Compare 53 liveaboards in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Your choice of liveaboard in Raja Ampat should be based on your budget, preferred dates and itinerary, the number of guests and dive guides onboard, and the facilities available. ZuBlu offers a wide selection of liveaboards, from affordable traditional phinisis to luxurious sailing yachts and motor vessels, with different levels of accommodation, comfort and service.

More affordable liveaboards offer a combination of shared bunk rooms and private cabins, with simpler dining and facilities. Luxury liveaboards generally provide more spacious cabins and common areas, more sophisticated dining and additional amenities. Diving facilities also vary, including the availability of nitrox, camera rooms and equipment rental.

Compare the boats, cabins, guest reviews and available departures above, or read our guide to the best Raja Ampat liveaboards for more detailed recommendations. If you need help choosing, ZuBlu's experienced travel team can help narrow down the options based on your preferences.

How much will a liveaboard in Raja Ampat cost?

Liveaboards in Raja Ampat cater to a wide range of budgets, although the area’s remote location and the high costs of fuel and supplies mean that trips are generally more expensive than other destinations such as Komodo for instance. Prices vary considerably depending on the boat, cabin type, trip duration and level of service, from affordable dive safari liveaboards to luxurious yachts offering spacious accommodation and a wider range of facilities.

Liveaboard rates include accommodation, meals, drinking water, tea and coffee, and a schedule of guided dives. However, it is important to consider additional costs such as equipment rental, marine park and port fees, fuel surcharges, dive and travel insurance, transfers and purchases onboard, which may or may not be included in the rate. Special offers and last-minute discounts are also available on selected departures in Raja Ampat, and can make a considerable difference to the overall price.

Liveaboard itineraries in Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat liveaboard itineraries normally include a mix of scuba diving or snorkelling and opportunities to explore the islands. Most trips last around seven to eleven nights, although shorter departures and longer expeditions are also available.

The majority of shorter itineraries concentrate on central Raja Ampat, particularly the Dampier Strait and surrounding islands. Northern routes may continue towards Piaynemo, Kawe and Wayag, while southern itineraries visit the Dampier Strait before travelling to Misool, home to some of Raja Ampat's most celebrated reefs. Longer trips can combine northern, central and southern Raja Ampat, although these are less common given the distances involved.

If visiting Misool is important to you, check the itinerary carefully rather than assuming it is included in every Raja Ampat departure. For a more detailed comparison, read our guide to *Liveaboard itineraries in Raja Ampat – how to choose your route*, including how to choose between different routes.

Best time for a liveaboard

Raja Ampat offers excellent diving throughout the year, although the main liveaboard season runs from October to April, when conditions are at their best. This is also the best time for manta ray encounters, particularly at the cleaning stations in the Dampier Strait and around Misool.

From June to September, the southeast monsoon winds creates rougher seas around Misool in the south, and many liveaboards sail to other Indonesian destinations, particularly Komodo. However, central and northern Raja Ampat are more sheltered and offer good diving throughout the year, with some operators continuing to run departures in these areas.

The itinerary you choose will therefore influence the best time to travel. If visiting Misool is a priority, plan your trip during the main season. For central and northern Raja Ampat, departures are available throughout the year, offering greater flexibility with travel dates.

For more detailed information about seasonal conditions and marine life, see our Raja Ampat diving guide.

How far in advance should you book a Raja Ampat liveaboard?

We recommend booking your Raja Ampat liveaboard at least nine to twelve months in advance, particularly if you have a preferred boat, itinerary or cabin type. Popular departures during the main diving season, especially around Christmas and New Year, can fill up much earlier, and some of the most sought-after liveaboards accept reservations more than two years ahead.

Booking early is particularly important for groups, guests looking for dedicated single cabins, and those travelling on fixed dates. However, if your travel plans are flexible, last-minute availability and special offers can occasionally provide excellent value, especially if you're willing to consider different boats or departures.

Travelling with snorkellers or non-divers

Many Raja Ampat liveaboards welcome snorkellers and non-divers, making them perfect for couples, families and groups with different interests. Depending on the vessel and itinerary, activities may include guided snorkelling, kayaking, island excursions and relaxing onboard. Tell us who is travelling and what they enjoy, and we'll help you find a liveaboard and departure that suits everyone.

Solo travellers

All Raja Ampat liveaboards offer shared twin cabins, allowing solo travellers to book a single space in a shared cabin with another guest without paying a supplement. A few also have dedicated single cabins for guests who prefer their own space. If you would rather book a twin or double cabin for private use, a single supplement will apply. ZuBlu can recommend suitable liveaboards with dedicated single cabins or low single supplements, helping you find the best option for your budget. Read our guide to liveaboards for solo travellers for more advice.

Group bookings and private charters

Travelling with a group can offer additional savings on Raja Ampat liveaboards, with some operators providing group discounts, free places or special rates for larger bookings. For dive clubs, groups of friends or underwater photography trips, a full-boat charter can also provide greater flexibility over accommodation and, where the operator permits, the itinerary and diving arrangements. ZuBlu can help you compare group offers, available departures and private charter options.

ZuBlu makes it straightforward to compare and book liveaboards in Raja Ampat. Browse available departures, check prices and cabin options, compare itineraries and facilities, and read guest reviews to find a trip that suits your dates and budget. If you need advice, our dive travel experts can help narrow down your choices and recommend suitable boats and itineraries.

Once you have chosen your liveaboard, ZuBlu will help confirm availability and, where possible, arrange a complimentary hold on your preferred cabin. Your final quote will include accommodation, meals, diving and transfers included, along with any additional charges such as equipment rental, marine park or port fees. You'll also receive a clear payment schedule and the operator's booking and cancellation terms before confirming your reservation.

We offer a best price guarantee, access to available special offers and secure payments. Your booking is confirmed once the required deposit or full payment has been received and the operator has confirmed your reservation.

After booking, our guest concierge team will assist with the remaining arrangements, including advising on flights and transfers, collecting any information required by the liveaboard, and answering questions before departure. Whether you are travelling solo, with a partner or organising a group trip, our team is available to help from your initial enquiry through to the end of your holiday.

Need some help choosing a liveaboard? Chat with our travel team now.

Getting to your liveaboard in Raja Ampat

The vast majority of liveaboards in Raja Ampat depart from Sorong (SOQ), where the main domestic airport is located. Flights to Sorong operate from several Indonesian cities, including Jakarta, Makassar, Manado and Denpasar in Bali. We recommend arriving in Sorong early in the morning, allowing plenty of time to transfer directly to the liveaboard.

Most liveaboards departing from Sorong will arrange transfers from the airport or a local hotel to the port and then out to the vessel. These transfers are normaly included in the package, but some liveaboards charge these separately - check the itinerary on the ZuBlu site to see whether transfers are included or not.

Some liveaboards depart from Waisai on Waigeo Island, which can be reached by public ferry from Sorong. The ferry between Sorong and Waisai departs at 09:00 and 14:00 in both directions, following the restoration of daily services in September 2026. The crossing takes approximately two hours, although schedules do change and some services may not operate on public holidays. Guests joining a liveaboard in Waisai should confirm their ferry and embarkation arrangements before booking flights.

ZuBlu's travel team can advise on suitable flight connections and transfer arrangements, including which services are included in your liveaboard package. Once your booking is confirmed, our guest concierge team can help coordinate the remaining details.

Recommended transit hotels in Sorong

Although many liveaboards schedule boarding around the early morning flight arrivals into Sorong, you may prefer to arrive the day before your trip begins. This allows time to recover from a long international journey and provides some flexibility in case of flight delays or missed connections.

An overnight stay may also be necessary if your flight arrives too late to meet your liveaboard or the ferry to Waisai. Similarly, depending on your disembarkation time and onward flight connections, you may need to spend a night in Sorong at the end of your trip.

We recommend the Swiss-Belhotel Sorong or Aston Sorong Hotel & Conference Center for transit stays. Both offer convenient accommodation in the city, and ZuBlu's guest concierge team can advise on hotel reservations and transfers. If you’d like a longer stay, we can also arrange a package at a nearby dive resort.

Marine park fees in Raja Ampat

Visitors to Raja Ampat are required to pay marine park and visitor entry fees, which contribute towards conservation, tourism infrastructure and the management of the region's protected areas.

The current fees are:

• Raja Ampat Marine Park Permit: IDR 700,000 per person.
• Raja Ampat Visitor Ticket: IDR 1,000,000 per person.

These fees may be collected separately or combined with other charges, including port fees, fuel surcharges and entrance fees for particular islands or viewpoints. Most liveaboards arrange payment on behalf of their guests, with the costs either added to the booking or collected onboard.

The Raja Ampat Visitor Ticket can also be arranged in advance through the Sipari Raja Ampat registration website.

ZuBlu will confirm what fees are applicable to your chosen departure, including which are already included in the price and which must be paid separately.

Diving experience and requirements

Liveaboards in Raja Ampat normally require a minimum level of diving experience, as itineraries may include challenging sites with strong currents, deeper reefs and drift dives. By setting minimum experience requirements, operators can ensure guests are suitably qualified and that dive guides can concentrate on guiding rather than assisting inexperienced divers.

Requirements differ between different liveaboard operators, so check the minimum certification level and number of logged dives for your chosen trip before booking. More experienced divers will have a wider selection of itineraries and dive sites available.

If you are a recently certified Open Water diver with limited experience, a dive resort may be a better option, allowing you to build confidence and experience on dives suited to your abilities. ZuBlu can advise on suitable liveaboards or help you find a dive resort in Raja Ampat.

Combining your liveaboard with a dive resort stay

A resort stay before or after your liveaboard is an excellent way to extend your holiday in Raja Ampat. Staying at a dive resort allows you to explore local reefs and spend time ashore before or after your cruise.

ZuBlu's dive travel experts can recommend and book suitable Raja Ampat dive resort packages, while our guest concierge team can coordinate accommodation and transfers between your resort, liveaboard and Sorong.

You can also combine your Raja Ampat liveaboard with a visit to another Indonesian dive destination. Triton Bay, Ambon and North Sulawesi are all options for extending your diving holiday, depending on available flights, transfers and the time you have available.