If you’re wondering what paradise on Earth looks like, look no further than Raja Ampat. Picture sunny skies, immaculate beaches and crystal-clear waters, that are home to the most diverse marine ecosystem on the planet.
Here are a few more compelling reasons, why you should include Raja Ampat on your next scuba diving itinerary.
Discovered as a dive paradise in the early 1990s
The natural beauty of Raja Ampat was found relatively recently, in the early 1990s, when a Dutch diver by the name of Max Ammer explored the region in search of plane and shipwrecks from World War II. The diver was impressed by the pristine marine biology that was found here, and returned with a fishery expert from Australia, to survey the location.
Underwater ‘Amazon’
If there is one place underwater that can rival the dense flora and fauna of the Amazon rainforest, that title would be held by Raja Ampat. Over 600 unique hard corals and over 1,300 species of unique marine fishes have been discovered in the waters of Raja Ampat – that is approximately 75% of the total number on the planet.
Multiple Dives in one location
Raja Ampat spans 4 main islands (and many more smaller islands), that are home to numerous marine biosystems. This means there is an extensive selection of dive sites and dive types available, including wall dives, macro dives, pinnacle dives, jetty dives and everything in between.
Witness the Sunset Bat flight
Um Island, located not too far from Sorong in West Papua, is home to a large group of diurnal bats. They can be seen soaring the skies in large packs during the day time. It is a truly unique sight to see and a spectacular scene, especially during twilight when sunset is approaching.
The Four Kings
The name Raja Ampat literally translates to the Four Kings. The name is derived from a local legend that tells the tale of a woman who found 7 eggs, 4 of which hatched into noble princes that rule over the 4 main islands of; Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo. The remaining 3 eggs hatched into a woman, a ghost and a rock.
Swim with Sting-less Jellyfish
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to swim with Jellyfish? Well you can in Raja Ampat! There are multiple lakes in Raja Ampat that are home to non-lethal, non-poisonous Jellyfish that you can swim with.
Heart of the Coral Triangle
Perhaps the most important fact about Raja Ampat is its strategic location in the center of the Coral Triangle. This places Raja Ampat as the crown jewel of the triangle, in the middle of the most diverse marine biodiversity on the planet. The current count totals up to well over 1,500 unique species of marine fish and critters, that reside in the waters of Raja Ampat. There is no region of water on the planet that comes close to the concentrated marine diversity of Raja Ampat.
Raja Ampat truly deserves its name as the crown jewel of the Coral Triangle. It comes as no surprise that Raja Ampat consistently ranks as one of the most sought-after diving and travel destinations in the world.
Explore the wonders and waters of Raja Ampat with our Raja Ampat Liveaboard crew at Calico Jack Charters.
