Raja Ampat Dive Calendar

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Best Diving Season:

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October – April

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• Calm seas, best visibility, and the highest chances of seeing manta rays.

• Water temperature: ~27-30°C (80-86°F).

• Excellent for both macro and wide-angle photography.​​

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Off-Peak Season:

May – September

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• More rain, rougher seas, unpredictable sea conditions, no guarantees, but still good diving with fewer crowds.

• Visibility may be reduced due to plankton blooms, but this attracts more marine life.

 

Monthly Dive Guide

January

• Conditions: Great visibility (~20-30m), warm water, mild currents.

• Marine Life Highlights: Manta rays at cleaning stations, reef sharks, vibrant corals, and abundant macro life.

• Tip: Book accommodations early as this is peak season.

February

• Conditions: Excellent diving conditions with minimal rainfall.

• Marine Life Highlights: Large schools of fish, wobbegong sharks, manta rays, and occasional whale sharks.

• Tip: Perfect for underwater photographers due to clear water.

March

• Conditions: Peak visibility, calm waters, comfortable temperatures.

• Marine Life Highlights: Manta rays in large numbers, pygmy seahorses, and stunning coral formations.

• Tip: Great for drift diving enthusiasts.

April

• Conditions: Transition to the off-peak season; occasional rain but still good diving.

• Marine Life Highlights: Schooling fish, reef sharks, and coral spawning events.

• Tip: Last chance to dive before windier conditions set in.

May

• Conditions: Increasing wind, occasional rain, slightly lower visibility.

• Marine Life Highlights: Nudibranchs, macro critters, schooling jacks.

• Tip: Dive sites are less crowded, making for a more intimate experience.

June

• Conditions: Choppier seas, moderate to strong currents.

• Marine Life Highlights: Schooling barracudas, bumphead parrotfish, and potential sightings of hammerheads.

• Tip: Good for advanced divers due to stronger currents.

July

• Conditions: Rainy season, stronger currents, reduced visibility.

• Marine Life Highlights: Pelagic fish, large tuna, and plenty of reef action.

• Tip: Consider staying at a resort with house reefs for more protected diving.

August

• Conditions: Windy, unpredictable visibility, occasional storms. No guarantees at all. Could be sunny and calm or rainy and very windy limiting diving.

• Marine Life Highlights: Large schools of fusiliers, critters like frogfish and ghost pipefish.

• Tip: Some liveaboards may pause operations, but land-based diving is still available.

September

• Conditions: Improving visibility as winds subside.

• Marine Life Highlights: Wobbegong sharks, macro life, reef fish in full action.

• Tip: A good month for both macro and wide-angle photographers.

October

• Conditions: Start of the best season; calm seas, increasing visibility.

• Marine Life Highlights: Manta rays returning to cleaning stations, vibrant reefs.

• Tip: Early season diving means fewer divers compared to peak months.

November

• Conditions: Great visibility (~20-30m), warm waters, mild currents.

• Marine Life Highlights: Turtles, mantas, thriving coral reefs.

• Tip: A great balance between marine diversity and fewer tourists.

December

• Conditions: Peak diving season begins, excellent water conditions.

• Marine Life Highlights: Manta ray congregations, reef sharks, thriving reef ecosystems.

• Tip: Book liveaboards and resorts well in advance due to high demand.

 

General Travel Tips for Diving in Raja Ampat

• Entry Requirements: Check visa requirements based on your nationality.

• Getting There: Fly into Sorong (SOQ) and take a ferry or speedboat to Waisai or liveaboards.

• Diving Certification: Most dive sites suit Open Water to Advanced divers, but strong currents make it ideal for experienced divers.

• Marine Park Fees: Raja Ampat Marine Park entry permits are required.

• Gear & Equipment: Bring a reef-safe sunscreen, a dive computer, and consider a reef hook for strong currents.