RAJA AMPAT

RAJA AMPATMAP OFMAP OF

KOFIAN

HALMAHERA

GAM

MANSUAR

SORONG

WAIGEO

JEF FAM

SALAWATI

BATANTA

SEL PELE

MISOOL

WAYL BATANFABIAJET

OBI

HALMAHERA SEA

CERAM SEA

DAMPIER STREET

WEST PAPUA

KRIPENEMU

RAJA AMPATIf you’ve ever watched the old Jacques Cousteau films and wondered if the underwater world could ever again be as pure, vibrant, and unspoilt, then Raja Ampat is the place of which you’ve dreamt. A marine environment unlike any other – quite literally, as it ’s home to the planet’s greatest concentration ofmarine biodiversity – this far-flung region of northeast Indonesia boasts possibly the best diving you will ever experience.

Explore the waters between the four main islands of Salawati, Batanta, Waigeo, and Misool, encountering nearly thousands of species of fish and hundreds species of coral and mollusks. Swim with parrotfish, scorpion fish, nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, giant sea turtles, migrating whales, dolphin-like dugongs, and giant manta rays. Don’t piss off any of the barracudas, reef sharks, stingrays, octopuses, or other strange varieties of sharks that will certainly be checking you out. Ogle at the variety of healthy, vibrant coral – indeed, the majority of the earth’s reefbuilding coral can be found here.

Above the surface, kayak into hidden coves, climb up strange rock formations, hike into dense jungle, seek out hard-to-reach caves, and keep your eyes opens for ancient petroglyphs just casually waiting to be discovered. Whether or not you stay at one of the nine over-water cottages, get dive spot tips and meetthe local conservationist community at Misool Eco Resort.

MANSUARFamed for its Manta Rays, this stop will become the highlight of your trip. Either rest on the glistening, white sandy shores to witness these majestic creatures or partake in their play by diving into the brill iant ocean before you. These mantas will be some of the biggest you will ever see, so be sure not to miss it! After your adventurous day, relax to allow the sky regale you of its romantic tale with deep blues and purples combining with bright yellow.

WAIGEO (AND ALYUI BAY)The main island of the Raja Ampat group, Waigeo is home to the region’s capital of Waisai and has the most attractions out of all the islands. From scaling small rock islands, to exploring scenic bays walled in by towering clif fs, hiking through the jungly interior, or, of course, incredible diving, this area will not provide a single dull moment. Discover lovely waterfalls an hour east of the capital or venture over to the villages near mystical MayalibitBay. A remote destination on the island of Waigeo, Alyui Bay offers secure and sheltered waters, making it a perfect location for the maturation of oysters. The bay is pollution-free and nutrient-rich, which is ideal for the growth of pearls as well as your own enjoyment.

GAMSeperated from Waigeo by only a very narrow passage, this sister island is not playing second fiddle to its larger counterpart. The passage to the island of Gam is an attraction as well as a gateway. Embellished with precious, little islets, this area brings the small creatures of the sea front and center. Go explore the maze created by numerous small rock islands in Hidden Bay. Get lost in the landscape as well as the landscape.

KRIIf you are looking to be off the grid, the island of Kri will be your escape. You will not be bothered, nor be found on this small oasis. Bask in the sun on your own piece of perfection or swim with the largest concentration of big fish this area has to offer.

YANGGEFO BAYAnother unmapped island, you will feel like the first to discover the island of Yanggefo, just on chance alone. As you reach closer and closer to land, you will gaze upon the large amount of mangrove trees, whose roots have entwined themselves within the life underwater and become a spectacle for your eyes, as well as a home for fish below you. Yanggefo keeps its beautiful islands a secret, but once you have found them, you will want

to keep them

PENEMUThese Limestone Islands covered in Tropical Rainforest seem to put you back into a world beyond our time. You will encounter beautiufl walls crawling with marine life and coral covered slopes in a medium current. For experienced divers, this is a great spot to take a night dive, where you can see a variety of clam species, sea urchins, cephalopods, sea spiders, and crabs.

WAYAGThese Limestone Islands covered in Tropical Rainforest seem to put you back into a world beyond our time. You will encounter beautiufl walls crawling with marine life and coral covered slopes in a medium current. For experienced divers, this is a great spot to take a night dive, where you can see a variety of clam species,

sea urchins, cephalopods, sea spiders, and crabs.

KABUI PASSAGEThe Kabui passage is a very special dive and full of surprises… Strong currents wash through the shallow channel and the greenish water easily seams a bit spooky. Mangroves and rainforest cover its shoreline and inhabit archor fishes and colorful soft corals in the shallow waters but also lots of weird looking critters and juvenile fishes. From time to time you also see turtles and small schools of great barakudas cruising by. Also abnormous sized sponges and all dif ferent kinds of sea fans, sea pens, hydroids, sea squirts and shrimps make this area to a very unique habitat.

DARAM / EFPIANFrom the surface the islets of black rock seem almost lost - the only habitats above the water level are pelagic birds, snails, and chitons, but the clear blue water around them is full of marine life. Colorful soft corals and black corals cover the rocks and in the numberous sea fans you find pegmy seahorses and spider crabs. Thousands of little reef fishes add one more dimension to this amazing under water landscape. Often big schools of batfish, bannerfish or red tooth trigger fish are cruising by.

FARONDI / WAGMABPretty bays and cast limestone islands build the coastline of this region. There are also some interesting caves above and below the water level. Scenbic forested islands hills rise steeply up from the coast. Heavy currents make some of the dive sites in between Farondi and Wagmab challenging, but if the visibility is good it is one of the most various and stunning dives you can do. Caves, sandy slopes covered in black coral bushes, gorgonion fans, sea whips etc. Also big schools of barakudas and bumphead parrotfishes are seen on the sites.

PALAU

PALAUMAP OFMAP OF

KOROR

BLUE CORNER

JELLYFISH LAKE

BABELDAOBISLAND

ANGAUR ISLAND

PELELIU ISLAND

NGARDMAU WATERFALLS

PALAUThe Republic of Palau is scenically magical. For such a tiny area of land, it packs a big punch. It ’s hard not to be overwhelmed by its extraordinary array of natural wonders: this is an archipelago of about 200 largely pristine limestone and volcanic islands, blanketed in emerald forest, surrounded by a shimmering turquoise lagoon. Unsurprisingly, diving is the number-one activity here, with truly world-class dive sites. Divers swear by Palau’s exciting seascape, fascinating wrecks and stunningly diverse marine life – it ’s not dubbed ‘the underwater Serengeti’ for nothing.When the underwater wonders have finished working their magic on you, there are other adventure options. Kayaking, snorkelling and off-road driving are fabulous, with the added appeal of fantastic settings. And for history buffs there are plenty of WWII relics scattered in the jungle, as well as a handful of well-organised museums in Koror, Palau’s largest town.

KORORPalau’s economic and commercial hub of Koror comprises Koror Island and its two satellite islands, Malakal and Ngerkebesang. The only city of any note in Palau, Koror is home to about two-thirds of the country’s population and hosts most of its tourist facilities. Even so, it retains the air of a provincial town. While it may not fulfil all fantasies about tropical paradises, the city has a few good surprises up its sleeve. Great restaurants, idiosyncratic shops, cute little museums, and a weird mix of traditional monuments and modern-day buildings line the busy streets of the fairly compact centre. Best of all, it ’s ideally situated for hopping to neighbouring islands, including the fascinating Rock Islands archipelago, a short boat ride away.

BLUE CORNERBlue Corner, one of Palau’s most magical dives, is known for its sheer abundance of underwater life and reef configuration – the point juts into the open ocean and then drops to the depths. Divers are dazzled by the incredible variety of fish, including barracudas, jacks, Napoleon wrasses and schooling grey reef sharks. Strong tidal currents render it a dive for the more experienced – a reef hook is a must to remain stationary in the current.

JELLYFISH LAKESnorkelling in Jellyfish Lake is one of Palau’s many highlights. This land-locked marine lake, in the south of the archipelago, is fil led with millions of harmless transparent jellyfish that swim en masse to follow the path of the sun. Floating among these flimsy brownish creatures – which expand and contract like so many pulsating brains – is like exploring the atmosphere of an alien world.

From where the boat moors, you’ll need to hike up over a hill about 10 minutes through the jungle to reach this mangrove-bordered lake – be careful of the slippery rock.

BADRULCHAU STONE MONOLITHSIf you want to see the ‘Easter Island of Micronesia’, bookmark this archaeological site located at Babeldaob’s northernmost point, where you’ll f ind large basalt monoliths studded on a hillside. Their origin and purpose is unknown, but according to one legend the gods put them there to support a bai (men’s meeting house) that held thousands of people. Some stones weigh up to five tonnes. Badrulchau is also a wonderful picnic spot, with splendid sea views.

NGARDMAU WATERFALLAnother unmapped island, you will feel like the first to discover the island of Yanggefo, just on chance alone. As you reach closer and closer to land, you will gaze upon the large amount of mangrove trees, whose roots have entwined themselves within the life underwater and become a spectacle for your eyes, as well as a home for fish below you. Yanggefo keeps its beautiful islands a secret, but once you have found them, you will want to keep them