Raja Ampat, a Reefy and Fishy Diving Experience

RAJA AMPAT is a 43.000 km2 island and has more than 610 islands, located at the west-side of Papua, Irian Jaya and its famous for diving. Here you can find more than 540 type of reefs, 1000 type of reef's fish, and 750 types of mollusk. It means, Raja Ampat offer 75% of world's reef. Healthy with unusual reef structure dive spot with the most diverse marine is the best way to express the beauty of Raja Ampat.

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.

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

The four main island offer you a world class diving spot and reefs
Waigeo Island
Misool Island
Salawati Island
Batanta Island

seahorse

Getting There

• Take 6 hours flight from Jakarta toward Sorong via Menado. Flight serves every day (please check to specify the flight schedules)
• 2 hour flight from Manado to Sorong is by jet, extra luggage is allowed
• To access the dive spot please contact and use the professional diving organizer
• From Sorong, there are 2 type of boat available; Speed Boat (40 minutes - 1 hour boat trip, carry 15 passangers and cost Rp. 2 million/ US$ 208.55); Long Boat (2-3 hours boat trip and could carry 10 passangers-cost Rp. 1,2 million/ US$ 126) - please note that all rates are subject to change without notice
• Domestic flight served by Silk Air, Garuda Indonesia, Pelita Air and Merpati
• To enter Papua you need to have passport photo page, 3 Copies of the passport page with the Indonesian Visa)
  

Where To Stay
You may choose those alternatives where to stay during your visit to Raja Ampat:

• Hotel (star or budget) in the city
• Sorido Bay Resort famous for the house reef
• Kri Eco Resort is a traditional resort built over the water
• Island camp
• Living on Boat (most of diving agent provide this service)

Moving Around

• You may rent small boat if you wish to make a personal escape a long the line of the beaches

Dining Guide

• Dining are prepared by diving organizer, from international menu to local traditional food made fresh by local people
• Try Sup Ikan (fish soup)- Local people called it Sup Ikan Kuning (Yellow Fish Soup)-with local spices
• Sea food

Souvenir Tips
Many divers said that the best souvenir ever after visit Raja Ampat is the stories/experiences to tell, other wise if you wish to have other souvenirs for your own or to be given to your friends, this stuff will be perfect

• Asmat sculptures
• Traditional cloths
• traditional music instruments
• Suling (traditional flute)
• Tambur (traditional drum)

Other Thing to See or Do
Raja Ampat is a famous place for under water photography and here you can shot a perfect picture of under water life. Its supported not only by the richness of the habitat but also the flat sea wave

• Wreck diving
• Sailing
• Kayaking
• Explore the islands by boat
• Visit the Red Bird of Paradise
• Explore bat cave
• Make your own wood sculpture guided by Asmat artist
• Fishing using traditional Papuan technique
• Trekking to discover waterfall
• Feeding couscous
• Snorkeling

Travel Tips

• Oct/Nov is the best season for diving the area because the sea wave is typically flat and its perfect for photograph
• Bring your under water camera, because you wont let all the under water beauty pass without capture your experiences
• For beginner please take a course first on how to dive and shot picture
• To organize your travel you can arrange it using travel agents services in Indonesia
• Sun block, sunscreen and hat are required
• Bring your own anti-malarial medicine

Address:

Dinas Kebudayaan & Pariwisata Raja Ampat
add. Kampung Waisai, Distrik Waigeo Selatan
Kabid. Kalasina Rumbekwan
(+62)81344644434
Or.
Mr. Wawan (Staff)
(+62) 81344422779

Contacts:

To arrange your diving activities, you can contact the company listed below:

PINDITO
Pindito - Schoner Tauchen Travel Ltd.
Trockenloostrasse 45, P.O Box
CH-8105 Regendsorf
Switzerland
www.pindito.com
info@pindito.com

Grand Komodo Tours & Dives
www.komodoalordive.com

KARARU Dive Voyages
Jl. Danau Poso 65b
Sanur, Bali 80238
Indonesia
www.kararu.com
info@kararu.com