If you love diving and underwater exploration, then Raja Ampat should be on your bucket list of must-visit places.Boasting rich biodiversity, with scientists finding new species even now, it is a great destination for those who want to go on anadventure, explore untouched reefs and lagoons and feast their eyes on the colourful underwater world that it has to offer.
Raja Ampat has many diving spots, but many of them require advanced skills as the current can be pretty strong. It is definitely not for amateurs, although you can indulge in snorkelling and a walk through the lush jungles instead.
Top 5 Best Diving Spots in Raja Ampat
Mike’s Point
Mike’s Point has an interesting history. Apparently, according to Best in AU during the Second World War, the U.S. mistook it for a Japanese ship and subsequently bombed it. The impact of the bomb created ‘’caves’’ or holes on the rock, which are now dive spots.
Mike’s Point has very strong currents and so should only be attempted by experienced divers.You can see a rich coral garden in the shallow areas and spot whitetip sharks and eels when you go deeper into the ocean floor.
Mios Kun
Mios Kun is a good diving spot for intermediate divers as the current tends to be light (but can get strong at times). It consists of a coral column and you can expect to see yellow snappers, wobbegong sharks and seahorses as you go deeper.
Blue Magic
Situated one kilometre south ofMios Kun, Blue Magic is a thirty-metre-deep dive spot with strong currents. You need to be an advanced-level diver to attempt the dive here. Expect to see an array of fish such as tunas, mackerels, barracudas, and red snappers.
Batu Lima
Batu Lima, which translates to ‘’five rocks’’ in Indonesian, is another popular diving spot. As the name suggests, Batu Lima is made up of five connected rocks. Just a few metres below the water surface, you can see beautiful coral fans.Whitetip and blacktip sharks can also be spotted in this dive spot.
Manta Sandy
Manta Sandy is a relatively shallow dive spot, being only eighteen metres deep. This makes it an ideal dive spot for beginners and intermediates. If you are keen on seeing manta rays, then this is the dive spot for you. If you’re lucky, you will even spot some black mantas, which are pretty uncommon.
Things to Remember
• Be sure to take a GoPro with you when you go diving. The schools of colourful fish, beautiful corals and weird sea creatures are just too fascinating and awe-inspiring to not be photographed. Trust us, if you don’t take pictures, you will regret it.
• Go diving with a licensed and experienced diving instructor who is well aware of the local currents and climate.The islands are isolated and do not have quick and easy access to medical facilities.
So, diving accidents should be prevented by taking all the necessary precautions, right from using the right equipment to being aware of the tides and currents to avoid being caught off-guard.
• Plan for a six-day trip. You will need that many days to fully appreciate the beauty of the area and all that it has to offer. Unlike places like Bali, Raja Ampat is not a weekend destination that can be covered in just a few days.It is a place where you can relax, explore and see nature at its finest.
• Diving in strong currents is quite a serious affair. You should be in an advanced diving level to attempt most of the dives.
• May to September is when you can expect heavy rains. So, plan your trip accordingly to avoid spending your entire vacation couped up in your hotel room.
• Be conscious of your impact on the region. Be respectful of the locals and their traditions and help preserve this piece of paradise, which is one of the last places on earth that is relatively undisturbed by humans.
• Visit the local villages to gain an insight on how the locals live, their way of life, their love for their land and the measures that they’ve taken to protect it. Diving in Raja Ampat is great, but there’s more to the land than just the beautiful sea life. The friendly locals should not be missed.
Raja Ampat is a paradise for beach bums and water lovers. If your idea of the perfect vacation involves sun bathing in pristine white beaches, diving into unexplored spots and exploring relatively unexplored lagoons and reefs, then this is where you should be headed.Diving in Raja Ampat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is not to be missed.
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