Raja Ampat casts a spell on all who visit – scientists, photographers, novice divers and crusty sea-salts alike. This group of majestic islands, located in the northwestern tip of Indonesia’s Papuan “Bird’s Head Seascape,” lies in the heart of the coral triangle, the most bio-diverse marine region on earth.
It is the most tourist spot being the fruit of the lips throughout 2011. Everybody is speaking of Raja Ampat Islands, in Papua, including the various Twitter in Twitter and other social media. A vacation to the Raja Ampat Islands has suddenly become a chat everyone.
History shows that Raja Ampat was once a part of Tidore Kingdom, an influential kingdom from Maluku. Yet, after Holland invaded Maluku, it was shortly claimed as a part of the kingdom of Holland. The main occupation for people around this area is fishing since the area is dominated by the sea. They live in a small colony of tribes that spreads around the area. Although traditional culture still strongly exists, they are very welcoming to visitors. Their religion is dominantly Christian.
The beauty of the Raja The oceanic natural resource around Raja Ampat makes it significantly potential as a touristic area. Many sources place Raja Ampat as one of their top ten popular places for diving whilst it becomes number one in terms of underwater biodiversity.
The high marine diversity in Raja Ampat is strongly influenced by its position between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, as coral and fish larvae are more easily shared between the two oceans. Raja Ampat's coral diversity, resilience, and role as a source for larval dispersal make it a global priority for marine protection.
1,309 fish species, 537 coral species (a remarkable 96% of all scleractinia recorded from Indonesia are likely to occur in these islands and 75% of all species that exist in the world), and 699 mollusk species, the variety of marine life is staggering. [3] Some areas boast enormous schools of fish and regular sightings of sharks, such as wobbegongs.
As stunningly beautiful above water as it is below, Raja Ampat (which literally translates as “The Four Kings”) has a startling diversity of habitats to explore. Each of these – from the stark wave-pounded slopes that drop away beneath the karst cliffs of Wayag and Uranie to the deep, nutrient-rich bays of Mayalibit, Kabui and Aljui to the “blue water mangrove” channels of Kofiau and Gam to the plankton-rich upwelling areas of Misool and the Dampier Strait – are home to unique assemblages of species that, when taken together, add to produce the most impressive species lists ever compiled for a coral reef system of this size.
Please explore this site to find information on breathtaking diving opportunities, travel logistics, Raja Ampat’s new tourism entrance fee (which directly supports conservation and community development), and the tremendous conservation effort taking place in Raja Ampat.
Although accessing the islands is not that difficult, it takes some time. It takes six hours flight from Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia to Sorong. Then, taking boat to reach the islands is necessary.Ampat Islands did not mess around, Raja Ampat Islands was touted as a great work of God. Wayag, cluster mount reef sticking out of the sea, believed to be more beautiful than Halong Bay belonging to Viet Nam. If what is on top of the Sea already enchant you, wait until you dive into the clear blue sea in the Raja Ampat Islands. Coral reefs with diverse biota laut is gorgeous, will make you fall in love. There, you can find various types of hard coral and colorful fish are small beautiful. Not only that, there are also amazing is the trepang and carpet sharks. Exclamation Point!
The Raja Ampat Island in Irian is group spreads out over a huge area and consists of over 610 islands. The four largest islands are Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool. The area’s reefs are covered in a diverse selection of both hard and soft corals. Most of the areas reefs are pristine, with mile after mile of perfect hard corals, drift after drift of soft corals of many species and colors ranging from brilliant red, to shocking yellow pretty pink and exotic purple. Most reef dives are very colorful. The tourist would be able to experience the best dives sites within those islands, which include Cape Kri, Mellisa’s Garden, Sardines Reef, The Passage, Nudibranch Rock, Wai Island Night Dive.
From the fifth eggs that had cracked, the 4 eggs was become men who become King of four big islands that is Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool. While the one egg became a woman, had wash away and stranded in Biak Island. That woman was born a child named Gura Besi that known as the historical man of Raja Ampat, because of his heroic story.
The regency that formed based on the constitution number 26 in 2002, is the development of Sorong regency on 12 April 2003. This area has 46.000 km2. But, 85% of this area is archipelago area. There are 610 islands in this area. But most of them have no social life. This regency has 10 districts and 85 villages with about 48.707 men.
Geographically, this area has strategic location. Its boundaries is:
North side: Pacific Ocean
West Side: North Maluku
South side: Maluku Sea
East Side: Sorong Regency
For the fauna sector, Raja Ampat has rarely fauna, such as; red birds of paradise (Paradise Rubra), Wilson birds of paradise (Cicinnurs Republica), Maleo Waigeo (Spilocuscus Papuensis), and rainbow fishes. Hence, for the flora, Raja Ampat has many kinds of Orchids, Waigeo palm, ironwoods or black woods, ‘keruing’, ‘ulin’ woods, etc.
Equipment Hire:
Raja Ampat Liveaboards do not hire equipment but can arrange to hire through one of the local dive companies. This is dependent on availability and is not recommended it is not at an economical rate (450.000RUP per set per day). Is it recommended that you bring your own equipment or perhaps look into hiring from Bali.
Entrance / Diving Tags:
Entrance tags can be purchased and picked up at the Sorong airport but will take some hours to organise this way.
The Raja Ampat, or “Four Kings,” archipelago encompasses more than 9.8 million acres of land and sea off the northwestern tip of Indonesia’s West Papua Province. Located in the Coral Triangle, the heart of the world’s coral reef biodiversity, the seas around Raja Ampat possibly hold the richest variety of species in the world.
The area’s massive coral colonies show that its reefs are resistant to threats like coral bleaching and disease —threats that now jeopardize the survival of corals around the world. In addition, Raja Ampat’s strong ocean currents sweep coral larvae across the Indian and Pacific Oceans to replenish other reef ecosystems. Raja Ampat’s coral diversity, resilience to threats, and ability to replenish reefs make it a global priority for marine protection.
Survey Confirms Highest Marine Biodiversity on Earth
In 2002, The Nature Conservancy and its partners conducted a scientific survey of the Raja Ampat Islands to collect information on its marine ecosystems, mangroves, and forests. The survey brought Raja Ampat’s total number of confirmed corals to 537 species— an incredible 75% of all known coral species. In addition, 899 fish species were recorded, raising the known total for Raja Ampat to an amazing 1,074. On land, the survey found lush forests, rare plants, limestone outcroppings, and nesting beaches for thousands of sea turtles.
Though human impacts here are less severe than elsewhere in Indonesia, Raja Ampat’s natural resources are endangered by over fishing and destructive fishing, turtle poaching, and unsustainable logging. The Indonesian government recently established Raja Ampat as a separate administrative unit, which will give communities a greater say in managing the natural resources upon which their livelihoods depend. This structure also offers an important opportunity to include conservation in the spatial planning of the newly formed local government.
Exotic
Diving Papua, the only resort that offers exotic underwater tourism in the region, arriving tourists a diving enthusiasts enjoy for days even up to a month to sail the full curves swell of the sea floor. They act as if nobody wants to go back to their respective countries because it was getting "island paradise that is second to none on this earth".
Its administrators cannot easily prepare places for tourists. Maximillian j. Ammer, a citizen of the Netherlands New Guinea Diving Resort owner who is also a pioneer mover of marine tourism, this region should prepare a wide range of facilities for an all-out draws tourists from foreign countries. Since starting his business eight years ago, a lot of funds must be removed. However, the result is also satisfactory. Every year the resort was visited at least 600 tourists specials that spent an average of two weeks.
The Inn is very simple just a walled and roofed woven coconut leaves it cost a minimum of 75 euro or USD $ 900,000 last night. If you want to dive must pay 30 euro or approximately USD 360,000 dive at one specific location. Most of the tourists come from Europe. Only a few tourists from Indonesia who stay and dive in there.
"Tourists dive almost every day because of the dive is very broad and diverse. The beauty of the coral reefs are indeed varied so much choice and invite the curious. There are tourists who are already 80 year old still strong dive, "said Max Ammer have wife in Manado.
Three years ago, new modern Inn building Diving not far from the first location. It turns out, the Inn was built by relying on local building materials almost always fully booked. When the charge reaches 225 euros or approximately USD 2.7 million per night. In the new location, equipped modern equipment, including international telephone and Internet facilities.
Tourists to the Raja Ampat Islands just wants to Papua on the island of Mansuar as the Diving facilities and international standard, his servants were also the food. They landed at the airport Domne Eduard Osok, Sorong, Beeline location with fast boats capable of about 10 people who charge Rp 3.2 million all the way. It took about 3-4 hours to reach Mansuar.
Like the other islands, Mansuar looks beautiful because their forests were still awake and its water was clean in sea life which is not far from the surface can be seen clearly. Enough tourists swimming or snorkelling to see ber-the beauty of the sea, whereas if it is to observe firsthand the beauty in sea life in depth, they must dive.
Feel Safe
Locals were involved in the construction and management of the resort, even 90 of 100 its employees are citizens of Papua. Residents also supplies fish, vegetables, fruit, and more. One of the most well-known packages visit the village to see plants and animals typical of the local, including bird of paradise. A lot of tourists who become donors of the Church's development and education of children about Man-flare.Max Ammer are committed to improving the economy and the skills of local people. They have trained foreign language and use scuba gear. Tourists feel safe in any day and night while enjoying a scorching and the sinking of the Sun as well as swimming and diving in the sea.
In addition to marine and fisheries, Raja Ampat Islands has a wealth of natural resources, including petroleum and nickel. At its base there is also many ships sank the former World War II is estimated to contain "hidden treasures" high value. However, if either manage the exploitation activities, all it is feared to threaten the sustainability and its natural beauty.
Ensuring Conservation through Partnerships
To address these issues, the Conservancy launched a new project to protect Raja Ampat, working in close partnership with the government and communities to:
1) contribute to a comprehensive conservation action plan to protect Raja Ampat’s reefs and forests;
2) help incorporate marine protected area management into long-term planning and policy; and,
3) establish a network of marine protected areas for Raja Ampat.
The Conservancy’s ultimate goal is to protect Raja Ampat’s magnificent reefs while sustaining the livelihoods of local people. Raja Ampat includes the four large islands of Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati, and Misool, plus hundreds of smaller islands. The archipelago is part of an area known as the Bird’s Head functional seascape, which also contains Cenderawasih Bay, the largest marine national park in Indonesia.