BUDGET AND LUXURY
WAIGEO
The itinerary for the 10-day trip gave
us both big and small animal encounters. 22 The array of colours
of the soft corals seen
Mantas, mobula and eagle rays, reef and
in Raja Ampat is simply
wobbegong sharks, green and leathermind-blowing
back turtles, huge swirling shoals of
baitfish providing every conceivable predator with
a feeding frenzy. Then the entire colour spectrum
of healthy soft and hard corals provide homes for
some of the world’s most intriguing macro creatures.
This region is home to over 1,600 fish species and 75
percent of the world’s known coral species – this is
surely the ultimate dive destination.
GAG
SORONG
HABERA
To explore the whole region,
a liveaboard is key, and prince
among them is the Dewi Nusantara
RAJA AMPAT
MISOOL
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PRACTICALITIES
WHEN
The diving is best between
October and the end of April
with the best time mid-October
to mid-December for manta
sightings and baitfish. Water
temperature is 27–30oC. Visibility
averages 10–30 metres. Air
temperature is 31°C on an
average day.
HOW
There are domestic flights to
Sorong with operators such
as Lion Air, Express Air from
Jakarta and some from Manado,
Sulawesi. International flights are
best to Singapore and then on
to Jakarta.
STAY/DIVE
• Dewi Nusantara
www.dewi-nusantara.com
TOPSIDE
Beautiful scenery with small rock
islands shaped by the water and
weather. Good bird watching
such as the Wilson’s bird of
paradise and red bird of paradise
and some ancient rock paintings
as well as sea kayak exploration.
ENTRY
A 30-day Indonesian entry visa
is available at all ports of entry.
A marine park tag will be
required – normally arranged
by the liveaboard or dive
resort operator.
SDOP
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