Dive Happy

  • Philippines
  • Indonesia
  • Thailand
  • Maldives
  • Myanmar
  • Liveaboards
  • Diving Podcast

Raja Ampat Liveaboard May 2018 Trip Report

A seven day Raja Ampat liveaboard may seem too short to see all the great dive sites Raja Ampat has to offer, but it still provides a week of unforgettable diving

Diver and corals, Two Tree Island, Raja Ampat
Diver and corals, Two Tree Island, Raja Ampat © Chris Mitchell

This was my first time doing a classic one week Raja Ampat itinerary. On previous liveaboards to Raja Ampat (the first one eleven years ago back in 2008, and then in 2016 and 2017 and most recently 2019), I’d always done a longer combination trip such as Raja Ampat to Triton Bay or Raja Ampat to the Banda Islands and Ambon.

Raja Ampat is, after all, a long way to come, so it’s good to get as many days in as possible. This time, we’d taken advantage of Damai’s annual Valentine’s Day buy one get one free offer (sign up to their email list for the next one) and this was the trip we got at effectively half price.

With six days of diving, we focussed on the Misool area and the Dampier Strait, essentially heading down south out of Sorong and then gradually looping back up into the Strait over the course of the week.

Soft Corals, Two Tree Island, Raja Ampat
Soft Corals, Two Tree Island, Raja Ampat © Chris Mitchell

Raja Ampat Liveaboard Day 1 (25th May)

Candy Store / Andiamo / Two Tree Island

A fantastic first day of diving. Candy Store had a gorgeous array of massive red gorgonian fans hanging on to the sloping reef, while Andiamo had amazing sun-drenched visibility in the shallows, with curious batfish buzzing around the coral-encrusted rocks. Two Tree Island was the highlight, however: what the site lacked in visibility it made up for in a spectacular cavalcade of fans, fish, and hard and soft corals tumbling over each other. The sheer richness of the reef here, and the years of growth the size of the fans and corals indicate, is just breathtaking.

In the shallows, Nudi Rock, Raja Ampat
In the shallows, Nudi Rock, Raja Ampat © Chris Mitchell

Raja Ampat Liveaboard Day 2 (26th May)

Boo Windows / Magic Mountain / Nudi Rock

Into some of the Raja Ampat classics on the second day. The early morning dive at Boo Windows was a little sad, as the pillar of stone which divided the hole in the rock giving the site its name has collapsed, leaving one large window. The site itself is still beautiful further along the slope – big schools of yellow snappers hanging around, huge great hard coral bommies, and a bonus turtle making an appearance at the dive’s end.

A curious Napoleon wrasse and hundreds-strong schools of blue fusiliers whipping across the plateau of Magic Mountain characterised our second dive, as we hoped for a sighting of a manta ray on this famous site. There were a couple of glimpse of a manta on the edges of the reef in the blue, but it was not to be a five star appearance. No matter – there’s a profusion of other life on this big site which provides plenty of interest when the mantas don’t feel like coming in for a clean-up.

Nudi Rock had some beautiful afternoon sun in the shallows, similar to Andiamo the previous day – it was a real delight to simply hang out watching the light come through the surface with Nudi Rock itself clearly visible above us, all the while surrounded by clouds of zebra fish.

_CAPTION_TEXT_
Barracuda, Melissa’s Garden © Chris Mitchell

Raja Ampat Liveaboard Day 3 (27th May)

No Contest / 3 Sisters / Killer Cave

The weather turned against us on day 3 with heavy rain and rough seas – we jumped in at No Contest and while the rest of the group got down this steep pinnacle, my buddy and I weren’t able to descends fast enough before being pushed away from the rock by the current. Swiftly picked up by the boat boys we decided to leave it alone and retired to breakfast. It was a salient reminder to be aware Raja has strong surface currents at times and to ensure you have a plan with your buddy.

I didn’t note down much or take photos at 3 Sisters and Killer Cave, so I think they must have been pretty humdrum dives where I’d dived without my camera.

It’s worth noting that our trip was at the end of the Raja Ampat dive season in May, so the rain and wind we saw today was an early taste of the changing weather that comes in over June to October in the Raja Ampat region.

Fish schooling over a fan coral, My Reef, Raja Ampat
Fish schooling over a fan coral, My Reef, Raja Ampat © Chris Mitchell

Raja Ampat Liveaboard Day 4 (28th May)

Melissa’s Garden / My Reef / Keruro Channel

Melissa’s Garden is one of my all-time favourite dive sites in Raja Ampat. There is something about this big, relatively shallow plateau that seems to attract sunlight and every kind of marine life to it. It’s just got a lovely feel. The huge school of barracuda hanging in the blue just off the edge of the reef was particularly impressive, as were the piled-up plate corals and table corals across the site.

There was a real electricity on the second dive at My Reef was similarly busy with hundreds of rainbow runners rushing back and forth over the impressive yellow fans across the site – these big schools start to feel commonplace in Raja you see them so often, but it’s magical every single time.

Staghorn coral with fish
Staghorn coral with fish at Melissa’s Garden © Chris Mitchell

Raja Ampat Liveaboard Day 5 (29th May)

Cape Kri / Sardine Reef / Blue Magic

This was another day of strong currents where I didn’t dive with my camera and spent time with my buddy instead. By now the liveaboard had relocated to the Dampier Strait and there were more classic sites to explore.

Blue Magic is a plateau that starts at 15 metres so it’s a rapid swimdown to avoid being swept off the rock and back into the blue. Once you’re down it’s a lovely site, white sand with bommies scattered across it which have been evidently whipped by current over the years.

Coral bommie at Mioskon
Coral bommie at Mioskon © Chris Mitchell

Raja Ampat Liveaboard Day 6 (30th May)

Cape Kri (again) / Mioskon

Cape Kri is famous as one of the richest marine life dive sites in the world, with schools of snapper and trevally riding the currents that pass over the site. It’s another staple of Raja liveaboard itineraries – so much we dived it twice.

Mioskon is perhaps the perfect finale to a Raja Ampat liveaboard trip. It’s very shallow – only a couple of metres at its shallowest, more power snorkelling than diving – and the richness of coral sponges and bommies here is stunning. The reef just rolls on, and on, and on over an hour plus dive in usually beautifully clear water fully illuminated by the sun.

Raja Ampat Liveaboard 24-31 May 2018 Dive Site List

Raja Ampat liveaboard dive site list May 2018
Raja Ampat liveaboard dive site list May 2018

Conclusion: Is A Week For A Raja Ampat Liveaboard Enough?

While a week seems all too short for a Raja Ampat liveaboard, especially given the length of time and expense to get here, it’s unarguably six incredible days of diving that is hard to beat. Every day just turns up spectacular reefs and marine life encounters, regardless of whether the viz is good or bad or the sun shining or not. It’s a definite case of quality over quantity.

That said, I would probably avoid going at the end of the season again to maximise the chances of good weather – as we got the Buy 1 Get 1 deal we were necessarily limited about which dates we could choose.

Given the overall expense of a Raja trip – the remoteness means it’s not cheap, even with increasingbudget Raja Ampat liveaboard options – it’s not an easy decision to commit to doing a liveaboard here, but if you do, it’s very unlikely you’ll be disappointed.

Yellow snapper at Mioskon, Raja Ampat, Raja Ampat
Yellow snapper at Mioskon, Raja Ampat © Chris Mitchell

A Note On Liveaboard Logistics and Trip Planning

A week-long liveaboard in Raja Ampat will typically take up 8 days and 7 nights.

  • Day 1 is arrival with maybe a check-out dive in the afternoon if everyone arrives in the morning.
  • Day 2 to 7 (six days) is the six days of solid diving with four dives a day (one night dive each day most days, unless there’s a crossing to a different region of Raja).
  • Day 8 is check-out day, with guests being transferred off the boat early morning back to Sorong airport or to a Sorong hotel.
  • See my Raja Ampat Diving: A Quick Guide for more tips on what to expect from a Raja Ampat dive trip and how to plan to make the most of your time there.
More Raja Ampat Trip Reports and Dive Advice
  • Diving Raja Ampat: A Quick Guide
  • How To Get To Raja Ampat
  • Raja Ampat Liveaboard Trip Report December 2019
  • Raja Ampat to Banda Islands and Ambon Trip Liveaboard Report February 2016
  • Raja Ampat to Triton Bay Liveaboard Trip Report February 2008
  • Liveaboard Packing List
  • Check For Raja Ampat Last Minute Liveaboard Deals



Diving And Travel Insurance

Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities including scuba diving, as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Start Planning Your Indonesia Dive Trip Now!

:: Check the availability and pricing of liveaboards in Indonesia and book online.


:: Find the cheapest flights to Indonesia - one search will show you the prices and times from scores of airlines for your trip. A real timesaver. You'll typically need to fly into Jakarta and then get a connecting flight to Sorong (SOQ) for Raja Ampat, Labuan Bajo (LBJ) for Komodo, Biak for Cenderawasih Bay (BIK) - but check with your liveaboard operator on optimum flights


:: Make sure you don't forget to bring any of the essentials for your scuba diving trip with our comprehensive Liveaboard Packing List


:: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.


:: Find available places to stay in Indonesia on Booking.com - usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too. The Jakarta Airport Hotel, located in Terminal 2, is convenient for a transit stayover.


:: Need inspiration? See our Best Places To Dive In Indonesia for ideas of where to go and what to do.


Dive Happy Podcast Newsletter

In-depth conversations about the best diving hotspots in Asia. Join the free Dive Happy podcast newsletter to get the next podcast episode sent to you direct:

Listen to previous Dive Happy podcast episodes.

Last Minute Liveaboard Deals

  • Last Minute Liveaboard Deals March 2023
  • Raja Ampat Liveaboard Deals 2023

More Indonesia Diving Stories

  • Diving The USAT Liberty Shipwreck, Bali June 2022
  • Bali Muck Diving June 2022
  • Komodo Liveaboard Trip Report August 2022
  • Diving Raja Ampat – A Quick Guide
  • Raja Ampat Liveaboard Trip Report 2020
  • Raja Ampat Liveaboard May 2018 Trip Report
  • Raja Ampat to Triton Bay Liveaboard Trip Report 2017
  • Raja Ampat to the Banda Islands Liveaboard Trip Report
  • Raja Ampat to Triton Bay 2008
  • Diving Triton Bay 2017
  • Triton Bay Whale Sharks
  • Indonesia’s Best Scuba Diving
  • Cenderawasih Bay
  • Komodo
  • Bali Scuba Diving
    • Menjangan Island
  • Lembeh
  • Bangka
  • Kalimantan
  • Palau Weh
  • Banda Sea
    • Gunung Api
    • Ambon
    • Nusa Laut
    • Banda Islands
    • Banda Islands Land Tour
    • Manuk
  • Diving Raja Ampat Podcast
  • Diving Bali Podcast
  • Diving Cenderawasih Bay Podcast
  • Diving Triton Bay Podcast
  • Misool Eco Resort Podcast
  • Diving Indonesia

Raja Ampat Liveaboards

  • Budget Raja Ampat Liveaboards 2023
  • Mid-Range Raja Ampat Liveaboards 2023
  • Luxury Raja Ampat Liveaboards 2023

Dive Happy Podcast

  • Tonga Humpback Whales Podcast
  • Tubbataha Reef Diving Podcast
  • The Father Of Palau Diving: Francis Toribiong
  • Sogod Bay Diving Podcast
  • LAMAVE Volunteer Whale Shark Research
  • Dream Job: What’s It Like To Be A Marine Biologist?
  • Dumaguete Diving Podcast
  • Komodo Diving Podcast
  • Diving The Yonaguni Monument, Japan Podcast
  • Diving Koh Lanta Podcast
  • Moalboal Diving Podcast
  • Diving The Banda Sea Podcast: Part 2
  • Diving The Banda Sea Podcast: Part 1
  • Diving Hawaii Podcast
  • Diving Malapascua Podcast
  • Diving Taiwan Podcast
  • Diving Japan Podcast
  • Diving HTMS Chang And Alhambra Rock Podcast
  • Diving The WW2 Shipwrecks Of Coron Podcast
  • Diving Lembongan Podcast
  • Diving Romblon: the Philippines’ Secret Super Macro Paradise
  • Triton Bay Diving 2020 Podcast
  • Dream Job: Liveaboard Cruise Director Podcast
  • Diving Triton Bay Podcast
  • Diving Tubbataha Reef Podcast
  • Diving Yap Podcast
  • Diving Truk Lagoon Podcast
  • Diving Sogod Bay Podcast
  • Misool Eco Resort Podcast
  • Diving Palau Podcast
  • The Manta Rays Of Myanmar’s Black Rock Podcast
  • Diving Myanmar Podcast
  • Diving Bali Podcast
  • Diving Cenderawasih Bay Podcast
  • Diving Komodo Podcast
  • Diving Raja Ampat Podcast
  • Dive Happy Podcast Home Page

My Recent Dive Trips

  • February 2023: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • December 2022: Raja Ampat liveaboard, Indonesia
  • December 2022: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • August 2022: Komodo liveaboard, Indonesia
  • June 2022: USAT Liberty shipwreck, Bali, Indonesia
  • April 2022: Stonehenge, Koh Lipe, Thailand
  • March 2022: Manta Rays at Koh Bon, Thailand
  • January 2022: Richelieu Rock liveaboard, Thailand
  • March 2021: HTMS Chang and Alahambra Rock liveaboard, Thailand
  • February 2020: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • December 2019: Raja Ampat liveaboard, Indonesia
  • October 2019: Malapascua, Philippines
  • June 2019: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • April 2019: Tulamben, Bali
  • December 2018: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • December 2018: Anilao, Philippines
  • October 2018: Moalboal, Philippines
  • October 2018: Malapascua, Philippines
  • July 2018: Tulamben, Bali
  • May 2018: Raja Ampat, Indonesia
  • April 2018: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • May 2017: Apo Island and Dumaguete, Philippines
  • April 2017: Tubbataha Reef, Philippines
  • April 2017: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • March 2017: Triton Bay, Indonesia
  • March 2017: Raja Ampat, Indonesia
  • September 2016: Tulamben, Bali at Alba Dive Resort
  • August 2016: Cenderawasih Bay on Damai 1
  • April 2016: Sogod Bay at Sogod Bay Scuba Resort
  • February 2016: Raja Ampat and Banda Islands on Damai 1
  • April 2015: Anilao at Crystal Dive Resort

My Less Recent Dive Trips

  • March 2015: Myanmar and Similan Islands on Thailand Aggressor
  • May 2013: Similan Islands on Thailand Aggressor
  • April 2013: Tubbataha Reef on Discovery Palawan
  • January 2013: Komodo, Indonesia on MSY Damai
  • August 2012: Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
  • April 2012: Similan Islands and Southern Thailand liveaboard
  • January 2012: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • August 2011: Hanifaru, Maldives
  • June 2011: Tubbataha Liveaboard Hans Christian Andersen
  • April 2011: Similan Islands and Southern Thailand liveaboard
  • April 2011: Carpe Vita Liveaboard, Maldives
  • March 2011: Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
  • December 2010: Menjangan, Bali
  • July 2010: Tofo, Mozambique
  • July 2010: Sardine Run, South Africa
  • May 2010: Sangalaki / Derawan, Tambora
  • March 2010: MV Flying Seahorse, Similan Islands
  • March 2010: MV Orion, Southern Maldives
  • January 2010: Big Blue Explorer, Palau
  • November 2009: MSY Damai, Banda Sea Liveaboard, Indonesia
  • October 2009: MSY Damai, Komodo Liveaboard, Indonesia
  • October 2009: MV Orion, Maldives Liveaboard
  • September 2009: MV Scubanet, Koh Losin, Thailand
  • May 2009: MSY Seahorse, Banda Sea liveaboard, Indonesia
  • March 2009: Sachika Liveaboard, Maldives
  • February 2009: Daytrips, Koh Lanta, Thailand
  • January 2009: MV Jazz, Burma (Myanmar) Liveaboard

Back In The Day Bragging Rights Dive Trips

  • November 2008: Borneo Explorer, Visayas Liveaboard
  • September 2008: S/Y Siren, Komodo Liveaboard
  • August 2008: Ocean Rover, Sulawesi Liveaboard
  • August 2008: NAD Lembeh Resort, Indonesia
  • June 2008: Koh Tao
  • March 2008: Maldives, Bandos Island
  • February 2008: MSY Seahorse, Raja Ampat Liveaboard
  • January 2008: MV Jazz, Burma Liveaboard
  • October 2007: Bali Dive Safari
  • September 2007: Davao, Philippines
  • July 2007: Great White Sharks, Rodney Fox Liveaboard
  • June 2007: Big Blue, Palau Liveaboard
  • May 2007: Whale Sharks at Exmouth, Australia
  • April 2007: Borneo Explorer, Tubbataha Reef Liveaboard
  • December 2006: Komodo Dancer, Komodo Liveaboard

Disclosure: Divehappy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and amazon.co.uk).

© 2005–2023 DiveHappy.com. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy