A World of Islands and Reefs
Scubaspa Zen sails between Raja Ampat’s best-known regions, pairing the current-fed reefs of the Dampier Strait with the soft coral walls and pinnacles of Misool. Mornings start with yoga on the sundeck, afternoons bring lagoon swims, viewpoint hikes or kayaking, and evenings end with dinner under the stars.
Highlights
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Dampier Strait and Misool
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Manta cleaning stations
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Pygmy seahorses and wobbegongs
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Bird of paradise treks and ancient rock paintings
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Misool jellyfish lake
Available Routes
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Raja Ampat
- Starts: Sorong
- Ends: Sorong
Scubaspa Zen’s Raja Ampat itinerary takes guests through one of Indonesia’s most celebrated regions, exploring the islands and remote landscapes of this remarkable archipelago in Southwest Papua.
Departing from Sorong, our 7- and 10-night cruises typically explore the Dampier Strait, Penemu, and the southern islands of Misool. From the limestone formations and turquoise lagoons of Penemu to Misool’s secluded bays, ancient rock paintings and dramatic karst islands, each region offers a different perspective on Raja Ampat.
Routes and activities vary according to cruise duration, weather, and local conditions.
View route map
A Typical Day in Raja Ampat
Each day on board is planned around tides, currents and weather. The schedule below is a sample day, and times and activities may change depending on conditions and your cruise director’s plan.
- 5:45
- Sunrise Yoga Start the day with a stretch
- 6:30
- Dive
- 08:00
- Breakfast Live cooking station
- 10:30
- Dive / Snorkeling
- 12:30
- Lunch Live cooking station
- 14:30
- Dive / Snorkeling
- 15:30
- Activity of the day Lagoon visit, viewpoints, etc.
- 17:30
- Dive Occasional dusk/night dive
- 19:30
- Dinner À la carte or special evening
Diving Details
Diving in Raja Ampat is shaped by nutrient-rich currents that support some of the highest marine biodiversity on the planet. Conditions suit intermediate to advanced divers with good buoyancy control, as currents can change quickly, especially in the Dampier Strait. Most dives follow coral gardens, reef slopes, walls, and pinnacles, with opportunities to encounter manta rays, reef sharks, wobbegongs, turtles, schooling trevallies, and tiny pygmy seahorses. Our guides select dive sites daily according to tides, currents, and local conditions.
The itinerary brings together the distinct underwater environments of the Dampier Strait, Penemu, and Misool. Dive sites may include Blue Magic, a submerged pinnacle known for its schooling fish and manta encounters, and Melissa’s Garden, a spectacular shallow hard coral garden near Penemu. In Misool, Magic Mountain, Four Kings, and Boo Windows offer manta cleaning stations, towering pinnacles, and swim-through rock windows framed by colorful soft corals.
Practical information for diving in Raja Ampat
- Water temperature: 27–29°C (81–84°F) during the October to April season.
- Dive experience: Minimum Advanced Open Water certification (or equivalent) and 30 logged dives. Raja Ampat is best suited to intermediate and advanced divers with good buoyancy control.
- Currents: Currents can be strong and change quickly, particularly in the Dampier Strait. Misool offers some calmer dive sites, with conditions varying according to tides and location.
- Wetsuit recommendation: 5 mm full wetsuit (the water is warm, but completing three dives a day, with an occasional fourth, can leave you chilled).
Rates & Dates
08 – 15 Nov
- Fully Booked
Raja Ampat
Sorong to Sorong
16 – 26 Nov
- Fully Booked
Raja Ampat
Sorong to Sorong
28 Nov – 05 Dec
- Fully Booked
Raja Ampat
Sorong to Sorong
06 – 16 Dec
- Fully Booked
Raja Ampat
Sorong to Sorong
20 – 27 Dec
- Fully Booked
Raja Ampat
Sorong to Sorong
28 Dec – 07 Jan
- Fully Booked
Raja Ampat
Sorong to Sorong
Moments on Board
Hidden lagoons, endless reefs
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before setting sail
What is included in the cruise price?
Your trip includes your suite, three meals a day, unlimited drinking water, coffee and tea, daily yoga, guided snorkeling with equipment, island excursions and 1 GB of Starlink Wi-Fi per guest, plus the dives or spa treatments included in your package.
When is the best time to dive Raja Ampat?
Scubaspa Zen usually sails Raja Ampat from October to May, when seas are generally calmer and conditions suit liveaboard diving. Water temperatures stay between 27 and 29°C (81 to 84°F) throughout the season.
What marine life can I expect to see?
Expect reef and oceanic manta rays at cleaning stations, wobbegong sharks resting under ledges, schooling trevallies and fusiliers, clouds of anthias and pygmy seahorses on sea fans. Above the water, you may spot hornbills, birds of paradise and flying foxes at dusk.
What should I pack for my trip?
Pack light, casual clothing, a light rain jacket, a hat and reef-safe sunscreen, plus comfortable shoes for viewpoint hikes and island treks. We recommend a 5 mm full wetsuit, as several dives a day can leave you chilled even in warm water. Scubaspa Zen has 220/230V universal sockets, and rental dive gear is available on board.
Triton Bay
Seasonal departures usually running in October
A remote corner of southern West Papua, sailed on longer routes from Raja Ampat or Ambon, with vivid soft corals, whale sharks and towering limestone cliffs.
Komodo
May to September 2027
A UNESCO World Heritage national park where Komodo dragons roam dry savanna hills and strong currents feed manta rays, sharks and vivid reefs below.