Scuba Dive Raja Ampat: Luxury Resort or Local Homestay?
(A Dive Pro’s Honest Comparison After Two Weeks in Indonesia’s Last Paradise)
Introduction
Raja Ampat Luxury Resort vs Homestay — after diving across Indonesia for years, we finally spent two weeks comparing both sides of paradise. For many, this remote corner of West Papua, Indonesia, is the pinnacle of underwater adventure — a place where reef walls burst with colour and schooling fish block out the sun.
But behind the perfect Instagram posts lies a more complex reality: rising sea temperatures, changing reef health, and a growing divide between luxury resorts and community-run homestays.
Having worked as professional dive instructors across Komodo, the Maldives, and Raja Ampat itself, we decided to return in 2025 for a side-by-side comparison — one week on a budget dive-safari homestay circuit, followed by a luxury eco-resort stay.
Here’s what we discovered.
Raja Ampat Dive Safari – The Homestay Experience
Our dive safari began with Scuba Republic in Waisai — one of the most established eco-operators in the region (and, for full disclosure, we partnered with them; you can claim 10 % off*).
Over six days and seven nights, we travelled by boat between local islands — Kri, Arborek, Fam, and Gam — staying in rustic Papuan homestays, diving up to three times a day.
Each homestay offered a window into local life: barefoot children running along jetties, fishermen mending nets, and the sound of waves echoing beneath the bungalows.
Accommodation & Comfort
Homestay standards vary dramatically. Some rooms are perched over turquoise lagoons; others are tucked behind mangroves. Prices typically range from US $25–80 pp per night, including three home-cooked meals.
Expect cold bucket showers, fans instead of AC, and power only from 6 pm – 6 am. Wifi is non-existent (well, they have some, it’s just really terrible) — a blessing or a curse, depending on how digital-detoxed you feel. Or buy your own local SIM card – a much more reliable option.
If you stay in over-water bungalows, you’ll generally avoid the rainforest’s resident rats, hungry mosquitoes and rather jumpy frogs. Onshore huts, though charming, can feel like living inside a nature documentary – damp, humid and somehow still cold. We were visiting in Low Season but with Raja Ampat’s rainforest climate you can expect rain and humidity at all times of the year.
Food & Electricity
Meals are simple but nourishing: fresh fish, rice, sautéed vegetables, and fruit. Some islands offer local baked goods at breakfast and cakes at dinner. Each homestay runs on solar and back-up generators, so bring a power bank and torch. In some resorts you’ll hear the hum of engines after sunset — part of the soundtrack of remote island life.
The Diving
If you’re an experienced diver, this trip delivers unmatched adventure for the price. But it’s not for beginners.
We encountered everything from gentle drifts to ripping currents at legendary sites like Cape Kri, Chicken Reef, and Sardine Reef. Some dives were pure magic — others, heartbreaking, revealing large-scale coral bleaching unseen during our first trip to Raja Ampat in 2019.
Our Papuan guides were exceptional: skilled current-readers, able to find wobbegongs, pygmy seahorses, and schooling trevally even in low visibility.
However, the pace is demanding. You’ll carry your own gear daily, perform negative entries, and switch islands each evening — a logistical feat for those travelling with camera housings, electrical equipment or drones.
We strongly recommend at least 50 logged dives, experience in currents and negative descents, and to have practice and knowledge of how to use a reef hook properly and safely. Nitrox was unavailable during our trip, so watch your depth and no-deco limits carefully.
Environmental Reality Check
Social media portrays Raja Ampat as untouched, but reality tells a different story.
Widespread coral bleaching, fish feeding by snorkel guides, and uncontrolled tourism have left scars on once-thriving reefs.
We personally witnessed snorkellers standing on coral at Sauwandarek Jetty and feeding fish with bread — both illegal and destructive.
If you dive here, please:
Refuse fish feeding.
Maintain perfect buoyancy.
Use reef-safe sunscreen.
Eco-friendly or natural cosmetic products
Take your plastic containers home with you.
Choose eco-operators who brief guests responsibly.
Preserving Raja Ampat’s biodiversity starts with diver behaviour.
Raja Ampat Luxury Resort – Biodiversity Nature Resort
After a week of salt-crusted gear and 5am rooster alarms, we transferred to Raja Ampat Biodiversity Resort on Gam Island.
The contrast was immediate: a private beachfront bungalow, western bathroom with hot-water shower, daily housekeeping, and three exquisite buffet meals each day. Rates start from €160 – 185 per night per person, including meals.
The resort is solar-powered with a 24-hour generator backup. Guests are encouraged to use electrics consciously (don’t leave lights on), but you’ll enjoy steady electricity and Starlink Wi-Fi connection – but only for 3 hours of the day — enough time to upload photos or contact family without bursting your Raja Ampat bubble.
Sustainable Comfort
This eco-resort blends Papuan architecture with modern touches. Each cottage opens onto the beach, with traditional woven-bamboo, palm leaf walls, a shaded terrace, and the gentle birdsong and rainforest noises outside. We stayed in the new Garden view Cottage, a short walk down to their beautiful house reef.
The company employs local Papuan staff, supports reef-monitoring initiatives, and offers zero-plastic amenities. Every night, fresh towels appeared – but ideally if it wasn’t so wet we would’ve used them for a few days before changing; every meal, fresh fruit juices and local produce.
Even in low season, the hospitality was among the best we’ve experienced anywhere in Southeast Asia.
Diving at Biodiversity
With only small groups per boat, and a flexible schedule – diving here is more relaxed than on safari.
Sites like Friwen Garden, Mioskon and Fam Wall were included in our six-dive package, but for more famous spots like Melissa’s Garden or Blue Magic, you’ll need to book in advance and pay extra. However, note that nitrox is not available and some dives were shortened to 50 minutes despite being advertised as 65, we believe this was down to the dive guide’s comfortability not ours.
While our guides were not local Papuan, they maintained safety and comfort, though lacked the deep local intuition of long-term Dampier Strait experts and we noticed they were more keen to appease guests – typical behaviour we see when dive guides priorities the hope of a tip over respecting and protecting the reef. A habit that can be found in dive centres anywhere in the world and can only be managed through divers being clear of their expectations and creating awareness around these bad practices.
Still, the house reef alone is worth the stay: calm shallows filled with various hard and soft corals, turtles, sharks and large array of tropical reef fish, and vibrant coral bommies — perfect for sunset snorkels or house reef dives.
Raja Ampat Luxury Resort vs Homestay: Which Should You Choose?
| Category | Dive Safari (Homestay) | Luxury Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Average Cost (USD pp / night) | 25 – 80 | 160 – 185 |
| Comfort Level | Basic bamboo huts, bucket showers, fan only | Private cottages, ensuite, hot-water shower |
| Electricity & Wi-Fi | 6 pm – 6 am generator, no Wi-Fi | 24 h solar + generator, limited Wi-Fi |
| Dive Style | 2–3 dives/day, drift dives, strong currents | 2-4 dives/day, as you wish, relaxed pace, smaller groups |
| Nitrox Availability | Rare / none | Occasionally available |
| Eco Impact & Local Benefit | Direct income to Papuan communities, but fish-feeding risks | Certified eco-resort employing locals, zero-plastic policy |
| Best For | Experienced divers seeking adventure & authenticity | Travellers wanting eco-luxury comfort |
| Challenges | Strong currents, logistics, damp gear | Limited transfers in bad weather |
Cost vs. Value
When comparing Raja Ampat luxury resorts and homestays, the first thing divers consider is the total value, the Dive Safari is unbeatable for the price — six islands, 15+ dives, and genuine community engagement for under $1,000 pp.
But comfort is minimal. You’ll be perpetually damp, occasionally sleep-deprived, and sometimes frustrated by the unpredictable logistics that make Raja Ampat so real and raw.
The Luxury Resort, on the other hand, offers ease: consistent meals, attentive service, and a soft landing after long dive days. It’s ideal for couples, photographers, and those wanting a restorative finale to their trip.
Sustainability & Local Impact
If you’re deciding between a homestay or resort in Raja Ampat, based on your impact, here’s what truly matters as both experiences contribute differently to conservation.
Homestays directly benefit local families, encouraging community-based tourism — yet many lack formal environmental training, leading to harmful practices like coral-walking or fish feeding.
Resorts such as Biodiversity invest in structured eco-initiatives — solar energy, reef restoration, and local employment — though they inevitably consume more resources.
The key isn’t choosing one over the other, but supporting operators that prioritise education, reef protection, and community welfare.
Pro Tips for Diving Raja Ampat
1. Get Insured:
2. Pack Smart:
Download our free Raja Ampat Dive Pro Packing Guide → aaronandcassie.com/free-scuba-diving-travel-guides
3. Bring Cash:
Many remote islands have no ATMs and some ferries only accept cash. Keep small notes for porters, taxis, and entry fees.
4. Stay Flexible:
Weather delays and broken boats are part of the charm. Patience and humour go a long way.
5. Respect the Reef:
Your buoyancy is your signature. Leave bubbles, not footprints.
Watch the Full Raja Ampat Dive Series
Experience each dive site and local stay through our cinematic travel films:
Final Thoughts
Raja Ampat remains one of the most breathtaking marine ecosystems on Earth — but it’s also one of the most fragile.
Whether you stay in a $25 homestay or a €350 resort, your choices matter. Support ethical operators, dive responsibly, and speak up when you see harmful behaviour.
Our honest verdict?
For hardcore divers, the Dive Safari offers unmatched variety and local immersion.
For eco-luxury seekers, Biodiversity Resort provides comfort with conscience.
Either way, Raja Ampat will change you — reminding every diver that paradise, too, needs protection.
Affiliate Disclosure
This post contains affiliate links to trusted partners we personally use, including DAN Europe, SafetyWing, and Epidemic Sound. These help support our independent travel journalism — at no extra cost to you.
For 10% discount off the Dive Safari with Scuba Republic, simply include this article link with your booking and quote ‘Aaron and Cassie’
Written by: Cassie Foley
PADI & SSI Instructor (MSDT / OWSI) | Diving since 2016 | Teaching since 2019 | Komodo · Raja Ampat · Gili Islands · Maldives
Part of the Aaron & Cassie travel & underwater storytelling team
Frequently Asked Questions About Diving Raja Ampat
Q1: Is Raja Ampat good for beginner divers?
Raja Ampat’s currents can be strong and unpredictable, so it’s best suited to advanced or intermediate divers with at least 50 logged dives. Beginners can enjoy calmer sites such as Mioskon or Arborek Jetty with experienced guides.
Q2: Do Raja Ampat homestays have Wi-Fi and electricity?
Most Papuan homestays run on generators between 6 pm and 6 am and do not have reliable Wi-Fi. Resorts like Biodiversity offer 24-hour electricity and Starlink Wi-Fi for a few hours per day, they’re powered by solar and backup generators.
Q3: What is the cheapest way to dive Raja Ampat?
Joining a multi-day dive safari with local operators such as Scuba Republic is the most budget-friendly option, starting at USD $750 for 5 Days / 4 Nights per person including meals, homestays and dives.
Q4: When is the best time to dive Raja Ampat?
October to April is high season for manta encounters and calmer seas. May to September brings fewer tourists and excellent visibility but occasional rain and rougher crossings.
