Raja Ampat Snorkeling

Raja Ampat snorkeling is among the best in the world. With an abundance of pristine, shallow reefs, diverse habitats, good visibility, and warm water temperatures it’s hard to beat what’s on offer here. Without doubt, the best way to enjoy Raja Ampat snorkeling is by a private charter cruise, which will allow you to visit a variety of habitats, maximize your time in the water and minimize time in transit. El Aleph delivers on all fronts when it comes to a Raja Ampat snorkeling cruise – exemplary service, complete luxury, and the best snorkeling sites in the archipelago.

About Raja Ampat, Indonesia

More than 2,500 tiny islands and reefs make up the isolated Indonesian archipelago of Raja Ampat, which is located near the northwest corner of the island of New Guinea. The term Raja Ampat, which translates to “Four Kings”, refers to the four large, mountainous islands of Batanta, Misool, Salawati, and Waigeo. The 43,000 square kilometres of land and water that make up the archipelago are sparsely populated, with the majority of the islands being uninhabited. Raja Ampat (as well as the nearby Savu and Banda Seas) is home to some of the world’s highest marine biodiversity, which is why Raja Ampat snorkeling is literally unbeatable. Raja Ampat has become the focus of extensive research and conservation efforts by international and local organizations, and a hotspot for snorkeling. Today, much of Raja Ampat is protected as part of the Raja Ampat Marine Protected Area which covers 1,185,940 hectares (2,930,522 acres).
Raja Ampat snorkeling offers more than 1,400 fish species, 550+ species of reef-building corals (75% of the world’s coral species), 17 species of marine mammals, 25 species of mangroves, and other impressive species such as a variety of whales, dolphins, dugong, sea turtles, walking sharks, and manta rays. New species are frequently still being discovered in Raja Ampat, adding to the already impressive totals.

Numerous species of unique wildlife, flora, and endemic birds (such as Wilson’s and Red Birds of Paradise), call these limestone karst islands home.

Raja Ampat Snorkeling Onboard El Aleph

With a private charter on board El Aleph you’ll decide your own schedule and snorkel Raja Amapat’s most abundant reefs. El Aleph offers the most luxurious liveaboard facilities in Indonesia and you won’t need to take into account anyone else’s schedule other than your own.
Private charters on board El Aleph allow you to go where you want, when you want, so you’ll be able to explore the sites around the Dampier Strait, the Fam Islands, Misool and more. Your friends, family and loved ones will experience the 5 star floating hotel luxury that only El Aleph can offer. This is a Raja Ampat snorkeling cruise like no other. Combine your Raja Ampat snorkeling with treks through lush tropical rainforest, look out for birds of paradise, make footprints on virgin white sand beaches, watch the sunset in the evening and enjoy star-studded skies from on deck. Raja Ampat is heaven on earth and yours to explore.

Raja Ampat Snorkeling Sites

Beach and palm trees view from the top.

Cape Kri

Cape Kri is where the fish expert, Dr. Gerald Allen is famously reported to have counted 374 species of fish in one single scuba dive – but you don’t need to scuba dive to witness the extraordinary abundance and diversity of marine life here. Cape Kri is truly the jewel in the crown of Raja Ampat snorkeling, this coral garden is bursting with colour and teeming with life.

Two Clownfish surrounded by a soft coral reef in Raja Ampat whale rock.

Whale Rock

Craggy and rugged above the water but with layers of schooling fish it is full of color and life beneath. One of the highlights of Whale Rock is the shallow water soft coral garden; both coral and fish are abundant. Large green turtles are often seen here as are vast schools of red toothed trigger fish out in the blue. Damsels and brightly colored antheas adorn the shallow water corals; colourful and jewel-like against the backdrop of the blue.

Soft coral reefs and fish in Fiabacet Raja Ampat.

Fiabacet

Fiabacet has abundant soft corals, an array of mixed fans and impressive schools of juvenile fusiliers, surgeon fish and damsels glittering like colourful gems in the sun. This site typifies some of the best traits of Raja Ampat snorkeling, the soft corals grow densely and a wide variety of species is showcased.

It is in the shallows that Fiabacet really comes to life – colourful tubers, fans and sea squirts cover the reef crest whilst damsel fish and fairy basslets catch the light from the sun as they dart in and out of the reef. Breathtaking scenery with an abundance of life that is hard to match.

A male snorkeller is snorkelling in the ocean Gorgonian passage Raja Ampat.

Gorgonian Passage (AKA Wayilbatan)

This stunning Raja Ampat snorkeling site takes its name from the vast sea fans which make this a breath taking spot. Gorgonian passage is a narrow passage running North to South between the islands of Wayilbatan and Walib. The fans are the reason for snorkeling here and will impress even the most seasoned of snorkelers. Some of the fans to the north of the site stretch to almost 3 meters across! Although the fans are clearly the highlight of this Raja Ampat snorkeling spot, there is other notable marine life including bat fish, sweetlips and schools of glassfish hide out behind and in the fans.

Nudi rock Raja Ampat Snorkeling

Nudi Rock

The site is given its name due to the shape and appearance of the rock pinnacle which is visible from the surface and resembles a nudibranch. From the surface down, the waters here are packed with fish, from fusiliers to triggerfish and schooling bannerfish. Look out for larger species passing through, both barracuda and white tip reef sharks are frequent visitors here.

A giant oceanic manta ray in snorkeling site Manta Sandy Raja Ampat.

Manta Sandy

No Raja Ampat snorkeling experience would be complete without a visit to Manta Sandy! As the name suggests, this is a shallow snorkeling site with a white sandy bottom. Manta rays come here to make use of the large rocks which serve as ‘cleaning stations’. The mantas will literally queue up and take their turn to swim up the rock and hover at the top of it. For the small cleaner fish that inhabit the rock, this is feeding time! They will ‘clean’ the manta rays gills, around their eyes and their mouths, as well as around any wounds. The cleaner fish feed on the parasites the manta is carrying and in return, the manta ray is cleaned. This is a wonderful demonstration of symbiosis!

Why Choose El Aleph
for Raja Ampat Snorkeling Cruises

With a private charter on board El Aleph you’ll be able to explore Raja Ampat’s most iconic snorkeling sites at leisure. Enjoy cruising around this remote location and pick when and where you’d like to snorkel. In between snorkeling sessions relax on deck and experience the luxurious facilities that only El Aleph can offer.

El Aleph was built to be enjoyed by her owner who has a keen eye for detail, an appreciation of the finer things in life and who wanted a vessel which offered unprecedented luxury, space and comfort. As a result, El Aleph was built to the highest specifications possible, with no expense being spared. When we describe the living space on board as luxury, it’s not something we say lightly.

When exploring a region that is as unique as Raja Apat, why compromise on comfort or limit your opportunities to discover all that is on offer? Our onboard service is nothing short of exemplary. A bespoke cruise onboard el Aleph enables our discerning clientele to venture to some of the most remote corners of the archipelago. Leave the land, and other vessels behind as you set sail in lavish, yet tasteful luxury.

El Aleph has been beautifully handcrafted in 100-year old teak and ironwood, every feature has been thoughtfully incorporated to ensure a lavish design and layout unsurpassed by any other Phinisi schooner ever built. From the polished wood finish to the state-of-the-art electronics and navigation suite no aspect has been left to chance in ensuring your comfort, safety and enjoyment during your exclusive Raja Ampat snorkeling cruise. For more detailed information about El Aleph, view our full vessel specifications.

If you have a taste for adventure and don’t want to compromise on the finer things in life, then a bespoke Raja Ampat snorkeling cruise onboard el Aleph guarantees unparalleled service, luxurious and spacious cabins, privacy, and of course – an incredible adventure from start to finish.

For reservations or enquiries, please contact us using our contact form – or email us at info@elalephcruising.com; and we will promptly reply.

Please note that we are not a yacht agency — your enquiries will be addressed directly by el Aleph’s owner. All of our charters are custom designed to suit your tastes and interests. For your comfort and privacy, we accept bookings for full boat charter only — not by the cabin.

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