Dive Site Descriptions:
NORTHERN REGION:
Kri Island - Sardines is a firm favourite among the liveaboards of Raja Ampat. You won’t find sardines here but the fish that you will find are almost as tightly packed.
Sel Pele - is a very large bay located on the western side of Waigeo Island, and is renowned as the best place in Raja Ampat for critter hunting. The bay has a large mouth with a small islet in its centre, and an inner bay with pearl farms that can be visited on request.
South Penemu - This is a lesser known pinnacle nearby the south side of Raja Ampat’s Penemu Island, the precise location of which is found only with thanks to the divemasters who will jump in the water to put a buoy in place.
Waigeo - Bird Wall is a reef on the south side of Waigeo Island in northern Raja Ampat and is a gentle slope bottoming out at around 30 metres. There are small bommies and rocky areas scattered all along the slope which provide the environment for an astonishing number of marine creatures.
Wofoh - Wofoh Island has a cluster of surface breaking points: 2 islands and 2 rocks. The reef below is wide enough to form at least 3 different dive sites and you will likely have the chance to see them all over the course of multiple dives.
Yangelo - This island faces directly across from Gam Island and has beautiful and very healthy coral coverage. Yangelo Reef is situated at the mouth of a channel, with its shallows rising up to a beautiful hard coral garden. The deeper parts are home to numerous wobbegongs and probably the greatest abundance of schooling large fish in Raja Ampat.
CENTRAL REGION:
Jef Fam Group - The Jef Fam is a picturesque group of a dozen or so limestone islands and islets, lying directly west of Batanta Island. There are many channels with shallow, aquamarine inlets, bays, lagoons, beaches, cliffs and coves. They are a perfect setting from which to explore Raja Ampat’s premiere hard coral dive sites.
Manta Ridge - With a name like ’Manta Ridge’ you’d really only be expecting to see one creature here, and you’d not be disappointed. Every dive at this popular cleaning station is blessed by the appearance of from 5 up to 30 manta rays. You can see manta rays at several places in the Raja Ampat islands, but this is the premiere place to see them reliably and in large numbers.
SOUTHERN REGION:
Boo Island - From the surface there are 2 rocks separated by a short stretch of water, beneath which there is a wealth of marine life waiting to be explored. The first thing you’ll notice as you deflate your BCD and descend onto this vibrant reef, is a large swim through in shallow water which several divers can penetrate at the same time. This is usually done at the end of the dive and there is much to see before doing so.
Fabiacet - is really a breath of fresh air for all of us that wish we could always dive on reefs with fish life as prolific as nature intended. If you’re a tired and burnt out crusty old diver, then don’t sit this one out. Bring your nitrox certification because this exceptional Raja Ampat island is one site where you’ll be wanting to stay down for as long as your air will last.
Farondi - Located some 20 km east from Misool Island, the limestone cliffs of the islet of Farondi are a firm favourite on any Raja Ampat diving trip because of the unique landscapes that they offer. Tunnels, caverns and dives on sumptuously coloured walls are the order of the day here.
Gamfi Damu - The currents can be strong around Gamfi Island but it is always good news since it brings nutrients to the reef and you will see the soft corals at their best. Most are at full extension, ready to trap and eat any free floating food, such as minute brine shrimp.
Kaleidoscope - As a break from all that big stuff you may want to sample the colourful delights of this Misool Island dive site. Although you may have to look past a few mobula rays and Napoleon wrasse to get an unhindered view, what you will see is a reef which boasts an unbeatable range of colour.
The Passage - Between the islands of Wayilbatan and Walib in the southern region of Raja Ampat, there is a channel over 30 metres wide featuring some of the finest benthic life you are ever likely to see.