Raja Ampat Biodiversity Bonanza December 2027

Join our Raja Ampat Biodiversity Bonanza December 2027 aboard the Ambai and explore the pinnacle of diving with spectacular biodiversity!

Trip Dates:

Dec 10, 2027 - Dec 21, 2027

Trip Leader: Mike Chiado

Dive Trip with Photo Support

Lower Deck Cabin From $6,422 per person

Upper Deck Cabin From $6,744 per person

Prices are per person, based on double-occupancy unless otherwise noted.

Why Join This Trip?

Raja is considered by many to be their No. 1 top bucket list dive destination in the world
11-night route dives the absolute best of Raja, including top north & south dive sites
4 to 1 diver to guide ratio delivers a personalized dive experience
Manta rays, wobbegong sharks, mind-blowing corals, and schooling fish, highest marine diversity in the world
Onboard photo support from your Trip Leader
25% discount on rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo
Fully refundable deposit until 18 months from departure

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Trip Overview

The sheer abundance of marine life in this area is simply breathtaking, with an impressive variety of fauna such as corals and gorgonians adorning the lush reefs, alongside an astonishing diversity of fish. The underwater topographies of the dive sites offer a captivating mix of features, including dramatic pinnacles, long ridges, walls, hidden caves, rock formations, and azure lagoons.

From the tiniest pygmy seahorse to the majestic oceanic manta ray, the range of fauna here is remarkable. Notably, the area is renowned for its immense schools of fish, like vast clouds of fusiliers that attract tunas, trevallies, barracudas, and inquisitive spadefish. Additionally, you can spot schools of sweetlips, groups of bump head parrotfish, and napoleon wrasses among others.

Reef sharks are a common presence around the reefs, while the ubiquitous carpet shark or Wobbegong can be found resting on corals or hidden under rocks amidst clouds of glass-fish. Night dives often reveal sightings of the intriguing walking shark (epaulette shark). Mantas are a frequent sight at three different dive sites, adding to the area's allure.

This 12-day trip covers the entirety of the Raja Ampat area, spanning from Misool in the South to Wayag in the North, including the Dampier Strait. Dive site selections are based on the prevailing conditions during the trip, ensuring an unforgettable and dynamic experience for all adventurers.

Read all about our latest trip to Raja Ampat in 2025 here.

Click the Manta Trust logo to learn more!

Check out this amazing video from our Raja Ampat Photo Workshop in 2022.

Sample Itinerary

The cruise itinerary can slightly vary depending on weather conditions, currents, visibility, and tides. Distances are not long - there are only two overnight crossings, the other navigations are taking place between dives or in the early morning. We usually start the trips by going South and then making our way up to the North.

Day 1 - Sorong / Check in from 6 am to 12 noon
Day 2 - Misool Daram / 3-4 dives
Day 3 - Misool Fiabacet / 3-4 dives
Day 4 - Misool Wayil / 3-4 dives
Day 5 - Misool Sagoff / 3-4 dives
Day 6 - Penemu / 3-4 dives
Day 7 - Wayag / 3-4 dives
Day 8 - Kawe & Wofoh / 3-4 dives
Day 9 - Dampier Straight / 3-4 dives
Day 10 - Dampier Straight / 3-4 dives
Day 11 - Dampier Straight / 1 dive
Day 12 - Sorong / Check out from 6 am to 12 noon

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Marine Life to Photograph

Raja Ampat boasts one of the most diverse arrays of fish species on the planet. Among the captivating marine life you can encounter are wobbegong sharks, jacks, barracuda, Napoleon wrasse, trevally, bumphead parrotfish, pygmy seahorses, batfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, barramundi cod, and an impressive variety of nudibranchs.

When the currents become stronger at deeper waters, exploring reveals the presence of reef sharks at numerous sites, particularly at renowned locations like Blue Magic and Sardines. These spots also serve as gathering points for schooling fish, forming breathtaking congregations when the currents are strong. During such moments, you might find yourself immersed in swirling clouds of fusiliers and surgeonfish in the mid-water region, while vast numbers of sweetlips completely veil the sizeable coral heads below. It's an underwater spectacle that never fails to amaze.

See also: Raja Ampat Dive Travel Guide.

Diving Conditions

Raja Ampat offers exceptional diving conditions between December and February, as this falls within the calm season. This time of year provides warm waters and relatively predictable weather, making it ideal for diving adventures. Air temperatures are reliably constant, with a daytime average maximum of 89F (32C) and a nightly minimum of 77F (25C)

Water Temperature - 80 - 86F (27 - 30C)
Visibility - 30 to 70 feet (9 to 20 meters)
Depth Range - Ranging from 30 to 70 feet

Read the reviews on diving Raja Ampat here.

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Recommended Scuba Gear

Download our full scuba gear guide to Raja Ampat, Bluewater Travel guests receive 10% OFF! Click the image below to download (PDF).

Read more about diving in the area with our Raja Ampat Trip Report 2026.

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Trip Type

This is a DIVE TRIP WITH PHOTO SUPPORT. Led by an experienced photographer who is available to provide ad hoc guidance on all elements of your photography, as needed. While this trip will provide an abundance of photo opportunities, there are no planned tutorials or instructional workshops. If you would like more formal photography instruction, check out our Photography Workshops. Our Dive Trips with Photo Support are a great option for photographers and non-photographers, alike.

What to Expect from our Dive Trips with Photo Support

Photography support - Your trip leader will ensure that they spend time with everyone throughout the trip, providing advice and guidance on all elements of photography. If you have specific questions about your equipment, shot composition, or post-processing, they will be happy to support you.
Quality time with fellow photographers - You will meet like-minded divers or travelers with a passion for photography. Newer photographers will benefit from the experience of more advanced shooters, and those with experience can share their advice and tips with the group.
Suitable for everyone - New and experienced photographers are welcome on all our trips. Gain the necessary skills to start shooting great photos, increase your confidence in finding the best underwater shots, or hone specific skills. We also encourage non-photographers to join, and do our best to split groups according to skills and interests.

Enjoy free, unlimited access to a wealth of knowledge and advice from your trip leader.

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Inclusions

Accommodation in a shared twin or double bed cabin
All meals & snacks, drinking water, soft drinks and hot drinks
All guided dives (1 guide / 4 divers maximum)
Free Nitrox
Aluminium tank (12 liters), weights, and belts
Transfers between the boat and the closest airport

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Exclusions

Park and port fees: 200 € / pax
International and domestic flights (unless specified)
Alcoholic beverages (you can BYOB)
Diving equipment rental
100 cf (15 litres) tank: 75 € / cruise
Laundry (1 € / 2 pieces)
Crew gratuities
Massage
Fuel Surcharge: 100 €/pax to be paid CASH on board (subject to revision anytime)
Travel Insurance - ask us about our preferred partner plan

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Accommodation

About The MV Ambai Liveaboard

Dive Raja Ampat in style and comfort aboard the MV Ambai. With a large dive deck, dedicated camera room and a large screen TV in the lounge, the Ambai is a liveaboard of choice for underwater photographers.

The MV Ambai has 8 cabins accommodating 16 passengers. All cabins have individually controlled A/C units and private ensuite bathrooms. Room options include bunk and double-bed cabins.

Lower Deck Cabin

Sea View Cabin

The Ambai offers only the best in service and amenities. Read the review of a satisfied diver:

"The Ambai is a high quality boat; spacious, beautiful, and well maintained. It is very clear that the owners and crew take excellent care of every detail. I was staying in one of the upper deck cabins. It was comfortable and elegant with views of the surrounding islands, plus a lovely ocean breeze so I never even needed to use the in-room A/C... I would absolutely recommend a trip on the MV Ambai to anyone who is traveling to Indonesia! I haven't stopped talking about my trip since I returned, and I cannot wait to go back."- Melissa I.

Read more about MV Ambai Liveaboard here.

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Raja Ampat Trip Extensions

Want to extend your trip? We can help with that! See more of Indonesia before or after your trip with Bluewater. Flying all that way merits a multi-faceted vacation! Here are some examples of packages we can add on to your trip reservation:

Read More.

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Trip Leader

Mike Chiado

Mike Chiado has over four decades of experience in the entertainment post production industry. Mike is CTO of Company3 and oversees technology, workflow and image science departments for feature motion pictures, episodic and advertising businesses. Mike became a PADI Master Scuba Diver in 1991 which included the specialty of Underwater Photography (film-based, BTW!), and actively dives and photographs tropical and California waters. View Mike Chiado's underwater photography portfolio. View Mike Chiado's underwater photography portfolio.

Read more about Mike Chiado.

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How To Get There

Flight Information

The trip will begin and end in Sorong (airport code SOQ). The recommended route is to fly internationally to Jakarta and then take a domestic transfer to Sorong. We recommend arriving into Sorong at least 1 day before embarkation to allow time to rest and for delayed flights/baggage.

Recommended hotels in Sorong are the Swiss-Belhotel and the Aston. You will be transferred from your hotel to the boat on embarkation day.

On departure day, guests can book a flight out at any time. We are happy to assist you with flight suggestions and hotel bookings if required.

Flight Package

Our group trips attract guests from all over the globe and many of our customers prefer to book their own flights to take advantage of mileage points or credit card discounts. For these reasons, flights are not included in our group trip packages.

However, we are more than happy to work with you to find the best travel itinerary for your trip and will gladly give suggestions and advice, even if you make the final booking. We will check through your travel reservations at any time to ensure they fit with the trip schedule and can give recommendations on transit hotels and day tours where needed.

If you would like us to book flights and transit hotels for domestic and/or international travel on your behalf, we are also happy to arrange this. Contact Us for more information.

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