RAJA AMPAT PICTURES - RAJA AMPAT TRAVELOGUE AND TRIP REVIEW
Jakarta Day trip to Jakarta and to Indonesia Miniature Park <<-- GO
Because of the distance between Jakarta and Raja Ampat, as well as the limited availability of flights, it is advisable to arrive in Jakarta at least one day before the start of the cruise. The free day can be spent with a pleasant day tour of Jakarta, for example to the Indonesia Miniature Park.
Taman Safari Park Day trip from Jakarta to Bogor botanical gardens and Taman Safari Park <<-- GO
Another idea to spend a free day in Jakarta is an excursion to Bogor, the city that hosts one of the largest botanical gardens in the world. Within a relatively short distance, you can find also Taman Safari Park, a large safari park that is home to many animals coming from different corners of the planet.
Cruise to Raja Ampat Our snorkeling cruise to Raja Ampat: Shakti boat <<-- GO
A cruise in Raja Ampat on a small wooden boat allows you to snorkel or dive every day in a different place, thus offering the opportunity to see many different ecosystems and marine life depending on the area you visit.
Wayag islands Photos of Raja Ampat islands seen from outside the water <<-- GO
Raja Ampat is not only spectacular for the immense biodiversity of its waters, but also for the landscape out of the water, dominated by large domes of limestone overlooking pristine lagoons and reefs.
Irian Jaya (Indonesia) Raja Ampat beaches and land excursions to the islands <<-- GO
During the cruise in Raja Ampat, although the trip is mainly dedicated to snorkeling or diving, the opportunity to visit remote deserted beaches on uninhabited islands, shouldn't be missed, as these places are not only spectacular, but they do not see the presence of a human for many consecutive weeks.
Diving in Raja Ampat Snorkeling and diving in Raja Ampat: the underwater landscape <<-- GO
Raja Ampat is located in the Coral Triangle, an area characterized by the greatest marine biodiversity on the planet, hosting hard and soft corals, fish and molluscs in such number that they are not "inserted" into the landscape, but they form the landscape itself.
Sea sponges Photos of sponges and crinoids from my snorkeling trip in Raja Ampat <<-- GO
Raja Ampat is home to a wide variety of sponges, one of the simplest multicellular organism in the world. Obviously there are also many large starfish in different shapes and colors, as well as other echinoderms.
Ascidians Pictures of Ascidians and other tunicates found in Raja Ampat islands <<-- GO
Ascidians, known also as "sea squirt" are often overlooked during dives or snorkeling trips, although these organisms are very interesting under many points of views. Raja Ampat hosts litterally millions of these creatures, along coral reefs and rocks, often filling entire vertical walls.
Hard corals Photos of hard corals from Raja Ampat in the coral triangle <<-- GO
The amount of hard corals, like acropora, living in Raja Ampat is impressive. Their state of health appears to be very good, with their colors determined by a complex relationship with the zooxanthellae algae, producing or masking the pigments.
Soft corals Photos of soft corals in Raja Ampat <<-- GO
The range of soft corals found in Raja Ampat, called "soft" because they do not have an external calcareous skeleton, is featured by an immense variety of species having different shapes and colors, ranging from purple to red, to pink and yellow.
Nudibranch Raja Ampat pictures of nudibranchs, giant clams and other molluscs <<-- GO
The coral reef of Raja Ampat is home to an incredible wide variety of molluscs including, of course, the beautiful nudibranchs that can be sometimes found also very close to the surface. Giant clams can be seen just everywhere and sometimes, in addition to unusual huge size, they display also beautiful colors.
Clown Fish Pictures of clown fish and damsel fish from Raja Ampat Indonesia <<-- GO
Several species of clown fish, living in symbiosis with a wide variety of anemones, are found in large numbers especially in protected lagoons of Raja Ampat islands. The damsel fish are also found here, often swimming in groups of hundreds of individuals.
Angelfish Pictures of other fish and turtles found while snorkeling in Raja Ampat <<-- GO
The variety of fish in Raja Ampat changes considerably depending on exposure of the reef, ocean currents and local ecosystem. The most exposed reefs are featured by larger fish, sharks and turtles, while the more protected areas are populated mainly by smaller fish.