This is the comparison that marine enthusiasts argue about in dive forums, on liveaboard boats, and at post-dive bars across the planet. Palau (Micronesia) and Raja Ampat (Indonesia) both have legitimate claims to the title of "world's best underwater destination." Having been to both, here's my honest breakdown.
Both sit in the Coral Triangle — the marine biodiversity hotspot of the planet. Both are remote. Both are expensive by regional standards. And both deliver underwater experiences that nothing else on Earth matches.
But they're different in almost every way that matters for trip planning.
Palau's strength is large marine life density. Blue Corner consistently delivers grey reef sharks (packs of 20+), Napoleon wrasse, barracuda schools, and eagle rays on a single dive. German Channel offers near-guaranteed manta ray encounters (December-April). The variety of shark species is exceptional.
Jellyfish Lake — millions of stingless golden jellyfish — has no equivalent anywhere on Earth. WWII wrecks add a unique dimension.
Total coral species: ~400. Total fish species: ~1,400.
Raja Ampat holds the world record for the highest fish count ever recorded on a single dive — 374 species in one hour. The coral diversity is staggering — 600+ species, more than any other area studied. The soft coral gardens are the most photogenic underwater landscapes on the planet.
Raja Ampat also has excellent pelagic encounters — manta rays at Manta Sandy and Manta Ridge, wobbegong sharks under jetties, and walking sharks (epaulette sharks) on night dives.
Total coral species: ~600. Total fish species: ~1,700+.
Verdict: Raja Ampat for biodiversity breadth. Palau for large animal density and unique experiences (Jellyfish Lake).
Current diving is the norm. Blue Corner, Blue Holes, and Ulong Channel have strong currents that attract pelagics but require experience. Reef hooks are standard equipment. Visibility: 15-30+ meters in dry season.
Water temperature: 28-30°C year-round. 3mm wetsuit or shorty.
Recommended: Advanced Open Water minimum for the best sites.
Conditions vary dramatically by site. Some sites have strong currents (Cape Kri, Blue Magic); others are calm muck dives. The variety means beginners and experts both find appropriate sites. Visibility varies: 10-25 meters (nutrient-rich water reduces clarity but feeds the biodiversity).
Water temperature: 27-30°C. 3mm wetsuit.
Accessible to: Open Water and above for many sites, though the best pelagic sites need current experience.
Verdict: Palau for consistent current diving with reliable large animal encounters. Raja Ampat for a wider range of dive conditions and styles.
The Rock Islands — 445 mushroom-shaped limestone islands — are a UNESCO World Heritage Site accessible by kayak and boat. Milky Way Lagoon (natural mud spa), WWII battlefields on Peleliu, and Ngardmau Waterfall on Babeldaob add non-diving dimensions.
Koror has restaurants, bars, and a modest nightlife. It's a small town (11,000 people) but functional.
Above-water activities are limited. The Pianemo viewpoint offers a stunning panorama of mushroom islands (similar to Palau's Rock Islands). Village visits to Arborek and Sawinggrai provide cultural experiences. But Raja Ampat is overwhelmingly an underwater destination.
Accommodation is remote — eco-lodges and homestays on small islands with limited infrastructure. Getting there requires flights to Sorong (Papua) plus a 2-4 hour boat transfer.
Verdict: Palau for above-water variety. Raja Ampat for underwater-focused immersion.
| Category | Palau | Raja Ampat |
|---|---|---|
| Flights from major hub | $400-800 RT (from Manila/Taipei) | $200-500 RT (from Jakarta/Bali to Sorong) |
| Environmental permits | $150 (PPEF + dive permit) | $1,000,000 IDR (~$65 for marine conservation fee) |
| Accommodation | $100-300/night (Koror hotels) | $80-250/night (eco-lodges/homestays) |
| Diving (2-tank) | $120-180 | $80-150 |
| Day tour (snorkel/islands) | $100-150 | $50-120 |
| Daily budget (mid-range) | $200-300 | $150-250 |
Verdict: Raja Ampat is slightly cheaper overall, especially for diving.
Flights from Manila (2 hours), Taipei (3.5 hours), Seoul (4.5 hours), and Guam (2 hours). Relatively straightforward. Koror has hotels, restaurants, and dive shops within easy reach.
Fly to Sorong (West Papua, Indonesia) from Jakarta (4 hours) or Bali (3.5 hours). Then a 2-4 hour boat transfer to your island lodge or liveaboard. More remote, more complicated, and weather can delay boats.
Verdict: Palau is significantly easier to reach and navigate.
Both destinations are conservation leaders.
Palau: 80% of waters are a National Marine Sanctuary. The Palau Pledge (immigration promise to protect the environment). Reef-harmful sunscreen banned. Strong enforcement.
Raja Ampat: Marine Protected Area since 2007. Conservation fee funds patrol boats that combat illegal fishing. Shark finning banned. The marine conservation fee directly funds enforcement.
Verdict: Both are exemplary. Palau's national-level commitment (Palau Pledge, sanctuary) is slightly more comprehensive.
Beginner divers: Raja Ampat — more variety in dive conditions, calmer sites available.
Advanced current divers: Palau — Blue Corner, Ulong Channel, and Peleliu Corner are world-class drift dives.
Photographers: Raja Ampat — the soft coral gardens and macro life are unmatched for underwater photography.
Shark lovers: Palau — more shark species, higher density, more reliable encounters.
Snorkelers: Tie — both offer excellent snorkeling, but Palau's Jellyfish Lake is a unique non-diving experience.
Non-divers: Palau — the Rock Islands, Jellyfish Lake, WWII history, and Koror's infrastructure make it more rounded.
Budget travelers: Raja Ampat — lower costs across the board, especially with homestays.
First-time Coral Triangle visitors: Palau — easier logistics, more above-water variety.
For a larger-scale reef experience, the Great Barrier Reef stretches 2,300 km along Australia's coast.
Travelers seeking both world-class diving and lagoon beauty often pair Palau with Bora Bora.
For a more accessible Pacific island trip, Fiji offers solid diving and easier logistics.
I've done 30+ dives in Palau and 40+ in Raja Ampat. If forced to choose one (a cruel exercise), I'd say this:
Raja Ampat made me a better diver. The biodiversity is so dense that every dive teaches you to see differently — to notice the pygmy seahorse on the fan coral, the mantis shrimp in the rubble, the nudibranch on the sponge.
Palau made me feel small. The sharks at Blue Corner, the jellyfish pulsing in their lake, the WWII wrecks being slowly consumed by coral — Palau confronts you with scale, time, and the persistence of nature.
Do both. Start with whichever is logistically easier from your location. But do both.
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