Diving in Raja Ampat
The so-called epicentre of the coral triangle does not disappoint even the most jaded of divers. The water was unseasonably warm and perhaps slightly lower visibility than previous visits due to the earlier rains, but the fish life is still varied and prolific being a protected marine park.
We had 10 days of diving the Dampier Strait iconic sites. While there were no mantas spotted this trip, most impressive were the schools of Barracuda on most dives, jacks and sweet lips on others especially the Arborek Jetty dive.
Coming from Australia, I was excited to see so many barramundi cod but less enthusiastic than the guides to see wobbegong sharks which are common on our east coast. I particularly enjoyed a bi-plane dive which was richly encrusted with corals and home to tiny anthias decorating the wreck in bright colors.
Our last dive this trip was a gin clear dive on Sardine’s reef, where just hanging in one spot you could see entire layers of the marine food chain in action. It is only in such clear conditions you can truly see the magnificence and scope of the corals and fishes Raja Ampat has to offer.
