Palau vs Raja Ampat — Dive Destination Comparison
Raja Ampat (Indonesia) scores 81.4/100 vs Palau's 81.1/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Palau for wall diving with 18–46m visibility. Choose Raja Ampat for reef diving at ~$180/dive.
Last updated: 2026-05-20
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Palau | Raja Ampat |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 81.1/100 | 81.4/100 |
| Country | Palau | Indonesia |
| Visibility | 18--46m | 15--30m |
| Water temp | 27--30 C | 26--30 C |
| Max depth | 61m | 40m |
| Current | strong | variable |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $160 | $180 |
| Budget tier | luxury | luxury |
| Best months | October, November, December | October, November, December |
| Dive types | wall, drift, wreck, reef, cave, blue water | reef, wall, drift, muck, mangrove |
| Min certification | Advanced Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | grey reef shark, manta ray, napoleon wrasse | manta ray, wobbegong shark, pygmy seahorse |
| Google rating | 4.8 (2100 reviews) | 4.9 (2850 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Palau when...
- + Marine life enthusiasts seeking grey reef shark encounters
- + Wreck diving enthusiasts
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Wide-angle photographers wanting crystal visibility
Skip if
- - You're uncomfortable in strong currents
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You're on a tight budget — avg $160/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 81.1), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Palau is more affordable ($160 vs $180/dive). Palau has better peak visibility (46m vs 30m).