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| Map of Raja Ampat |
Getting There
Even though I live in the Philippines, getting to Raja Ampat took some effort. I had to fly to Jakarta and then catch another flight to Sorong. After spending a night in Jakarta and another in Sorong, I was finally ready to dive into this beautiful diving destination. Bob, our dive guide, picked us up from the hotel and took us straight to the pier, where our adventure began.
The Crew and Comfort
From the moment we stepped aboard, the crew made us feel right at home. Their smiles and warm welcomes set the tone for an amazing trip. Our cruise director, Luca, took the time to brief us about everything from the in and outs of the boat including each dive site, ensuring we were well-prepared before plunging into the depths.
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| Luca briefing us before the dive |
We were divided into three groups, and our dive guides - Bob, Alo, Angus (and Daria) - led us through the underwater wonders. They were incredibly skilled at spotting marine life, from tiny pygmy seahorses hiding in the coral, hairy blue squat lobster, wobbegongs, to majestic oceanic manta rays gliding effortlessly by.
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| Dive grouping |
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| Pygmy seahorse (photo by @deeperbluediving) |
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| Mimic octopus (photo by @bea.diver.artist) |
The dive platform team was equally attentive, assisting us as we entered and exited the dinghy. They truly spoiled us by helping us with everything - even putting on our fins! The dinghy divers were always there when we finished the dive. They made the whole experience feel seamless and enjoyable.
The dive platform crew warmly welcoming us back after a dive.
Onboard, we enjoyed five meals a day - small breakfast, big breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner. There was always something tasty to keep us energized for our dives. Sure, some dishes were a bit saltier than I prefer, but honestly, it was a small price to pay for such an incredible experience.
Underwater Wonders
Raja Ampat, which translates to Four Kings in Indonesian, is famous for its incredible underwater biodiversity. Every dive revealed vibrant coral reefs and unique marine creatures.
Here’s a quick look at our dive schedule:
January 12 - Daram Misol
8:00 am Andiamo
11:00 am Warna Berwana
3:00 pm Yiliet Kecil
6:30 pm Romeo
January 13- Misool Boo
8:00 am Boo window (my favorite)
11:00 am Boo East
2:00 pm Nudi Rock
6:30 pm Boo Bay
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| Misol Boo Window (photo taken by @bea.diver.artist) |
January 14 - Misool Wayil
8:00 am Wedding Cake
11:00 am Barracuda Rock
3:00 pm Gorgonian Passage
6:30 pm Wayil wall
January 15 - Misool East, South, Farondi
8:00 am Boo West (pinnacle)
11:00 am Eagle Nest
3:00 pm Two Trees
5:00 pm Lagoon Tour
6:30 pm Wagmag
cruising to South Batanta
January 16- Batanta Piaynemo
8:00 am Algae Patch (muck diving)
11:00 am Happy Ending (best muck diving)
4:30 pm View Point of Piaynemo
6:30 pm Galaxy
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| Group photo at the viewpoint of Piaynemo with Daria and Agus |
January 17 - Piaynemo + Yangefo
8:00 am Melissa’s Garden
11:00 am Batu Rufus (wall of yellow tail fusilier blocking window)
3:00 pm Mangrove Ridge
6:30 pm Gam Ridge
cruising to Kawe
January 18 - Kawe
7:00 am Black Rock (my favorite)
10:30 Eagle Rock (manta)
3:00 pm Edi’s Black Forest
6:30 Tamau Wofoh
January 19 - Dampier Strait
7:30 am Sawanderek, Mansuar Island (Mobula rays)
10:30 am Blue Magic (manta)
I must say Blue Magic was one of the best dive sites. It's so popular though and expect several divers. We were lucky that we saw oceanic mantas in the cleaning station despite the crowd.
A Journey Worth Taking
I am impressed by my experience that I'm already thinking about diving in Komodo or Banda Sea next! If you're passionate about diving or just love nature, Raja Ampat should definitely be on your bucket list. This isn’t just a dive trip; it’s an unforgettable journey into one of the most spectacular marine environments on Earth.
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| With Bea who invited me to dive in Raja Ampat (photo by @christopherpen) |
