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Raja Ampat
Island Indonesia
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:
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Waigeo Island
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Misool Island
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Salawati Island
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Batanta Island
How to get to Raja Ampat
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
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Sorido Bay Resort famous for the house reef
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Kri Eco Resort is a traditional resort built
over the water Island camp
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Living on Boat (most of diving agent provide
this service)
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Misol Resort
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:
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Asmat sculptures
¤Traditional
cloths
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traditional music instruments
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Suling (traditional flute)
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Tambur (traditional drum)
Other Things 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.
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Wreck diving
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Sailing
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Kayaking
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Explore the islands by boat
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Visit the Red Bird of Paradise
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Explore bat cave
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Make your own wood sculpture guided by Asmat
artist
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Fishing using traditional Papuan technique
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Trekking to discover waterfall
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Feeding couscous
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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.
Recommended Liveaboard to Join with:
MV PINDITO - more than 15 Year Experience
Pindito - Schoner Tauchen Travel Ltd.
Trockenloostrasse 45, P.O Box
CH-8105 Regendsorf
Switzerland
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