Raja Ampat "the truly heaven for pleasure seeker"

Raja Ampat Indonesia :: The heat of the sun and the bright air makes exasperated guests to dive and dive again. Sunlight penetrates the cracks often waves to the reef. Beauty of the scenery and marine life did make a lasting impression for the tourists. For lovers of coastal tourism and underwater fanatic, Raja Ampat is very well known even rated the best in the world for quality of coral reefs.

Many international underwater photographers capture the charm of the sea Raja Ampat. Some even come over and over again and make a special book about the beauty of coral reefs and marine life this region. Mid-2006, a special team of the world's leading scientific adventure magazine, National Geographic, made coverage in Raja Ampat that will be a major report in 2007.

A total of 610 Island in Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is a fraction of Sorong regency, since 2003. The district has a population of 31,000 souls has 610 islands (only 35 islands are inhabited) with a total area of ​​about 46,000 km2, but only 6,000 km2 of land, 40,000 km2, the sea again. The islands are unspoiled and the sea is still beautiful to make direct tourists hooked. They seemed to want to explore the waters in the "Bird's Head" New Guinea.

This region had become the target of hunters reef fish by bombing and cyanide poison to spread. However, still many people are working to protect the region's marine wealth that could be saved. Coral reefs in Raja Ampat marine rated most complete in the world. Of the world's 537 species of coral, 75 percent were in these waters. Also found 1104 species of fish, 669 species of molluscs (soft animals), and 537 species of coral animals. Incredible.

The World Bank in collaboration with global environmental institutions establish Raja Ampat as one region in East Indonesia, which received assistance Coral Reef Rehabilitation and Management Program (Coremap) II, since 2005. In Raja Ampat, this program covers 17 villages and involve the local population. Fishermen are also trained to cultivate grouper and seaweed.

Exoticism Raja Ampat Indonesia

Papua Diving, the only exotic resort that offers underwater tours in the region, visited by tourists diving enthusiasts at home for days and even up to a month wading through the contours of the sea floor. They seemed to not want to go back to their countries because they get "island paradise second to none on this earth".

Managers not easy to prepare a place for tourists. Maximillian J Ammer, owner of Dutch citizens of Papua Diving Resort is also a pioneer marine tourism drive this region, need desperately to set up various facilities to attract tourists from abroad. Since he started his business eight years ago, more funds must be spent. However, the results are also satisfactory. Each year the resort is visited at least 600 special tourist who spent an average of two weeks.

Lodging is very simple that only a walled and roofed woven palm leaves that cost a minimum of 75 euro or Rp 900,000 a night. If you want to dive must pay 30 euros or approximately USD 360,000 was diving at a particular location. Most tourists come from Europe. Only a few tourists from Indonesia to stay and dive in there.

"Tourists dive almost every day because the dive sites are very wide and varied. Coral reefs are varied so much choice and invite curiosity. There are tourists who are aged 80 years is still strong dive, "said Max Ammer which women married to Manado.

Three years ago, Papua Diving build a modern inn not far from the first location. Apparently, the inn was built by relying on local building materials are almost always fully booked. Though the charge reaches 225 euros, or about Rp 2.7 million per night. In the new location, equipped modern appliances, including international telephone and internet.

Tourists to the Raja Ampat Diving just want to Papua on the island of Mansuar because the facilities are of international standard and servants, also the food. They landed at the airport Domne Eduard Osok, Sorong, directly to the location of the fast boats with a capacity of about 10 people at a rate of Rp 3.2 million each way. It takes about 3-4 hours to reach Mansuar.

Like the other islands, Mansuar looks beautiful because forests are still awake and the seawater was so clean of marine life which is not far from the surface can be seen clearly. Tourists enough to swim or snorkelling to see the beauty of the sea, whereas if you want to observe directly beauty of marine life in the depths, they should dive.

Feel Safe in Raja Ampat Indonesia

Local residents involved in the development and management of the resort, even 90 of the 100 employees are citizens of Papua. Residents also supplies fish, vegetables, fruits, and others. One of the tour package to visit the village to see typical local plants and animals, including birds of paradise. Many tourists who become donors of the church and the education of children around the Man-flare.

Max Ammer is committed to improving the economic and skills of local residents. They're trained in foreign languages ​​and use scuba gear. Tourists feel safe in times of day and night while enjoying blazing and sunsets as well as swimming and diving in the deep sea.

In addition to marine and fisheries, Raja Ampat has a wealth of natural resources, including oil and nickel. On the seabed there are also many ships wrecked former World War II the estimated load "treasure trove" of high value. However, if mismanaged, it is feared exploitation activities threaten the sustainability and the natural beauty of the sea.