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When to Dive Raja Ampat: Best Seasons for an Unforgettable Trip

🌊 Introduction: Timing Your Raja Ampat Adventure

Raja Ampat is beautiful year-round, but seasonality matters when you’re planning a dive trip to this remote paradise. Conditions vary across the year, influencing visibility, manta migrations, and even surface conditions. Knowing when to go ensures you’ll get the most out of your dives.

With Liquid Adventures Indonesia, we plan our Raja Ampat itineraries to match the best diving windows—so whether you’re joining us in 2026 or 2027, you’ll experience Raja Ampat at its most spectacular.

📥 Download our Guide to Raja Ampat (PDF)

☀️ November to May – The Prime Season

Most divers consider November to May the ideal time to visit. Seas can be calmer, visibility improves, and mantas migrate through hotspots like Blue Magic and Magic Mountain.

What to Expect:

  • Calmer surface conditions (better for liveaboards)

  • More consistent manta sightings

  • Improved visibility in Misool and northern Raja Ampat

“November in Misool gave us three manta encounters in two dives—it was unforgettable.” – Leah, past guest

🌧️ June to October – Off-Season, Still Magical

Fewer boats travel during these months, but that doesn’t mean the diving isn’t excellent. Expect fewer crowds, vibrant reefs, and the occasional rolling swell.

What to Expect:

  • Stronger winds in some areas

  • Fantastic macro opportunities

  • Remote sites with minimal diver traffic

📌 While not the prime manta season, this window suits divers who enjoy quieter sites and unique conditions.

📅 Matching Trips to Seasons

With Liquid Adventures:

  • November–May: Full 11-day Raja Ampat expeditions with 25+ dives.

  • June–October: Maintenance season for our boats, then Komodo & Banda Sea itineraries take over.

👉 Book early—our Raja Ampat liveaboards for 2026 and 2027 are already in demand.

✅ FAQs

Q: What’s the best month for mantas?
A: November–January and March–April are top manta months.

Q: Do trips run year-round?
A: No. Our Raja Ampat liveaboards run from November through April/May.

Q: How many dives are included?
A: Expect 25+ dives on an 11-day itinerary.

📆 Next step

📆 : Check Raja Ampat availability for 2026 & 2027
📥: Download our Guide to Raja Ampat (PDF)