Raja Ampat, biggest marine life in the world

[balidiving]

Raja Ampat archipelago encompasses nearly ten million acres of land and sea off the northwestern tip of Indonesia’s West Papua Province. Raja Ampat consists of the four large islands of Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati, and Misool, plus hundreds of smaller islands. Located in the Coral Triangle, the heart of the world’s coral reef biodiversity, the seas around Raja Ampat possibly hold the richest variety of species in the world.

Raja Ampat offers you another cutting edge experiences except the under water habitat, the above water view, beautiful sunset.

Diving in Raja Ampat is characterized by outstanding scenery, both above and below the waterline. Much of the diving is on coral reefs beneath small mushroom shaped rock islands, topped with green vegetation and rising from the blue ocean. Beneath the water’s surface, the reefs are covered with lush soft corals, sea fans and sponges in every possible color, which are swarmed by thousands of small orange and purple anthias (a kind of fish). Large fields of pristine hard corals cover the top of the reef and large table corals compete with the soft corals and sea fans for space on the reef walls. Most of the reefs are surrounded by clouds of baitfish and fusiliers (also a kind of fish) so thick they can block the sum. Large fish such as groupers, tuna and mackerel, attracted by the schooling baitfish, are present on many of the reefs, as are all of the normal smaller reef dwellers.

At Kabui Passage, between Waigeo and Gam Islands, a narrow passage, only the distance of a short Peyton Manning touchdown pass, separates the two islands. There is often a swift flow of water in the channel and the key to the dive is staying close to the edge of the channel, where there are many large rocks and small bays in which shelter from the current can be found.

The variety of marine life can be staggering. Some areas boast enormous schools of fish and regular sightings of sharks, such as wobbegongs. In Mansuar, it's highly likely you'll encounter large groups of manta rays and turtles. From the boat and often close to shore you may get the chance to don your snorkelling gear for some unforgettable interaction with resident pods of dolphins or even some passing whales.

Here you'll witness other unique species such us pigmy seahorse, webbegong, manta ray and endemic fish called eviota raja (king eviota). One of the best spot is Chicken Reef; you'll surrounded by thousand of fish, bamboo shark and snappers. There just too many species to be named in Raja Ampat, just come and experience all the glories of Raja Ampat.

One of the most breathtaking diving experiences is the encounter with school of barracuda (an expert assistance will be needed in certain diving spot), reef shark, and tortoise shell. In certain dive spot like Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo you could find Dugong or mermaid.

The area’s massive coral colonies show that its reefs are resistant to threats like coral bleaching and disease —threats that now jeopardize the survival of corals around the world. In addition, Raja Ampat’s strong ocean currents sweep coral larvae across the Indian and Pacific Oceans to replenish other reef ecosystems. Raja Ampat’s coral diversity, resilience to threats, and ability to replenish reefs make it a global priority for marine protection.

Sea conditions around Raja Ampat have remained relatively stable for millions of years, this, combined with a great diversity of habitats, has enabled a huge biodiversity to develop. Located at the crossroads of two major continents (Asia and Australia) with a complex set of islands around the whole of the Birds Head Seascape, conditions have been ideal for speciation to occur. Ie the evolution of new species. Hence the comment – “Raja Ampat is one giant species factory”.

Raja Ampat are Isolated populations, low human population, and a system of reef ownership with local management have kept the reefs around Raja Ampat in excellent condition. Huge corals demonstrate that Raja Ampat also has resilient reefs that are resistant to threats like diseases and bleaching. These are issues that now threaten coral reefs around the world. Powerful ocean currents carry larvae from the huge diversity of marine life in Raja Ampat to reefs in other parts of Indonesia and across to reefs in other counties. It is the heart of the “supply chain” of species. This helps to replenish reefs that have been damaged by disease, bleaching, overfishing and other detrimental activities - if and when appropriate conditions are restored.

[DeepDish]

Very helpful Topic, but what about the accommodation in such a place, is there good hotels to check in?
I mean what is the best way to plan a trip to Raja Ampat?

[balidiving]

If you want to go to Raja Ampat, you can book to Diving Company in Bali. It's not difficult to go to Bali, Indonesia from every country.

You didn't need hotels in Raja Ampat, you just liveaboard in cruise. Best time for diving in Raja Ampat and other Indonesia archipelago between March until October.

For further informations, you can find at Bali Diving | Dive in Bali with Sea Safari Cruises

Thanks

[BigDon]

Thanks for the information. Friends of mine are planning a diving trip next year, so this piece of information comes in quite handy.

[julio]

Hi,
I've found a new website with a lot of interesting info.... maybe it can help you.... its Divemaster Scuba Diving Dive Site Directory Dive Clubs .... enjoy!

[McHow2]

Some very good friends of mine are building a resort in Raja ampat as we speak. They are busy already since two years there. They also have a website www.indoeco.com that apparently doesn't work at the moment, but i found another article for you with more information on PhotoShopGuide. Hope that helps. They should be openingby the end of 2008.