If you wish to experience remote and pristine reefs, then Raja Ampat is a must. Hundreds of small islands and pinnacles breach the surface of the aquamarine waters that are home to all species, from pygmy seahorses to manta rays. The nature of Raja Ampat is hard to rival.
Exciting Fact about Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat, which means “Four Kings,” is situated in the West Papua province of eastern Indonesia. The ‘Four Kings’ are islands such as Misool, Batanta, Waigeo, and Salawati. Still, the area is composed up of hundreds of islands, several inhabited, and many not. The Raja Ampat islands are remote and offer several of Indonesia’s most pristine reefs and dazzling scenery. Most of the resorts are in the north of the areas, whereas the south is usually obtained by liveaboard.
Raja Ampat Diving, Top Dives Sites That You Can Visit
- Boo Rock/Boo Windows Site – One of Raja Ampat’s most renowned and photographed dive areas, Boo Rock/Windows, takes its title from the two swim-through holes in the rock. This dip site stipulates the biodiversity of the Misool region with schooling fish, incredible corals, and magnificent underwater topography. Expect to see everything from the tiniest of critters to passing pelagics.
- Magic Mountain Site – Situated in the southern Misool area of Raja Ampat, this impressive site seamount and an extending ridge is swarming with fish. It’s a good site for seeing manta rays which come to a cleaning station here. On a particular day, you’ll see numerous manta rays, Napoleon wrasse, jacks, schools of snappers, trevallies, barracuda, Spanish mackerel, and reef sharks all joining in on the action.
- Cross Wreck Area – One of Raja Ampat’s most obtainable, this Japanese navy patrol boat that sank close to the beach during WWII. The title, Cross Wreck, comes from a large cross on the coast nearby. Moreover, the wreck lays upright and is now completely encrusted in southern and home to a plethora of marine life. Critters that have made this mess their home include moray eels, lionfish, Napoleon wrasse, bump-head parrotfish, numerous nudibranch species, and more. This area is a fantastic introduction to wreck diving.
- Cape Kri Site – Together with 374 species of fish being counted in one single dip, this dive area is a real record-breaker. The reef top is a kaleidoscope of colors, and healthy, hard corals and vibrant soft create a beautiful garden. White and blacktip sharks pass through, turtles lazily cruise by, and reef fish swarm around. You must venture more in-depth, and you’ll find schools of sweetlips beside bommies that are literally shrouded in glassfish. This dive area is one of Raja Ampat’s most popular and never fails to strike even the most seasoned divers.
- Sardine Reef Area – This colorful reef is only teeming with fish, including large schools of surgeonfish, jacks, batfish, rainbow runners, fusiliers, and trevally. Surprisingly, there are no sardines! If you’re not looking at the tightly packed schools, this is a beautiful area for macro life, including mantis shrimps, nudibranch, pygmy seahorses, octopus, and cuttlefish. Still, if that’s not enough, you can look out for the resting wobbegong sharks under the table corals.
Raja Ampat is a large area and home to numerous dive sites that offer diverse topographies and marine life. Other places in Raja Ampat include Melissa’s Garden, Blue Magic, Mike’s Point, Mansuar, The Passage, Fiabacet along with Mioskon Island.
What to See at Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat dive area is all about prosperity and diversity. If you are looking to dive using pelagics or critters, Raja Ampat will provide. Highlights include large schools of fish, reef sharks, manta rays, wobbegong sharks, snakes, walking turtles, Spanish mackerel, mackerel, pygmy seahorses, barracuda, nudibranchs galore, ghost pipefish, lobsters, cuttlefish, and magnificent coral reefs.
Ready to diving in Raja Ampat soon? Find out more information about Raja Ampat and Indonesia by visiting Wonderful Indonesia.
