Gaia Love 11D10N

The Gaia Love 11D10N Raja Ampat North & South expedition offers an extraordinary diving experience in one of the world’s most biodiverse and stunning regions. From the vibrant soft corals and sea fans of Misool to the vast schools of fish and iconic manta ray encounters in Dampier Strait, every dive is a feast for the senses. Raja Ampat is a photographer’s paradise, with crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life, from the smallest macro critters to large pelagics. Whether you’re exploring the secluded Wayag Islands or diving the nutrient-rich currents of the central and northern regions, the expedition promises a once-in-a-lifetime adventure through some of the world’s most pristine dive sites.

This journey not only offers world-class diving but also highlights the region’s natural beauty and cultural wonders, including ancient rock paintings and unique wildlife like the crimson bird of paradise. The Gaia Love 11D10N Raja Ampat North & South liveaboard trip is perfect for those seeking both thrilling underwater exploration and a deeper connection to the remote paradise of Raja Ampat. With its unmatched marine biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and luxurious diving experience, this expedition promises an unforgettable adventure in one of the world’s most pristine and sought-after destinations.

Dives: Approximately 29 dives in total

Experience: Open Water – 10 minimum logged dives required.

Found in the Indonesian archipelago off Bird’s Head Peninsula in West Papua (Irian Jaya). Comprising hundreds of island covered in forest, the region is well-known for its beaches and coral reefs bursting with aquatic life. Named for the four principal islands in the region—Weigeo, Batanta, Salawati, and Misool—Raja Ampat translated straight as “four kings.”

Diving Raja Ampat will astound you with the vibrant reef alive with action and the marine life flourishing from the seaflower to the surface. There are sites where a photographer struggles to locate a place to place a steadying finger; they are so clean and bursting with life. Macro-critters and exotic sea life will amaze any fan of macro photography. The only issue with diving here is that the almost flawless surroundings will make you somewhat spoilt and you might never want to leave or dive anyplace else again!

Dive Gaia tours let divers explore the whole area.

For the macro aficionado, Batanta Island provides amazing habitat west of Sorong.

Misool is an island south of Raja Ampat. The abundance of vibrant soft corals and sea fans masterfully wrapping the reefs will astounds you. You should see both reef and oceanic mantas. Explore one of the most breathtaking mangroves on Earth on Misool’s western point.

Dampier Strait, which runs between Waigeo and Batanta, located centrally Raja Ampat and features an amazing underwater ecosystem created by nutrient-rich ocean currents. Here is everything needed for a great dive. Nestled with famous dive sites Cape Kri and Blue Magic, surround yourself with schools of fish and experience the special excitement of “fish thunder,” the loud booming sound produced when many fish rush quickly over open water. Arborek, famed for its cleanliness and jetty dive, is further west. The Penemu Islands, noted for their exquisite lagoon vista and hard coral gardens, are northwest of Dampier Strait.

Northern Raja Ampat runs over the Wayag, Kawe, and Weigeo islands. See the Aljui Bay pearl farm in between touring the jetties known for their unusual creatures and sleeping wobbegongs. As they really lie on the equator, the cliffs and seamounts in the Kawe area are quite unique west of Waigeo. One of the rare locations worldwide where diving allows you to go between the northern and southern hemispheres is Kawe! Still, this is only one reason this dive excites me. Combining feeding stations with currents in this location helps to attract a lot of fish species as well as large mantas. We stop at the Wayag location after much further northward cruise. This remote, undeveloped location, dotted with lush limestone islets, flanked by slivers of white sandy beaches and palm trees, reflects what most people consider to be paradise. The diving here is the only thing that could challenge the scene. With wide-ranging, unspoiled hard coral reefs, it is really amazing Since most of Wayag’s islands have not yet been visited, this still inaccessible area is most likely to reveal many new dive locations.

Other highlights are the unique red bird of paradise on Waigeo and old rock art and cavernues off the island of Misool.

Luxury liveaboard diving with Dive Gaia provides charters off of Sorong that let you explore this area thoroughly and treat yourself with the comfort and hospitality we provide.

Note: Get back to the port the evening before departure.