Sample Itinerary
Dive more, Experience More
9 Days / 8 Nights
Please Note: La Galigo does not guarantee this outlined itinerary, and it is to be considered as a rough guideline. Information compiled here is based on past trips we have conducted, and includes common dive sites and routes we often visit. Weather and sea conditions in the area can be unpredictable, and La Galigo retains the right to alter an itinerary from advice of the shipʼs captain, cruise director, or owner for the safety of the vessel, its passenger and crew.
The above rates are per person per trip and subject to change. Please note these fees are in line with third party supplier costs.
The remote paradise of Raja Ampat lies in the far reaches of eastern Indonesia. So, how do you get there? Your journey begins with an international flight into Indonesia, followed by a domestic flight to Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong (SOQ).
As the largest city and capital of Southwest Papua, Sorong serves as the main gateway for liveaboard dive boats exploring Raja Ampat. Though getting to this secluded paradise requires a bit of extra time and preparation, the rewards are well worth the effort.
Raja Ampat stands as Indonesia’s crown jewel, known for its remarkable biodiversity, awe-inspiring landscapes, and some of the finest dive sites on the planet.
Indonesia offers multiple international airports throughout its archipelago. Most international visitors typically arrive via Jakarta or Bali, as both airports provide direct domestic flights to Sorong.
Your adventure with La Galigo kicks off with a crew member greeting you for the transfer from the airport or your Sorong hotel to the harbor between 7:30 A.M. and 8:00 A.M. For those arriving on the day of departure, please make sure your flight lands before 7:30 A.M., so we can get settled and ready for the journey ahead.
After a warm welcome aboard, you’ll have the chance to meet the Cruise Director and our friendly crew. Once you’ve settled into your cabin, we’ll gather for a brief orientation before enjoying lunch. Afterward, you’ll have time to relax and unwind and take in the scenery as we sail toward the check-dive point in Batanta.
This afternoon our ‘welcome dive’ is at the island of Pulau Ayemi, where the calm waters provide the perfect introduction to your diving experience. After your check-out dive, you’ll have time to get comfortable, settle into your surroundings, and start looking forward to an exciting full day of diving ahead tomorrow.
Wake up to the tranquil beauty of Batanta, one of Raja Ampat’s jewels and home to some of the region’s most vibrant macro life. Today, we dedicate a full day to uncovering the hidden gems of this lesser-traveled island. From critter-rich muck dives to stunning coral slopes, Batanta offers a unique contrast to the rest of the archipelago perfect for underwater photographers and macro lovers alike.
Dive sites may include Black Beauty, Algae Patch, or Happy Ending, known for their mimic octopus, nudibranchs, seahorses, and occasional walking sharks. With calm waters and rich biodiversity, it’s the ideal setting to dial in your buoyancy and camera settings for the days ahead.
As the sun sets, we begin our overnight journey north toward the lush island of GAM setting the stage for another spectacular day of diving tomorrow.
Begin your day with an exciting dive at Manta Sandy, one of Raja Ampat’s best-known cleaning stations for manta rays. Here, you’ll have the chance to watch these graceful giants glide through the water as they come to be cleaned by smaller fish. After this awe-inspiring experience, head to Mayhem, where you’ll witness vibrant marine life in action. Known for its pelagic feeding frenzies, this dive site offers a thrilling view of larger predators hunting among swirling schools of fish.
After a lunch break, we continue to Citrus Ridge, famous for its colorful orange and yellow soft corals that make for stunning underwater photography. The rich biodiversity at this site includes everything from small critters to larger pelagics cruising by.
Pretty Shallows is a relaxing dive where we will explore its sloping reefs covered with healthy coral gardens and teeming with schools of fish. The calm waters and striking beauty of this site make it the perfect way to end your diving adventure.
As we prepare to settle in for the night, take a moment to soak in the breathtaking sunset views over the islands of Waigeo and Gam, painting the horizon in stunning colors. It’s the perfect way to end a fantastic day of diving!
We will sail overnight and today you will wake up on Kawe Island, situated right on the equator, and one of our favorite spots to dive in northern Raja Ampat. The dive sites around Kawe are heavily influenced by changing conditions, but one of the standout sites is the vibrant Black Rock, with its colorful corals teeming with life. Later in the morning, we’ll explore Eagle Rock (which actually consists of 3 separate dive sites), a site renowned for its rich marine biodiversity, including Pygmy Seahorses and a healthy population of manta rays. It’s an exciting dive that will leave you in awe of the underwater wonders Raja Ampat has to offer. In the afternoon we will move the boat to the beautiful Aljui Bay, for a spectacular dive on the wall at White Arrow dive site, followed by a night dive under the Pearl Farm Jetty.
After a lunch break, we continue to Citrus Ridge, famous for its colorful orange and yellow soft corals that make for stunning underwater photography. The rich biodiversity at this site includes everything from small critters to larger pelagics cruising by.
Wofoh North is a relaxing dive where we will explore its sloping reefs covered with healthy coral gardens and teeming with schools of fish. The calm waters and striking beauty of this site make it the perfect way to end your diving adventure.
We start the day at Wofo South. A great wall dive with some impressive black coral as well as some good bommies, look out for interesting critters here like Halameda ghost pipefish.
After breakfast we will head to Wofoh North, this is a relaxing dive where we will explore the sloping reefs covered with healthy coral gardens and teeming with schools of fish. The calm waters and striking beauty of this site make it the perfect way to end your diving adventure for the day.
In the afternoon we will move the boat to Batang Pele Island to check out some of the great ridge dives there. A few of the spots that we regularly dive here are Tamangui Ridge 1 & 2.
Start your day with an early morning dive on Yeben Ridge, this dive site will guarantee an exciting start to the day with plenty of schooling fish and vibrant corals. After a hearty breakfast we will head south to dive to the famed Islands of Piaynemo. Melissa’s Garden Dive Site is undoubtedly the top dive in this area, with a staggering number of coral and fish species packed into this small piece of marine real estate.
It gets its name from an amazing hard coral garden situated on a reef between 3 small islands. Its beauty needs to be seen to be believed. Also on the dive schedule today are Barracuda Rock and Galaxy. Barracuda Rock is famous for, you guessed it, schools of Barracuda. But other than this the site is also home to an amazing array of soft coral species. Our night dive for today will be at Galaxy, this site has a nice mini wall to explore that’s exploding with soft corals and black coral.
Another highlight of today’s schedule will be the hike. The iconic limestone pinnacles have become as much a part of the Raja Ampat experience as the diving has, and Piaynemo lagoon/lookout is just one of many such stunning formations. The best time to hike this hill is late afternoon when the temperature has dropped and the lighting is a golden hue.
We wake up to Piaynemo Island views for four more dives before we leave the area. First up will be My Reef, this site is always a very fishy dive, Barracuda, Wobbegongs, and Black Tip Reef Sharks love this spot. After breakfast, we will take you to the Kerou Channel. A great gentle drift dive down a mini wall and slope on the edge of Kerou Island.
After lunch, we will take you to one of the other favorites we often visit in this area, called the Batu Rufus dive site. This dramatic dive site has a 40m plus drop-off wall to the blue with amazing views at 20 meters when you look up and down at the stark landscape you are floating between. We will finish up the day with a night dive critter hunting on Piaynemo Jetty, a great way to finish up the last night dive of the trip.
On our final full day in Raja Ampat, we take a more relaxed approach to ensure everyone is well-prepared for onward travel. In the morning, we’ll enjoy a single, unhurried dive at Friwen Wall, a site famous for its dramatic vertical drop covered in soft corals and sponges. Here, you can drift gently along the reef, spotting schools of fusiliers, sweetlips, and the occasional turtle gliding past. It’s a wonderful last underwater memory before we prepare for the journey home.
After surfacing, the rest of the day is reserved for land-based activities and relaxation. Following breakfast, we’ll head ashore for a short trek to Kali Biru, where a winding river of turquoise water flows through lush rainforest. The walk is a chance to stretch your legs, breathe in the jungle air, and capture breathtaking views from the wooden platforms overlooking Raja Ampat’s emerald lagoons.
The evening is free to share stories, exchange photos, and soak in the final sunset of your adventure.
Today we bid farewell to Raja Ampat as we arrive in Sorong around 5:00am in plenty of time for a morning flight or if you prefer a leisurely morning, guests are welcome to stay onboard until 11:00am and our crew will be on hand to assist you with transportation to your next destination.
After breakfast, feel free to take some time to exchange photos and swap contact details, ensuring you stay connected with your new friends and dive buddies!
La Galigo does not guarantee this outlined itinerary, and it is to be considered as a rough guideline. Information compiled here is based on past trips we have conducted, and includes common dive sites and routes we often visit. Weather and sea conditions in the area can be unpredictable, and La Galigo retains the right to alter an itinerary from advice of the shipʼs captain, cruise director, or owner for the safety of the vessel, its passenger and crew.
