Maldives vs Raja Ampat — Dive Destination Comparison
Raja Ampat (Indonesia) scores 81.4/100 vs Maldives's 78.8/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Maldives for channel diving with 15–40m visibility. Choose Raja Ampat for reef diving at ~$180/dive.
Last updated: 2026-05-20
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Maldives | Raja Ampat |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 78.8/100 | 81.4/100 |
| Country | Maldives | Indonesia |
| Visibility | 15--40m | 15--30m |
| Water temp | 27--30 C | 26--30 C |
| Max depth | 40m | 40m |
| Current | variable | variable |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $150 | $180 |
| Budget tier | ultra luxury | luxury |
| Best months | January, February, March | October, November, December |
| Dive types | channel, reef, drift, night, pelagic, cleaning station | reef, wall, drift, muck, mangrove |
| Min certification | Advanced Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | manta ray, whale shark, grey reef shark | manta ray, wobbegong shark, pygmy seahorse |
| Google rating | 4.8 (9500 reviews) | 4.9 (2850 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Maldives when...
- + Marine life enthusiasts seeking manta ray encounters
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Couples where one partner doesn't dive
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You're on a tight budget — avg $150/dive
Choose Raja Ampat when...
- + Marine life enthusiasts seeking manta ray encounters
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Dedicated divers willing to commit to a liveaboard trip
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You're on a tight budget — avg $180/dive
- - You get seasick or prefer shore-based diving
Bottom line
Raja Ampat wins on overall score (81.4 vs 78.8), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Maldives is more affordable ($150 vs $180/dive). Maldives has better peak visibility (40m vs 30m).