Weather Raja Ampat

[DiveCat1984]

Hallo,

We are planning a trip to Raja Ampat this winter (around Christmas to mid-January). We would be located on Pulau Gam and do land-based diving.
I am still unsure about the weather. I found many pages on the Internet saying that October to April is the best season due to not raining much and the sea being calm. However, I also found the information that the region’s most and heavy rainfall happens in December and January. What is correct?
I understand that rain is possible throughout the year in the tropics, however, as this trip costs loads of money, I would like to make sure before booking if it’s worth diving there in December/January or not.

Can anyone share his/her personal experience about this region in December/January with me?

Thanks a lot and greetings from Germany!

 

[Hintermann]

I have asked this question myself many times and the general opinion is that in Raja Ampat, good outside weather does not necessarily mean good diving conditions at the same time. An RA regular once told me that that best time to dive there is between mid-October and mid-December; I therefore arranged to go there in mid-November this year. That would be into their rainy season but not quite the heavy stuff AFAIK.

Congrats by the way for Germany winning the World Cup!

 

[highdesert]

As far as when the rainy "season" is there, a dive guide experienced in the area told me, all year. But you're going during prime time. Will you get some rain? Maybe. But they're likely to be sporadic, short, afternoon showers, maybe heavy, and not regularly at that. Or it could be bone dry.

 

[DiveCat1984]

Thanks for your info. We decided to book the trip.

 

[Tippytoes12]

Hi there

Yes , good idea. We spent Christmas on a LOB in RA , the weather was perfect, with just a few showers. It is the dry season in RA, all the boats move the there from Komodo around October.

Have a wonderful trip...and well done to Germany on your World Cup victory...the best team won x

 

[jake11]

We were there in December and had great weather! There were some showers but nothing that stopped any part of our trip. Have fun!