r/RajaAmpat • u/lfsakura24 • Apr 26 '26
First Dive ever in Raja Ampat - possible?
Hi everyone!
I am visiting RA next week and I booked it mainly as a getaway and for some snorkeling. Now I read a lot about how the absolute Highlights can only be explored diving and that diving in RA is not for the unexperienced.
I was planning to do 1-2 dives as an uncertified beginner. I did it once when I was younger, it was super fun and easy (15 years ago, I remember no currents etc, so no technique needed). Now the question is: is it worth it to even try as an absolute newbie? Are there spots/dive centers you could recommend? I'll be there 3 whole weeks and travel around many Islands. So I would really appreciate some tips to complement my snorkeling with a few nice dives that at least give me a glimpse of what can be explored there :)
1
u/TheTurboMaster Apr 26 '26
Find a well reviewed divecentre and be very clear about your inexperience, contact them beforehand and that you are worried about safety etc. Have them inform you about how they approach this and ask questions if you want more details.
Most of my 30 dives in RA were absolutely easy. Even some of the high current divesites can be absolutely 0 current easy dives at specific times. The divemasters will know when to take you where, there is plenty of super easy diving around.
Will you be able to enjoy the best of RA diving? No. You need experience to dive the more difficult but sometimes more rewarding sites. Thats ok though, since you are going anyways
1
u/lfsakura24 Apr 26 '26
Thx! Any specific spots/Dive Centers you could recommend? Sure enough, I won't be able to see lots of stuff, but thats okay - Just another reason to visit again sometime:)
1
u/drewmullin Apr 26 '26
Absolutely That's where I did my first dives and it was sick - just have a guide w u for the first few.
2
u/lfsakura24 Apr 26 '26
Do you remember any specific Dive Spots/Dive Centers you could recommend? :)
1
u/drewmullin Apr 26 '26
Any of the major ones- contact them and say you are not experienced and need a private guide. It's a bit more. Kri Arborek- any of the dive shops that are reviewed well - I forget which ones we did but I think any that have been reviewed on Reddit well are chill I'm sure. Ur person will guide u when requesting private guide - even if current is there etc
1
u/zoultrex Jul 05 '26
Hi there OP u/ifsakura24
I guess you are back by now, and I am on the exact same situation.
I never did diving and I plan to do some fun dives in RA without any previous experience and I also read sometimes currents can be strong, and maybe not a good idea to do fun dives there, but at the same time, many people in youtube and here mention they had their first dive there and it was awesome. I guess its like the person answered here before, the dive master will know where to take you so its a good experience anyway, but not that different from snorkeling because of the limited depth.
What could you say about your recent experience? do you recommend fun dives in RA?
I am also considering doing the open water course in tulamben, and only after go to RA so I can be more prepared, but I dont like the idea of taking these 3 days there in tulamben just for it.
Maybe doing the open water course in RA makes more sense? but at the same time not sure what to expect from it.
Hope you can share some thoughts and you had a great time (share vids and photos if you had thanks) TY!
4
u/Miss_Sheep Apr 26 '26
No, I don't recommend. RA has strong currents, and fragil coral. These "try dives" are very shallow. Whatever you would see on that dives you can see snorkeling. There is a multi day snorkeling tour that is highly reviewed, I'd recommend one of those instead.