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Raja Ampat Archipelago by Liveaboard

Explore the epicenter of global marine biodiversity on our Raja Ampat snorkeling liveaboard trips. Named a National Geographic Tour of a Lifetime!

length
12 Days

starting at
$8,175

Coral Triangle Asia & Pacific
Detailed Itinerary
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  • About This Trip
  • Conservation Impact
  • Dates & Prices
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Naturalists
  • Related Stories
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About This Trip

  • Raja Ampat is at the heart of the Coral Triangle and considered by many to be the best marine destination on Earth.
  • Our Raja Ampat liveaboard trips and itineraries were developed specifically for snorkelers who want to experience Raja Ampat's incredible marine habitats.
  • Travel comfortably aboard a traditional Indonesian schooner with spacious common areas and two tenders with sturdy dive ladders.
  • Explore fish-filled walls and soft coral gardens. Nudibranchs abound!

This special liveaboard snorkeling journey through Raja Ampat, Indonesia was named one of National Geographic Traveler's 50 Tours of a Lifetime in 2010! Located in Indonesia's West Papua Province, the Raja Ampat Archipelago is at the heart of the most biodiverse marine region on Earth—the Coral Triangle. Largely unexplored by scientists until recently, new marine species are being discovered here on a regular basis. Coral reefs in Raja Ampat are not only the world's most biodiverse, but they are also some of the most pristine. More than 500 species of coral and more than 1,300 species of fish have been recorded here.

Our trip takes you on an exploration of this remote archipelago aboard the Dancing Wind, an elegant and comfortable liveaboard ship. Selecting ideal snorkeling sites daily, we will immerse ourselves in diverse and unique marine habitats, exploring multiple islands. Morning excursions will provide opportunities to see the equally diverse bird life, including the magnificent Red Bird of Paradise, Kingfishers, and Sea Eagles.

In addition to snorkeling in aquamarine waters, we also explore some of the larger islands of the region including Waigeo whose lush green forest is inhabited by many varieties of bird and animal life. We enjoy strolling along white sand beaches, and at Gam Island there is a possibility to see beautiful Birds of Paradise. With daily diverse snorkeling opportunities, combined with a mix of island exploration, this is one of the best snorkeling expeditions possible.

"World-class snorkeling in the most biodiverse marine environment on Earth." - Gary N.

"Our entire experience on this Oceanic Society trip on the Dancing Wind was top notch and amazing. The coral, the fish, the guides, the naturalist, the crew and the ship were all excellent. Every day we were treated to a great variety of snorkel sites, hikes and boat excursions. Love to snorkel, love the water, then this is the trip for you!" - Terry T.


Note on Raja Ampat Liveaboard Trip Costs

Price varies based on cabin selection. There is a single supplement fee of $2,900, with limited quantities available; 2 upper deck cabin upgrades are available for an additional $495/person (not available as a single). Trip prices do not include airfare. Click here for our full expedition terms and conditions.

click to expand

travelers in Raja Ampat
Dancing Wind Raja Ampat liveaboard
Diverse coral reef in Raja Ampat
Anemone on Raja Ampat coral reef
coral reef Raja Ampat
snorkeling in Alyui Bay Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat liveaboard sundeck
nudibranchs in Raja Ampat
snorkeling in Raja Ampat
manta ray in Raja Ampat

Conservation Impact

Founded in 1969, Oceanic Society is America’s oldest nonprofit organization dedicated to ocean conservation. As pioneers of “eco travel,” our expeditions have been designed to support our mission. They not only positively impact our travelers, but also the people, places, and wildlife we go to see. A portion of your trip fees for this expedition will support organizations we visit or collaborate with in Indonesia, including Planet Deep, The Coral Triangle Center, and the Misool Foundation. Over the 13 years we have been leading trips in Indonesia, we have supported groups working on coral reef restoration, marine protected area design and management, plastic pollution solutions, and shark conservation. Over the years, we have provided thousands of dollars in park fees that support the protection of marine areas like Raja Ampat and Komodo National Park.

Dates & Prices

October 20-31, 2025 Sold out- contact us to join waitlist

Cost From $8,775 per person + park fees. Group limit 14.
Book this Trip

November 2-13, 2025 Sold out- contact us to join waitlist

Cost From $8,775 per person + park fees. Group limit 14.
Book this Trip

December 4-15, 2025

Cost From $8,775 per person + park fees. Group limit 14.
Book this Trip

February 3-14, 2026 (one cabin left + 1 male sharing spot available)

Cost From $8,775 per person + park fees. Group limit 14.
Book this Trip

February 16-27, 2026 Sold out- contact us to join waitlist

Cost From $8,775 per person + park fees. Group limit 14.
Book this Trip

October 19-30, 2026

Cost From $8,775 per person + park fees. Group limit 14.
Book this Trip

November 1-12, 2026

Cost From $8,775 per person + park fees. Group limit 14.
Book this Trip

Itinerary

Day 0: Arrive into Jakarta

Arrive into Jakarta on your own and stay overnight. If you are originating from North America, please note that you will be crossing the International Date Line. You'll want to arrive at least 24 hours in advance to adjust to the time change and give yourself a buffer period before your flights to Sorong.

Day 1: Jakarta - Sorong, Embark

Today is the official start of our trip. Everyone will board an early morning flight just past midnight to Sorong, West Papua, where we will be transferred to the privately-chartered Dancing Wind, our home for the next 11 nights. Once everyone is checked in, we will set sail.

Days 2-11: Exploring the Raja Ampat Archipelago

We'll spend each day snorkeling and exploring the archipelago's reefs and tropical landscapes. Each day we will spend 4-6 hours in the water, visiting some of the most pristine, diverse, and colorful coral reefs in the world. Here we may come across soft and hard coral walls, colorful nudibranchs, abundant schools of fish, and productive reef ecosystems full of butterflyfish, angelfish, snappers, groupers, parrotfish, sea turtles, and possibly marine mammals and sharks. We do our best to keep the itinerary flexible depending on external factors such as tides, wind, and weather. Possible snorkeling destinations may include reefs adjacent to Batanta, Penemu, Waigeo, Aljuy Bay, Gam, Fam, Kawe, Wayag, Friwinbonda, Mansuar, and Kri Islands. For those interested in bird watching, there will be some opportunities to go on early-morning outings to look for unique birds and to enjoy the beautiful scenery. We will also visit a lek (mating display site) of the endemic Red Bird of Paradise on Gam Island to see male birds perform their mating displays.

Day 12: Sorong - Jakarta (or Bali)

At the conclusion of our trip, the group will disembark in Sorong, West Papua and transfer to the airport in time for our flights back to Jakarta (or Bali). Depending on your return flight schedule, you may fly home this evening or stay overnight (on your own). Please inquire about our post-trip extensions to snorkel in North Sulawesi or trek in Borneo.

Learn all about the different snorkeling areas, regions, and wildlife of Raja Ampat in our comprehensive Raja Ampat Snorkeling Guide.

Request Detailed Itinerary Expand



Ship

Dancing Wind Liveaboard

Dancing Wind is a classic Indonesian phinisi built from handpicked teak and ironwood in Kendari, South Sulawesi and given a modern makeover in design and facilities to make it a comfortable and stylish liveaboard. It is a spacious vessel and has been f…

Ship Details

Naturalist(s)

Your expedition will be led by one or more of the following expert naturalist guides:

Dalton Ambat photo

Dalton Ambat

Wayne Sentman photo

Wayne Sentman

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Raja Ampat: Liveaboard Snorkeling Cruises in Indonesia

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