Raja Ampat holds the record for the most reef fish species ever counted, and most of the famous dives are packed into one channel: the Dampier Strait, between Waigeo and Batanta. This map covers the sites you'll hear about from every diver who's been.
Why the Dampier Strait
Raja Ampat ("Four Kings") is named after its four large islands, Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool, but it includes hundreds of smaller ones. The Dampier Strait is the channel between them where Pacific water flows through, feeding reefs that are thick with fish. Most homestays and resorts are close by, so these are also the sites you can dive from land, without a liveaboard.
The sites
- Cape KriThe point off Kri Island where ichthyologist Gerald Allen counted more than 370 fish species on a single dive, a world record. Expect schools of jacks and barracuda, and a current running along the slope.
- Sardine ReefA sloping reef in open water so full of fish that it can be hard to see the coral. Often with current, often spectacular.
- Blue MagicA submerged pinnacle in the middle of the strait. Oceanic manta rays pass by in season, along with sharks, tuna and huge schools of fish.
- Mike's PointA small island with walls covered in soft corals and sea fans. The current decides which side you dive.
- Manta SandyA cleaning station on a sandy patch where reef mantas line up to be cleaned. Divers wait behind a line of rocks so the mantas aren't disturbed.
- Arborek JettyUnder the village jetty on Arborek: schools of fish, colourful sponges and corals on the pylons. Superb for snorkelling too.
- Friwen WallA gentle wall near Waisai covered in soft corals and sea fans. A good easy dive.
- The PassageA narrow channel between Gam and Waigeo that feels like a river. Mangroves above, soft corals and sponges below.
Homestay or liveaboard?
Staying on an island in a local homestay or resort puts you right next to the Dampier Strait, and the money goes to local families. A liveaboard lets you reach the far north and the remote south around Misool, which you can't easily dive from land. Many divers do one trip of each.
Practical information
- Getting there: fly to Sorong, then take the fast ferry to Waisai on Waigeo, about two hours. Your homestay or resort usually collects you from Waisai.
- Entry permit: all visitors pay the Raja Ampat environmental fee. It funds the marine park and local communities.
- When to go: usually best from October to April, when seas are calmer and most liveaboards operate. Diving is possible in the other months, but crossings can be rougher.
- Currents: many sites have strong current. Bring a surface marker buoy and follow your guide's plan.
Frequently asked questions
Can beginners dive in Raja Ampat?
Yes, at sites like Friwen Wall and Arborek Jetty. The current-swept sites like Cape Kri and Blue Magic are better once you have some experience.
Where can I see manta rays in Raja Ampat?
At Manta Sandy near Arborek, where reef mantas visit a cleaning station, and at Blue Magic, where oceanic mantas pass by in season.
Sources
- Reef data: Allen Coral Atlas, CC BY 4.0
- Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
