Raja Ampat: Diving in Biodiversity Heaven

Raja Ampat Indonesia also known as the Four Kings showcases its island and ocean colors

Raja Ampat Indonesia -the Heart of the Coral Triangle promises wonders for any world diver willing to accept its invitation. Experts, professional photographers and even enthusiast divers are discovering amazement in the what is considered the global epicenter of marine biodiversity. 

The  Bird's Head Seascape -leading official organization working on the management and conservation of the area assures the basin is home to the highest coral reef biodiversity per area in the World.

“Welcome to the Bird’s Head Seascape, a mind-blowingly diverse repository,” the organization says welcoming global community of divers. 

Spanning over 22.5 million hectares in West Papua, Indonesia Raja Ampat is under an established multi-partner conservation initiative since 2004. A total of 12 Marine Protected Areas criss-cross the translucent ocean waters. 

On June 29 Bird´s Head Espace reported on the dive log of Alex Lindbloom born in the US. Lindbloom is a Dive Master/Videographer with an active  profession in Asia. “Recently I had one of the most memorable dives of my life at Raja Ampat,” Alex stated. Alex proved that Raja Ampat reveals itself to anyone willing to dive in its womb. 

“As the dingy bobbed about just off the jetty, and while the divemaster counted down from three for the back-roll entry, you could see there was something big down there. The surface was bubbling from rapid movement and the area below us had gone dark. What had disturbed the water and turned it olive green were two of the biggest schools of fish I had ever seen,” Alex backed up his words and dive logs registrations with impressive photography. 

“I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised by the experience considering Raja Ampat’s reputation for incredible diving. This is my second full season diving in Raja Ampat and every liveaboard trip I do continues to yield unforgettable -once in a lifetime dives. It’s just such an out of this world experience to not only be breathing underwater but to be inside such a massive congregation of marine life. For me, no matter how frequently dives are like this, I will never be able to think of them as just an everyday event; like a beautiful sunny day after a cloudy spell,” Alex felt the natural inspiration. 

Charlie Litteck -home based in the distant and urban London UK amateur photographer and scuba diving enthusiast also learnt that Raja Ampat´ doors are wide open. Despite travelling around the world and diving internationally Charlie Litteck amazed with his Raja whale shark dive experience. 

Whale shark diving is registered as one of the most peaceful and breathtaking experience. However even in locations where whale sharks are known to live they become elusive and invisible. 

Litteck navigating in the small boat from one location to another with his guides. Geared up for diving they searched site to site in aims of finding whale sharks Litteck logged “Hope and resignation were in balance, but my guide pointed to another bagan, insistent that this was the one where the (whale) sharks were always seen”. 

“As we pulled alongside, we didn’t have to ask the fishermen; there was a whale shark alongside our boat and another in sight. “Quick, get in the water”, my guide insisted, keen for me not to miss my chance,” the UK enthusiast diver stated. 

“I don’t think I’d really considered what it would be like to be in the water with several huge whale sharks. My only other experiences had been years ago in the Galapagos, which were amazing but were fleeting encounters, and took place in cold water, strong currents, and involved swimming out into the blue just to see one pass by. My experience in Triton Bay (Raja Ampat) was altogether different…” Litteck described the thoughts that passed his mind before snapping and clicking away the images that travelled the world through Bird´s Head Escape main frame. 

“...I’ll never forget the three hours I spent with the whale sharks of Triton Bay or the rest of this equally magical region,” Litteck stated. 

Ocean Experts also find revelations in Raja Ampat. Dr. Richard Smith -frequent contributor of Bird's Head Escape with a dissertation on Pygmy Seahorses is considered an expert on the “delicate creatures”. 

Dr. Smith holds a Zoology degree from Southampton University, England and an MSc in Ecology and Evolution from the University of Queensland, Australia. “With over 2000 dives under his belt Richard has achieved Divemaster status...during his PhD in which he created the Code of Conduct for diving with and photographing pygmy seahorses,” Seahorse Project Wordpress explains

“I’m trying to have the Code of Conduct reach as many divers as possible and it’s always great for the general public to learn more about seahorses too,” Dr Richard Smith voiced. 

Pygmy seahorses have the smallest population of any species of seahorse. Measuring between 1.4 and 2.7 cm in length, their size makes them extremely fragile and delicate, and caution must be taken when documenting them and their habitat. As divers and tourists increase in Raja Ampat management and conservation challenges also increase. 

Dr Richard Smith’s main aim is to reduce the negative impact that divers have on these rare animals and, to ensure greater protection of this species, through The Code of Conduct. 

Indonesia Travel assures that divers from around the world flock to the region because it offers the world’s best marine sights. 

For most of them the diving experience begins in the same way…”the roaring engines fixed to a large wooden boat are finally quiet. Nothing can be heard but the rifting little waves, lapping against the vibrant paint on the sides of the vessel that gracefully slows down….”