Getting around Raja Ampat is by boat — there are no roads between the islands and no inter-island ferry system. The two main options are liveaboard dive boats and basing yourself at a resort or guesthouse and paying for day trips.
Liveaboards allow you to cover the most ground and reach the remote sites around Wayag, Misool, and the outer reefs. They range from basic converted fishing boats to luxury sailing yachts. Booking months in advance is essential for peak season (October–April).
For land-based visitors, most resorts and guesthouses include a speedboat and driver in their rates; day trips to dive sites and viewpoints are charged separately. The budget option is to stay in one of the small local guesthouses (homestays) on islands like Kri or Arborek, which are close to some of the best dive sites, and hire boat trips locally. This is significantly cheaper than the resort option and gives you more independence.
Waisai is connected to the surrounding islands by public speedboats and water taxis, but schedules are irregular.