Raja Ampat Islands of Papua, Indonesia

Raja Ampat of  West Papua have object stunning marine tourism. During this exoticism Papua better known as a simple culture and abundant natural resources. However, come to Raja Ampat, and enjoy the beauty of coral reef, complete with captivating marine life and marine scenery impressive.

Raja Ampat Islands on the west side of West Papua. The islands have an area of ​​land and sea about 9.8 million acres. Consists of four major islands, namely Pulau Waigeo, Misool Island, Salawati Island, Island Batanta. Famous as the heart of the world's coral triangle (75% of coral species are Reja Ampat) and is recognized as one of the locations with the highest diversity of marine life.Access: Visiting the islands is not too difficult although it takes time and considerable expense. We can use the airline's flights from Jakarta to Sorong or Manado via domestic flights or Makassar. From Sorong islands reachable by sea. Generally, tourists prefer to explore Raja Ampat by hiring liveaboard. Others opt for resort stays available on some islands, of course, the following tour packages.

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All divers admits Raja Ampat is one of the best diving destination in the world. Starting from the fringing reef with gentle slope to steep contour, atolls and type of burns or taka. Starting from Wayag, Kofiau to Misool. In some places, when its lowest ebb, we can see the reef exposed above the water surface. Species that are unique? Starting from the pigmy seahorse, Wobbegong, manta rays, eagle rays, turtles to dugongs. Note also the endemic biota Raja Ampat especially "walking shark" her. Cape Kri or Chicken Reef is famous for its thousands of fish. Because of the many local islands and narrow straits, then most of the dive at any given time has a strong current. Also check locations Promontory / cape. It is also possible to do a drift dive with very clear water while fishing through the collection. There are also relics of sunken aircraft of World War II wreck dive for lovers. Best dive time: April to October
Conservation Status: The government has set Waigeo sea around the South, which includes the small islands such as Gam, Mansuar, Yeben groups and groups Batang Pele, has been endorsed as a Marine Wildlife Reserve. According to the Minister of Forestry Decree No.. 81/KptsII/1993, total area is 60,000 hectares. In addition, Raja Ampat itself is divided into 7 Marine Protected Areas.
Nothing wrong if later Putri Indonesia 2005 Nadine Chandrawinata expressed his admiration for the region after a dive, feel the grain underwater panorama of Raja Ampat are very alluring. Fans of snorkeling and diving is guaranteed not to be disappointed. Instead, they will be called to come and come again.Raja Ampat Sorong is broken, since 2003. District has a population of 31 thousand inhabitants has 610 islands (only 35 islands are inhabited) with a total area of ​​about 46,000 km2, but only 6,000 km2 of land, 40,000 km2 in the sea. The islands are unspoiled and beautiful sea is still making direct tourists hooked.The archipelago is located in the northwest of the head of the birds of New Guinea, with approximately 1500 small islands and atoll and 4 main large islands, namely Misol, Salawati, Bantata and Waigeo. This then makes the Raja Ampat marine park in Indonesia. This area was the target of the hunters reef fish by bombing and cyanide poison to spread. However, there are still many people who seek to protect the region's marine wealth that could be saved. Coral reefs in Raja Ampat marine rated comprehensive in the world. Of the world's 537 species of coral, 75 percent were in these waters. Also found 1104 species of fish, 669 species of molluscs (soft animals), and 537 species of coral animals. Incredible!

The World Bank in collaboration with global environmental institutions establish Raja Ampat as one region in East Indonesia, which received assistance Coral Reef Rehabilitation and Management Program (Coremap) II, since 2005. In Raja Ampat, this program covers 17 villages and involve the local population. Fishermen are also trained to cultivate grouper and seaweed. Especially for those of you who are not interested in diving, great blue expanse of ocean that refract the beauty of the sky, emitting a sprinkling of white sand sparkle like pearls, can be enjoyed. In addition, there are clusters of charming islands and unique flora and fauna such as red paradise, paradise Wilson, maleo Waigeo, various parrots and parrot, possum Waigeo, as well as various types of orchids. Mansuar Papua Diving on the island is one of the leading resorts in the region. Foreign tourists diving enthusiasts at home for days and even months in Raja Ampat enjoys the beauty that was there and stay at Papua Diving.Each year the resort is visited at least 600 special tourist who spent an average of two weeks. Lodging is very simple that only a walled and roofed woven palm leaves that cost at least 75 euro or Rp 900,000 a night. If you want to dive must pay 30 euros, or about Rp 360.000 one dive at a particular location. Most tourists come from Europe. Only a few tourists from Indonesia to stay and dive in there. Kri Island, Waigeo, and Misool resort also prepared for visitors. On the island there Misool Eco Resort is built by applying the principles of strict nature conservation. There are agreements with indigenous people around the region to maintain an integrated ecosystem called the "No Take Zone" which prohibits any taking of marine exploitation, ranging from hunting shells, turtle eggs, shark fin to just fishing. In the extreme, even in this eco resort has prohibited the use of antiseptics as waste exhaust feared would kill the coral reef ecosystems in the vicinity.

Some resort set prices relatively expensive because of present facilities. Travelers with limited costs can also benefit from a state-owned resort is much cheaper in the Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat. You have to fly first to the airport Domne Eduard Osok, Sorong, Papua, and then directly to the location by speed boat with a capacity of about 10 people at a rate of Rp 3.2 million each way. It takes about 3-4 hours to reach the Raja Ampat Islands in particular to Mansuar. To get around the island is desired, we can hire a speedboat capacity of 10 persons at a price of USD 3-5 million per 8 hours, depending on the intelligence we bargain. We can also take a tour package to visit the village to see typical local plants and animals such as birds of paradise.To get into the area of ​​Raja Ampat, everyone has to pay an entrance fee of Rp 250 thousand for domestic, and $ 500 thousand for tourists from abroad. A round pin that serves as this identity we will receive, after paying the fee. Uniquely, the pin is valid for one year, from 1 January to 31 December. So if in one year we go back and forth to visit Raja Ampat, only need to pay a one-time entrance fee. Certainly can not pin was missing and we had to wear as identification.