Marine biologists call it the epicenter of ocean biodiversity. Divers call it the last paradise. Both are right — and getting there is half the adventure.
It has been one of the dreamiest trips I’ve ever been on. Ten days on the boat, experiencing three to four dives every day, has been an absolute blast. After being here and seeing colors underwater and fish formations like this, every month I want to go back and relive it, especially after seeing the pictures again and again.
One of my dream trips came true pretty early in my years, and I can really recommend: as soon as you can, go for it and explore it.
It needs a little bit of dive experience, ideally a minimum of 50 dives, but it can also work with less if you’re current and experienced in what you do, or if you do a little catch-up beforehand.
When to go
Liveaboard season is October to April — calm seas and manta season. May to September gets windy in the south; some boats reposition.
What to do
- Manta stations — Dampier Strait cleaning stations at current.
- Barracuda tornados — stay still, let them wrap around you.
- Wayag viewpoint — the karst lagoon panorama — steep, short, unforgettable.
- Night dives — walking sharks and coral spawning if lucky.
- Village visit — Papuan hospitality, ask your cruise director.
Photography tips
Wide angle rules here — the story is density and color. Shoot up-current edges of the reef where the fish stack, and use the divers in your group for scale.
Bring double batteries and silica gel: humidity is relentless, and charging windows on the boat are short.
With lights, you get a lot of color underwater from the corals and everything around you. So bring lights, play around with those colors and get ready for some macro action around the reefs.
