Top Dive Sites You Can Explore on a Raja Ampat Liveaboard Trip
When it comes to world-class diving, Raja Ampat stands at the top. This Indonesian paradise, located in West Papua, is home to the richest marine biodiversity on the planet. And the best way to explore its vibrant underwater world is a multi-day Raja Ampat liveaboard trip.
With Scuba Republic, you’ll dive into the very heart of Raja Ampat, the Dampier Strait , a central region known for its nutrient-rich currents, massive schools of fish, mantas, sharks, and incredible coral reefs.
The top dive sites in Central Raja Ampat you can explore aboard our liveaboards, Jaya and Epica.
1. Blue Magic
One of the crown jewels of Raja Ampat diving, Blue Magic is a small underwater seamount surrounded by big action. This site is famous for pelagic species, including barracudas, giant trevallies, tuna, and occasionally oceanic manta rays.
Located just off Kri Island, the reef starts at around 7 meters and drops down to 30+ meters. Divers love the dramatic fish activity here, making it a thrilling site for advanced and confident divers.
With Scuba Republic, this site is regularly included in the route, timed for optimal current and visibility conditions.
2. Cape Kri
Cape Kri is one of the most iconic dive sites in all of Raja Ampat and with good reason. It holds the record for the highest number of fish species recorded in a single dive, making it a true underwater melting pot.
Expect to see reef sharks, groupers, snappers, sweetlips, and massive schools of fusiliers dancing above healthy coral slopes. The currents can be strong here, but that’s what brings the action. Whether you’re on your first or tenth dive here, Cape Kri never disappoints.
3. Manta Sandy
If seeing reef mantas has been on your bucket list, you’ll love Manta Sandy. This shallow cleaning station is one of the best places in Central Raja Ampat to see mantas gliding effortlessly overhead as wrasses and butterflyfish clean them.
It’s a relatively easy dive, perfect for photographers and those who want a longer, slower-paced experience. Our team always follows best practices to avoid disturbing these gentle giants, keeping the experience respectful and memorable.
4. Sardine Reef
Don’t be fooled by the name. Sardine Reef isn’t about sardines. This is a high-energy dive site where you’re likely to see hunting barracudas, jacks, bumphead parrotfish, and white tip reef sharks.
Located between Kri and Batanta, Sardine Reef features stunning coral bommies and fast-paced drift opportunities. It’s a favorite among our returning guests who love fish-heavy dives with a bit of adrenaline.
5. Chicken Reef
A fun and underrated site in the Dampier Strait, Chicken Reef is full of surprises. Look out for reef sharks, turtles, schools of snappers, and occasional wobbegong sharks hiding under coral shelves.
Chicken Reef is known for its large table corals and impressive topography. It’s often used as a warm-up dive or for relaxing afternoon dives, offering good conditions for all experience levels.
Diving the Dampier Strait with a Raja Ampat liveaboard is more than just a holiday, it’s a deep dive into one of the last true ocean paradises on Earth. Let us take you there!
Published on August 17, 2025
