Raja Ampat, located in the western part of Papua Barat in Indonesia, is one of the most famous and spectacular diving destinations in the world. The name "Raja Ampat" means "Four Kings", named after the four main islands that make up the archipelago: Waigeo, Misool, Salawati and Batanta. Raja Ampat is known for its extraordinary biodiversity and is considered the centre of the Coral Triangle, which is home to the largest marine biodiversity in the world.
The region attracts divers from all over the world, not only because of its spectacular underwater world, but also because of its unspoilt nature and remoteness. Dive tourism also promotes environmental protection, with many initiatives working directly with local communities to protect the reefs and biodiversity.
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The Raja Ampat Aggressor is a high-quality, 30 metre long liveaboard that impresses with its excellent sailing characteristics and high level of comfort. Specially designed for divers, this modern liveaboard combines safety, comfort and efficiency at a high level.
A special feature is the innovative waldeck, which is located in the lower area of the dive deck. It is used to safely store the Zodiacs during the voyage and allows easy access to the water during dives. The ship offers space for a total of 16 guests, who are accommodated in eight air-conditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms and generous storage space.
For relaxation and entertainment, there is a spacious saloon, a shaded outdoor deck and a sun deck with comfortable seating and dining areas. The ship is also equipped with a modern entertainment system. The Raja Ampat Aggressor is powered by a 420 hp diesel engine, supplemented by three auxiliary propellers for additional safety. With a cruising speed of 10 knots, a wide variety of dive sites can be comfortably visited during a single trip.
Thanks to its international safety certification and technical equipment, the Raja Ampat Aggressor is ideally suited for safe, enjoyable diving expeditions in regions such as Raja Ampat, Cenderawasih Bay, the Banda Sea and Triton Bay.
ARRIVAL:
Guests are strongly advised to stay overnight before boarding the Raja Ampat Aggressor. Guests staying at a local hotel near the yacht's departure will be picked up from the local hotel at noon and transferred to the yacht. Guests who are picked up at the airport on the day of the charter start will be taken to the lobby of the partner hotel in town and then picked up at noon and taken to the Raja Ampat Aggressor. Once all guests are on board, the yacht sets sail. Transfers are free of charge on the start and end dates of the charter.
DIVING DAYS
The yacht offers up to four dives per day (including night dives) depending on the weather and itinerary.
Lembeh Island
Divers will experience warm, shallow reefs resplendent with colourful reef fish and exotic invertebrates, and in the deeper waters, current-cooled seamounts, walls and pinnacles with sharks and tuna.
The remote island of Halmahera lies between the Moluccas to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east and has a unique geography with its four peninsulas enclosing three large bays and three volcanoes. Divers will find exciting dives with many weird and wonderful creatures and pinnacles surrounded by huge schools of barracuda and other pelagic fish.
Halmahera
Divers will experience warm, shallow reefs resplendent with colourful reef fish and exotic invertebrates, and in the deeper waters, current-cooled seamounts, walls and pinnacles with sharks and tuna.
The remote island of Halmahera lies between the Moluccas to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east and has a unique geography with its four peninsulas enclosing three large bays and three volcanoes. Divers will find exciting dives with many weird and wonderful creatures and pinnacles surrounded by huge schools of barracuda and other pelagic fish.
Raja Ampat dive sites
The Raja Ampat itinerary combines the best dive sites of Dampier Strait, Fam, Mansuar and the fantastic dive sites of Misool, the best diving area of Raja Ampat. The big highlights are the manta cleaning station near Mansuar and the huge schools of fish near Farondi.
The Dampier Strait separates the Birdhead Peninsula from Waigeo and Mansuar. The name comes from the Dutch colonial era. It refers to the shape of the peninsula on the map, but is also a paradise for many rare bird species.
This is where the Pacific Ocean meets the Halmahera Sea, resulting in an explosion of marine life. With regular strong currents, large fish feel particularly at home. Manta rays, reef sharks, various schools of mackerel, tuna and barracuda, dolphins and whales.
The night dives under the jetty at Arborek or Cape Mansuar are a favourite spot with strange creatures such as wobbegongs, epaulette sharks (running sharks), nudibranchs, pipefish, seahorses, frogfish, scorpionfish and the list goes on.
Misool lies south-east of the four large islands of the Raja Ampat archipelago. It is also one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. The rich variety of reefs with vertical walls, slopes, dry rocks, caves and lagoons is also not to be missed. Some are covered with stony corals, while others are covered with colourful soft corals. Also known as a centre of pygmy seahorses and gorgonians, wherever you go you will be amazed by the abundance of marine life that Raja Ampat has to offer.
RETURN TO THE HARBOUR
The day before departure at the end of the trip, the yacht returns to the harbour in the early evening. Guests will not arrive at the harbour in time to disembark on this day. A cocktail party and dinner will be held on board on the last evening of the charter.
Check-out
Final disembarkation will take place on the morning of the last day of the charter. Guests will be transferred to the airport or local hotel if they are extending their stay.
The last dive takes place on the penultimate day of the trip. Divers are advised to wait 24 hours after the last dive before flying.
Sample itineraries and maps are for illustrative purposes only. The exact route and locations visited may change depending on local regulations, guest experience, weather and logistics and are at the captain's discretion.
Slideshow Items
Delux double cabins lower deck
- 1 double or 2 single beds
- adjustable air conditioning
- En_Suite bathroom
- max. 2 guests
Slideshow Items
Statemaster double cabins upper deck
- 1 double bed (can be booked as a single)
- adjustable air conditioning
- En_Suite bathroom
- max. 2 guests
Slideshow Items
Master double cabin upper deck/ queen size bed/ panorama window
- 1 double or 2 single beds
- adjustable air conditioning
- En_Suite bathroom
- max. 2 guests
Included:
VAT, airport transfers, hotel transfers, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, tea & coffee, drinking water, wine with dinner, snacks, full board (all meals), dive packages, towels for use on deck, cabin towels, complimentary toiletries.
Required extras:
National park fees (250-260 USD per trip).
Optional extras:
travel insurance, diving insurance, tips, rental equipment, nitrox, nitrox course, diving courses, additional dives, snorkelling set.
Prices for rental equipment
Rental equipment is available on this ship. Please indicate on the booking form what you need. Details below of what is included and the additional prices.
- 15 litre bottles75-120USD
- Regulators60-90USD per trip
- BCD60-90USD per trip
- Fin50-75USD per trip
- Mask50-75USD per trip
- Nitrox bottle100-150USD per trip
- Snorkelling kit50-75USD per trip
- Torch8USD per day
- Dive computer60-90USD per trip
- U/W camera rental100USD
- Full equipment (with: Regulator, BCD, fins, mask, snorkelling set, torch, dive computer)175-260 USD per trip
- Wetsuit50-70USD per trip
- Air temperature: Stable all year round between 25.3 °C in July and 26.1 °C in October/November.
- Water temperature: Constantly warm between 29.0 °C in August and 29.8 °C in December, ideal for diving.
- Precipitation: Highest in April (243 mm), lowest in August (152 mm).
Raja Ampat is an archipelago in the far west of the Indonesian province of Papua Barat Daya (West Papua) and lies between the Pacific Ocean and the Halmahera Sea. It consists of over 1,500 small islands, reefs and sandbanks, with the four main islands of Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool being the best known. Raja Ampat lies within the so-called "Coral Triangle", a region with the highest marine biodiversity in the world.
Population and cultures:The population of Raja Ampat is ethnically diverse, with influences from Melanesia, Papua and Austronesia. The people traditionally live in small, remote villages and maintain close community structures. Many speak local Papuan languages as well as Bahasa Indonesia. The culture is characterised by traditional dances, handicrafts and a deep connection to nature.
Religions:The majority of the population is Christian, mainly Protestant, due to missionary work during the colonial era. However, there are also Muslim minorities, especially on the larger islands. Religious tolerance is widely practised and festivals of both faiths are often celebrated together.
Economy:Raja Ampat's economy is mainly based on fishing, subsistence farming and, increasingly, sustainable tourism. Diving and ecotourism are playing an increasingly important role and offer new sources of income for many communities. The development of small resorts, diving centres and liveaboards has significantly changed the economic picture of the region.
Importance of diving tourism:Raja Ampat is recognised as one of the best diving destinations in the world. The region attracts divers from all over the world, not only because of its spectacular underwater world, but also because of its unspoilt nature and remoteness. Dive tourism also promotes environmental protection, with many initiatives working directly with local communities to protect the reefs and biodiversity.
Diving in Raja Ampat - What makes it so special?
Incredible biodiversity: Raja Ampat is home to over 600 species of coral and more than 1,700 species of fish - a world record.
Variety of dive sites: From steep drop-offs and drift dives to lagoons and shallow macro spots - there's something for everyone.
Large and small creatures: Encounters with manta rays, turtles, reef sharks and wobbegongs are common. There is also a fascinating macro world with pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs and rare shrimps.
Crystal clear water: Visibility of 20 to 30 metres is not uncommon.
Intact reefs: Thanks to protected areas and sustainable tourism, the reefs are in exceptionally good condition.