Raja Ampat · Month comparison
April vs May
May ranks #1 overall vs April at #3. Pre-peak sweet spot — dry season has arrived, visibility at 25–30m, and the crowds haven't caught up with the conditions yet.
April
#3 of 12 months
Best match
Dry season building — visibility improves week by week, manta rays still present, and Wayag lagoon open almost every day.
- ↑Wayag lagoon accessible most days — the aerial view hike above the karst pinnacles is feasible
- ↑Improving visibility: 20–25m in most reef dive sites
May
#1 of 12 months
Best match
Pre-peak sweet spot — dry season has arrived, visibility at 25–30m, and the crowds haven't caught up with the conditions yet.
- ↑25–30m visibility in dive sites including the famous Cape Kri fish count spot
- ↑Liveaboard prices still 15–20% below July–August peak
| Factor | April | May |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 8 | 9 |
| Value score | 5 | 7 |
| Crowd score | 5 | 7 |
| Events score | 4 | 3 |
| Atmosphere | 9 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 31°C | 31°C |
| Monthly rain | 130mm | 95mm |
| Daily sunshine | 6.5hrs | 7hrs |
April trade-offs
- ↓Liveaboard boats at near-peak prices as peak season approaches
- ↓Some homestays booked 3–4 months ahead for May–October
May trade-offs
- ↓Some liveaboard routes still avoiding southern passages until June
- ↓Fewer dive operators running than July–August — less schedule flexibility
Scores compare months within Raja Ampat. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →