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DIVING RAJA AMPAT
ISLANDS
WEST PAPUA INDONESIA
The
Raja Ampat area of Northwest Irian Jaya is filled with
islands, surrounded by reefs and inundated with fish! After
9 years in the area we have only begun to discover the
natural treasures awaiting us on each dive.
The area's reefs are covered in a diverse selection of both
hard and soft corals. Most of the areas reefs are pristine,
with mile after mile of perfect hard corals, drift after
drift of Dendronephya (soft) corals of many species and
colors ranging from brilliant red, to shocking yellow pretty
pink and exotic purple. Most reef dives are very colorful.
The
Essence Of Irian Jaya West Papua and the Raja Ampat is not
really about rare critters or seeing sharks, there are
generally
not as many of what I would call - classic critters or big
marine life than there are in a few other
Indonesian destinations. Yes - there are sites with many
unusual nudibranchs and some rare marine life but not
usually as many as a few other classic critter destinations.
This is not what we come to Irian Jaya for. What is so
special about this area is the scenery and in places the
abundant fish life. Dives where you are inundated with dense
clouds of fish, on the best of dives here fish seem to block
out the sun. Mellow drift dives across the most beautiful
coral slopes and channels,
unique dives with heavily undercut mushroom shaped islands
with gorgeous coral growth all the way to the waters edge.
Some of the best coral gardens I have seen are in this area.
Taking a live aboard will allow you to see not just these
great fish dives but also the topside highlights of this
area too.
Among, above, and on top of the corals are fish. Schooling
fish, solitary fish, beautiful fish, ugly fish, large fish,
small fish! Some fish that are considered to be rare in many
parts of the world are abundant in the Raja Ampat area. For
example, many Sargassum Frogfish are found in the floating
weed in front of the dive resort.
Wobb egong
Sharks are found on many dives, often lying atop perfect
table corals like a fish carefully arranged by a chef on a
dinner plate. The Epaulette Shark, a small shark only a foot
long, is numerous and found very often on night dives in the
seagrass or even on the shelf of a wall dive.
Giant Clams are found at many of our dive sites. These clams
are large enough to swallow a child, but are embedded in the
reef and covered with soft corals, tunicates and sponges so
thick they can barely close their shells. Wai Island has a
"Giant Clam Area" just off the beach.
The
offshore reef sites, especially those near Kri Island are
poplulated with MEGATONS of schooling fish! Many different
species school in the current sometimes mixing so that a
diver is surrounded by a chaotic mass of fish life. The most
common to see are barracuda, jacks, bannerfish, surgeonfish,
fusiliers, parrotfish and snappers. All in many species. The
fish are so dense that they sometimes block the view of your
dive buddy or the surface!
RAJA AMPAT DIVING FACTS
Most
dives
are drift dives due to strong currents in the area. The
currents provide nutrients for the outstanding quantity and
variety of fish life and corals in the area. A fabulous
variety of colorful soft corals and plenty of reef fish are
found at most sites. Large schools of fish are known to
populate some areas, pelagics such as sharks, Manta and
Mobula Rays, dolphin, whales and turtles are frequent
sights.
Visibility is good, but not spectacular, and is best in the
morning dives. The water temperature is 82°-84°F (28°-29°C)
year round.
Water Temperatures
The average sea surface temperature between Nov and Apr is
28°C and can drop up to 2°C in the south with the SE trade
winds from May to Oct. Actual values vary very little from
average values being within 2°C on 90% of occasions.
The
Raja
ampat area is not only stunning underwater. Topside, the
islands have a very diverse topography with steep mountain
shores and deserted white sand beaches. The area is far off
the beaten track and is rarely visited by foreigners. The
raw beauty of the islands will fascinate you. It's dense
jungle interior is known for its many orchids and the
paradise birds. Waigeo and Batanta have the Wilson's and the
Red Bird of Paradise both endemic to this area, as well as
abundantly present Lorikeets, Parrots, Kingfishers, Eagles
and Hornbills.
How to get there
Flights: To Sorong, West
Papua.
Flight from Bali is daily also
from Jakarta
LIVEABOARD IN RAJA
AMPAT ISLANDS



Contact us you are interest to
dive in Raja Ampat Islands with our liveaboard :
info@lombokmarine.com
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