Raja Ampat
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Why dive in Raja Ampat?
BEST SEASON
Featured Animals 9
- Unlikely
- Likely
- Very likely
Diurnal Frequent sightingsBumphead Parrotfish
Bolbometopon muricatum
The bumphead parrotfish is the largest species of parrotfish, known for the characteristic hump on its head. They are predominantly herbivores, grazing on coral reefs by scraping off algae and live coral, and are often seen in large schools.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Denise's pygmy seahorse
Hippocampus denise
Denise's pygmy seahorse is a diminutive species, rarely exceeding 2.4 cm in length, renowned for its exceptional camouflage within gorgonian corals. Its body coloration, typically yellow or orange with subtle patterns, and textured skin allow it to perfectly mimic its host seafan's polyps and stems. These seahorses are specialized predators, feeding on tiny crustaceans and zooplankton, and are often found alone or in pairs clinging to their coral hosts.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsFreycinet's Epaulette Shark
Hemiscyllium freycineti
Freycinet's Epaulette Shark is a small, slender species known for its ability to 'walk' using its pectoral fins. It is primarily found in coral reef environments and is distinguished by its distinctive spot pattern. This shark is nocturnal and mostly feeds on small fish and invertebrates.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsGiant Oceanic Manta Ray
Mobula birostris
The Giant Oceanic Manta Ray is the world's largest ray, with a disc width that can reach up to 9 meters. It is a circumglobal species found in tropical to temperate pelagic waters, often near coastlines, reefs, and in the open ocean, diving to depths of 1,000 meters. These filter feeders primarily consume zooplankton, including mesopelagic sources, and can also eat small fish. While generally solitary, they aggregate at feeding grounds and cleaning stations. The species is currently listed as Endangered due to overfishing and low reproductive rates.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsGiant Trevally
Caranx ignobilis
The giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) is a large, powerful predatory fish found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Known for its steep head profile and robust body, it can reach up to 170 cm in length and 80 kg in weight. This apex predator feeds primarily on fish, but also consumes crustaceans and cephalopods, often hunting in solitary or small groups, though juveniles form schools.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsGrey Reef Shark
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
The Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) is a medium to large-sized requiem shark, common in Indo-Pacific coral reefs and adjacent waters. Characterized by its grey body and a distinctive broad black band on the trailing edge of its caudal fin, it is a fast and agile predator. These sharks are known for their social daytime aggregations, which disperse at night for individual hunting.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsHumphead Wrasse
Cheilinus undulatus
The Humphead Wrasse is one of the largest reef fish, identifiable by a prominent hump on its forehead and thick fleshy lips. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning individuals are born female and some transition to males later in life. This carnivorous species plays a crucial role in coral reef ecosystems by preying on hard-shelled invertebrates and toxic animals like the crown-of-thorns starfish.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsReef Manta Ray
Mobula alfredi
The Reef Manta Ray (Mobula alfredi) is a large filter-feeding ray found in tropical and subtropical waters, primarily around coral reefs and coastal areas. Known for its pelagic lifestyle, it feeds on zooplankton and exhibits complex social behaviors, often forming aggregations at feeding or cleaning stations. This species is listed as Vulnerable due to threats from overfishing and its slow reproductive rate.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsTasselled Wobbegong
Eucrossorhinus dasypogon
The Tasselled Wobbegong is a carpet shark with a unique appearance, characterized by its intricate patterns and 'tassels' around its head. It inhabits shallow coral reefs, where it blends with the seabed to ambush prey.
BEST SEASON
More marine life 75
Barred MorayEchidna polyzona
Barred Thicklip WrasseHemigymnus fasciatus
Bigeye TrevallyCaranx sexfasciatus
Black DurgonMelichthys niger
Blacktip Reef SharkCarcharhinus melanopterus
Blue-Ringed OctopusHapalochlaena spp.
Bluestreak Cleaner WrasseLabroides dimidiatus
Brownbanded Bamboo SharkChiloscyllium punctatum
Bullethead ParrotfishChlorurus sordidus
Chambered NautilusNautilus pompilius
Clown TriggerfishBalistoides conspicillum
Coconut OctopusAmphioctopus marginatus
Coral HindCephalopholis miniata
Disco ClamCtenoides ales
Dogtooth TunaGymnosarda unicolor
Dragon Moray EelEnchelycore pardalis
Dusky BatfishPlatax pinnatus
Emperor AngelfishPomacanthus imperator
Fimbriated MorayGymnothorax fimbriatus
Flamboyant CuttlefishMetasepia pfefferi
Garden EelHeterocongrinae
Giant MorayGymnothorax javanicus
Giant clamTridacna gigas
Glider FlyingfishCheilopogon atrisignis
Golden SpadefishPlatax boersii
Great BarracudaSphyraena barracuda
Green Sea TurtleChelonia mydas
Harlequin ShrimpHymenocera picta
Hawksbill Sea TurtleEretmochelys imbricata
Honeycomb MorayGymnothorax favagineus
Jenkins' WhiprayPateobatis jenkinsii
Latticed ButterflyfishChaetodon rafflesii
Leaf ScorpionfishTaenianotus triacanthus
LionfishPterois spp.
Longhorn CowfishLactoria cornuta
Lyretail AnthiasPseudanthias squamipinnis
MandarinfishSynchiropus splendidus
Maroon ClownfishPremnas biaculeatus
Mimic OctopusThaumoctopus mimicus
Moorish IdolZanclus cornutus
Ocellated Eagle RayAetobatus ocellatus
Orange-lined TriggerfishBalistapus undulatus
Orbicular BatfishPlatax orbicularis
Oriental SweetlipsPlectorhinchus vittatus
Ornate Eagle RayAetomylaeus vespertilio
Ornate Ghost PipefishSolenostomus paradoxus
Painted FrogfishAntennarius pictus
Painted Spiny LobsterPanulirus versicolor
Palette SurgeonfishParacanthurus hepatus
Peacock Mantis ShrimpOdontodactylus scyllarus
Pennant CoralfishHeniochus acuminatus
Purple Queen AnthiasPseudanthias tuka
Pygmy SeahorseHippocampus bargibanti
Regal AngelfishPygoplites diacanthus
Ribbon EelRhinomuraena quaesita
Scrawled FilefishAluterus scriptus
Shortfin Devil RayMobula kuhlii
Snowflake MorayEchidna nebulosa
Spot-fin PorcupinefishDiodon hystrix
Stellate PufferArothron stellatus
Tawny Nurse SharkNebrius ferrugineus
Teira BatfishPlatax teira
Thorny SeahorseHippocampus histrix
Threadfin ButterflyfishChaetodon auriga
Titan TriggerfishBalistoides viridescens
Tomato ClownfishAmphiprion frenatus
Valentin's Sharpnose PufferCanthigaster valentini
Whale SharkRhincodon typus
White-spotted PufferfishArothron hispidus
Whitetip Reef SharkTriaenodon obesus
Yellow BoxfishOstracion cubicus
Yellow Longnose ButterflyfishForcipiger flavissimus
Yellow-lipped Sea KraitLaticauda colubrina
Yellowfin TunaThunnus albacares
Zebra SharkStegostoma tigrinum
Where is Raja Ampat
Pacific Ocean · Indonesia
Frequently asked questions about Raja Ampat
When is the best time to dive in Raja Ampat?
The best time to dive in Raja Ampat is from October to April. In those months the water is between 28°C and 30°C.
What marine life can you see diving in Raja Ampat?
Divers can encounter 84 species in Raja Ampat. Highlights include Bumphead Parrotfish, Denise's pygmy seahorse, Freycinet's Epaulette Shark, Giant Oceanic Manta Ray, Giant Trevally, and Grey Reef Shark.
When can you see the Giant Oceanic Manta Ray in Raja Ampat?
The Giant Oceanic Manta Ray is most often seen in Raja Ampat from February to May and from November to December.
When can you see the Reef Manta Ray in Raja Ampat?
The Reef Manta Ray is most often seen in Raja Ampat from February to May and from September to December.
When can you see the Bumphead Parrotfish in Raja Ampat?
The Bumphead Parrotfish can be seen in Raja Ampat all year round.
What is the water temperature in Raja Ampat?
Water temperature in Raja Ampat ranges from 26°C in July to 30°C in January.
What wetsuit do I need to dive in Raja Ampat?
Most divers wear a 3 mm wetsuit in July, when the water drops to 26°C, and a rash guard or a 1–3 mm shorty in January, when it reaches 30°C.
What is the visibility like when diving in Raja Ampat?
Visibility in Raja Ampat ranges from 10 m to 40 m. The water is clearest in February and in November.
What are the currents like in Raja Ampat?
Divers in Raja Ampat can expect moderate, strong, or very strong currents, depending on the month and the dive site.
What can you see on a night dive in Raja Ampat?
After dark, Raja Ampat reveals nocturnal species such as Freycinet's Epaulette Shark, Tasselled Wobbegong, Brownbanded Bamboo Shark, Chambered Nautilus, Dragon Moray Eel, and Fimbriated Moray.
Where is Raja Ampat located?
Raja Ampat is a dive destination in Indonesia, in the Pacific Ocean.
Every answer is built from the conditions and sightings data we keep for Raja Ampat. Spotted something that looks off?
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