Page 106 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019

THE DAMPIER STRAIT The Dampier Strait

Dive Site and Marine Life Highlights of Dampier Strait

Manta Rays are of course a big attraction beside bommies which are literally
here and with dive sites like Manta Sandy shrouded in glass fish. This site is one
and Blue Magic close by, an encounter of Raja Ampat’s most famous and never
is almost guaranteed. No two dive sites fails to impress even the most seasoned
are the same and it’s hard not to be of divers.
impressed with every single site. Some of
the firm favorites of regular Dampier Strait The Passage dive site just has to be dived
divers include Sardine Reef, Cape Kri, The to be believed – this is one of the most
Passage, Mikes Point and although it is unique diving opportunities in this region
further to travel, a trip to the Fam Islands and a melting pot of reef and rainforest.
is highly recommended. This narrow passage between limestone
islands is overhung by mangrove and
Sardine Reef is an offshore reef which tree canopies and it feels as though you
is simply teeming with fish including are diving in a jungle. There is usually
aja Ampat is the world’s huge schools of surgeonfish, jacks, current here as the water rushes between
most bio-diverse Conditions batfish, fusiliers, rainbow runners, and the islands and that adds to the effect of
Rmarine region with trevally but no sardines! When you’re diving in a jungle river! The main highlight
not looking at the tightly packed schools
here is the unique nature of this site
more recorded fish, coral and Diving and snorkeling conditions in the Dampier this is a great site for macro life including which also features a large underwater
mollusc species than anywhere Strait are good all year round. The climate nudibranch, mantis shrimps, pygmy cavern. Look out for the archerfish in
else on the planet. The variety of West Papua has no particular dry or rainy seahorses, octopus, cuttlefish and if the shallows which fire jets of spit at
of marine life which you can season. The summer months are windier, that’s not enough, look out for the resting insects in the tree canopy, shooting
see in the Dampier Strait can some resorts, especially in the south (Misool wobbegong sharks under the table corals. them down for their next meal! This is
also an excellent site for nudibranch and
be staggering. No two islands area), will close due to rougher conditions. The Cape Kri is a record breaker of a site with reef sharks are often spotted here. For
Dampier Strait has an almost equatorial climate
or islets are alike, and no and occasional tropical rainfall showers are the 374 species of fish being counted in one underwater photographers the sunbeam
two dive sites the same. The standard throughout the year. single dive! The stunning reef top is a passing through the tree canopy and
steep-sided walls of the rocks kaleidoscope of colours. Healthy, vibrant illuminating the stunning soft corals and
are shaped by wind and water. Visibility tends to be the best during the soft and hard corals create a beautiful gorgonian fans creates breathtaking
garden which black and white tip sharks
wide-angle opportunities.
Soft, vanilla-coloured, sandy summer months in the Dampier Strait (May to pass through, reef fish swarm around
September). Visibility tends to be influenced
bays are ideal for spending by high plankton concentrations that guarantee and turtles lazily cruise by. If you venture One of the most talked about Raja Ampat
time exploring between dives. pelagic encounters – especially manta ray deeper you’ll find schools of sweetlips dive sites in the Dampier Straight is
sightings. In general visibility ranges between Mike’s Point, renowned for it’s challenging
The Dampier Strait is one 15-30 meters. currents and adjacent to Kerupiar Island.
The story is that Kerupiar Island was
of the most accessible Currents are a constant component and must bombed by Allied planes during WWII
regions of Raja Ampat (from be considered when planning the dives. More after being mistakenly identified as a
Sorong) and is a very popular current really does mean more fish but dives Japanese ship. Where the chunks of rocks
liveaboard location. A number can be timed for calmer conditions for less were blown off, magnificent crevices and
overhangs were created – perfect for an
of land based resorts are also experienced divers. array of macro subjects. Ascending on
available. a great wall, there is usually a group of
Water temperature is a constant 28 or 29
degrees Celsius all year round. sweetlips smiling at the cameras. Since

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