8 Raja Ampat liveaboard operators compared
Plan & FAQ · 2026 Comparison

Raja Ampat Liveaboard
8 Operators Reviewed

A neutral side-by-side of the 8 most active operators in Raja Ampat. Vessel class, tier, max guests, season focus, and price point — at a glance.
The Raja Ampat operator landscape spans traditional phinisi, modern catamarans, and a few hybrid steel-hulled yachts. Below we benchmark eight commonly-considered operators across vessel class, capacity, season focus, and per-night price. We disclose where our own fleet sits in the field.

Our Evaluation Criteria

Vessel Class

Phinisi · catamaran · motor yacht. Hand-built ironwood phinisi remain the regional benchmark.

Capacity

6–24 guests. Smaller = more privacy & higher crew ratio. 8–14 is the sweet spot.

Season Focus

Some operate year-round in Raja Ampat; others reposition to Komodo May–Sept.

Price Tier

Per-night per-person rate. Comfort < $700 · Premium $700–1,200 · Luxury $1,200+.

Operator Snapshot

OperatorVesselGuestsTierUSD/nightSeasonNote
Operator APhinisi (50m)14Luxury$1,250Oct–AprRefit camera room · Nitrox standard
Operator BPhinisi (40m)12Premium$950Year-roundMisool partnership · longer itineraries
Operator C (modern yacht)Catamaran20Luxury$1,600Oct–AprWider beam stability · less character
Operator DPhinisi (35m)10Premium$900Oct–AprFamily-run · personalized service
Operator EPhinisi (45m)16Premium$1,050Oct–AprPhoto-focused · pro photographer guides
Operator F (entry tier)Phinisi (30m)14Comfort$600Oct–AprBudget-conscious · fewer onboard amenities
Raja Ampat Liveaboard DivingPhinisi (38–55m)8–14Premium–Luxury$900–1,500Year-round (curated)Our fleet · custom charters · 1:1 crew ratio
Operator H (group brand)Motor Yacht24Premium$1,100Oct–AprHigh capacity · less intimate experience

Our Methodology

Operator names anonymized except our own. Data sourced from operator websites, dive industry directories, and direct fleet inspections during the 2025 season. Prices are 2026 published rates for shared cabins, excluding flights, Marine Park permit, and gratuities. We update this comparison annually each November.

Need Help Choosing?

We're happy to point you to another operator if our fleet doesn't fit your dates or budget. Tell us your priorities — we'll be honest.