Raja Laut

The Raja Ampat - A "yacht charter frontier", West Papua (Irian Jaya) and the islands of the Raja Ampat are known for their fascinating indigenous tribes, rugged terrain, impenetrable rainforests and exquisite, absolutely world-class scuba diving.

At the heart of the Wallacea Triangle, this large area, much of which is still unexplored, offers the highest recorded marine diversity of anywhere in the entire world, for fish coral and invertebrates, with over 1,070 fish species, 537 coral species and 699 mollusc species.

Clear water mangroves and extraordinary underwater landscapes make much of the Raja Ampat unique, whilst the area still holds every other type of tropical diving. Some sites boast enormous schools of fish and regular sightings of rare sharks species such as wobbegongs. Suffice to say the variety of marine life is staggering and dozens of new species are being discovered each year. For the keen scuba diver, Raja Ampat has it all.

However, in nearby Irian Jaya (West Papua) a whole other experience awaits. Here the dense, mountainous forests are inhabited by some 300 ethnic Papuan tribes once infamous for head hunting and cannabalism. Today you can travel to Azmat territory quite safely. Guided visits can be arranged to Azmat village where you can see their fascinating ceremonies and cultures that are unchanged for millennia.

Interested in a yacht charter in Raja Ampat? Please enquire.

Raja Ampat Scuba Diving

Diving the Raja Ampat is mostly drifting dives due to the moderate currents prevalent in the area, which offers nutrients for the countless fish and coral. The range of marine life can be astonishing. Some areas boast an immense amount of schooling fish and regular sightings of sharks, such as wobbegongs. It's very likely you'll come across huge groups of manta rays and turtles in Mansuar. Cruising around the Raja Ampat island by yacht guarantees memorable interactions with resident pods of dolphins or even some passing whales.

Due to strong currents, diving in Raja Ampat is not really considered a good choice for absolute beginners, rather it's for divers with a few dives under their weight belts looking forward to getting away from the crowds. On average visibility is 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!

Much of the diving is on coral reefs underneath the small mushroom formed rock islands, topped with green vegetation and rising from the blue ocean. Beneath the water's surface, the reefs are roofed with lush soft corals, sea fans and sponges in every possible color, which are swarmed by thousands of small orange and purple anthias.

Some of the places of interest include the great dives and under as well as above water caves of Misool, the reefs of the Fam Islands, the fish and manta rays of the Dampier straight, the pearl farm at Aljui Bay and the great karst islands of the Wayag Archipelago.

Then there are the far-reaching mangrove forests and the many deserted beaches. Some excellent diving can be found in the "blue water mangroves" just west of the Island of Misool.In the north, there is some magnificent critter diving at Waigeo Island and great coral.One of the most incredible diving experiences is the encounter with school of barracuda, reef shark, and tortoise shell. In certain a dive spot like Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo, you could find Dugong.

Raja Ampat Dive Site: Aircraft Wrecks

A P40 aircraft wreck that was shot down was discovered and now lies at 27 meters, the plane which is still largely intact is a great dive site.

Raja Ampat Dive Site: Misool Island

The eye-catching reefs around Misool offer a wonderful kaleidoscope of colour, which offers a nice similarity to all the big stuff on other dive sites. Sloping walls are carpeted with soft corals of every colour imaginable housing all manners of critters from ghost pipefish to harlequin shrimp to pygmy seahorses.

Raja Ampat Dive Site: Critters Corner

At the end of the Cross Wreck is this wonderful little area back towards the beach. Surrounded by the sand and rubble is a vast group of critters, including frogfish, leaffish, devil scorpionfish, seahorses and mantis shrimp.

Raja Ampat Dive Site: Mike's Point

This rocky outcrop just off Cape Kri was bombed during WWII. From the air, it was mistaken for a Japanese ship due to its size and the wake left by speeding currents. Walls surrounding the islet drop to over 40 meters and draws huge schools of sweetlips, snappers and fusiliers. Impressive array of giant sea fans on a shelf at 27 metres can be explored for pygmy seahorses and the walls and coral crevices home all manners of reef life. Mike's point is named after pioneer Max Ammer's son.

Raja Ampat Dive Site: Wai Island

This island is famous for its visiting manta rays and a couple of WWII aircraft wrecks. Nonetheless, it is also popular for night diving in the isolated bay. All manners of creatures come out to feed including octopus, stonefish, epaulette sharks, wobbegongs, squid, pipefish and many rare nudibranchs.