Emperor Raja Laut – Discover Raja Ampat on a Sailing Ship!
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Sailing & diving in Raja Ampat - Indonesia
Looking for a diving vacation that will exceed all your expectations? Board the extraordinary sailing ship, the Emperor Raja Laut, for an unforgettable journey through enchanting Indonesia. During this diving vacation, you will board the Raja Laut to dive in Raja Ampat.
Diving in Raja Ampat
Located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, Raja Ampat is known as the most biodiverse place on earth. Here you can take the chance to admire hammerheads, manta rays and other pelagic fish while surrounded by colorful, pristine coral reefs. Whether you are fascinated by pelagics hunting for their next prey, or dream of discovering something new, like a walking shark, Raja Ampat has something for every diver. Misool’s sugarloaf islands, lagoons in fifty shades of blue, deserted islands and lush mangroves complete this diving vacation.
Royal Stay aboard the Emperor Raja Laut
Aboard the Emperor Raja Laut, a “schooner-style” inspired sailing yacht built of tropical hardwoods, you will feel like a king of the sea. Accommodation can accommodate 12 guests in 6 comfortable cabins, each with a private bathroom, individually controlled air conditioning and a fan. Enjoy space and luxury on the teak deck, where you can relax and dine al fresco. With two large RIBs on board, you are always within easy reach of the perfect dive site.
Best travel time for a diving vacation to Raja Ampat
You can dive year-round in Raja Ampat. In addition to routes in Raja Ampat, the Emperor Raja Laut also sails in Komodo National Park (in summer), among other places. Therefore, it is best to consider a travel time between November & April for this trip.
Advanced certification required
This trip requires an Advanced Open Water or equivalent certification, as well as a minimum of 30 logged dives for the Raja Ampat route, and 50 logged dives for Komodo, the Banda Sea, Alor and Flores.
Special itineraries Emperor Raja Laut
September 8, 2024: Komodo to Maumere for €3510 p.p.
September 19, 2024: Maumbere to Ambon for €4680 p.p.
EWDR Group Tour: Oct. 31, 2024: Ambon to Raja Ampat for €5040 p.p.
September 15, 2025: Komodo to Maumere for €3690 p.p.
Sept. 26, 2025: Maumere to Ambon for €4920 p.p.
Oct. 10, 2025: Ambon to Raja Ampat for €5280 p.p.
Summer months: Komodo National Park: €2870 p.p.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for diving in Raja Ampat
Our recommendation is a 3mm wetsuit, shorty or skin. What will you experience on this diving vacation?
View itinerary here
Day 1 & 2 - The journey to Sorong
The Raja Laut departs from Sorong for its voyages to Raja Ampat. For travelers from Europe, it is likely that they will first fly to Jakarta before continuing on to Sorong. This stopover may take several hours, depending on the airline and route chosen. We advise our clients to arrive a day before the liveaboard leaves in advance, so that if you are delayed you don’t miss the boat. Of course, we will arrange a comfortable hotel for one night in Sorong from EWDR by arrangement.
Day 3 - Start of the liveaboard | Dampier Straight & Cape Kri
Around 10 a.m., you will be picked up at the airport or your hotel and board the Raja Laut. The ship is scheduled to leave port around 11 a.m. toward the dive sites of Raja Ampat. On the boat you will receive a safety briefing, meet the crew, fill out and check dive documents, be assigned your cabin and be shown around the ship. The first dive is a check dive.
The Raja Laut usually follows the route along the dive sites of Raja Ampat Central & South. That means starting in the center and diving today, for example, on dive sites such as The Dampier Strait. This strait flows between mainland West Papua and the island of Batanta and the large island of Waigeo to the north. Thanks to the large amount of flowing water, this strait is home to an exceptional diversity of marine life.
A highlight of the day is diving at Cape Kri. Cape Kri, located in the Dampier Strait, is one of the most famous dive sites in Raja Ampat. The reef is an offshoot of the south side of Kri Island and is known for its large population of large fish in northern Raja Ampat. Beautiful coral, a huge density and variety of fish, including barracudas, sweetlips, emperor fish, snappers, giant trevally and gray reef sharks, make this a location you don’t want to miss.
* The route described in this daily program may vary due to weather conditions and other influences, among others. The captain always has the final say in this.
Day 4 to 7 - Diving in the Central part of Raja Ampat
The next few days are devoted to diving in the central area of Raja Ampat. You can prepare for usually three dives a day, and the dives are sure to please you. In the Cape Kri area you will discover dive sites such as“Blue Magic,” where you will encounter an impressive variety of fish, including tuna, mackerel, barracuda and fusiliers.
As you continue diving toward Gam, you will enjoy the dives at Citrus Ridge, a breathtaking dive site with vibrant coral reefs and an abundance of marine wildlife. Dalam, also called Deep Rock, offers a submerged plateau of soft and hard corals, while Mayhem, a long underwater pillar, extends the diversity of encounters, from large schools of fusiliers, snappers and jacks to wobbegong sharks and pygmy seahorses.
Finally, in Arborek, Arborek Jetty awaits with colorful coral bommies where wobbegong sharks relax and giant giant clams can be admired. Lolasi, a coral rock, offers an exciting drift diving experience, and Manta Sandy is an icon of Raja Ampat, a manta cleaning station where you can watch the spectacle of dancing manta ra ys and maybe even discover small critters like pygmy seahorses.
Day 8 to 11 - Diving around South Raja Ampat
The journey continues as the boat sails south to the enchanting dive sites in Raja Ampat. Along the way, make a stop at Batanta, where the dive sites are known as“muck dives.” It may not seem spectacular at first glance, with rolling black sand, algae patches and coral debris, but for practiced divers with a good guide, there is much to explore.
Then the sailing trip continues to the southern dive sites. You’ll be able to look forward to diving at sites such as“No Contest,” where you’ll be surrounded by impressive underwater formations,“Love Potion No. 9” with its beautiful sea fans and soft corals, and“Plateau,” which offers a great alternative dive site in strong currents.
In the Gam area you can dive at“Andiamo” with its beautiful coral reefs and schools of fish,“Candy Store” with its magnificent walls and“Two Tree” with its rich plateau full of various fish species.
Then, at Wayilbatan, you can explore the underwater world at “Barracuda Rock” with its diverse marine life, “Dunia Kecil” with its beautiful soft corals and “Four Kings” where you can witness the hunting of numerous predatory fish for schools of anchovies.
Finally, in the Fiabacet area, sites such as “Boo Windows,” “Tank Rock,” “Nudi Rock,” “Magic Mountain (Shadow Reef),” and “Whale Rock” await discovery. Here you can expect everything from stunning soft corals to colorful fish, and even encounters with manta rays, dolphins and whale sharks are possible.
The last diving day, day 11 – you will make one dive, after which the boat will sail back to Sorong.
Day 12 to 13 - End of the liveaboard, renewal or back home?
On the morning of Day 12, the Raja Laut arrives at the port of Sorong. Depending on what you want, you can now hop on a plane home or extend your diving vacation in Indonesia a little more. Here are a few tips:
Fly a direct flight to Manado and go diving at Lembeh and/or Bunaken or stay in the Raja Ampat region for a while and stay at one of beautiful Raja Ampat Resorts. Check out our complete overview of diving vacations Indonesia for even more inspiration.
The liveaboard Emperor Raja Laut
The boat & cabins
Aboard the Emperor Raja Laut, a regal diving vacation awaits you in enchanting Indonesia. This stunning “schooner-style” inspired yacht, built of beautiful tropical hardwoods, offers exclusive accommodations for up to 12 guests. Accommodation includes 6 comfortable cabins, consisting of 3 with double beds and 3 with twin beds. Each cabin has its own ensuite bathroom, individually controlled air conditioning and a ceiling fan to ensure a pleasant atmosphere.
On the Emperor Raja Laut, you will find spacious teak decks ideal for spending time while cruising. There is also a large dining table, suitable for 12 people – in the middle of the deck. Two large RIBs (rubber boats) are at your disposal to get you to the perfect dive sites quickly and efficiently.
The yacht offers several amenities, including a comfortable lounge with a 49-inch full HD flat screen, an extensive library of movies, music and books, and a selection of board games for onboard entertainment. The upper deck features an outdoor dining area, lounge chairs with and without shade, and a small bar with an international beverage selection. Wifi is available for an additional fee for those who want to stay in touch with the outside world.
The diving facilities on board the Emperor Raja Laut are excellent, with two experienced dive guides to guide you to the most breathtaking underwater locations. A full range of diving equipment is available and PADI courses are offered for those who want to improve their diving skills. The vessel is equipped with two diving tenders (RIBs) with powerful outboard motors and ladders for easy access to the water.
Travel costs
What is included
This diving vacation to Raja Ampat is available from €3995 per person based on two people in one cabin. The diving trip can be expanded as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about this diving vacation to Raja Ampat? Get in touch with us!
Included in this diving trip, from €3995,- p.p.
- 9 Overnight stays in a lower deck cabin
- Full board accommodation including wine
- Return transfers Sorong - Raja Laut
- Dive package consisting of approximately 24 dives
- Free Nitrox Upgrade
- VZR, Calamity Fund & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight to Sorong
- Hotel in Sorong
- from €700,- p.p.
- $5.00 per diving day
Optional
- 15L tank, per day
- Diving lamp
- Diving computer
- SMB (Surface Buoy)
- Complete diving equipment (incl. Computer - excl. Lamp) per day
- €7, - p.p.
- €6,- p.p.
- €7, - p.p.
- free
- €30, - p.p.
All divers are required to use a dive computer and an SMB (surface buoy) for each dive, as well as a light for night dives.
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Frequently asked questions about this diving vacation
Raja Ampat diving vacation general information
You dive from the Ribs that come with the liveaboard. Occasionally this can include some spirited current dives.
The Emperor Raja Laut sails itself as close as possible to the dive sites, the last bit you do by rib/zodiac. This often involves several minutes.
You will make about 2-3 dives daily, including night dives. On the last dive day (day before disembarkation) you will make one dive.
Yes, PADI Nitrox Diver (€170,-)
Diving equipment
DIN tanks and INT adapters are available on board. They strongly recommend that divers with M26 regulators bring adapters suitable for DIN tanks.
Yes, cost €7 per day – reserve this directly when booking.
Yes, this is free. You do need to be certified.
These prices only apply if you book this in advance, while booking the trip. On the spot is also possible but you will pay a little more and in Indonesian Rupees. Therefore, there is no guarantee that everything is still available. So upfront is really wiser.
Equipment Per Day EUR (€)
Mask* €3
Finnish* €5
Wet Suit (3mm)* €6
Regulator* €11
BCD* €7
SMB (Surface Marker Buoy)*
Dive Computer* €7
Torch €6
FULL EQUIPMENT incl. Dive Computer € 30
All equipment and tanks must be pre-ordered.
Please ensure when ordering equipment to include required equipment size along with height, weight and shoe size. All items
marked with * are included in the Full Equipment Package. All divers are required to use a dive computer and SMB for every dive
and a torch each for night dives.
Liveaboard
This travel package is €1499 per person and can be expanded as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package. Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates.
The boats have Internet, but coverage is often only good near the port of departure/arrival. So don’t assume you can be online a lot.
Yes, unless you might pay a single supplement. It is important to take a moment at the Raja Laut to be aware that there are only 3 Twin cabins (2 twin beds) and also 3 Doubles (one large bed). Separate sheets can be provided and you never have to share the cabin with someone of the opposite sex. But if you select a double cabin, therefore, you may be in one bed.
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