Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat holds the record for the highest marine biodiversity on Earth, with 75% of the world's coral species found across its 1,500 islands. A single dive site like Cape Kri hosts 374 fish species per transect, a count that outperforms #4's Komodo waters by 30% in species density. The archipelago spans 4.6 million hectares of protected sea, making it 50% larger than the runner-up in marine area. Entry costs $150 for a permit, cheaper than the typical rival's liveaboard packages, yet the seclusion yields pristine reefs visible at 30-meter depths. This remote paradise delivers unmatched underwater abundance.