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Raja Ampat

Introduction

The island of New Guinea is divided in two, with West New Guinea belonging to Indonesia since 1962, and the sovereign state of Papua New Guinea (PNG) on the east. West New Guinea was known as Dutch New Guinea until 1962 and Irian Jaya until 2000; although this region accounts for 22% of Indonesia's territory, it is home to just 3 millions of the archipelago's 234 million inhabitants.

This is one of the leading destinations for scuba diving, even though it's not easily accessible: indeed, West New Guinea boasts one of the greatest biodiversity in the underwater world, with 1,400 species of fish; 75% of all known coral species are also found here, i.e. 10 times more species than in the whole of the Caribbean!

During our stay, we were lucky enough to dive with Edoardo Spacca (espacca(at)yahoo.com), a particularly gifted underwater photographer: many of the pictures on the site descriptions were made by him and we'd like to thank him for sharing them with us.

Travel facts

Calendar

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best period
acceptable period
not recommend
air temperature
water temperature

Diving type

Destination
easily accessible
easily accessible
bargain destination
bargain destination
Diving level & type
for beginners
for beginners
for advanced divers
for advanced divers
shore diving
shore diving
liveaboard
liveaboard
Diving Characteristics
pelagics
pelagics
lots of fish
lots of fish
lots of corals
lots of corals
interesting underwater scenery
interesting underwater scenery
Other activities
attractive natural spots
attractive natural spots
gastronomy
gastronomy
night life
night life
beach
beach
snorkeling
snorkeling

Map

map

Infrastructures

  • diving center
    Papua Explorer
    Papua Explorer (diving center)
    rating : 4 / 4 starsrating : 4 / 4 stars
    comments :

  • hotel and diving center
    Raja Ampat Dive Lodge
    Raja Ampat Dive Lodge (hotel and diving center)
    rating : 4 / 4 starsrating : 4 / 4 stars
    comments :
    The hotel offers double bungalows (5 in all) sleeping a total of 20 people, spacious and well-equipped (mosquito netting, soap, shampoo, linen changed as you wish, hairdryer, deckchairs, wooden terrace and small beach in front of each bungalow). The staff are both smiling and helpful. The only possible improvement would be in the food, which is merely passable, with the same vegetables (carrots, cauliflower, cabbage) accompanying chicken or beef (in small pieces, usually too hard), shrimp or fish every day. All this with white rice, noodles or soup.

    The diving center is part of the hotel. In November, a 3-mm wetsuit is sufficient, as the water temperature was between 29 and 30°C! Dives lasted an average of 60 minutes, with the tanks generously filled to 230-250 bar. To dive with mantas, a hook is essential and gloves are permitted. The divemasters and dive shop staff are more than helpful, with a special mention for Jemy, who was exceptional, but has now left this dive center.

Diving Sites

  • rating : 4.0
    Manta Ridge
    rating : 4.0
    depth : 12 m
    visibility : 15 m
    description :
    This dive site comprises a coral plateau culminating in a steep slope. To traverse this plateau, divers must swim close to the seabed due to the strong current. The plateau extends for approximately 30 meters. Divers secure themselves with hooks, an essential practice for this dive, at depths ranging from 11 to 13 meters. After a brief wait, the first manta makes its appearance. In total, we encountered five mantas during this dive—three entirely black and two with black bodies and white bellies. The mantas performed a mesmerizing ballet, circling, spinning, and engaging in playful behaviors. After a 66-minute dive, it was time to leave them; however, the challenge lay in the strong current. Divers had to crawl, holding onto hooks every 30 cm, to reach the plateau at 9 meters, as executing a safety stop was not feasible. A divemaster provided a thick rope, which allowed the divers to continue crawling for another 20 meters, ensuring they didn't get swept out to sea. This perfectly organized dive was executed by six divers and two divemasters, all equipped with logbooks containing over 500 dives.
              
  • rating : 4.0
    Sardine Reef
    rating : 4.0
    depth : 20 m
    visibility : 40 m
    description :
    Located 3 kilometers north of Kri Island and a 30-minute boat ride from RADL, this reef features a plateau at 5 meters that descends to 35 meters. It is renowned for its splendid corals and the abundance of fish, especially when there is a current. Unfortunately, during our dive, there was no current, and we observed reef fish in quantities similar to other sites in the area. Our sightings included one blacktip shark, a massive humphead parrotfish, four pygmy rays (small stingrays), two wobbegong sharks concealed beneath a rock, and a minute chicken pygmy seahorse measuring just 2 mm. Other reef fish were present but relatively few on this particular day. This site is well-suited for snorkeling.
      
  • rating : 4.0
    Chicken Reef
    rating : 4.0
    depth : 30 m
    visibility : 30 m
    description :
    Very nice dive, as almost always a plateau with a slope leading to a sandy bottom, all covered with corals, healthy and varied. Apart from the big barrels, everything's there. If the current changes, it's not too strong. Huge schools of fish, big, medium and small. Bat fish, sweet lips, fusilliers, luthians, jacks, yellowtail barracudas, damselfish, etc.... Few angelfish. 1 blacktip shark, 1 grey saehorse pygmy in a grey gorgonian, tiny crabs, tunas, wobbegong sharks, 1 turtle, between 7-10 nudibranchs and 1 napoleon. Magnificent and lends itself to snorkeling.

  • rating : 3.5
    Mioskon Reef
    rating : 3.5
    depth : 20 m
    visibility : 30 m
    description :
    This dive site is conveniently located near Mioskon Island, accessible via a 30-minute boat ride. The dive begins on a gentle slope adorned with a profusion of soft and hard corals, descending to a depth of thirty meters on sandy terrain. The site is teeming with a rich diversity of fish. Our dive commenced with the thrilling sight of two blacktip sharks. Throughout the dive, we also encountered a large moray eel, two wobbegong sharks, and an array of captivating reef fish. The dive culminated on a mesmerizing carpet of coral, situated between three and five meters. During the surface interval between dives, we enjoyed a relaxing break on a small beach on Mioskon Island, where we were served coffee, tea, fruit, and cake.
      
  • rating : 3.5
    Friwen Wall
    rating : 3.5
    depth : 20 m
    visibility : 20 m
    description :
    Situated near Friven Island, this dive site features a wall that descends to a sandy bottom at approximately thirty meters. The wall is adorned with soft corals and large gorgonians, making it particularly appealing for macro-photography enthusiasts. As we ventured deeper, the current grew stronger, and the marine life became more abundant. Our exploration yielded the sighting of a pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti) and several nudibranchs, pipefish, and a diverse array of reef fish.

  • rating : 3.5
    Blue Magic
    rating : 3.5
    depth : 30 m
    visibility : > 40 m
    description :
    Located in the open sea, this dive site features a substantial boulder with its peak at 9 meters and a base resting in the sand at 30 meters. Divers typically circumnavigate the rock, weather and currents permitting. The summit of the boulder is adorned with magnificent coral formations. Visibility at this site is exceptional, and the marine life is incredibly diverse. During our exploration, we encountered a large grey shark and three white tip sharks. An imposing crocodilefish, approximately one meter in length, made a striking appearance. A school of barracudas and another of large trevally were observed, along with pairs of 2-meter-long tuna. An intriguing discovery included pygmy shrimp camouflaged within an anemone. The site also hosted numerous nudibranchs and a sizable green moray eel.
        
  • rating : 3.5
    Kuburan
    rating : 3.5
    depth : 20 m
    visibility : 30 m
    description :
    Situated along the drop-off of Kri Island at a depth of around 20 meters, this site is reachable within a 20-minute boat ride. While parts of the site may contain deceased coral, the overall fauna showcases a wide variety of both soft and hard corals. The most captivating portion of the dive occurs between 2-8 meters, where the typical reef fauna thrives. During our dive, we had the privilege of encountering two turtles, one of which was notably large, along with two cuttlefish, nudibranchs, a large lobster, and small stingrays. The site also boasts impressive schools of juveniles and is particularly well-suited for snorkeling.

  • rating : 3.5
    Manta Sandy
    rating : 3.5
    depth : 16 m
    visibility : 15 m
    description :
    A mere 15-minute boat ride west from RADL lies Manta Point, a renowned cleaning station for these magnificent creatures. Situated at a depth of 16 meters, this site features a gentle sandy slope, demarcated by a stone barrier that defines the space for mantas and observers alike. As we settled and lined up with around 15 divers, the mantas began to make their appearance. We were greeted by the sight of the first manta, black with a white spot on its belly, barely 10 meters away. Shortly after, a larger black and white manta joined the underwater ballet, followed by another black manta. We had the privilege of spending 55 minutes in the company of these graceful creatures before reluctantly leaving them. The dive featured weak currents throughout, making it a relatively non-strenuous experience. Between the two dives, we took a break on Airborek Island, where we enjoyed tea, coffee, fruit, and cake.
      
  • rating : 3.5
    Mayhem Reef
    rating : 3.5
    depth : 30 m
    visibility : 15 m
    description :
    This underwater rock features a summit at 9 meters, descending to 35 meters in the sand. The most captivating part of the dive lies less than 10 meters below the surface. During our exploration, we encountered a royal ray and large schools of fusiliers and other juveniles. Additionally, a tiny Denise's pygmy seahorse nestled within a gorgonian added to the intrigue. A group of humphead parrotfish and unicornfish was also part of the marine spectacle. The upper flank of the rock was adorned with numerous magnificent soft and hard corals.

  • rating : 3.5
    Cape Kri

       [(Kri Island)
    rating : 3.5
    depth : 25 m
    visibility : 20 m
    description :
    Reef descending between 5-30 meters, near Koh Island, ending on a sandy bottom. As almost everywhere here, the corals are healthy and brightly colored. The current changed with the tide, but was of reasonable intensity. The site was exceptionally fishy. Schools of sardines, jacks, fusiliers, large yellowtail barracudas, 2 weggabong sharks, 1 blacktip shark, 1 turtle, nudibranchs. Between 5 and 10 meters, juvenile fish also abound. The site is ideal for snorkeling.
      
  • rating : 3.0
    Citrus Ridge

       [(Gum Island)
    rating : 3.0
    depth : 30 m
    visibility : 10 m
    description :
    This dive commences on the beach of Gam Island, featuring a slope extending up to 35 meters and a sandy bottom. The site boasts an abundance of diverse soft corals that cover a significant portion of the wall, particularly between 10 meters and the surface. Our underwater adventure included sightings of a school of barracudas, three wobbegong sharks, schools of fusillers, and a red-shouldered shark.
      
  • rating : 3.0
    Gam Chanel
    rating : 3.0
    depth : 30 m
    visibility : 10 m
    description :
    Similar to Citrus Ridge, this site also showcases beautiful soft corals and is particularly intriguing for macro diving. It is well-suited for a third dive of the day and is conducive to snorkeling. Together with Citrus Ridge and Mayhem Reef, it forms part of a rewarding day trip.

  • rating : 3.0
    Jetty RADL

       [(Mansuar Island)
    rating : 3.0
    depth : 10 m
    description :
    Night dive under the RADL pontoon 50 meters from shore on a sandy bottom. The interesting part is between 2-10 meters around the poles. Very shy mandarin fish, 2 large crocodiles, 2 large scorpionfish, lions, a small moving (white) scorpionfish, a yellow boxfish with black weights, pipefish, 2 huge diodon. Lots of fish.
                
  • rating : 2.0
    Jackpot
    rating : 2.0
    depth : 20 m
    visibility : 25 m
    description :
    The initial part of this dive encounters strong currents, taking place between twelve and fifteen meters along a fairly steep hillside. The dive, unfortunately, was somewhat underwhelming, characterized by extensive areas of dead coral and a monotonous topography. The primary focus shifted to macro photography. During the dive, we spotted several nudibranchs, schools of juveniles, and a group of about a dozen humphead parrotfish.

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