiate the booking process early to secure their preferred dates and vessel.

Si Datu Bua liveaboard sailing Raja Ampat

Plan Your Raja Ampat Voyage

Our concierge team is ready to design your private charter or reserve your place on a scheduled departure. We provide transparent, itemized quotes and handle all logistical arrangements from your arrival in Sorong. Contact our specialists to discuss vessel availability and create a tailored dive expedition.

WhatsApp: +62 811-3823-875
Email: sales@komodoluxury.com

Raja Ampat Fleet

Liveaboards Sailing Raja Ampat

VVIP

Coralia II Liveaboard

8 cabins
16 guests
51,8 m x 10,54 m

Start from USD 785/Person

VVIP

Seven Seas Liveaboard

8 cabins
14-16 guests

Start from USD 8.989/12 Persons + VAT 11%

VVIP

Coralia

8 cabins
16 guests
48m x 9.10m

Start from USD 870 /night

VVIP

Lady Denok

7 cabins
12 guests
28m x 7m (Draft 3m)

Start from USD 6.000/12 Person

VVIP

Seamore Papua

9 cabins
18 guests
32m x 7.5m

Start from USD 6.800 /Night

VVIP

Neomi Liveaboard

10 cabins
20 guests
47,22 m x 9,00 m

Start from USD 7,100 /Night

VVIP

Tiare Liveaboard

6 cabins
14 guests
36,50 m x 9 m

Start from USD 7,900 /Night

VVIP

Akomo Isseki Liveaboard

8 guests
27,87 m x 5,84 m

Ask for rates

VVIP

Wellenreng Liveaboard

3 cabins
6–9 guests
25m x 6m

Start from EUR 3.200 /Night

VVIP

Lasha Liveaboard

10 cabins
26 guests
52.5m x 10.3m

Start from USD 11,600/6D5N

VVIP

Bhavana

7 cabins
14 guests
50 m x 10,3 m

Start from USD 16.500 + 12% VAT /Night

VVIP

Vela

6 cabins
12 guests
50 m x 9,75 m

Start from USD 17,000 /night

Vessel details and starting rates as listed on KomodoLuxury.com, part of Juara Holding Group.

View all vessels

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Pricing

What is the standard gratuity for the crew?

While discretionary, a gratuity of 5-10% of the liveaboard price is the industry standard in Raja Ampat. For a $5,000 trip, this would be $250-$500 per guest. This is typically given to the cruise director at the voyage's conclusion, who distributes it among the 12-20 crew members, many of whom work behind the scenes to ensure a seamless and safe expedition.

Are there fuel surcharges?

Under normal circumstances, fuel costs are included in your liveaboard rate. However, due to global price volatility, some operators reserve the right to add a fuel surcharge if costs increase dramatically. If applicable, this would be communicated clearly well in advance of the trip and would typically be a nominal fee of $100-$200 per person.

Is the Raja Ampat Marine Park fee a one-time payment?

The Raja Ampat Marine Park entrance tag (known as the PIN) costs IDR 1,000,000 (approx. $65 USD) and is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. If you plan a return trip within that year, you will not need to purchase a new tag. You must carry the physical tag or proof of purchase with you, as patrols may check for it at popular sites like Manta Sandy.

Can I pay for onboard expenses with a credit card?

Most phinisis accept credit card payments (Visa, Mastercard) for onboard expenses like equipment rental, nitrox, and alcoholic beverages. However, they often add a 3-5% processing fee. It is highly recommended to bring sufficient cash (USD or IDR) for gratuities and any small purchases, as satellite-based credit card terminals can be unreliable in remote areas.

What is the cost difference between a Misool and a Dampier Strait itinerary?

The cost difference between itineraries is generally minimal and is dictated more by the trip's duration than the specific region. A 10-day Misool liveaboard itinerary will have a higher total cost than a 7-day Dampier Strait trip, but the per-night rate is usually the same. Misool trips are often longer (10-12 days) due to the greater distances covered, approximately 130 nautical miles south of Sorong.

Plan Your Trip