xPLore thE bLue pLanEt...

No doubt about it, the Raja Ampat is definitely the richest place for fish, that I have ever been. Dr G.R.Allen

" I was like a five-year-old, seeing a reef for the very first time. I was awestruck, held by the incredible power of this richest reef. We must, with all available resources, preserve the beauty of Raja Ampat. This may be the last frontier. Michael Aw

"I love the people, I love the diving, It's super!! I've never been for a second time to the same dive destination but now
I'm thinking about going back for the third time!! Should I say more?" Peter van Dalen
(Taken from www.iriandive.com)

Dive sites in Raja Ampat Island:

• Kri Island Kri has several sites and Cape Kri is one of the fishiest. The fish numbers and variety are truly amazing. The site is current dependent. Generally it's a steep slope with beautiful coral growth, lots of reef and schooling fishes, including the giant Queensland Grouper.
• Sardine Reef: Sardine Reef has really giant clams at 10m (33ft) but it's all about non-stop fishes here. There's a resident school of bumphead parrotfish in the shallows, colorful soft corals and plenty of critters.
• Kaboei Bay Rock Islands: The bay is a labyrinth of rock islands. Visibility isn't great but this is a great place for macro and finding odd nudibranches, mollusks and the pictured dragonet. Bat caves and skeletons are found on some of the islands.
• The Passage: This is a drift dive through a narrow channel near Waigeo. Look for archerfish among the mangroves, orange cup corals, seahorses, and percula clownfish.
• Fam Island: Several sites near Fam have stunning coral growth. Sponges and soft corals add color and fishes keep it going. Sites include walls, sloping reefs, and muddy bays.
• Misool: Misool is awash in fish life and huge sea fans. Caverns and boulders mark several sites. The schooling fishes seem endless and pygmy seahorses live in less than 10m (33ft). Some sites are current dependent.

At a Glance Irian Diving

• Reef type: Vertical walls, Lagoon channels, caves, platform reefs, etc.
• Access: By boat from base camps.
• Visibility: Very good, 20-45 meters.
• Current: Moderate, excellent for drift diving.
• Coral: Excellent " abundant & divers.
• Fish: Variety & abundance guaranteed.
• Highlights: Snorkeling with dolphins near the Wai base camp (5m); White-tip sharks under P47B wing; finding new wrecks untouched/complete.

It is easiest to fly through to Sorong via Jakarta or via Singapore. Merpati, Pelita and Lion/Wings Airlines operate daily flights from Jakarta to Sorong (with stopovers in Ujung Pandang/Makassar and/or Manado), whereas Silk Air operates regularly from Singapore to Manado. Daily flights to and from Sorong by Airlines Merpati, Lion/Wings or Pelita.

Raja Ampat Island have several accommodations whit traditional design, and there many boat you can rent for a stay. If you using dive operator they will arrange for your base came.

Raja Ampat islands have a very diverse topography with steep mountain shores and deserted white sand beaches. Explore the land on foot. Use a boat to move from one dive site to another dive site.

There are several restaurants and cafes throughout Sorong. Try their specialties: traditional irian foods!

There are many traditional souvenirs made from wood.

You can visit gorgeous waterfalls, ancient burial sites, bat caves and stunning waterways breathtaking limestone landscapes and Manta ray spotting and bird watching.

• To enter Papua itself, you need a surat jalan (Travel Permit) which is issued by the local police. Please bring: 3 Passport Photos, 3 Copies of the photo page of your passport and 3 Copies of the passport page with the Indonesian Visa.
• Guide Book : Diving Indonesia (a guide to the world's greatest diving), Periplus Action Guide, Kal Muller.
• More Information about Irian Jaya Dive, contact: Sorong, Indonesia Office: Papua Diving. Phone: +62 (411) 401 660, Fax: +62 (951) 325 274. www.Iriandiving.com

Bora Bora will seduce you into buying the Cadillac of paradises, the one loaded with all the luxury trappings you know you don't need but just can't live without. Legendary not only for its lush beauty but also its hedonistic decadence, this island is a fairy-tale creation of jagged volcanic peaks juxtaposed against crystal-clear aqua lagoons. One of the world's most famous dream destinations, Bora Bora lures honeymooners, heiresses and movie stars by the plane load with a potent potion of ostentatiously hip, oh-so-romantic, slightly naughty exotica. A wicked seductress, this island tempts with a Pandora's box of guilty pleasures: but you'll have to decide if they're worth the hefty price attached.

There's no doubt Bora Bora is overpriced - both top-end and basic accommodation cost more here than anywhere else in French Polynesia, and some say this is one paradise not worth purchasing, that it's overpriced, overdeveloped and overhyped. Others argue that the island James Cook baptised as the 'pearl of the Pacific' is worth every penny of the très cher entrance fee. If you're looking to seriously indulge, Bora Bora has plenty of five-star resorts to pamper your every whim - the kinds of places where the glass-floored bungalows hover over turquoise seas, dinner is a multicourse candle-lit affair and breakfast is served from an outrigger canoe. If money's any object, Bora Bora has plenty of quaint family pensions (guesthouses), often situated on some of the best real estate, in which to rest your head

SIGHTSEEING AND ISLAND FUN

ECO, CULTURAL & NATURE TOURING 

This section of activities includes light, non-strenous walking and/ or lagoon touring ideas like: Eco/ nature lagoon tours or botanical hiking trips on established trails and various island tours that include colorful descriptions of the cultural aspects and history of Bora Bora and touring of its archeological sights.       
     
Below is a list of qualified companies, organizations, and individuals that can help arrange an interesting day touring experience for you on Bora bora island:

ATO EXCURSIONS (LAND)
Located in Pofai bay, P.O. Box 49- 98 730 Vaitape- BORABORA, Tel. (689) 67.77.27, Mr. Ato TINORUA
Island cultural and botanical discovery hike to see the fruit trees, flowers and medicinal plants. Half day trips. Round trip transfers provided.

LAGOON EXCURSIONS

This section includes various ways of exploring, sightseeing, and experiencing the magical lagoon of Bora Bora by way of the water. Different touring companies specialize in lagoon tours by way of sailboat, outrigger canoes, or powerboat or cruiser. 

Easily seen in a day, there are so many interesting things to see and do in her waters, any of these touring experiences makes for a perfect day. You'll snorkel, learn the facts and information of the lagoon, fish the reefs, picnic on motus, relax, take photos and appreciate the rugged beauty of the island's shoreline as much as you will the brilliant blue colors of the lagoon... 

Here's a list of companies that take 1/2 and full day tours of both islands:  

By SAILBOAT
Surely seeing and learning about the lagoon from the decks of a luxury Catamaran is a perfect way to spend the day? Here's a few companies which specialize...