The Banda Sea trip I did spent a few days in Misool at the end of the trip.
After my Banda Sea trip I did another 10 day LOB thru the entire Raja Ampat region. ( Back to back LOB? I figured I was going all that way, and I was celebrating turning 50 what the hell, why not?)
Both trips were epic.
My evaluation is
Banda- the hammers were cool, we did alot of swimming in the blue doing looking for hammers, it's freaky having no refrence besides other divers. The other dive sites thru Banda were excellent.
Manuk Island is really cool above and below, we came cruising up as the sun was rising and the sea birds taking off for the day was incredible. And it's got sea snakes, lots of sea snakes. We saw a few hammers here also. I lucked out here also seeing barrel sponges spawn. None of the dives on this trip did I say after "that was crap"
How would I compare it to central and north of Raja. North is mostly hard coral, nice and yes Melissa's Garden is spectacular, but it's not my fave part.
Central has some really great diving but many are current prone. It has a lots of hard coral and soft coral, great fish life, and the current can really run. Yes here I had one of those "that was crap" dives. due to timing we dropped in at with high current sand spent the first 20 minutes kicking like mad around the leeside of the reef, (my buddy was an 74 year woman, my new hero at that time she did OK but was in agreement "that was crap"),
Then we got separated and did my search during which I found another group who were struggling, I floated my SMB and we all did our safety stop while holding on for dear life. The groups were scattered all over. Yes, a " that was crap" dive probably affects how much I like Central Raja Ampat. Central Raja has great diving that's for sure.
I Love the south of Raja Ampat, Misool has quote a few spectacular sites. Some can be absolutely mind blowing. Amazing reefscapes, Oceanic Mantas, fish everywhere, what's not to love?
Given my evaluation I would probably go for a Banda trip ending with a few days in South Raja Ampat.
Other people's experiences and yours may differ from mine.