Discover world-class Raja Ampat diving and vibrant marine life on our dive trips.
La Galigo is built for divers who care about time underwater, genuine connection onboard, and the confidence to fully relax at sea. We keep things intentionally small, personal, and experience-driven, so every trip feels less like a package and more like a shared journey, guided by people who truly love what they do.
We operate with a limited number of guests, allowing space to breathe, move, and truly enjoy each dive day. This intimacy creates a relaxed onboard atmosphere where guests are known by name, not cabin number, and every detail feels considered, not rushed.
Our itineraries, schedules, and daily flow are shaped around the dives themselves. From site selection to timing, everything is designed to maximise quality underwater time, unhurried briefings, and memorable encounters, not ticking boxes or following crowds.
Safety is woven into every part of our operation, from conservative dive planning and clear briefings to experienced guides and disciplined onboard procedures. This allows divers to relax, focus, and fully enjoy the experience, knowing they are in capable hands.
Our crew combines Indonesian hospitality with international standards, creating an onboard environment that feels friendly, respectful, and natural. They are attentive without being intrusive, professional without being distant, and always happy to share a smile, a story, or a helping hand.
Depending on where you fly from and who your preferred airline partner is, the end goal is to land in Sorong, which is located on the mainland of West Papua in Indonesia.
From Europe; Fly to Singapore or Jakarta > Jakarta or Bali > Sorong
Americas; Fly to China or Japan > Manado > Sorong (you can also take the aforementioned European route depending on your precise location).
Asia; Fly to Jakarta or Bali > Sorong
We would recommend to most guests to overnight in Sorong over Waisai (where you’ll embark La Galigo) for a better night’s sleep and more modern facilities.
The town of Labuan Bajo is a short one hour domestic flight from Bali and is the port town you will need to land in for your Komodo trip with La Galigo.
From Europe; Fly to Singapore or Jakarta > Jakarta or Bali > Labuan Bajo.
Americas; Fly to China or Japan > Jakarta or Bali > Labuan Bajo (you can also take advantage of the aforementioned European route depending on your location within the Americas).
Asia; Fly to Jakarta or Bali > Labuan Bajo.
There is a wide selection of hotels in Labuan Bajo that we can assist you with booking.
La Galigo aims to depart from the embarkation port around 11:00 at the latest, so we try and get guests onboard by 10:00. We do understand that some guests flights may arrive on the day of departure, if this is the case, please arrange that your flight lands in Labuan Bajo (Komodo) or Sorong (Raja Ampat) no later than the 09:00.
With regard to private full boat charters, we are more than happy to be flexible with your desired embarkation time. Please ensure you make us aware in due course at the time of communication with our office based staff.
For the benefit of arranging your return flights, below are approximate times that the vessel arrives back in the port on the day of disembarkation;
Raja Ampat: 06:00
Komodo: 05:00
Please note, these times are not guaranteed by La Galigo based on factors including vessel and weather conditions.
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Depending on the day you arrive, we can schedule and organise a pickup and drop-off for you.
If you arrive on the day of departure, then we will collect you from the Airport and head directly to La Galigo, gratis. Please be advised that the latest time your flight can land for both Komodo and Raja Ampat is 09:00, this should ensure that you don’t miss the departure time.
If you arrive in the days before the departure date, on the morning of the day of your trip, one of our drivers and a senior member of the crew will come to collect you at your hotel at no charge extra charge. Please note, that if you arrive the day before the departure, we can assist in arranging transport to take you to your hotel at an extra charge, with Raja Ampat costing $15 and Komodo $10 per car of 4 passengers approximately.
When the trip is over we will liaise with you and our drivers to make sure that you are heading to your next destination on time, be it to the airport or back to your hotel. This service is also included in the listed price for your trip.
Be advised we have a 24-hour no-fly after diving policy onboard, so where possible, guests should book return tickets departing no earlier than 11:00 am onwards or risk missing a dive on the penultimate day.
Our collection time, if you are already staying in Raja Ampat or Komodo, is generally between 08:00 & 09:00. Our Cruise Director will notify you via WhatsApp, or through the hotel front desk, the day before with regards to what time you need to be ready in the hotel lobby.
The remote paradise of Raja Ampat lies in the far reaches of eastern Indonesia. So, how do you get there? Your journey begins with an international flight into Indonesia, followed by a domestic flight to Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong (SOQ).
As the largest city and capital of Southwest Papua, Sorong serves as the main gateway for liveaboard dive boats exploring Raja Ampat. Though getting to this secluded paradise requires a bit of extra time and preparation, the rewards are well worth the effort.
Raja Ampat stands as Indonesia’s crown jewel, known for its remarkable biodiversity, awe-inspiring landscapes, and some of the finest dive sites on the planet.
Indonesia offers multiple international airports throughout its archipelago. Most international visitors typically arrive via Jakarta or Bali, as both airports provide direct domestic flights to Sorong.
Upon arrival in Indonesia, passengers are required to go through customs and immigration with all the required documents, including a visa, before proceeding to baggage claim to retrieve their belongings. Most domestic airlines in Indonesia do not have baggage transfer agreements with major international carriers, meaning travelers must collect their luggage and check in for onward domestic flights.
To ensure you don’t miss your La Galigo departure, we recommend arriving in Sorong the day before and booking an overnight stay at a local hotel. La Galigo has negotiated special rates with select hotels—contact our reservations team for more information on pricing.
Raja Ampat liveaboard diving is the most effective way to explore the world’s richest marine ecosystem. Located in West Papua, Indonesia, Raja Ampat is home to more than 1,500 species of reef fish and over 600 species of coral, making it the global epicenter of marine biodiversity.
Unlike land-based resorts, a Raja Ampat liveaboard allows divers to:
Access remote dive sites unreachable by day boats
Maximize dive frequency with 3–4 dives per day
Explore multiple regions in one trip (Dampier Strait, Misool, Wayag, Batanta)
Dive early morning and sunset sites in optimal conditions
For serious divers, a liveaboard in Raja Ampat is not a luxury, it’s the only way to truly experience the region.
The Raja Ampat diving season runs year-round, but conditions vary by region:
October to April – Best conditions in Misool (south Raja Ampat)
May to September – Prime season in Dampier Strait and central Raja Ampat
Water temperatures range between 27–30°C, with generally excellent visibility and strong nutrient-rich currents that attract large schools of fish and pelagic species.
Booking your Raja Ampat liveaboard trip at least 6–12 months in advance is highly recommended due to limited boat availability.
Raja Ampat is globally known for:
Massive schools of fusiliers and sweetlips
Reef sharks and wobbegong sharks
Manta ray cleaning stations
Macro life including pygmy seahorses and nudibranchs
Dramatic limestone karst landscapes above water
The region offers a rare combination of macro, big fish action, coral gardens, and pristine reefs — often within a single dive day.
Many first-time visitors consider staying at a homestay or dive resort. However, a Raja Ampat liveaboard offers significant advantages:
| Resort-Based Diving | Raja Ampat Liveaboard |
|---|---|
| Limited dive radius | Remote and exclusive sites |
| Fixed daily schedule | Flexible itinerary based on conditions |
| Travel time to sites | Wake up at the dive site |
| Fewer dives per day | Up to 4 dives daily |
A Raja Ampat liveaboard is more than a diving trip, it is a journey into one of the last untouched marine frontiers on Earth.
With carefully crafted itineraries, experienced dive guides, and a focus on marine conservation, La Galigo offers an immersive liveaboard experience designed specifically for passionate divers.
Raja Ampat is not a single dive destination — it is a vast marine protected area divided into distinct regions, each offering unique underwater landscapes, marine life encounters, and diving conditions.
A Raja Ampat liveaboard allows divers to explore multiple regions in one expedition, maximizing biodiversity and site variety.
Dampier Strait is the heart of Raja Ampat diving and home to some of the most famous dive sites in Indonesia.
World-renowned for record-breaking fish counts, Cape Kri offers dense schools of fusiliers, giant trevally, barracuda, and reef sharks in strong, nutrient-rich currents.
A submerged pinnacle known for pelagic action, manta rays, and schooling fish. Blue Magic is ideal for advanced divers comfortable with current diving.
Despite its name, Sardine Reef is famous for massive fish schools, vibrant coral growth, and dramatic reef structures.
One of Raja Ampat’s most reliable manta ray cleaning stations, offering unforgettable close encounters.
Dampier Strait combines macro life, pelagic species, and exceptional coral health — often within a single day of diving.
Misool is widely regarded as the most pristine and visually dramatic region of Raja Ampat. Strict marine protection has created extraordinary biomass and coral coverage.
A pinnacle dive site known for oceanic manta rays, schooling barracuda, and grey reef sharks.
Famous for its iconic swim-through rock formations and vibrant soft coral gardens, Boo Windows is a photographer’s dream.
One of the richest coral reef systems in Raja Ampat, with massive schools of snapper and sweetlips.
Misool offers dramatic topography, vibrant soft corals, and consistent big fish action — making it a highlight of most Raja Ampat liveaboard itineraries.
Northern Raja Ampat is known for its breathtaking limestone karst landscapes above water and remote, untouched reefs below.
A seamount attracting pelagic species, reef sharks, and large schools of fish.
A site famous for manta ray encounters in a remote and wild setting.
The northern region offers quieter dive sites and a sense of true exploration — accessible mainly by liveaboard.
