"Raja Ampat, Where the Fish Live" Sorong by DidiBeachBum

The Raja Ampat Islands
In the Heart of the Coral Triangle

The Raja Ampat, or “Four Kings,” archipelago encompasses around 4 million hectares of land and sea off the northwestern tip of Indonesia’s West Papua Province. Located in the Coral Triangle, the heart of the world’s coral reef biodiversity, the seas around Raja Ampat hold the richest variety of coral species recorded in the world. Raja Ampat includes the four large islands of Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati, and Misool, plus hundreds of smaller islands.

The area’s massive coral colonies show that its reefs are resilient to threats like coral bleaching and disease — threats that now jeopardize the survival of corals around the world. In addition, Raja Ampat’s strong ocean currents sweep coral larvae across the Indian and Pacific Oceans to replenish other reef ecosystems. Raja Ampat’s coral diversity, resilience to threats, and ability to replenish reefs make it a global priority for marine protection. The archipelago is part of an area known as the Bird’s Head seascape, which also contains Cendrawasih Bay, the largest marine national park in Indonesia, and Jamursba Medi, housing some of the most important sea turtle nesting beaches in the world.



Survey Confirms Highest Marine Biodiversity on Earth



In 2002, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and its partners conducted a scientific survey of the Raja Ampat Islands to collect information on its marine ecosystems, mangroves, and forests. The survey brought Raja Ampat’s total number of confirmed corals to 537 species—an incredible 75% of all known coral species. In addition, 828 fish species were recorded, raising the known total for Raja Ampat to an amazing 1,074. On land, the survey found lush forests, rare plants, limestone outcroppings, and nesting beaches for thousands of sea turtles. Though human impacts here are less severe than elsewhere in Indonesia, Raja Ampat’s natural resources are threatened by overfishing and destructive fishing, turtle poaching, and unsustainable logging.

source: http://coraltriangle.org/rajaampat_new_oct08.htm

I left my footsteps and my heart in Raja Ampat...

Being labeled as the "undewater amazon" and "where the fish live", Raja Ampat archipelago also offers dramatic above the water scenery.

• Pros:Last piece of heaven on earth
• Cons:no public transport, must charter a boat
• In a nutshell:Where the fish Live