1. Waisai

1. Sanoek Monde

Saonek Monde is a hidden gem in the northern reaches of Raja Ampat, offering a pristine underwater landscape where vibrant coral gardens meet dramatic drop-offs. The site features a stunning slope covered in healthy hard corals, sea fans, and sponges that cascade down to deeper waters, attracting reef sharks, barracuda, and schools of tropical fish. What makes Saonek Monde special is its untouched beauty—the corals here are exceptionally preserved, with kaleidoscopic soft corals that glow in the sunlight. Divers can expect thrilling encounters with passing eagle rays and the occasional manta ray, while macro enthusiasts will delight in the tiny critters, such as nudibranchs and pygmy seahorses, tucked into the reef's nooks.  

The site's topography varies from gentle slopes to thrilling wall dives, with depths ranging from 5 to 30+ meters, catering to all experience levels. Currents are typically mild but can pick up along the edges, where pelagic action is most intense. Saonek Monde’s remote location ensures uncrowded dives, allowing for a serene and immersive experience in one of Raja Ampat’s most unspoiled sites. Whether you're drifting along the reef or exploring the intricate coral formations, this dive promises a perfect blend of tranquility and underwater excitement.  

B. Dampier Strait

2. Blue Magic and Mikes Point

Blue Magic and Mikes Point are twin jewels in northern Raja Ampat, offering some of the most electrifying pelagic encounters in the region. Blue Magic lives up to its name with its cobalt depths (15-40m) where schooling hammerhead sharks, giant trevallies, and swirling baitballs create a spectacle of raw ocean energy. The site's underwater pinnacle acts like a magnet for big fish, while its walls shimmer with golden soft corals and sea fans. Just a short swim away, Mikes Point delivers equally thrilling dives, with strong currents funneling sharks, manta rays, and even the occasional whale shark past its dramatic ridges. Both sites feature heart-pounding drifts where divers can hook in to watch the action unfold—reef sharks patrolling the drop-offs, dogtooth tuna striking at lightning speed, and barracuda forming hypnotic silver tornadoes.  

What sets these sites apart is their reliability for pelagic sightings year-round, combined with Raja Ampat's signature coral backdrops. Advanced divers will relish the adrenaline of the currents, while the shallower edges (around 10m) offer calmer exploration for less experienced divers. Time your dive with tidal changes for the clearest visibility and most intense action. Whether you come for the sharks or the sheer drama of the drifts, Blue Magic and Mikes Point showcase Raja Ampat's wildest, most untamed diving.  

3. Sewandarek  

Sewandarek offers a tranquil contrast to Raja Ampat's current-swept sites, with its idyllic coral gardens and mellow vibes. This sheltered bay near Misool features a sloping reef (5-20m) blanketed in kaleidoscopic soft corals, sea whips, and barrel sponges that host pygmy seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, and flamboyant nudibranchs. The site's star attraction is its "underwater cathedral"—a series of coral-covered rock formations that create swim-throughs and arches dappled in sunlight. Gentle currents bring in clouds of anthias and fusiliers, while blacktip reef sharks and turtles cruise the edges.  

What makes Sewandarek special is its accessibility and photographic potential. The calm conditions make it perfect for macro photographers hunting rare critters, while wide-angle shooters can capture the dreamy coral landscapes. Night dives here reveal a different world, with bobtail squid, Spanish dancers, and bioluminescent plankton lighting up the reef. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver seeking a peaceful immersion in Raja Ampat's biodiversity, Sewandarek delivers beauty without the adrenaline rush.  

C. Arborek

4. Cape Kri

Cape Kri holds the world record for fish species counted in a single dive (374!), and you'll immediately see why. This nutrient-rich channel between Kri and Koh Islands erupts with life - imagine being surrounded by a swirling vortex of thousands of fusiliers, snappers, and jacks while reef sharks patrol below and eagle rays glide overhead. The dive starts at 5m on a vibrant coral slope before dropping to 25m along a current-swept ridge where giant trevallies hunt. Time your dive with incoming tides when the "Kri Express" current delivers the most spectacular pelagic action. Advanced divers can hook in at the ridge's edge to watch the marine theater unfold, while beginners find sheltered areas teeming with colorful reef fish. Don't forget to look for the resident school of bumphead parrotfish that regularly cruise through!

5. Manta Ridge

This submerged ridge near Arborek Island serves as a manta ray cleaning station and one of Raja Ampat's most reliable spots for manta encounters. As currents wash over the ridge (12-18m depth), mantas perform elegant loops above coral bommies where cleaner wrasse service them. The site's topography creates a natural funnel that often delivers multiple mantas simultaneously - it's not uncommon to see 6-8 individuals in a single dive! While waiting for mantas, enjoy the vibrant soft corals and occasional sharks or turtles passing through. Best dived at slack tide when mantas are most active and currents manageable. Pro tip: Bring a reef hook to comfortably observe the cleaning station action.

6. Manta Sandy

If you want near-certain manta sightings, this shallow cleaning station (5-12m) near Arborek is your spot. Unlike deeper manta sites, Manta Sandy's crystal-clear shallows allow for extended, well-lit encounters as these graceful giants hover just meters away. The sandy patch with coral bommies attracts reef mantas year-round, with peak season from October-April when dozens may visit daily. The site's calm conditions make it perfect for snorkelers too. Watch as mantas perform their cleaning rituals - opening mouths wide and spreading pectoral fins to give cleaner fish access. Underwater photographers love the perfect blue backgrounds and reliable close encounters. Morning dives typically offer the best visibility and manta activity.

7. Arborek Jetty

This unassuming pier in Arborek Village hides one of Raja Ampat's most fascinating muck diving sites. The jetty's pylons (5-15m) host an incredible diversity of critters - from pygmy seahorses and ghost pipefish to the elusive "Ambon scorpionfish". Night dives here are legendary, revealing blue-ringed octopuses, flamboyant cuttlefish, and the mesmerizing mandarinfish mating dance at dusk. The sandy bottom shelters strange creatures like crocodilefish and hairy shrimp, while the coral rubble attracts rare nudibranch species. Perfect for underwater photographers and macro enthusiasts, with calm conditions year-round. Don't miss the "underwater Christmas tree" - a pylon completely covered in colorful ascidians and sponges!

D. Yengello

8. Mangrove Ridge  

This unique site where mangrove roots meet the reef creates a fascinating ecosystem teeming with juvenile marine life. As you descend along the 45° slope (5-22m), you'll discover a transition zone where the tannin-rich mangrove waters blend with the clear ocean, creating ideal conditions for macro photography. The coral-encrusted roots shelter unusual species like the archerfish that spits water at prey, while the sandy patches reveal jawfish colonies and the elusive hairy frogfish. During incoming tides, the site transforms into a feeding ground for batfish and trevallies that hunt in the nutrient-rich waters. Night dives here are particularly magical, when the mangrove roots become illuminated by bioluminescent plankton and hunting octopuses emerge from their dens.

9. Citrus Ridge   

True to its name, this site explodes with vibrant orange and yellow soft corals that blanket the ridge from 10-30m depth. The topography creates a natural current funnel that attracts schooling bannerfish, pyramid butterflyfish, and occasional manta rays. What makes Citrus Ridge special is the "light show" - when sunlight hits the neon soft corals at midday, the entire reef appears to glow from within. The northern side of the ridge features dramatic overhangs where white tip reef sharks rest, while the southern slope offers calmer conditions perfect for spotting pygmy seahorses in the sea fans. Time your dive with moderate currents to see the reef at its most animated, with thousands of anthias dancing in the water column.

10. Mayhem  

This site earns its name honestly - when the tide rips through the narrow channel between islands (up to 6 knots!), it creates one of Raja Ampat's most exhilarating drift dives. The action starts at "Shark Corner" (18m), where grey reef sharks gather in the current, before you're catapulted past walls of swirling fusiliers and hunting giant trevallies. The real spectacle happens at "The Cauldron," a natural bowl where currents collide, creating a fish tornado of barracuda, jacks, and occasional hammerhead sharks. Advanced divers should bring a reef hook to safely enjoy the full show. Surprisingly, the sheltered eastern edge (8-15m) offers excellent macro opportunities, with rare critters like the rhinopias lurking in the coral rubble. Only attempt this dive with experienced guides who know the tidal windows!

E. Piaynemo

11. Mellisa’s Garden   

Tucked away in the heart of Raja Ampat, Mellisa’s Garden is an explosion of color and biodiversity. The site features sprawling fields of pristine hard corals—staghorns, brain corals, and massive porites formations—interspersed with delicate sea fans and sponges that create a mesmerizing underwater landscape. Schools of anthias dart like living confetti between the coral bommies, while reef sharks and turtles cruise the perimeter. At depths of 5–25 meters, the site is accessible to all divers, with gentle slopes perfect for slow exploration. Macro enthusiasts will delight in the tiny inhabitants—colorful nudibranchs, transparent cleaner shrimp, and the occasional pygmy seahorse tucked into sea fans. When sunlight filters through the water, the corals glow in neon hues, making it a dream for wide-angle photographers. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned diver, Mellisa’s Garden feels like swimming through an underwater Eden.  

12. Keruo Channel  

Hold on tight—Keruo Channel is one of the most exhilarating drift dives in Raja Ampat, a liquid rollercoaster through a narrow passage where currents accelerate like a jet stream. As you’re swept along at speeds of up to 5 knots, the walls blur with life: swirling schools of barracuda, giant trevallies on the hunt, and reef sharks patrolling the edges. The channel’s depth ranges from 12–30 meters, with coral-covered walls that occasionally open into sandy plateaus where eagle rays rest. Advanced divers can hook in to watch the action unfold, while the less adventurous can stick to the edges where currents ease. Time your dive with the tide change for maximum flow and visibility—when conditions align, you might even spot mantas or hammerheads passing through. Keruo isn’t just a dive; it’s a full-throttle underwater adventure.  

13. Galaxy  

When the sun sets, Galaxy transforms into an otherworldly spectacle—a bioluminescent wonderland that feels like floating through space. This shallow reef (5–15 meters) near Arborek is famous for its "starry night" effect, where every movement triggers bursts of blue-green light from microscopic plankton. But the real magic lies in the critters that emerge after dark: fluorescent octopuses hunting across the sand, bobtail squid with shimmering undersides, and the famous Raja Ampat "walking" epaulette sharks prowling the shallows. Macro photographers flock here for rare sightings like the hairy shrimp or the tiny, glowing flashlight fish. The calm, sheltered conditions make Galaxy accessible to all divers, but it’s the surreal atmosphere—like diving through a living constellation—that leaves everyone breathless. If you do one night dive in Raja Ampat, make it this one.  

F. Dayang

14. Dayang’s Manta Point

Located off the coast of South Komodo, Dayang’s Manta Point is a cleaning station where oceanic mantas gather year-round, drawn by the nutrient-rich currents funneling through the channel. The site features a series of coral bommies at 12–22 meters, where mantas hover motionless as cleaner wrasse pick parasites from their wings and bellies. Unlike other manta sites, Dayang’s offers a rare intimacy—these gentle giants often approach within arm’s reach, performing graceful barrel rolls as they glide through the blue. Strong currents can surge here, but they bring the magic: feeding frenzies where mantas somersault through plankton clouds, their 4-meter wingspans casting shadows over the reef. Look beyond the mantas, and you’ll spot reef sharks patrolling the edges and schools of batfish trailing the rays like loyal escorts.  

G. Misool-Wayilbatan

15. Barracuda Rock

This iconic pinnacle in Komodo National Park is famous for its namesake barracuda tornado - a swirling mass of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of great barracuda that form a living, spinning vortex around the rock. The site's topography creates a perfect current funnel, with depths from 12-30m offering different perspectives of the action. At the base, massive coral formations host white tip reef sharks and giant trevallies, while the shallower sections (8-15m) reveal colorful soft corals and macro life like the hairy frogfish. Time your dive with strong tidal movements for the most spectacular fish formations, and be prepared to hook in as currents can exceed 3 knots. The real magic happens when sunlight pierces through the barracuda school, creating a mesmerizing silver light show.

16. Wedding Cake

This unique site in Alor features a series of perfectly stacked plateaus resembling a giant wedding cake, each tier hosting different marine ecosystems. Starting at 5m, the shallowest platform bursts with hard corals and anemone gardens, dropping to 18m where gorgonian fans and black coral trees dominate. The real attraction is the "cake's" vertical walls (25-40m), where hammerhead sharks and dogtooth tuna patrol the blue. What makes Wedding Cake special is its thermoclines - dramatic temperature changes that create shimmering water effects perfect for photography. Night dives here reveal an entirely different character, with hunting octopuses and bioluminescent displays illuminating the structure.

17. Gorgonian Passage/Neptune's Sea Fan

This breathtaking drift dive in Raja Ampat features a narrow channel completely lined with enormous gorgonian sea fans, some reaching over 3 meters in height. As currents carry divers through the passage (15-25m depth), the fans sway like underwater palm trees, creating a surreal, dreamlike effect. The site is particularly magical when sunlight filters through, illuminating the fans' purple and orange hues. Look closely and you'll find pygmy seahorses clinging to the fan branches, while schools of batfish use the current to hover effortlessly. The dive typically ends in a sandy patch where wobbegong sharks and blue-spotted rays rest. Best dived at moderate current strength when the fans are fully extended but the drift remains manageable.

H. Misool-Fiabacet

18. Whale Rock

Whale Rock is frequently cited as one of the most beautiful dive sites in Raja Ampat, renowned for its vibrant underwater scenery and rich biodiversity. The site is adorned with a profusion of sea fans and soft corals, creating a colorful backdrop for an impressive variety of marine life. Divers can expect to encounter barracuda and trevally hunting schools of baitfish, as well as schooling bannerfish, numerous juvenile fish, turtles, and even reef sharks. The rock itself, when viewed from the surface at the right angle, resembles a whale, adding a whimsical touch to the site’s allure. The abundance and diversity of life here make Whale Rock a must-visit for both wide-angle and macro underwater photographers.

19. Romeo and Yuliet

Romeo and Yuliet are two neighboring islets in the Misool region of Raja Ampat, often described as "forever side by side" and celebrated for their dramatic and healthy reefs. The coral plateaus surrounding these islets are home to barracudas, Napoleon wrasse, blacktip reef sharks, and the rare epaulette (walking) shark, which is endemic to Raja Ampat. The topography features large coral bommies and intricate reef structures that provide shelter for a wide array of reef fish, creating a visually stunning and ecologically rich environment. Both sites are known for their dense marine life and breathtaking underwater vistas, making them favorites among divers seeking both big fish action and intricate reef scenes.

1. Misool-Balbulol

20. No Contest  

True to its name, *No Contest* is Raja Ampat’s undisputed champion for sheer, unrelenting marine biodiversity. This submerged ridge in the Dampier Strait becomes a battleground of predators and prey when currents surge—schooling barracuda collide with hunting giant trevallies, while reef sharks and dogtooth tuna ambush from the depths (15–30m). The site’s signature move? A natural amphitheater at 20m where divers can hook in and watch the chaos unfold: fusiliers forming silver cyclones, mantas gliding through the fray, and (seasonally) hammerheads patrolling the drop-off.  

What sets *No Contest* apart is its *predictable unpredictability*—every dive delivers a new spectacle. Photographers should prep wide-angle for the fish tornadoes and macro for the critter-packed coral bommies on the edges. Advanced divers only; this is Mother Nature’s version of an action movie.  

21. Love Potion 

This enchanting site near Misool lives up to its name—a *serene* yet *sensational* dive where nature’s most colorful courtships play out. The star attraction? The *mandarinfish mating dance* at dusk, when these psychedelic fish emerge from the coral rubble for their daily romantic ritual. But the magic isn’t limited to sunset: by day, *Love Potion*’s shallow slopes (5–18m) dazzle with neon soft corals, flamboyant cuttlefish, and rare *Ambon scorpionfish* camouflaged in the reef.  

The site’s gentle currents make it perfect for macro photographers and beginners, while the overhangs shelter pygmy seahorses and *"walking" epaulette sharks*. At night, the reef transforms into a bioluminescent wonderland—ideal for capturing *blue-ringed octopuses* or the eerie glow of *flashlight fish*. Whether you’re hunting critters or just soaking in the romance, *Love Potion* casts a spell on every diver.  

J. Daram islands

22. Andiamo

Andiamo is a spectacular dive site located in the Daram area of Misool, Raja Ampat, known for its unique topography featuring three closely grouped pinnacles and a shallow channel between two rocks. The site offers an impressive display of soft corals covering the pinnacles and seamounts, creating a vibrant and colorful underwater landscape. Divers can encounter a wide variety of marine life including groupers, snappers, trevallies, barracudas, Napoleon wrasse, manta rays, eagle rays, wobbegong sharks, as well as white tip and grey reef sharks. The seamount rises to about 5 meters below the surface and drops off into a wall on its northern side, making it a dynamic site for both wide-angle and macro photography. Currents can be strong, especially around the seamount, so it is recommended for divers with some experience, although beginners can enjoy the area around the rocks.

23. Candy Store 

Candy Store is another renowned dive site in the Daram region of Misool, Raja Ampat, famous for its dazzling array of colorful soft corals that truly live up to its name. This site is a vibrant underwater garden where soft corals flourish in a variety of hues, creating a visually stunning environment that attracts a diverse range of marine species. The site is especially popular among photographers and macro enthusiasts due to the abundance of small critters such as nudibranchs, shrimp, and other reef inhabitants that thrive among the corals. Candy Store offers a spectacular feast of colors and textures, making it a must-visit for divers seeking to experience the rich biodiversity and beauty of Raja Ampat’s coral reefs.