Raja Ampat · Month comparison
March vs May
May ranks #1 overall vs March at #6. Pre-peak sweet spot — dry season has arrived, visibility at 25–30m, and the crowds haven't caught up with the conditions yet.
March
#6 of 12 months
Strong option
Transition month — rain is still heavy but calming seas make Wayag's karst lagoons accessible more days than January.
- ↑Wayag karst lagoon island-hopping becomes more reliable as seas calm
- ↑Manta rays still active at both cleaning stations through March
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 | March | May |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 7 | 9 |
| Value score | 5 | 7 |
| Crowd score | 5 | 7 |
| Events score | 4 | 3 |
| Atmosphere | 8 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 30°C | 31°C |
| Monthly rain | 160mm | 95mm |
| Daily sunshine | 6hrs | 7hrs |
March trade-offs
- ↓160mm rain continues — overcast skies limit snorkelling light in shallow reefs
- ↓Homestay operators on remote islands may have boat fuel supply issues
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 →