Page 105 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019

Raja Ampat (The Four Kings) Raja Ampat (The Four Kings)

Whilst Raja Ampat is an area of extreme conservation efforts in the area, the support
beauty which boasts some of the world’s of local government and the success of ‘no-
richest and most diverse reefs there have take zones’, such as that established in the
been destructive fishing practices in the Misool region, shark numbers are increasing,
past and some areas have been over fished. biomass is flourishing and Raja Ampat looks
That being said, with the growing number of set to get better and better!

Dive Site and Marine
Life Highlights in Raja Snorkeling
Ampat and Freediving
Raja Ampat dive sites are all Highlights in Raja
about diversity and abundance. Ampat
RAJA AMPAT Whether you are looking to dive with pelagics Just hearing the name “Raja Ampat”,
or critters Raja Ampat has it all. Highlights
include: Large schools of fish, manta rays, reef
(The Four Kings) sharks, wobbegong sharks, walking sharks, will conjure up colourful reef scenes
turtles, Spanish mackerel, tuna, barracuda,
and schools of kaleidoscopic reef fish in
pygmy sea horses, nudibranches galore, ghost
pipefish, cuttlefish, crustaceans and stunning most snorkelers and freedivers minds
pristine coral reefs. – they will not be disappointed. While
ristine coral, phenomenal biomass, between October and June due to the some of the sea mount dive sites do not
endemic species, pelagics, diverse monsoon season. You’ll find a multitude of dive site topographies lend themselves to snorkeling, there are
Preefscapes, warm clear water all set from walls, slopes, drop offs through to sandy a myriad of pristine reefs just waiting to
amidst tropical islands in one of the most Raja Ampat is remote; the plus side of this bottoms, swim throughs and sea mounts be explored.
stunning areas of natural beauty on earth – it is that the reefs and islands have escaped but one thing they all have in common is an
is no wonder that Raja Ampat features on mass tourism such as that found in other abundance of life and colour. Manta rays are a big highlight of Raja
most discerning divers top 5 places to visit. areas such as the Gili islands and Bali. The Ampat and can be seen at sites such
reefs are amongst the most pristine in the For those hoping to dive with Manta Rays, both as Manta Sandy in the Dampier Strait
Raja Ampat has something to offer to world and with the assistance of several Blue Magic and Manta Sandy should be on the from the surface. In addition to mantas,
everyone from beginners to seasoned divers NGO’s approximately 50% of Raja Ampat is check list. For an abundance of schooling fish, snorkelers and freedivers can expect
with walls, slopes, canyons, sea mounts covered by an MPA. In 2007 the government the aptly named Sardine Reef is hard to beat to see sting rays, reef sharks, turtles,
and drifts to calm lagoons. The quality of of Raja Ampat introduced a tag system and for sheer diversity and stunning beauty dolphin pods from the boat and even
the coral and the sheer volume of fish are similar to that used in North Sulawesi. The Cape Kri is a firm favourite of many divers. breaching whales and dugongs – there
difficult to match, not only in Indonesia, revenue generated is divided up as follows: is not much that Raja Ampat cannot
but in the world. Gorgonian fans grow local government (30%), conservation / In the Misool area of Raja Ampat, the world deliver. When you are not marveling at
to be meters across, soft corals provide patrols (28%), administration costs (14%) renowned dive sites such as Fiabacet, Boo, some of the more iconic visitors to these
kaleidoscope colors and when looking up the and community initiatives (14%). Individuals Yilliet, Wobbegong City and Magic Mountain waters, the underwater reef scenes,
reef it can feel like you are underneath a fish can purchase tags from the Raja Ampat certainly live up to their reputations. In Misool,
express way as schools of juvenile fusiliers, Marine office but usually your operator even the most seasoned of divers cannot help vibrant colours, abundance of life and
sweepers, cardinal fish and glass fish stream will arrange this for you – a passport sized but be impressed by the health of the reefs, stunning topside scenery will take your
overhead, taking a look out to the blue photograph and photocopy of your passport the abundance of fish and the phenomenal breath away time and time again.
the scene is no less dynamic – schooling is required. underwater topographies. For anyone shooting
trigger fish, mature fusiliers, surgeon fish wide angle underwater images, Misool is an
and banner fish persistently swim into the The remoteness of Raja Ampat does have absolute must!
current only interrupted by the passing of some drawbacks however; don’t plan on
patrolling pelagics; sharks, tunas, trevally being able to keep calling the office from
and barracudas frequently cruise by. here - telephone communication in some
areas is impossible and whilst access to Areas to Visit in Raja Ampat
Advance booking is highly recommended – internet is available in resorts, it can be
there is a capped limit of 40 liveaboards in frustratingly slow and connections are not - Sorong and the Dampier Strait
the area and shore based resorts become always successful. - Misool
fully booked. The best time for travel is
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Wonderful Indonesia Diving and Snorkeling Directory