Supreme Luxury Raja Ampat Peak Season Liveaboard 2026

Photography Workshop

Join us from February 2 - 13, 2026 for some of the most amazing diving in the world on one of Indonesia's most luxurious liveaboards with a maximum of only 12 divers!

Why Join This Trip?

Discover why our Raja trips are the pinnacle of diving with insane biodiversity
Raja is considered by many to be their #1 top bucket list dive destination in the world
11-night route dives the absolute best of Raja, including top north & south dive sites
With only 12 guests, the Damai I delivers the top luxury liveaboard experience in the world
Manta rays, wobbegong sharks, mind-blowing corals and schooling fish, highest marine diversity in the world
Includes FREE optional photo workshop
Fully refundable deposit until 18 months from departure.

February 2 - 13, 2026

Trip Leader: Mike Smith

11 Nights for:

Double Cabin: $7,040

Master Cabin 5: $7,590

Master Cabin 6: $8,360

Single Cabin: $9,390

Cabin 7: $6,275

Prices are per person and include dive gear, massages, and laundry. Read the package details here

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Trip Overview

The jewel-like islands of Raja Ampat are caressed by a convergence of swift nutrient-rich currents. Here the pulse of marine life thrives from the sea floor to the surface where the kaleidoscope of corals can start in less than a meter of water.

There are sites that are so pristine and packed with growth, that a photographer is hard-pressed to find a spot to place a steadying finger. Exotic sea life and macro critters abound, of course, and photo opportunities border on overwhelming. But at the end of the day, the most memorable moments for us are what can rarely be captured in digital format: the incredible experience of drifting along miles of exquisite reef brimming with a rainbow of hues and activity, the likes of which few have ever experienced.

Read all about our 2023 trip to Raja Ampat here.

The Damai I has been specifically designed for cruising and diving in the tropical waters of Indonesia, with passenger well-being always the top priority. Equipped with the latest navigation, communication and safety equipment, the DIVE DAMAI fleet sets a new standard for safety as well as comfort, service and passenger amenities.

Of course, even the best ship is only as good as her crew, and this is another area where DIVE DAMAI shines. Every trip is managed by a highly qualified and experienced western cruise director, complimented by an ever-helpful Indonesian crew, all of whom are dedicated to making your diving holiday the trip of a lifetime.

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Marine Life to Photograph

Raja Ampat has one of the highest numbers of fish species of anywhere on the planet. Here are just a few examples of marine life you're likely to see: wobbegong sharks, jacks, barracuda, Napoleon wrasse, trevally, bumphead parrotfish, pygmy seahorses, batfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, barramundi cod, and a good variety of nudibranchs.

If you look a little deeper when the current picks up, you can see reef sharks at most sites, especially at places like Blue Magic and Sardines. These are also prime locations for schooling fish, which tend to gather when the current is running. At such times, it’s not unusual to be surrounded by clouds of fusiliers and surgeonfish in mid-water, while legions of sweetlips completely obscure large coral heads below.

See also: Raja Ampat Dive Travel Guide

Weather Conditions

Average Raja water temperatures in Raja Ampat are in the low to mid-80s. A full 3mm wetsuit is recommended.

Read the reviews on diving Raja Ampat here

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Inclusions

FREE daily photo workshops and tutorials
FREE Nitrox
Accommodations in a standard cabin, double occupancy
All meals and drinks while on board (excluding wine and spirits). One glass of wine per person each night will be complimentary.
Unlimited daytime diving and night dives (as per request and schedule permitting)
Full rental gear
Tanks, weights, and weight belts
Laundry service
Massages
Land tours and group activities organized by Dive Damai during the cruise
Government taxes
Return transfers to/from the vessel to/from the airport or hotel on the day of embarkation and disembarkation, within a distance of 20km

Exclusions

All vessel port and harbour fees ($440 per person, subject to change)
National Park/maritime areas entrance fee ($150 per person, subject to change)
Dive insurance MANDATORY
Travel insurance MANDATORY
Airfare to and from Sorong. Please ask us for airfare assistance if required
Visa, hotels, and food ashore before and after the cruise
Gratuity

Trip Type

This trip is a PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP. It will be led by one of our photo instructors who will provide daily instructional tutorials, in-water photography support (when appropriate), and one-to-one advice and guidance, as required. Each workshop offers a bespoke syllabus, crafted by the trip leader and detailed on the trip webpage. While our Photography Workshops are aimed at divers with an interest in underwater photography, anyone is welcome to join.

Learn more about what's included in this trip type.

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Trip Schedule

The itinerary can be variable and will be planned according to the direction of the trip leader and cruise director on board. They will have a good idea at that time of the conditions at the various locations. A typical itinerary would include the following locations:

Days 1 - 3: Dampier Strait, Arborek, Waigeo, Aljui Bay (all considered to be Northern Raja Ampat)
Days 4 - 7: Move to "Southern Raja Ampat" - Bo'o, Fiabacet, Daram, Balbulol
Days 8 - 10: Slowly move north back to Sorong - Batanta, Yanggefo, Kri, etc.

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About The Damai I

The vessel has 7 staterooms with a choice of single cabins, twins, doubles or two spacious master cabins. Cabins 1 and 3 can be configured with a double bed or two single beds, while Cabins 2 and 3 contain a double bed. Cabin 5 and 6 are the biggest cabin at 40sq. meters and 35sq. meters, respectively. Both can have a king-sized bed or two large single beds and offer an amazing view of the ocean. Cabin 6 also comes with its own private balcony. Cabin 7 can be configured with a king double or twin beds and has direct access to the sun deck. All cabins come complete with a desk, wardrobe, reading lights, and a bedside table. All rooms are also fully airconditioned.

DAMAI I's Cabin 1 and 2

Cabins 5, 6 & 7

En-suite Bathrooms

Read the reviews of the Damai I here.

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Flight Information

The trip will begin and end in Sorong. The recommended route is to fly internationally to Jakarta and then take a domestic transfer to Sorong. We recommend arriving into Sorong at least 1 day before embarkation to allow time to rest and for delayed flights/baggage. We are happy to assist you with flight suggestions and hotel bookings if required.

Flight Package

Our group trips attract guests from all over the globe and many of our customers prefer to book their own flights to take advantage of mileage points or credit card discounts. For these reasons, flights are not included in our group trip packages.

However, we are more than happy to work with you to find the best travel itinerary for your trip and will gladly give suggestions and advice, even if you make the final booking. We will check through your travel reservations at any time to ensure they fit with the trip schedule and can give recommendations on transit hotels and day tours where needed.

If you would like us to book flights, hotels, and transfers for your domestic and/or international travel on your behalf, we are also happy to arrange this. Please be advised that there is a 10% fee for this service to cover our booking and administration costs.

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About the Trip Leader

Mike Smith is a professional photographer currently living in Singapore. A British citizen, he was born in Africa and was brought up in Asia and South America while attending British boarding schools. Mike retired early from a corporate executive career to follow his long held dream to be a professional photographer. Around the same time Mike resumed his love of diving and it was a natural progression take his camera with him. Mike has dived extensively throughout South East Asia and always with his camera. Specialising in macro photography and specifically creative lighting techniques underwater, he has built up an extensive portfolio of images, some of which can be found on his website mjsphotostudios.com. Mike’s goal in leading workshops, first and foremost, is that everyone has a fun time and leave feeling they've learned something new and created images they are proud of.

Learn more about Mike here.

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Recommended Scuba Gear

3mm wetsuit. Browse Wetsuits at Bluewater Photo
SMB. The Mares Dive Marker Buoy is our choice!
Skins. Check out these sharkskins.
Snorkel gear. We recommend the Cressi ZS1 & Corsica Snorkeling Package
Travel BCD. Read our Best Travel BCD Article
Travel regulator. We suggest Mares Ultra 62X Dive Regulator

Payment Schedule

Deposit to confirm trip: $1,200
$1,200 due January 1, 2025
$1,200 due August 1, 2025
Balance due: November 1, 2025

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Want to Extend Your Trip?

We can help with that! See more of Indonesia before or after your trip with Bluewater. Flying all that way merits a multi-facceted vacation! Here are some examples of packages we can add on to your trip reservation:

*Rates are subject to change at any time; please contact us for the most updated pricing.

2 Night/3 Day Arrival Package at Meridian Dive Adventures

Price: $575 per person (double occupancy), $799 per person (single occupancy)

We have created the following Meridian Dive Adventures arrival package to make your stay in Sorong more pleasant and allow you time to adjust and carry out a check-dive before joining the Damai. As an added bonus, the Damai will pick you up from the resort jetty on embarkation day to avoid the transfer back to Sorong.