Dive Sites of West Papua
Located off the northwest tip Birds Head Peninsula of the island New Guinea, Raja Ampat, or the Four Kings, is an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands, cays and shoals surrounding the four islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo. It is a part of the newly named West Papua province of Indonesia which was formerly Irian Jaya.
Put simply, Raja Ampat is the bees knees in terms of world diving. If you don't enjoy your dives here, you may as well sell your dive gear! According to the Conservation International Rapid Assessment Bulletin the marine life diversity here is considerably greater than all other areas sampled in the coral triangle of Indonesia, Philippines and Papua New Guinea - the cream of the cream in world diving. 970 fish species - a world record 283 on one single dive at Cape Kri, the benchmark figure for an excellent dive site of 200 fish species surpassed on 51% of Raja Ampat dives (another world record), 456 coral species (a remarkable 96% of all scleratinia recorded from Indonesia are likely to occur in these islands), 699 mollusc species - again another world high.
The term "Frontier Diving" seems to have been invented for Raja Ampat and Irian Jaya. To visit these waters is to feel at the edge of the earth. To gaze over crystalline seas at the beehive-shaped, largely uninhabited lands is to be as far away from 'it all' as you can imagine.
Not many Indonesia liveaboards cover the Raja Ampat diving sites around Irian Jaya making the exploration of this fabulous area even more special. Highlights of the area include the innumerable war wrecks, both ships and planes (with new wreck sites being discovered constantly), encounters with dolphins, Misool and the simplicity of drifting effortlessly over some of the most pristine and fascinating coral scenes imaginable.
Irian Jaya diving is mostly drifts due to the moderate currents prevalent in the area, which provide nutrients for the myriad fish and coral found here. The variety of marine life as well as corals both hard and soft can be staggering. Some areas boast enormous schools of fish and regular sightings of sharks, 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.
Due to the currents and the number of wreck dives, Irian Jaya is not really considered a destination for beginners, rather for divers with a few dives under their weightbelts looking to get away from the crowds. Visibility is normally very good but can vary and is normally at its best earlier in the day so your pre-breakfast dives are not to be slept through!
Diving Season
March to November is the Raja Ampat diving season in and it is largely accepted that the July to September period sees the best diving conditions. The term "High Season" is of little meaning here since there is such an expanse of sea visited by only a few liveaboards in Indonesia that "diver soup" is not really a danger.
Reef Basics
Great for: Reef life and health, wrecks, underwater photography and visibility
Not so great for: Non-diving activities
Depth: 5 - 40m
Visibility: 10 - 30m
Currents: Moderate
Surface Conditions: Calm
Water Temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience Level: Intermediate - advanced
Number of dive sites: >50
Distance: ~1,200 km north east of West Timor (60 hours)
Access: Indonesia liveaboards from West Timor or Irian Jaya
Recommended length of stay: 10 - 16 days
Dive Sites
More detailed information on Irian Jaya dive sites:
Dive The World Recommendations: Misool Island and Cape Kri.
Other sites that can be visited on a liveaboard cruise through the Raja Ampat:
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