Raja Ampat, or ‘Four Kings’ as it translates, refers to the four islands: Misool, Batanta, Salawati and Waigeo. They are located to the northwest tip of Indonesia’s west Papua, also known as the ‘Bird’s Head’. In recent years scientists have began to believe that this region may hold the world’s richest marine biodiversity. This in turn has led to a significant amount of interest from the diving community, even in spite of its remote proximity.
Raja Ampat archipelago stretching on the west side of West Papua Province. This archipelago has a total area of land and sea around 9.8 million acres. Famous as the heart of the world's coral triangle (from the world's 537 known coral species, 75% were in Reja Ampat) and is recognized as one of the locations with the highest diversity of marine life.
Raja Ampat is one of the regencies in the province of West Papua, Indonesia. This district capital is located in Waisai. With a total of 610 islands, only 35 islands are inhabited. Others are uninhabited and unnamed. The district has a population of 31,000 with a total area of about 46,000 km2; 6000 km2 land, while the other 40,000 km2 is water. From Waisai, travelers must take a boat ride as far as 71 km to arrive in Mansuar, Raja Ampat.
The Dive Sites
All divers recognize the Raja Ampat is one of the best dive destination in the world. Until now diving in Indonesia has been held in very high regard by the international dive community, Raja Ampat is just another frontier destination so far relatively undiscovered on offer to the diver willing step off the path.
The reef ecosystems in this area are fed by powerful currents that bring an abundance of coral larvae from the Pacific and Indian Ocean. Above the surface one can expect dramatic limestone cliffs, blue lagoons, and underwater caves whilst underwater a myriad of reef fish and colourful corals bring this incredible part of the world to life. There are also relics of the plane wreck of World War II.
Raja Ampat is well known for both its pelagics and macro life. Manta Rays are common sightings at many of the dive sites as they come to feed on the plankton rich waters. Shark numbers have been steadily increasing over the years as a result of the positive actions taken by community groups in the area including dive resorts and liveaboards that operate in the area.
Pygmy Seahorses are icons for diving in Indonesia. Others are such as Frog Fish, Ghost Pipefish, Star Gazers and more. The weedy pygmy seahorse is an even newer discovery. First recorded in the Banda Sea in 2000, they are now regularly seen at Wakatobi and the Lembeh Strait. The Raja Ampat area is another good place to find them. This species is the smallest and most cryptic. They seem to move around more than other species, making them even harder to pinpoint.
- Manta Point. Located in Arborek in Dampier strait, you can dive while watching the acrobatic attraction manta ray, the giant stingrays. You can also see some unique species such as Pigmy seahorses (mini sea horses), and endemic fish species in Raja Ampat, namely eviota king, a type of gobbie fish.
- Sardines Reef. With the fast and warm current, make time to watch wobbegong shark with root-like beard around his mouth. Divers can also find white tip shark, lion fish, blue dot sting rays, stone fish, and anemone fish in this spot.
- Bird of Paradise Bay. Meet the belle of the Raja Ampat: Kalabia, the walking shark! This endemic fish species which had once stunned the world is a new species from genus hemiscylliidae. This fish can be found in nocturnal conditions around Little Lagoon, Fam Island Area, and Ju Island, Kawe Island Area.
- Sardines Reef. With the fast and warm current, make time to watch wobbegong shark with root-like beard around his mouth. Divers can also find white tip shark, lion fish, blue dot sting rays, stone fish, and anemone fish in this spot.
- Bird of Paradise Bay. Meet the belle of the Raja Ampat: Kalabia, the walking shark! This endemic fish species which had once stunned the world is a new species from genus hemiscylliidae. This fish can be found in nocturnal conditions around Little Lagoon, Fam Island Area, and Ju Island, Kawe Island Area.
How to Get There
Visiting these islands is not too difficult although it takes time and considerable cost. We can use the airline flights from Jakarta to Sorong via Manado. Other options are Jakarta-Makassar-Sorong or Jakarta-Denpasar-Sorong. From Airport Domne Eduard Osok, Sorong, the trip continued with 1.5 to 2 hour speedboat ride at the rate of ± Rp 3 million (one way) to Waisai, the district capital. Facilities available are fast ships with a capacity of 10, 15, or 30 people. From Waisai, it will take about 3-4 hours to reach Mansuar, Raja Ampat. Generally, travelers choose to explore by renting the Raja Ampat liveaboard. Others choose to stay resorts are available in several islands, of course, the following tour packages.
The best dive time: April to October
Accommodation
Papua Diving Resort, the only exotic resort that offers underwater tours in the region, visited by tourists and diving enthusiasts for days and some of them even stayed for months. They seemed to not want to go back to their own countries because they have found an "island paradise second to none on this earth." Max Ammer, owner of Papua Diving Resort, is also the pioneer in driving marine tourism in this region. He started his business eight years ago, and now each year the resort welcomes at least 4000 tourists who spent an average of two weeks.
Lodging is very simple, only woven walls and thatch roofs that cost a minimum of 75 EUR or IDR 900,000 a night. If you want to dive the price is 30 EUR or approximately IDR 360,000 was diving at a particular location. Most tourists come from Europe. Only a few tourists from Indonesia to stay and dive in there. Usually tourists dive almost every day because the dive sites are very broad and diverse with beautiful coral reefs.
In 2004, Papua Diving built a new modern inn not far from the first location. The inn, which was built by relying on local building materials, are almost always fully booked though it costs 225 EUR or about IDR 2.7 million per night. The new inn is equipped with international telephone connections and internet facilities.
