TRAVELSPECIAL
Reef scene with Tubastrea coral , crinoid and glassfish
Raja Ampat
The heart of the ocean
All aboard
Indonesia ’ s Raja Ampat ( Four Kings ) archipelago is comprised of more than 1,500 islands and home to 600 types of corals and 1,400 fish species . It is the epicentre of the Coral Triangle and beloved by photographers , who relish the endless parade of subjects , and the opportunity to photograph its coral formations with billowing schools of fusiliers in the background .
The liveaboard
You have a choice of seven , 10 or 12-night charters on board the Raja Ampat Aggressor , departing from the regional hub of Sorong and sailing around Rajah ’ s main islands : Batanta , Misool , Salawati and Waigo . The liveaboard is a 30-metre steel hulled affair , cruising at a sedate 8 knots and featuring an air-conditioned salon and dining area . The rooms are a tad small by Aggressor standards , especially the L-shaped bunk cabins , but they are all en-suite and there are always the three Master Staterooms for those who require more space space .
Do not miss
The classic Raja Ampat itinerary combines the signature dives of the Dampier Strait , Fam , Mansuar and Misool . In the Dampier Strait , the Pacific Ocean meets the Halmahera Sea , with an explosion of marine life as a consequence . Expect to see manta rays , reef sharks , barracuda and tuna .
In the Arboek area , don ’ t miss night dives under Cape Mansuar Jetty , where you ’ ll run into an array of oddball creatures , including
Bargibanti pygmy seahorse in the rare yellow phase the tasselled wobbegong shark , frogfishes , seahorses and possibly even the endemic epaulette sharks .
Misool is the southeast of the archipelago ’ s four big islands , prized for the renewed health and biodiversity of its reefs , thanks to the introduction of a marine reserve . The reefs are known for their bright orange soft coral , but Misool is also beloved for its manta rays and pygmy seahorses . It is a true coral paradise . �
Raja Ampat Aggressor crew perform !
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