Raja Ampat Uncovered
Raja Ampat had long been on Dive Travel Consultant Georgia Randalls’ bucket list, and last year she was able to experience its extraordinary biodiversity. Splitting her time between a liveaboard and a resort, she saw an incredible variety of marine life. Find out what makes this destination so special, and why Georgia can’t wait to return!
Raja Ampat has always been on my bucket list, so when the opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance to dive into this extraordinarily biodiverse destination.
The archipelago is well worth the journey. Flying from London to Jakarta, followed by a flight to Sorong, the buzz of big cities and busy airports is quickly replaced by stunning scenery, both above and below the surface.
Diving from a liveaboard followed by a week in a resort allowed me to experience the best of both worlds. A traditional phinisi liveaboard is a great way to feel immersed in the local way of life. If there’s a chance for the liveaboard crew to put the sails out, I’d highly recommend it. It feels like being transported to a different time, cruising along peacefully with only the wind to guide you.
The diving itself was unforgettable. With up to four dives a day, there are fantastic opportunities to see an abundance of marine life. Batfish cruised past on multiple dives, and we were joined by schools of barracuda and jackfish. We also encountered ornate ghost pipefish, banded pipefish, porcelain crabs, squat lobsters, frogfish, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, wobbegongs, walking sharks and much more.
Image by Surya & Lau Lau La Galigo
One of my favourite memories was the ‘Santa Claus’ pygmy seahorse, spotted by my eager guide. Expertly camouflaged and smaller than your pinky nail, they’re easily missed – but once you can focus your eyes, they’re truly wonderful to see. In contrast, there was no need to focus to see the magnificent manta rays at Manta Sandy. Seeing them glide effortlessly overhead was spectacular.
Image by Surya & Lau Lau La Galigo
The Raja Ampat authorities do a fantastic job protecting these animals. There’s a platform above the water at Manta Sandy, and the area is closely monitored and protected. You can clearly see the genuine impact of the local projects and conservation efforts on both the people and the underwater world.
My liveaboard experience was followed by a tranquil stay at a traditional Papuan resort, nestled in the jungle and facing out into a peaceful lagoon. I felt very far away from the normal buzz of life, and waking up to the sight of emerald jungle blending into crystal-clear water teeming with life is a feeling that’s hard to beat.
Image by Georgia Randalls
Here, two dives a day were balanced with relaxing afternoons soaking up the sunshine and visits to topside attractions, including Kali Biru River and the local island of Arborek. Both are the perfect complement to a morning of diving.
Image by Georgia Randalls
One of my favourite dive sites was the magnificent Melissa’s Garden, where soft corals blended together to create a carpet of colour stretching further than the eye can see. The visibility was crystal-clear, and the colours of the reefs were truly magical. The feeling is as close to drifting through another world as you can experience.
Raja Ampat is a special destination and offers a world of marine life that’s rarely matched elsewhere. It has a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to go back!
To find out more about our Dive Raja Ampat trip idea, contact our team to start planning your next bucket list holiday!
