October 2020 Beyond Bali eNews
Dive Indonesia – Explore Indonesia Through Us
Raja Ampat Beach
Raja Ampat Homestays
Meridian Adventure Dive - Swimming Pool
Dear AMD-B friends and followers
Greetings from AquaMarine Diving – Bali.
Although no-one knows when we can pack our dive gear and head off on our next diving adventures, here are some Raja Ampat ideas to keep you cheerful!
We’re all aware of Raja Ampat’s beauty topside, the pristine corals, diversity of marinelife, tropical climate, unrivalled smiles of the local people – everything needed to become a huge magnet for adventurers.
Naturally, people have questions regarding the feasibility of international travel, quarantine when returning home, and health concerns.
Thankfully, despite its growing fame, Raja Ampat is not yet on the tourist or backpacker trails. However, visiting remote islands and communities means a lack of local homestays and amenities.
If as a diver, you prefer land-based, imagine an eco-friendly environment in a secluded area. Escape from ‘the crowds’; the continual hum of your everyday life will be replaced by birdsong, the breeze in the coconut palms, and waves on the shore. What bliss!
If you love the biodiversity part of Raja Ampat but prefer more ‘home comforts’, you could choose an upmarket dive resort or liveaboard. Please ask my Dive Travel Consultants for recommendations.
Diving wise, Raja Ampat can be divided into two areas: North and South.
North Raja Ampat centres around Mansuar Island and the Dampier Strait; this is where you’ll find most of the dive resorts. Here you can explore famous dive sites such as Chicken Reef – nowhere is known to be ‘sharkier’ (including Wobbegongs!) or more accessible. If you are coming for Manta, Manta Sandy is best October – April. For muck and macro, Tulamben Bay in Bali is very hard to beat however we’ve heard 12-20m depth on Saporkren Jetty at Waigeo island is incredible: Bobtail squid, flying flatworms, Boxer crabs, Colemani shrimp, and more!
Misool is located to the south of the main islands. Compared to North Raja Ampat, Misool offers better visibility and gorgeous soft corals. The highlights at Magic Mountain are barracuda and Napoleon wrasse but this is also the place where you’ll encounter giant black Pacific Manta rays. All other dive sites are now within the marine reserve meaning the shark and fish populations grow every year.
Diving seasons: The north of Raja Ampat is more sheltered therefore it’s diveable year-round. The ‘rainy seasons’ are November – December and July – August. For the Misool area, resorts are closed June-September due to rough seas and high waves
In short, everywhere in Raja Ampat is phenomenal! Let us know how we can help you start your planning!
Annabel and team