DIVING RAJA AMPAT ISLANDS
WEST PAPUA INDONESIA
The
Raja Ampat area of Northwest Irian Jaya is filled with islands, surrounded by reefs and inundated with fish! After 9 years in the area we have only begun to discover the natural treasures awaiting us on each dive.
The area's reefs are covered in a diverse selection of both hard and soft corals. Most of the areas reefs are pristine, with mile after mile of perfect hard corals, drift after drift of Dendronephya (soft) corals of many species and colors ranging from brilliant red, to shocking yellow pretty pink and exotic purple. Most reef dives are very colorful.
The
Essence Of Irian Jaya West Papua and the Raja Ampat is not really about rare critters or seeing sharks, there are generally
not as many of what I would call - classic critters or big marine life than there are in a few other
Indonesian destinations. Yes - there are sites with many unusual nudibranchs and some rare marine life but not usually as many as a few other classic critter destinations. This is not what we come to Irian Jaya for. What is so special about this area is the scenery and in places the abundant fish life. Dives where you are inundated with dense clouds of fish, on the best of dives here fish seem to block out the sun. Mellow drift dives across the most beautiful coral slopes and channels,
unique dives with heavily undercut mushroom shaped islands with gorgeous coral growth all the way to the waters edge. Some of the best coral gardens I have seen are in this area. Taking a live aboard will allow you to see not just these great fish dives but also the topside highlights of this area too.
Among, above, and on top of the corals are fish. Schooling fish, solitary fish, beautiful fish, ugly fish, large fish, small fish! Some fish that are considered to be rare in many parts of the world are abundant in the Raja Ampat area. For example, many Sargassum Frogfish are found in the floating weed in front of the dive resort.
Wobb
egong Sharks are found on many dives, often lying atop perfect table corals like a fish carefully arranged by a chef on a dinner plate. The Epaulette Shark, a small shark only a foot long, is numerous and found very often on night dives in the seagrass or even on the shelf of a wall dive.
Giant Clams are found at many of our dive sites. These clams are large enough to swallow a child, but are embedded in the reef and covered with soft corals, tunicates and sponges so thick they can barely close their shells. Wai Island has a "Giant Clam Area" just off the beach.
The offshore reef sites, especially those near Kri Island are poplulated with MEGATONS of schooling fish! Many different species school in the current sometimes mixing so that a diver is surrounded by a chaotic mass of fish life. The most common to see are barracuda, jacks, bannerfish, surgeonfish, fusiliers, parrotfish and snappers. All in many species. The fish are so dense that they sometimes block the view of your dive buddy or the surface!
RAJA AMPAT DIVING FACTS
Most 
dives are drift dives due to strong currents in the area. The currents provide nutrients for the outstanding quantity and variety of fish life and corals in the area. A fabulous variety of colorful soft corals and plenty of reef fish are found at most sites. Large schools of fish are known to populate some areas, pelagics such as sharks, Manta and Mobula Rays, dolphin, whales and turtles are frequent sights.
Visibility is good, but not spectacular, and is best in the morning dives. The water temperature is 82°-84°F (28°-29°C) year round.
Water Temperatures
The average sea surface temperature between Nov and Apr is 28°C and can drop up to 2°C in the south with the SE trade winds from May to Oct. Actual values vary very little from average values being within 2°C on 90% of occasions.
The 
Raja ampat area is not only stunning underwater. Topside, the islands have a very diverse topography with steep mountain shores and deserted white sand beaches. The area is far off the beaten track and is rarely visited by foreigners. The raw beauty of the islands will fascinate you. It's dense jungle interior is known for its many orchids and the paradise birds. Waigeo and Batanta have the Wilson's and the Red Bird of Paradise both endemic to this area, as well as abundantly present Lorikeets, Parrots, Kingfishers, Eagles and Hornbills.
