Raja Ampat is, in my opinion, the best scuba diving in the world (very closely followed by the Galapagos). When combined with the stunning tropical paradise it is situated in and its remoteness leading to fewer fellow tourist numbers, it places it right near the top of any world travel experience, let alone purely for scuba diving.
I’ve experienced it in 3 very different ways:
1. Staying in very basic local homestays that are dotted around the Central Raja Ampat islands and represent the cheaper option (US$900 for a week including all diving costs), and the focus of this review
2. On a live-aboard yacht, again in the Central area but with the luxury and flexibility for traveling to more remote spots with the yacht (US$4,500) – see the entry Live-aboard diving trip through Raja Ampat for more details
3. Staying at the famous Misool Eco-resort based in South Raja Ampat that is within its own protected marine reserve (US$5,500) – see A week diving at Raja Ampat’s Misool Eco-resort
The key question comes down to how much you’re prepared to spend. If on a tighter budget, the homestays really are super cheap (USD900 including for all diving is a crazy cheap price even for SE Asia) and in a glorious setting right on the beach, but they will be some of the most basic accommodation you will have stayed in. We went for this first time round as we were short on cash and, whilst it was at times difficult to sleep, it gave us that real Robinson Crusoe feeling in . . . well . . . paradise
If an adventurous diver, Raja Ampat, however you do it, is a must