Nothing can be more beautiful than Raja Ampat for all the Scuba divers. It is located off the northwest tip of Bird’s Head Peninsula on the island of Papua New Guinea, in Indonesia’s western Province. Raja Ampat is also called “Four Kings” due to its four main diving Islands Misool, Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati, and Waigeo. However, It has more than 1500+ therefore Raja Ampat is best known for its archipelago, small Islands covering the main four main Islands and giving exceptional views.
Diving in Raja Ampat offers a diversity of diving places for muck divers and for those who like mangroves must visit this Island.
In this article, you are going to read about the best diving places in Raja Ampat water temperature, Dive seasons, Depth of water, and locations individually. So without beating about the bush let’s discover with us.
This is part of our diving in Indonesia we have also covered main Islands which have considerable dive sites.
All the most visited places for Diving in Raja Ampat
Boo Windows
Boo windows is a peaceful yet marine-covered area on Misool Island. From the surface, two rocks can be seen through them divers swim through but both rocks are interconnected together underwater with soft coral reefs.
This place is also known for “Windows” separately opening and showing inspiring colors to the divers. Here, you may likely to met frogfish, Butterflyfish, Jellyfish, Reef fish, pygmy sea horses, etc. As the dive site is covered by rocks divers are advised to take an underwater torch with them in order to see the rainbow colors of this beautiful window site.
Cape Kri
Cape Kri is the only place which holds the record for the largest number of species on a single day. An acclaimed marine biologist, Gerald R. Allen, set this record. This dive site became world famous for its huge amount of diversity when he recorded 374 species here in 2012. During this diving spot, the current is different, which is why it happened.
You may see a great number of marine creatures some of them we have enlisted. Blacktip, Whitetip, Grey reef sharks, batfish, frogfish, Barracuda, Pelagic, shrimps, and tuna, etc on this site.
Divers may need an advance certificate if they are planning to visit Cape Kri and know how to climb on reefs and pinnacles. Anyhow, This is the place you will never forget after your diving experience.
Four Kings
Four Kings dive site is a remarkable place for scuba diving on Misool Island in Indonesia. Four kings’ names are set as there are four diving pinnacles. You can easily go from one pinnacle to another and explore soft coral reefs.
Diving the site can take place in any direction, however, the shallowest point on the solitary pinnacle is the ideal place to start. There is a 15-meter gap between all the pinnacles. but It is a dramatic deep canyon that lies between the last two pinnacles.
You are going to see here school of Barracuda, reef fish, scorpionfish, Napoleon wrasse, turtles, and the best place to spot paraphyletic species.
Mioskun
Mioskun is the V-shaped pinnacle diving place. There is usually a light current at this dive site, making it a good place for beginners to learn how to dive. Sometimes, this site has a strong current which makes it difficult for newbies therefore you should always double-check with your diving company.
Melissa’s Garden
In Melissa’s Garden, divers can find all kinds of marine life belonging to the Cnidaria phylum, including soft corals which are rarely found anywhere in the world. You will not forget this place. So, Make sure to add this place to your diving trip to Raja Ampat. That’s why Melissa’s Garden is regarded as Raja Ampat’s best marine park.
Citrus Ridge
This place got its name Citrus Ridge just because of the shades of all citrus fruits those can be seen on these soft and hard coral reefs. Not only carols but you can encounter with the citrus color different underwater species. There is various range of other colors as well and I can’t help saying that, Citrus Ridge is a next-level liked place by Macro photography lovers.
Frog Fish, Batfish, Salt fish, reef fish, and school of Barracuda and pelagic
Blue Magic
Blue Magic is another pinnacle dive site offering diving deep in the blue sea. Full of marine life, colorful reefs, and leaves. This is the only pinnacle which is quite deep and attracts big marine caricatures.
You may see school of Barracuda and Manta rays and pelagic as this place is their cleaning station, You better keep space and see them from a bit of distance may give you unusual feelings. As they are marine animals touching them may harmful so it’s better to stay away.
Shadow Reef
A rarely visited dive site of Raja Ampat is Shadow Reef. This site is simply a cleaning station of big marine creatures like Manta Rays, reef sharks, and Napoleon wrasse you may not enjoy reefs here but you can find a spot of seeing this gigantic creation.
Arborek Jetty
The best place for snorkelers and beginners who are learning scuba diving may visit Arborek Jetty. The shallow water and peaceful environment give a lovely experience. We can say this is the best place to practice your diving and becoming an expert.
Dancing fish surrounding you from all sides gives everlasting experience. Carols are very soft we have considered this place best for beginners.
Sardine Reef
A pinnacle diving place with an oval shape is Sardine Reef. The pinnacle stretches for about 200m, descending to the seabed at approximately 25m below the surface. It reaches a depth of about 5m below the surface.
