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 scuba diving.
I’ve experienced it in 3 very different ways:
- 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) – see Diving and staying in guest houses in Central Raja Ampat for the review
- On a live-aboard yacht, again in the Central area but with the luxury and flexibility for traveling to more remote spots (US$4,500) – the focus for this review
- 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 and, often, availability in what is an area in demand. If have the money, a liveaboard (just about anywhere in the world) is hard to beat, especially in Central Raja Ampat. It gives you the flexibility to adapt to the conditions, travel through the simply glorious island settings and travel to some of the more remote spots, in particular Piaynemo to the far west. This is the second trip we took and were blown away.
If an adventurous diver, Raja Ampat, however you do it, is a must. By liveaboard it is the highest Wow factor you can get.
