Discover Raja Ampat: A premier liveaboard dive experience
Embark on the ultimate underwater expedition in Raja Ampat, the crown jewel of the Coral Triangle. Adelaar offers a premier liveaboard experience, inviting you to traverse the world’s richest marine biodiversity hub. With a staggering array of over 1,500 fish species and 600 types of corals, Raja Ampat stands as a beacon for marine enthusiasts and biodiversity conservationists.
Decades of custom diving expeditions: with 30 years of navigating the cerulean depths of Indonesia, Adelaar Liveaboard specializes in crafting custom diving expeditions. Our intimate knowledge of Raja Ampat’s diving sites ensures a matchless underwater experience tailored to each guest’s preferences and diving proficiency.
Exploring Raja Ampat’s signature dive spots
The Raja Ampat archipelago is segmented into three predominant dive regions, each offering unique underwater experiences:
Dampier Strait: The central heart of Raja Ampat’s diving scene, the Dampier Strait, presents an assortment of dives from exhilarating pinnacles to serene muck dives.
Wayag: We venture north to Wayag, renowned for its iconic limestone karsts and translucent waters, offering both awe-inspiring scenery and rich underwater life.
Misool: Dive into the southern sanctuary of Misool, where the underwater terrain is adorned with extraordinary reef formations and a kaleidoscope of sea creatures.
Adelaar: A liveaboard in Raja Ampat for everyone
Adelaar’s Raja Ampat experience isn’t just for divers. Our trip is for all guests and promises an unforgettable journey through the region’s spectacular marine landscapes. Non-divers can enjoy the surrounding splendor with activities such as snorkeling, kayaking and beach excursions. Our world-class service and luxurious amenities ensure a comfortable and memorable trip for everyone.
Optimal seasons for visiting Raja Ampat
The prime season to indulge in Raja Ampat’s underwater spectacle spans from October to April. This period is marked by drier weather, gentler seas, and optimal underwater clarity, ideal for diving and snorkeling adventures.
Raja Ampat diving: Ideal wetsuit guide for Adelaar guests
For diving in Raja Ampat, we recommend a long 3mm thick wetsuit. This thickness ensures comfort in the warm waters, typically ranging from 27°C to 30°C (81°F to 86°F). A long wetsuit is advisable not only for thermal protection but also as a safeguard against the region’s fire corals, which can cause discomfort upon contact. Ensuring your safety and comfort during your dive is our priority.
Your gateway to Raja Ampat: Sorong
Begin your Raja Ampat adventure by arriving in Sorong, the starting point to this marine paradise. Jakarta serves as the primary international hub to Sorong.
Recommended direct flight options from Jakarta to Sorong and back (Sorong time is 2 hours ahead of Jakarta time):
| Airlines | Flights | Jakarta-Sorong | Flights | Sorong-Jakarta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garuda Indonesia | GA682 | 12:10 am – 6:15 am | GA683 | 8:15 am – 10:10 am |
| Batik Air | ID7797 | 12:30 am – 6:40 am | ID7780 | 11:05 am – 13:00 pm |
| Super Air Jet | IU215 | 03:10 pm – 5:05 pm |
Domestic flight tickets can be purchased with credit card from abroad via Traveloka.com.
Additional connections are available from major Indonesian cities such as Manado, Makassar and Denpasar (Bali) giving you seamless access to the wonders of Raja Ampat.
For travelers from Europe, an option to explore is booking flights directly to Sorong (SOQ) on the Qatar Airways website. Through their partnership with Garuda Indonesia, this allows you to secure a single ticket to your final destination, offering a convenient and seamless travel experience.
Sorong to Raja Ampat Transfer Information
The Adelaar team will organize your pickup from either the airport or your hotel and transfer you directly to the vessel. Sorong Airport is just a 10-minute drive from the harbour.
If you choose to stay overnight before or after your Raja Ampat cruise, there are several good hotels conveniently located, as Sorong is a small town.
Recommended Hotels for Your Raja Ampat Cruise with Adelaar
Transit Hotel in Jakarta: FM7 Resort Hotel
If you need a transit hotel in Jakarta, we highly recommend the FM7 Resort Hotel. This hotel offers a variety of amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. The FM7 Resort Hotel also provides convenient free transfers to and from Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, making your transit smooth and hassle-free.
Hotels in Sorong:
For a pleasant stay in Sorong before or after your cruise, we suggest the Aston Sorong within walking distance from Domine Eduard Osok Airport.
If you arrive early in the morning, we recommend the Vega Hotel Sorong, as it is likely the only hotel in town with international standards that offers early check-in at no extra charge.
Total Raja Ampat (Sorong – Sorong)
On Adelaar’s Total Raja trip we propose to visit all three sections of the enormous diver’s playground that is Raja Ampat: the Central, South, and North. As Raja boasts more dive sites than could be done even in multiple trips, no Raja trip will look exactly the same. The following itinerary is just an example to illustrate how your cruise might look like. As with all private charters on Adelaar, everything can be fully customized, including length of the trip and places visited.
Day 1 Sorong
After the airport or hotel pick-up and transfer to Adelaar, the first day is dedicated to getting to know the crew, settling in, and enjoying the first day on the boat while we are sailing toward Raja Ampat. Check dive at Pulau Matan, a shallow and sheltered dive site located about an hour from Sorong, perfect for checking equipment and getting comfortable in the water before heading deeper into Raja Ampat. Overnight crossing to Daram (Misool region).
Day 2 Daram & Yilliet (Misool)
Diving in the remote Daram area, known for sites like Warna Bewarna, Andiamo, and Candy Store, featuring stunning walls covered in soft corals, schools of fish, and dramatic underwater topography.
A third dive in Yilliet at Romeo or Juliet, known for its breathtaking reef formations and dense marine life.
A night dive in Yilliet to spot nocturnal creatures such as crustaceans, cuttlefish, and sleeping parrotfish. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 3 Fiabacet, Wayil, or Pele
Based on Misool Eco Resort’s permissions and regulations, we will be allocated dive sites from the following list:
Nudi Rock, Tank Rock, Whale Rock – Some of the most iconic sites in Misool, famous for their diverse macro life, stunning coral gardens, and abundant marine biodiversity.
Gorgonian Passage – A mesmerizing drift dive through dense gorgonian coral fields, home to pygmy seahorses.
Boo Windows – One of Misool’s most famous sites, featuring large swim-throughs in a reef covered with vibrant corals.
Magic Mountain – A legendary cleaning station where giant manta rays frequently visit, along with schools of jacks, barracudas, and reef sharks.
Four Kings & Wedding Cake – A group of submerged pinnacles covered in sea fans and teeming with marine life.
Possible excursion to Love Lake, a heart-shaped lagoon offering breathtaking aerial views. (4 day dives)
Day 4 Fiabacet, Wayil, or Pele
Another day exploring the stunning reefs of Misool, with dives at Nudi Rock, Tank Rock, Whale Rock, and Gorgonian Passage.
Opportunities to revisit Boo Windows, Magic Mountain, and Four Kings for more incredible marine encounters.
Possibility of an excursion to Love Lake, depending on the dive sites permitted for the day. (4 day dives)
Day 5 Balbulol
Exploring the Balbulol Lagoon, known for its dramatic limestone formations.
Dives at sites such as Two Tree Island, Plateau, No Contest, and Love Potion, featuring impressive drop-offs, schooling fish, and stunning coral formations.
A scenic boat tour of the Balbulol Lagoon, showcasing its unique karst formations and turquoise waters. (2 day dives)
Day 6 Piaynemo
Diving in Piaynemo, home to some of the most picturesque landscapes and marine biodiversity in Raja Ampat.
Melissa’s Garden – A stunning coral reef famous for its dense hard coral formations and diverse marine life.
Keruo Channel – A high-energy drift dive with excellent visibility and large schools of fish.
Batu Rufus – A mix of sloping reefs and walls covered in soft corals, sea fans, and reef fish.
After diving, a hike to Piaynemo viewpoint, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the iconic limestone formations and turquoise waters. (3 day dives)
Day 7 Wayag
Diving in the Wayag region, known for its pristine reefs and dramatic underwater landscapes.
Cathedral Rock – A massive underwater formation with swim-throughs, arches, and an abundance of reef fish.
Ridge Rock – A spectacular ridge dive with schooling jacks, barracudas, and occasional reef sharks.
Wayag Corner – A stunning site with coral-covered slopes and rich marine biodiversity.
Additional land excursions to explore Wayag’s breathtaking karst islands and white sand beaches. (4 day dives)
Day 8 Kawe
Diving in Kawe, a remote region where strong currents bring large pelagics and incredible biodiversity.
Equator Cave – A unique underwater cave dive located near the equator.
Changgo – A deep reef site known for impressive coral formations and large schools of fish.
White Arrow, Eddy’s Black Forest – Dramatic underwater landscapes with dense coral gardens, sea fans, and frequent sightings of pelagic species. (4 day dives)
Day 9 Yangeffo
Diving in Yangeffo, a region known for its stunning underwater landscapes and rich marine biodiversity.
Citrus Ridge – A colorful reef teeming with vibrant soft corals and a variety of reef fish.
Mayhem – A high-energy dive site where schools of barracudas, jacks, and trevallies patrol the currents.
Gam Ridge – A breathtaking ridge dive with abundant marine life and unique coral structures.
Night dive in Yangeffo, offering a chance to see fascinating nocturnal creatures such as walking sharks and crustaceans. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 10 Arborek and Mansuar
Diving in the heart of Raja Ampat’s vibrant reefs and iconic marine life, 2 sites among the following:
Arborek Jetty – A vibrant site under a wooden pier, home to schooling fish, juvenile batfish, and macro life.
Manta Sandy – A world-renowned cleaning station where oceanic and reef manta rays gather.
Sawandarek Jetty – A dive featuring pristine hard corals, giant clams, and diverse reef fish, including Napoleon wrasse and bumphead parrotfish.
Yenbuba – A drift dive along a spectacular sloping reef with large schools of fusiliers, barracudas, and friendly turtles. (2 day dives)
Day 11 Sorong
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye. Disembarkation and assistance to check-in at the airport – until the next time.
(Actual itinerary might vary depending on weather and sea conditions)
Raja Ampat Central & South (Sorong – Sorong)
Day 1 Sorong
After the airport or hotel pick-up and transfer to Adelaar, the first day is dedicated to getting to know the crew, settling in, and enjoying the first day on the boat while we are sailing toward Misool. Check dive at Pulau Matan, a shallow and sheltered dive site located about an hour from Sorong, perfect for checking equipment and getting comfortable in the water before heading deeper into Raja Ampat.
Overnight crossing to Daram (Misool region).
Day 2 Daram & Yilliet (Misool)
Diving in the remote Daram area, known for sites like Warna Bewarna, Andiamo, and Candy Store, featuring stunning walls covered in soft corals, schools of fish, and dramatic underwater topography.
A third dive in Yilliet at Romeo or Juliet, known for its breathtaking reef formations and dense marine life.
A night dive in Yilliet to spot nocturnal creatures such as crustaceans, cuttlefish, and sleeping parrotfish. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 3 Fiabacet, Wayil, or Pele
Based on Misool Eco Resort’s permissions and regulations, we will be allocated dive sites from the following list:
Nudi Rock, Tank Rock, Whale Rock – Some of the most iconic sites in Misool, famous for their diverse macro life, stunning coral gardens, and abundant marine biodiversity.
Gorgonian Passage – A mesmerizing drift dive through dense gorgonian coral fields, home to pygmy seahorses.
Boo Windows – One of Misool’s most famous sites, featuring large swim-throughs in a reef covered with vibrant corals.
Magic Mountain – A legendary cleaning station where giant manta rays frequently visit, along with schools of jacks, barracudas, and reef sharks.
Four Kings & Wedding Cake – A group of submerged pinnacles covered in sea fans and teeming with marine life.
Possible excursion to Love Lake, a heart-shaped lagoon offering breathtaking aerial views. (4 day dives)
Day 4 Fiabacet, Wayil, or Pele
Another day exploring the stunning reefs of Misool, with dives at Nudi Rock, Tank Rock, Whale Rock, and Gorgonian Passage.
Opportunities to revisit Boo Windows, Magic Mountain, and Four Kings for more incredible marine encounters.
Possibility of an excursion to Love Lake, depending on the dive sites permitted for the day. (4 day dives)
Exploring the Balbulol Lagoon, known for its dramatic limestone formations.Dives at sites such as Two Tree Island, Plateau, No Contest, and Love Potion, featuring impressive drop-offs, schooling fish, and stunning coral formations.
A scenic boat tour of the Balbulol Lagoon, showcasing its unique karst formations and turquoise waters. (2 day dives)
Day 6 Yangeffo
Diving in Yangeffo, a region known for its stunning underwater landscapes and rich marine biodiversity.
Citrus Ridge – A colorful reef teeming with vibrant soft corals and a variety of reef fish.
Mayhem – A high-energy dive site where schools of barracudas, jacks, and trevallies patrol the currents.
Gam Ridge – A breathtaking ridge dive with abundant marine life and unique coral structures.
Night dive in Yangeffo, offering a chance to see fascinating nocturnal creatures such as walking sharks and crustaceans. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 7 Arborek and Mansuar
Arborek Jetty – A vibrant site under a wooden pier, home to schooling fish, juvenile batfish, and macro life.
Manta Sandy – A world-renowned cleaning station where oceanic and reef manta rays gather.
Sawandarek Jetty – A dive featuring pristine hard corals, giant clams, and diverse reef fish, including Napoleon wrasse and bumphead parrotfish.
Night dive, offering the opportunity to spot nocturnal marine life such as wobbegong sharks and cuttlefish. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 8 Mansuar and Kri
Yenbuba – A drift dive along a spectacular sloping reef with large schools of fusiliers, barracudas, and friendly turtles.
Cape Kri – One of Raja Ampat’s most famous dive sites, known for holding a record-breaking fish count and attracting large schools of fish, sharks, and pelagic species. (2 day dives)
Day 9 Sorong
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye. Disembarkation and assistance to check-in at the airport – until the next time.
(Itinerary might vary depending on weather and sea conditions)
Raja Ampat Central & South (Sorong – Sorong)
Day 1 Sorong
After the airport or hotel pick-up and transfer to Adelaar, the first day is dedicated to getting to know the crew, settling in, and enjoying the first day on the boat while we are sailing toward Raja Ampat.Check dive at Pulau Matan, a shallow and sheltered dive site located about an hour from Sorong, perfect for checking equipment and getting comfortable in the water before heading deeper into Raja Ampat.
Overnight crossing to Daram (Misool region).
Day 2 Daram & Yilliet (Misool)
Diving in the remote Daram area, known for sites like Warna Bewarna, Andiamo, and Candy Store, featuring stunning walls covered in soft corals, schools of fish, and dramatic underwater topography.
A third dive in Yilliet at Romeo or Juliet, known for its breathtaking reef formations and dense marine life.
A night dive in Yilliet to spot nocturnal creatures such as crustaceans, cuttlefish, and sleeping parrotfish. (3 day dives,1 night dive)
Day 3 Fiabacet, Wayil, or Pele
Based on Misool Eco Resort’s permissions and regulations, we will be allocated dive sites from the following list:
Nudi Rock, Tank Rock, Whale Rock – Some of the most iconic sites in Misool, famous for their diverse macro life, stunning coral gardens, and abundant marine biodiversity.
Gorgonian Passage – A mesmerizing drift dive through dense gorgonian coral fields, home to pygmy seahorses.
Boo Windows – One of Misool’s most famous sites, featuring large swim-throughs in a reef covered with vibrant corals.
Magic Mountain – A legendary cleaning station where giant manta rays frequently visit, along with schools of jacks, barracudas, and reef sharks.
Four Kings & Wedding Cake – A group of submerged pinnacles covered in sea fans and teeming with marine life.
Possible excursion to Love Lake, a heart-shaped lagoon offering breathtaking aerial views. (3 day dives,1 night dive)
Day 4 Balbulol
Exploring the stunning Balbulol Lagoon, known for its dramatic limestone formations. Dives at sites such as Two Tree Island, Plateau, No Contest, and Love Potion, offering impressive drop-offs and schooling fish.
A scenic boat tour of the Balbulol Lagoon, showcasing its unique karst formations and turquoise waters. (3 day dives)
Day 5 Arborek and Mansuar
Dives at Arborek Jetty, a vibrant site under a wooden pier teeming with marine life.
Manta Sandy, a world-renowned manta ray cleaning station.
Sawandarek Jetty, featuring pristine hard corals, giant clams, and a variety of reef fish.
A night dive to spot critters such as walking sharks (Epaulette sharks), cuttlefish, and decorator crabs. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 6 Mansuar and Kri
Drift diving at Yenbuba, known for its schools of fusiliers, barracudas, and turtles.
Cape Kri, one of Raja Ampat’s most famous dive sites, offering record-breaking marine biodiversity.
A final dive at Blue Magic, Sardine Reef, or Mioskon, where divers can encounter trevallies, sharks, and vibrant coral gardens. (2 day dives)
Day 7 Sorong
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye. Disembarkation and assistance to check-in at the airport – until the next time.
(Itinerary might vary depending on weather and sea conditions)
Raja Ampat & Banda Sea (Sorong – Ambon)
Day 1 Sorong
After the airport or hotel pick-up and transfer to Adelaar, the first day is dedicated to getting to know the crew, settling in, and enjoying the first day on the boat while we are sailing toward Raja Ampat. Depending on boarding time, we may already do a check dive.
Day 2 Dampier Strait
This strait between Batanta and Waigeo is the heart of Raja’s central section. During the dives on its seamounts, headlands, and village piers you are likely to meet dense schools of fish, turtles, various kinds of sharks, including the iconic Wobbegongs. You may also cross paths with the first manta ray of your cruise. With a bit of luck, you may even spot one of the many whale species that inhabit this area. 3-day dives
Day 3 Misool – Wagmab
It is difficult not to be too overwhelmed by the kaleidoscope of colours created by the dense soft and black coral growth around Wagmab to notice the equally colourful critters hiding within, such as nudibranchs, frogfish, boxer crabs, blue ringed octopi and others. They are also amongst the best sites to find Raja’s endemic walking shark on night dives. There are several lagoon and cavern systems waiting to be explored by speedboat, and snorkellers can immerse themselves in marine lakes inhabited by stingless jellyfish. 3-day dives, 1-night dive
Day 4 Misool – Fiabacet
The healthy reef systems beneath the karst islands of Fiabacet have often been described as the world’s most complex and richest. A place where it is possible to see a bit of ‘everything’ from small to large. Several sites are reliable for sightings of mantas at cleaning stations. From time to time the stunning reefs are completely invaded by huge bait-balls of silversides, tiny fish that in turn attract squadrons of mobula rays, as well as hunting trevallies and barracudas. 3-day dives, 1 night dive
Day 5 Misool – Wayilbatan
Wayilbatan’s seamounts and limestone outcroppings count amongst Raja ’s finest and most diverse dive sites. Already spectacular from both a topographical as well as coral coverage point of view, they are also rich in fish life as well as smaller critters. Larger pelagic animals are attracted to its more oceanic sites. 3-day dives
Day 6 Koon
Do you like diving with a lot of fish? In that case Koon is the place for you. Apart from having too many fish to list, there is also a spectacular land – or rather surface – activity nearby. Depending on the tide we can enter a hidden system of marine lakes and canals for a snorkel and swim trek unlike any other! Typically, at the end of the trail you will be greeted by enthusiastic local village children. 3-day dives
Day 7 Watubela
The sites around the Watubela archipelago are as remote as it gets. However, this is not the only charm of these remote islands located at the border between the Banda and Seram Sea. Spectacular white sandy beaches offer perfect locations for those postcard sunset drinks after a day’s diving surrounded by schooling fish. 3-day dives
Day 8 Manuk
Manuk is an old, lonely volcano rising from the depths of the Banda Sea. It attracts a huge colony of resident seabirds above the waves, while beneath the surface we will find schools of jacks, surgeonfish, tunas, barracudas and other pelagic fish species, as well as an abundance of sea snakes. These reptiles, venomous but absolutely unaggressive, can be encountered on every dive around Manuk, often in vast numbers, making these dives absolutely unique. 4-day dives
DAY 9 Banda & Sjahrir
On the menu today is a dive on a spectacular submerged pinnacle covered in dense schools of fish, followed by a couple of drift dives. The unique location of the Banda archipelago enhances chances of close encounters with pelagics such as big tunas, Spanish mackerels, giant jacks or even thresher sharks. In the evening we will dive at dusk to try to catch a glimpse of the ever-romantic mandarin fish. Then it is off to the town of Banda Neira for dinner in the tropical gardens of a beautiful house from the colonial period. 3-day dives, 1-dusk dive
Day 10 Banda Neira & Manukang
We spend the morning on a guided tour through the historic town of Banda Neira, taking in the fort, the museum as well as spice plantations. We take time to enjoy a traditional Bandanes breakfast before strolling back to port, passing through the bustling market of this lovely town. Then it is off to dive on a new reef that has been growing naturally on the spur of the lava from Gunung Api’s 1988 eruption – it is a fantastic example of nature’s ability to recover from natural disaster. The other two dives today will be along a volcanic outcrop off Manukang, that is according to Moluccan lore known to be haunted. This we cannot judge, but what we do know, is that it attracts its fair share of pelagic visitors. Schooling hammerhead sharks swim along the underwater ridges that are covered in huge barrel sponges. 3-day dives
Day 11 Nusa Laut
Nusa Laut is the smallest and easternmost of the Lease Islands east of Ambon. This historically fascinating little island will host the final dives of the trip. The local villages here are proud of the way they were able to conserve their beautiful coral reefs off their famous white beaches. Nusa Laut’s stunning coral gardens are a worthy final chapter of the underwater part off the trip. After the dives we will hoist the sails to start heading toward Ambon, passing the islands of Sarapua and Haruku. 2-day dives
Day 12 Ambon
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye and disembark – until the next time.
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