Central Raja Ampat – 8D7N
Central Raja Ampat Liveaboard – 8 Days of Iconic Diving Trip
Experience the very best of Central Raja Ampat on this 8 Days 7 Nights liveaboard journey aboard Blue Dream Phinisi. Designed to showcase the region’s most legendary dive sites, this itinerary explores the vibrant waters of Dampier Strait, Cape Kri, Piaynemo, Kawe, Gam, and Arborek—home to some of the highest marine biodiversity on the planet. With up to 18 dives across coral-covered reefs, limestone pinnacles, manta cleaning stations, and colorful slopes, this route delivers the perfect balance of pelagic encounters and macro discoveries.
Dive world-famous sites like Blue Magic, Cape Kri, Melissa’s Garden, Eagle Rock, and Manta Ridge, where reef sharks patrol the currents, giant green turtles glide past jetties, and schools of barracuda and trevally swirl in the blue. Between dives, trek to the iconic Piaynemo viewpoint, stroll through Arborek village, explore Kali Biru’s jungle-fringed freshwater pools, and unwind beneath Raja Ampat’s golden sunsets. This Central Raja Ampat expedition is ideal for divers seeking maximum biodiversity, comfortable cruising, and the true essence of Indonesia’s most celebrated dive destination.
Raja Ampat Dive Sites
Central Raja Ampat – 8D7N
DAY 1: EMBARK – SORONG TO WAISAI
Your adventure with Blue Dream starts with our Ground crew greeting you for the transfer from the airport or your Sorong hotel to the harbour around 12.00 P.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. We will drop you first to the nearest hotel where you can freshen up or maybe grab a quick breakfast on your own account.
After a welcome drink, 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. You’ll have time to relax and unwind. Yes, your holiday starts now.
This afternoon our ‘welcome dive’ is at the nearby island of Saonek Kecil, where the calm waters provide the perfect introduction to your diving experience. After your check-out dive,why not get comfortable, settle your camera or dive equipment as your days of excitement lies ahead.
DAY 2: DAMPIER STRAIT
Whilst in the central Dampier Strait expect to do up to 4 dives. This is what we typically aim for in a day throughout the trip, although some days are a little different as the number of dives may be reduced by doing a land tour or having to do a large crossing from one region to another (Raja Ampat is a huge!).
The typical schedule is morning dive, breakfast, mid-morning dive, lunch, afternoon dive, afternoon snack, night dive, and dinner…. Selam, Makan, Tidur is our local expression for eat sleep dive!
We will do the top dive sites such as Blue Magic for Manta Rays, and other large pelagicʼs such as Spanish Mackerel and Bigeye Trevally. Chicken Reef, an amazing dive site filled with fish of all
varieties and amazing colorful corals..
Friwen Bonda, a popular diving and snorkeling spot known for its beautiful coral reeefs, limestone wall ( Friwen Wall), and mild to moderate currents suitable for all skill levels. This location offers an underwater landscape rich in soft corals, small pelagic fish, nudibranchs, and giant clams.
DAY 3: CAPE KRI
Cape Kri, named as one of the top house reef, was made famous by pioneer Max Ammer who is the pioneer of Raja Ampat. And just to top off this (fish) action-packed day, we will take you for dive on Kriʼs south coast, in Yenbuba Villageʼs Jetty. Look out for the stunning sunset views with the islands of Waigeo and Gam in the distant. Amazing.
Sawandarek dive site, particularly the jetty area is renowed as one of the best dive sites, nicknamed “Turtle City” due to its abundance of giant green turtles. Suitable for all levels of divers, this location offers beautiful soft and hard corals, schools of fish ( barracuda, jackfish, batfish), mandarin fish at sunset, and macro life.
DAY 4: PIANEMO (A.K.A. PENEMU)
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.
Another one of the places we may visit today is the Keruo Channel Dive Site. A great gentle drift dive down a mini wall and slope on the edge of Keru Island. One of the other favorites we often visit in this area is the Batu Rufus Dive Site. This dramatic dive site has a 40m plus drop-off wall to the blue.
Amazing views when you sit at 20 meters depth and look up and down at the stark landscape you are floating between.
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 starts to turn golden, but the rewards for climbing are well worth it.
DAY 5: KAWE & ALYUI BAY
Kawe is an island located exactly on the equator and is one of our favorite islands to dive in north of Raja Ampat. Dive sites visited here are very heavily dependent on day-to-day unpredictable conditions such as swell, but one of our favorite sites in the area is a very colorful coral reef (somewhat ironically) known as Black Rock.
Eagle Rock (which comprises 3 separate dive sites) is well known for its Pygmy Seahorse as well as its Manta populations, and we will dive these sites late morning and early afternoon. Around 4 pm, will move into Alyui Bay, one of the world’s most spectacular bays to watch the sunset, and also do some great muck diving at arguably the best night dive site in all of Raja Ampat, the Cendana Pearl Farm Jetty.
DAY 6: GAM & WESTERN DAMPIER STRAIT
We wake up just off the coast in Gam Island. There are some great dive sites around this area with vibrant fish-covered reefs and plenty of stunning macro subjects. Two sites we regularly visit in Gam are Citrus Ridge and Mayhem.
As we have lunch we will cruise down to the Western Dampier Strait, after lunch, we take a land tour of the peaceful Arborek Island. The village itself is tranquil and surrounded by beautiful beaches. Our 3rd dive of the day will also be here at a dive site named Manta Ridge, for an opportunity to dive with the Manta Ray population often located here.
DAY 7: MIOSKON DIVE SITE & Trekking KALI BIRU
Sloping reef running from Mioskon Island to a sandy bottom at 25 meters. Soft and hard coral build a sea garden of colours and marine diversity. Schooling yellow fish is always around there and small cuttlefish hide beside the soft coral, many macro objects that you will see.
KALI BIRU: Raja Ampat’s beauty extends beyond it’s underwater riches. Beyond the expanse of blue sea, hidden game nestled in the heart of Papuan jungle. Raja Ampat’s Kali Biru offers pristine natural scenery
largely untouched by human hands. Surrounded by forests, clear rivers and a peaceful atmosphere, makes it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and those seeking tranquility.
DAY 8: DISEMBARK IN SORONG
Blue Dream will be anchored up in the morning around 5:00 A.M. in Sarong, in preparation for you to catch your flight, or check in to your hotel. Guests are welcome to stay onboard until 11:00 A.M., and our staff will assist you with transportation to your desired location.
After breakfast, guests may also take the time to exchange photos and swap contact details to keep in touch with new friends and dive buddies!
Maximum Total Dive : 18 Dives
*Note:
All times in this itinerary are estimates only. Times, dive sites and number of dives can
change, depending on weather conditions, dive skill and special requests or circumstance.