Scuba Diving Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat Diving Trip – 10th–25th November 2027
Raja Ampat sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle in West Papua, Indonesia, and is consistently rated as one of the most biodiverse marine environments on the planet. It’s a big claim, but the numbers back it up: over 1,500 fish species, more than 500 coral species, and reefs that are remarkably intact compared to much of the Indo-Pacific.
16 days in total, with 11 nights based at Waiwo Dive Resort on Gam Island. It’s a shore-based trip
The diving at Gam Island covers a good range of sites. There’s strong current diving on the outer reefs, manta cleaning stations, walls, and sheltered bays for more relaxed dives. Three guided dives per day are included, plus unlimited house reef diving from 7am to 6 pm if you want to get more dives in. November falls within the peak season for Raja Ampat, when visibility is good, and the seas are generally settled.
Marine life
Macro life
Coral
Manta ray cleaning stations with front-row encounters, drift diving on current-swept ridges, night dives under jetty pilings, and a narrow channel dive between jungle-covered limestone islands.
You can reasonably expect to see wobbegong sharks, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, turtles, pygmy seahorses, and an enormous range of reef fish. The appeal of Raja Ampat is the sheer volume and variety of life on every dive.
Accommodation
We’ll be staying at Waiwo Dive Resort, located on Gam Island in West Papua. The resort sits directly on the water and runs its own dive operation, so logistics are straightforward; the dive boats leave from the resort jetty.
Rooms are seafront villas and garden bungalows, all air-conditioned with king-size beds, coffee makers, and in-room safes. Full board is included throughout the stay, covering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea, plus free-flow water, local tea, and coffee. There’s a restaurant and bar on site, a terrace, and massage treatments available.
The resort has a good reputation for being well-run and is a dive resort first
Getting There
Flights are included in the price, though exact times and routing won’t be confirmed until 11 months before travel. The most likely routing from London is via Jakarta – you’ll overnight near Jakarta Airport at the FM7 Resort Hotel (included), then continue to Sorong the following morning and transfer to Gam Island.
Sorong is the jumping-off point for Raja Ampat. It’s a short ferry crossing from Sorong to Waisai on Waigeo, and then a boat transfer to Gam Island and the resort. All transfers are included.
At the end of the trip, we move from Gam Island to Sorong and overnight at the Aston Sorong Hotel & Conference Center (bed and breakfast, included) before flying home.
The Indonesian Rupiah is the local currency. UK passport holders don’t currently need a visa in advance; a 30-day visa on arrival is available at Indonesian airports, though you should check current entry requirements nearer the time.
Getting There
Flights are included in the price, though exact times and routing won’t be confirmed until 11 months before travel.
The most likely routing from London is via Jakarta. We will stay overnight near Jakarta Airport at the FM7 Resort Hotel (included), then continue to Sorong the following morning and transfer to Gam Island.
Sorong is the jumping-off point for Raja Ampat. It’s a short ferry crossing from Sorong to Waisai on Waigeo, and then a boat transfer to Gam Island and the resort. All transfers are included.
At the end of the trip, we will travel from Gam Island to Sorong and overnight at the Aston Sorong Hotel & Conference Centre (bed and breakfast, included) before flying home.
The Indonesian Rupiah is the local currency. UK passport holders don’t currently need a visa in advance; a 30-day visa on arrival is available at Indonesian airports, though you should check current entry requirements nearer the time.
£4,995 per person
Based on twin share.
Includes
- Return flights from London with 23kg checked luggage
- All airport and resort transfers
- 1 night at FM7 Resort Hotel, Jakarta Airport
- 11 nights full board at Waiwo Dive Resort, Gam Island (twin share, standard room)
- 1 night bed & breakfast at Aston Sorong Hotel & Conference Center
- 2 -3 guided boat dives per day
- Unlimited house reef diving (7 am – 6 pm)
- Tanks and weights
- Afternoon tea
- Free water, local tea and coffee
- Service charge and government tax
Excludes
- Dive equipment hire
- Raja Ampat Marine Park fee (approx. £50 – £60pp, payable locally)
- Other local excursion fees
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Dive insurance
- Staff tips
Practical Information
Experience Level
Raja Ampat involves a mix of diving conditions. Many sites have moderate to strong currents, and some dives are below 18 metres, so an Advanced Open Water qualification is required. If you’re not yet at that level, get in touch, and we can talk through options. We can arrange certification beforehand or arrange course dives on the trip.
Equipment
Dive equipment hire is available at the resort, but bring your own mask, computer, and SMB as a minimum. Nitrox is not included. If you’re hiring equipment, contact us when booking to check sizes and confirm availability.
Climate
November is within Raja Ampat’s dry season. Expect air temperatures of 28–32°C and water temperatures of around 27–29°C. A 3mm wetsuit is usually sufficient, though some divers prefer a 5mm for multiple dives per day.
Dive Insurance
Dive insurance is not included and is required for the trip. We’d recommend Divemaster Insurance or Dive Assure.
Electricity
Indonesia uses Type C and F plugs at 230V/50Hz. UK travellers will need a travel adaptor.
How to Book
Places are limited. To secure a place or to ask any questions about the trip, contact us through the website or call us on 0207 627 0700.
