Raja Ampat
Dive Jobs & Work Guide
Southwest Papua, Indonesia
Pay Range: USD $800–2,000+ /month
Living Cost: USD $400–700 /month (land-based)
High Season: Apr–Nov, Oct–Dec
Visa Info: Work KITAS (employer-sponsored)
Dive Focus: Guiding + Liveaboards + Adv Divers
Languages: English, German, French
What's the diving like?
Fish tornadoes, manta fly-bys, wobbegongs, and walls bursting with coral and colour. This is the most biodiverse marine ecosystem on Earth. Warm, clear, current-swept, and pristine. Many call it the last paradise.
Why work here?
Raja Ampat is remote, raw, and rewarding. You’ll trade convenience, Wi-Fi, and city life for untouched reefs, long days on boats, and total immersion in nature. It’s the ultimate destination for those who live for diving, not nightlife.
When do I apply?
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Main hiring: February–April for the April–November high season.
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Secondary hiring: August–September for the October–December surge.
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Spots fill early — most liveaboard and resort contracts are finalised by May.
What's the pay like?
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Land-based Instructors: USD $800–1,200 /month (12–18M IDR) — after rent and food, take-home is roughly $400–700.
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Liveaboard Instructors: USD $950–2,000+ /month (15–30M IDR) — food, cabin, and tips included, so most earnings are taken home.
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Divemasters / Guides: USD $600–1,000 /month depending on role and vessel.
Pay varies by Vessel/operation. Tips make the largest imact on income for Liveaboards.
What Visa is needed?
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You need a Work KITAS sponsored by your dive centre, which costs around USD $2,000/year. Some shops pay it in full; others deduct small amounts from your monthly wage until it’s covered.
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The legal minimum is an Instructor level for foreign work permits.
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It’s virtually impossible for non-Indonesians to legally work as divemasters in Indonesia.
Visa regulations can change, and working without the correct permit is illegal. This information is for general guidance only. Always confirm with Indonesian Immigration or your sponsoring dive centre.
What’s the industry like?
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Languages: English (essential), German, French, and Bahasa Indonesia are in high demand.
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Dive Focus: Guiding and marine interpretation, not entry-level training.
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Main Agencies: PADI is dominant, SSI follows. A few RAID/NAUI.
Item | $USD | Local (IDR) |
|---|---|---|
🍺 Beer (bar) | $3-$5 | 50-80,000 |
📱 SIM Card /month | $10-$15 | 150-230,000 |
🏠 Shared rent /month | $200-$450 | 3-7 million |
🚤 Boat Fuel /month
| $30-$50 | 450-750,000 |
🍜 Local Meal | $2.50-$4 | 40-60,000 |
☕ Coffee | $2-$3 | 30-45,000 |
Costs of Living (Oct 2025 avg)
What's life like at work?
Days start before sunrise, loading tanks under torchlight. Expect 2–4 dives daily, mostly guiding advanced divers across coral walls and cleaning stations. Conditions shift fast. Currents, tides, and logistics require skill and patience. There’s no backup shop, no spare compressor, and no city supply run. You fix problems or live without them.
How's life after work?
Life runs on island time. Staff stay in basic rooms on Kri, Waigeo, or Arborek with limited power and no supermarkets. Evenings mean guitars, Milo, and stargazing from the jetty. Liveaboard crews rest onboard between trips. Quiet, simple, and ocean-bound.
Is it for me?
Raja Ampat suits experienced, self-reliant instructors and guides who thrive on remoteness, routine, and ocean life. Perfect for those who want to push skills, live simply, and witness the richest reefs on Earth. Not for those who need nightlife or a constant signal.
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