The Four King Islands Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat or 'Four Kings' is the name given to these islands. A name that comes from a local myth. The four main islands are Waigeo, Salawati, Batanta, Misool which is an ancient stone paintings.


Underwater travel lovers from all over the world coming to Raja Ampat to enjoy the best underwater scenery in the amazing world. When you are in lively Bali, as well as sacred, wrapped in art, then take the a plane to Papua Island. Next, be prepared for an unforgettable adventure. Start your tour from here to dive in the most beautiful underwater. Explore vertical underwater walls that. Feel the tension also diving, while pounding ocean currents oscillate. It will certainly be an unforgettable personal experience in the Raja Ampat.

Area of ​​the islands in the Raja Ampat is very broad, covering 4.6 million hectares of land and sea. This is where home to 540 types of coral, 1,511 species of fish, and 700 species of molluscs. Wealth of these species have made Raja Ampat as a living library of the collection of coral reefs and marine life in the world's most various. In fact, according to The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International, there are about 75% of the world's marine species live in this amazing island.

the welcome dance

When you arrive in Raja Ampat the excitement can already be felt. Suddenly a new sound that people instantly come here praise the name of God because of his eyes and his heart enticed the scenery outside. If you do not find the response was so stunned silence is evidence someone has captured a speck of paradise falls in clear crystal clear sea and gentle waves sweeping white sand.





"Di sini bagus!" Said a friendly local guide from a travel agent in Raja Ampat. Words beginning it signifies that the visitor has arrived at one of the best dive sites in the world. When not guiding tourists, local guide this is an ordinary fisherman. Fishermen are accustomed to outsiders who come to visit, they are very friendly, especially if given betel nuts or candy (you should try). This method has been known to give candy which is considered a form of courtesy and able to smile raises the fishermen.

Fishermen in Raja Ampat usually eat a snack when conversing (Para-para Pinang). They will be exchanging funny stories while chewing betel nuts. In many ways including the similarity of nature, culture, and history, that the fishing communities in the Raja Ampat has similarities with Maluku society.

Raja Ampat scenery like a dream but this is not an illusion. When you plunge dive underwater to look at the details of the marine animals that greet. Pygmy seahorses can be approached as if to greet your fingers shake hands. Mantaray and wobbegong will swim with you. Tuna, giant trevaliies, snapper, barracuda and even helped to welcome you under the sea. That's not enough, what if there is a new friend that is friendly dugong fish like to swim with you. Do not miss also observe the busy little fish keep its territory and forth. If you are lucky may be able to swim with the sea turtle.

Natural beauty, as if absolutely untouched has been the main attraction here. No need to phrase the blue sky or the beauty of the verdant lush island, because what is in the land and under the sea will tell you "Welcome to Raja Ampat is a tropical paradise richest marine biological diversity in the world today.

Normally, divers will join a sightseeing tour and stayed at the resort for divers visiting the island of Raja Ampat. To access the dive spots then you can contact the travel agent that can be found in Sorong. Some travel agent also offers the option of a boat tour like this.
1. A tour of the boat around the Raja Ampat
2. Diving in Raja Ampat
3. Raja Ampat
From Sorong, there are two types of boats are speed boat, and a long boat. Using a speed boat can carry 15 passengers and takes about 1 hour 40 minutes, fare prices IDR 2.000.000, 00. While the long boat carrying 10 passengers and takes about 2-3 hours, the fare price IDR 1.200.000, 00. You need to know that the price can change at any time.

You can rent a small boat if you want to explore the island more freely. The islands of Raja Ampat has 4 main islands and hundreds of mountains surrounding small islands that you can explore.
In addition, this region also has a lot of coral which is a beautiful natural phenomenon. There are a various unique fauna like Cendrawasih Botak, Cenderawasih Merah, Maleo Waigeo, kus-kus. For the type of flora then you can see orchids, palms, and many others.

Try to do activities of trekking around the island to discover the hidden beauty such as waterfalls and ancient caves.

To come here you can fly from Jakarta, which took 6 hours flight from Sorong and stop in Manado. Or, you can follow the tour to dive in Bali and fly from there. Sorong like any other city, where you can get almost everything here, even though the price is more expensive because of its remote location.

Usually only the audience who came to the marine tourism of Raja Ampat take part in the tour and travel agents. You do not need to be proficient to dive, to follow the dive tour, because travel agents offer tours for divers and non-divers.

There is a ferry that departs daily from Sorong to Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat Island Waigeo. Ferries depart from Sorong at 13.00, a trip from Sorong to Waisai takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. Ferry back to Sorong from Waisai around 11:00 am. In Sorong speedboat is also available for rent.



Tips

• October or November is a good time for visit Raja Ampat because the sea is calm and perfect for the camera catches. 
• Bring a camera underwater or waterproof wrapping special camera. Use your underwater photography skills, due to take photos underwater is not easy but it is also a regret if passed. 
• Bring sunblock, sunscreen, and a hat, t-shirts are also convenient for beach weather. 
• Bring insect repellent and anti-malarial drugs.

by Beni Wiranta

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