Inner beauty: A diver takes photos of coral reefs at the Kaleidoscope site.

For those who relish the beauty of coastal scenery, undersea spectacles and diving, Raja Ampat is undoubtedly one of the best places they should visit.

It’s no exaggeration, because Raja Ampat is the world’s best diving location. This is generally acknowledged by domestic and foreign divers who have engaged in undersea adventures in its waters.

Raja Ampat regency in the province of West Papua, commonly called the “bird’s head”, has a total area of 46,108 square kilometers, almost 80 percent of which is made up of water. Its shoreline extends 4,860 kilometers. Raja Ampat is home to diverse and unique species, with 1,309 fish species, 699 mollusk species and 537 coral organisms.

Apart from fish, Raja Ampat is also rich in a wide variety of coral reefs, vast expanses of sea grass, mangrove forests and attractive rocky coastal banks.

Situated in the Coral Reef Triangle Zone — the center of the world’s coral reef diversity — the waters of the Raja Ampat Island group are believed to constitute the area with the highest degree of biodiversity in the world.

From Misool in the southern zone of Raja Ampat to Waigeo in the north, tourists will be captivated by gorgeous natural panoramas.

Friendly stay: The scenery of Misool Eco Resort, which offers comfortable rooms for visitors while they enjoy diving.
Kaliq, Kaleidoscope, Batu Lima, Mioskon, Chicken Reef, Manta Point and Mike’s Point are some of the diving spots that will fascinate divers. Visibility of up to 50 meters in these areas offer underwater adventures with a sense of diving in an aquarium.     

Peace on both sides: The calm surface of Sumuleleng’s waters offers a good fit for snorkeling.Even aboard a speedboat, one can see magnificent stretches of coral reefs near the water’s surface. In some parts like Sumuleleng, Misool, when the tide begins to ebb, coral reefs and the groups of fish inhabiting them are strikingly visible. Meanwhile, the waters in this zone are surrounded by solid rock banks standing firmly, as if emerging from sea level.

Tourists aboard a speedboat can also watch an attraction in which a shoal of tuna feed on small fish on the surface. If they’re lucky, they can notice groups of manta rays and whales surfacing.

On the beach of Kri Island, visitors can also see bamboo sharks, black tip sharks and blue spotted rays that swim at the edge of very clear beach waters at a depth of just 1 meter.          

The stunning beauty and charm of Raja Ampat is indeed dominated by tracts of coral reefs and their undersea biota, white sand beaches, elegant clusters of islets and pristine forests.

One certain thing is that whoever has experienced a round of dives in the waters will be eager to return.

Shining in the dark: A group of fish traverse Kaliq Channel.

Sea king: A Napoleon fish hangs around the Kaleidoscope site.

Rising hope: The sun rises over Harapan Jaya Island.

— Photos By JP/Arief Suhardiman