Dive Raja Ampat, You Will Find 70% of World's Coral Reef

70% world's coral reefs are located in Raja Ampat, West Papua. That's why no wonder if Raja
Ampat well known all around the world as the best diving spot.

"If you dive in Raja Ampat, you directly 70 percents of world's coral reefs," said Vice Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, Sapta Nirwandar within press release of Raja Ampat Festival 2012 ind Sapta Pesona Building, Jakarta (Friday 10/05/2012).

Meanwhile, the chief of Raja Ampat, Marcus Wanma said that this beautiful place is the core of coral reef triangle of the world, he added that Raja Ampat belonging various marine biota. 

"There are whales, dolphins, turtles and many more," said Marcus.



More specific, in addition to that animals, raja Ampat possess five kinds of turtles, an unique kind of shark (Wobbegong and Kalabia or walking shark) sea horse, 15 species of endemic fishes, 699 kinds of clams, 1427 kinds of coral fishes, and hard coral until 553 kinds.


He explained that dolphins can be seen everyday. Mainly in the trip from Sorong to Raja Ampat, tourist could see them in the free water. No wonder if the main livelihood of local society in there is fisherman. But, they keep the environment by capturing the fishes by fishing net to save the environment.

With all of these marine richness, Raja Ampat surely will be the favourite place for diving adventurer. Based on the local government's data, the foreign visitors reached 6.178 in 2011. This number is rising if compared with 1.118 visitors in 2007.

"Raja Ampat is a new region, it was only 9 years old. We have been promoting this place since 2007," said the Chief of Cultur And Tourism, Yusdi Lamatenggo.

Major foreign diver of Raja Ampat came from Europe and US. Visit from Europe reaches 48%, US reaches 31%, Asia reaches 14%, 6% from Australia and 1 % for Africa.

This region consist of 4 big island, they are Wageo island, Misol island, Batanta island and Salawati island. Moreover, Raja Ampat has about 1.000 little islands which are belonging the diversity of flora and fauna like  540 kinds of coral reefs, more than 1.000 kinds of coral fishes and 700 kinds of mollusca. All of these are become the main attraction of tourism.

Festival of Raja Ampat will be held in the Wasai Beach, Raja Ampat in 18th to 21th October 2012. This year will be the third time for the festival which held by Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, cooperated with local government of Raja Ampat also the tourism stakeholders.

Package tour will be prepared for the festival's visitor like birdwatching (visits endemic birds like Cendrawasih and Kasuari), diving, snorkeling and visiting the tourism village.

During the festival, there are also will be held a series of performance of art and creativity, festival of traditional boat, traditional handycraft and also underseas photo contest, exhibition, seminar of diving and tourism.


source : http://travel.kompas.com/read/2012/10/05/16144987/Menyelam.di.Raja.Ampat.Langsung.Lihat.70.Persen.Karang.Dunia