RAJA AMPAT HIGHLIGHTS

• Melissa’s Garden dive site is named for its stunning hard coral garden nestled between three small islands.
• We visit Misool, known for one of the most biodiverse underwater landscapes in the world.
• Dive with manta rays, along with giant trevally, Napoleon wrasse, and large snapper.
• Night dives to witness predators in search of food.
• View vibrant sea fans, schools of fusiliers, and the iconic Bumphead Parrot Fish.
• Dive Anchovy for an exhilarating dive where you can view schools of Mobula Rays weaving through the anchovies.
• Visit My Reef to spot barracudas, wobbegongs, and blacktip reef sharks.
• Mayhem, where you’ll witness vibrant marine life in action.
• Wofoh North is a relaxing dive where we will explore its sloping reefs covered with healthy coral gardens and teeming with schools of fish.
• Trek to Pianemo lookout to view an aerial view of the stunning rock formations.

Sample Itinerary

DAY 1 - SORONG TO BATANTA

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 am and 8:00 am. For those arriving on the day of departure, please make sure your flight lands before 7:30 am, 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.

DAY 2 - GAM

We start today in Gam Island, a region known for its vibrant reefs with opportunities to spot stunning macro subjects and enjoy colorful underwater scenes. Our first dive site will be Mangrove Ridge, starting and finishing this dive at the amazing roots of the saltwater mangroves. During the dive, expect to see many black corals, small marine life, turtles, and larger fish such as Jacks. Two of the other standout dive sites around Gam that we frequently explore today are Citrus Ridge and Mayhem. Citrus Ridge is famous for its dazzling orange and yellow soft corals that blanket the reef, creating a vibrant, picturesque underwater landscape.

Mayhem, on the other hand, lives up to its name, offering the thrilling spectacle of pelagic predators hunting among swirling schools of baitfish atop a submerged seamount. Both dives offer something unique, from dramatic coral beauty to heart-pumping action, making them highlights of any Raja Ampat itinerary. 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!

DAY 3 - KAWE AND WAYAG

Today we start at 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 known to bring some big species like Mantas, and to start, we’ll explore Eagle Rock, a dive 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. Next, today, we will head to the Equator dive site. This site, located almost exactly on the line of the equator, will leave you amazed at its underwater topography and swim-throughs. Also, look out for the local population of bumphead parrot fish.

In the afternoon, we will move north to the iconic Wayag, known for its dramatic emerald islands rising straight up from the azure sea. Wayag is also home to the world’s first confirmed Manta Ray nursery. And our first dive here will be just on the fringe of the lagoon where the larger Mantas congregate at a cleaning station on Wayag Corner. We will also do a night dive in this area on the site Terserah.

DAY 4 - WAYAG - KAWE - WOFO

Wake up bright and early to witness a breathtaking sunrise as our day kicks off with a tender cruise through the striking limestone formations of Wayag, setting the stage for a scenic morning hike. These iconic limestone islands and pinnacles have become synonymous with Raja Ampat's beauty. The best time for this hike is early morning before the temperatures rise, and the stunning views from the top, along with pristine white sand beaches and turquoise waters, are well worth the effort.

After working up an appetite on the hike, settle in for breakfast as we move the boat south again to the island of Kawe. First up on today's diving will be Black Rock. 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. Today, we will also revisit Eagle Rock, this massive dive site can be dived several times, and this is also another opportunity to see Manta, in case they were not around the first time. After this dive, we will set sail again for another destination further south, this time, it is Wofo Island. The last dive of the day will be 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.

DAY 5 - WOFO - YEBEN - PENEMU

Today we wake up still in the Wofo Island area. 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 this, we will set sail for Yeben Island while you enjoy your breakfast. Our next dive is on Yeben Kecil; this dive site will guarantee an exciting dive with plenty of schooling fish and vibrant corals. We often see plenty of rays, schooling Barracuda, Turtles, and Wobbegongs here. Settle in for lunch after this one as we head off for the Penemu Island chain for the afternoon.

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 Pianemo Jetty, a great way to finish up the last night dive of the trip.

DAY 6 - PIAYNEMO (A.K.A. PENEMU)

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 early morning when the temperature is still low and the lighting is a golden hue.

The next dive, Melissa's Garden, 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. Our final dive for the day is My Reef; this site is always a very fishy dive, Barracuda, Wobbegongs, and Black Tip Reef Sharks love this spot. This afternoon is free for diving for you to relax on the boat. We will need to leave Piaynemo for the long cruise down to Misool, which can take up to 18 hours, so kick back, relax, and enjoy the sail.

DAY 7 - WAYIL MISOOL

Misool is an expansive island, surrounded by smaller satellite island clusters. There are, in fact, numerous regions within this area itself. If being surrounded by limestone pinnacles does not instill in you a sense of awe, a night dive amongst these towering peaks surely will! Today, we will show you the dive sites around Wayil, where you will undoubtedly experience the feeling of remote Indonesia. An outstanding selection of dive sites are located in proximity to Wayil, one of which is the blockbuster - Four Kings dive site, a group of towering pinnacles almost too large to circumnavigate in a single dive that attracts Manta Rays. Giant Trevally, Napoleon Wrasse, and large Snapper are all often found here. Another favorite we will dive into is the Barracuda Rock dive site, a pinnacle with a unique underwater cavern, where a school of Barracuda patrols the waters. Neptune's Sea Fan dive site is another great spot that we often visit, and it gets its name from the vast number of Gorgonian sea fans on the site. For our night dive, we are going to take you to Secret Point - But shhhhhh, we can't tell you much about this one - it's a secret.

DAY 8 - FIABACET/BOO - MISOOL

Up early again this morning for another hike. This time, we are off to the visually spectacular Love Lagoon. Get your camera ready to get amazing photos of a stunning lagoon in the shape of a giant love heart. After the hike, we will jump back in the water for another dive at Neptune Fan Sea and Eagles Nest before leaving this location and heading over to the Fiabacet area. Diving in this part of Misool offers an unforgettable experience, with pristine coral reefs and frequent encounters with Giant Manta Rays, especially near the Misool Eco Resort. Sites like our next dive at Nudi Rock are teeming with vibrant soft corals and schools of fish. This site features a rock at the surface that strikingly resembles a Nudibranch, and below, you'll find vibrant coral and a wealth of marine life thriving in the currents. Depending on conditions and logistics coordinated with the Misool Eco Resort, we'll choose the best spots for the day's dives from the many available. As the day winds down, we'll dive at Yilliet Besar, a stunning night dive site with vibrant sea fan growth and bommies that are perfect for exploration.

DAY 9 - WARAKARAKET - MISOOL

If the weather cooperates, we'll head to the renowned Shadow Reef (also known as Magic Mountain or Karang Bayangan) to start today. Located in the exposed southern waters of Misool, this world-class dive site is the highlight of the region. Here, you'll often witness the graceful gliding of enormous Manta Rays, making for an awe-inspiring, hard-to-top dive experience in this remote corner of Raja Ampat. One of today's highlights is diving next to the iconic Boo Window. This site is famous for its unique topography, featuring window-like swim-throughs that make for fantastic wide-angle photography opportunities. Keep an eye on the sea fans here – they often hide Pygmy Seahorses, a delightful secret of the reef! Also on the cards for today is a fantastic site to explore: Tank Rock dive site, known for its soft corals and vibrant schools of fish. Keep an eye out for the blue on this site also, as we often see the odd Manta passing by. The area is also dotted with hidden beaches, ideal for a peaceful evening stroll if you're looking to unwind before the night dive adventure. Our night dive today will be on Yilliet Kecil, a nice, easy night dive site with plenty of interesting macro critters that come out after dark.

DAY 10 - WARAKARAKET - MISOOL

Today we will start diving at the Boo West dive site. Located on the western tip of Boo Island, this site has some great walls and slopes. What really makes this site stand out, though, is the impressive canyon that you swim across to get to the sub reef further out to the west. Another favorite we will visit today is the Anchovy dive site, where you can witness the breathtaking spectacle of schools of Mobula Rays darting among vast clouds of anchovies. These movements reveal brief windows through the reef to the Manta Rays circling at a nearby cleaning station—a truly awe-inspiring sight. The last 2 dive sites of the day we will visit will depend heavily on where we have already been on the trip, as the site selection around this area is directed by Misool Eco resort for all liveaboards. This area has many great sites to take you, and we will make sure the last full day of diving is unforgettable!

DAY 11 - WAGMAB MISOOL

On the penultimate day of our adventure, we'll start the day with a trip out to the Farondi Cave dive site. This site is a perfect way to wrap up your Raja Ampat South Misool journey. Here, you'll have the chance to spot large schools of Mobula Rays and Bumphead Parrot fish, and also dive into a partially submerged cave from below. After the dive, we will take you on a final land tour trip out to Jellyfish Lake. Be prepared to be amazed at the hundreds of thousands of stingless jellyfish that inhabit this freshwater lake. When you are back on board, we will serve you lunch as we start our return journey to Sorong. Our return journey to Sorong is approximately 18 hours, depending on currents and prevailing weather conditions. To celebrate an incredible trip, our crew prepares a delicious al fresco dinner. Join us for a night of music and dance as we party the night away!

DAY 12 - DISEMBARK IN SORONG

Today, we bid farewell to Raja Ampat as we arrive in Sorong around 5:00 am in plenty of time for a morning flight, or if you prefer a leisurely morning, guests are welcome to stay onboard until 11:00 am, 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!

Marine Life: At least 75 percent of all coral species can be found in Raja Ampat, divers can expect a range of topography from soft corals and sea fans, to hard corals, seagrass beds, mangroves, shallow reefs, deep drop-offs, caves, black sand, and white sand. Giant manta rays, sea turtles, sharks, cuttlefish, pipefish, various seahorse species, and massive schools of reef fish are the norm, plus the delightful wobbegong sharks and Epaulette sharks inhabit these waters too.

The last dive will be on the penultimate day of the trip. Divers are recommended to wait for 24 hours before flying after the last dive.

(*) The itinerary description is provided by the boat operator. Sample itineraries and maps are for illustrative purposes only, and the exact route and sites visited may change based on local regulations, guest experience, weather, and logistics, at the Captain’s discretion.