Dive into Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat, Indonesia

The team at Dive into Raja Ampat are based right in Waisai, which we think makes them a cracking choice if you want to experience the region without committing to a liveaboard or a remote resort island. They’re a PADI 5 Star operation, so you know the training standards are solid, whether you’re looking to get certified or just brush up on skills. We’ve always found diving from Waisai offers a different flavour of Raja Ampat. You get quick access to some punchy sites. Think swift drift dives where the current just nudges you along past massive schools of fusiliers, their silver scales catching the light like scattered diamonds. Or a quiet morning at a muck site, spotting the weird and wonderful: maybe an ornate ghost pipefish swaying with crinoids, or a tiny pygmy seahorse clinging to a gorgonian. The boat rides are generally shorter than from some of the more far-flung resorts, which means more bottom time. We love that they’re so central; it’s a great base for exploring the area’s big-ticket sites without breaking the bank on travel.