Raja Ampat
Southwest Papua, Indonesia
Raja Ampat spreads across the seas of Southwest Papua, where forested limestone islands rise above sheltered lagoons and channels. Below the surface, reef slopes, coral gardens and current-fed passages create a diverse setting for diving. The destination is an archipelago rather than a single resort, and the choice of island base or liveaboard route shapes both the underwater programme and the experience between dives. The Dampier Strait includes sites such as Cape Kri, Sardine Reef and Mike's Point, while Misool offers another distinct cluster of islands and reefs farther south. Divers come for the combination of coral structure, schooling fish and the possibility of larger marine encounters. Conditions vary across sites, so local knowledge is central to choosing a suitable daily route. Above water, boat journeys reveal a landscape of steep green islands, village shorelines and narrow passages. Accommodation ranges from simple island bases to specialist dive resorts, with liveaboards providing access to more dispersed areas. Travel here rewards allowing time for transfers and changing conditions. Raja Ampat is particularly suited to visitors who want their trip to revolve around the marine environment, with the scenery and remoteness remaining part of the experience throughout the day.