You never know what you’re going to see in Raja Ampat, either on the surface or below. I’m entering my fourth year year now and still astounded at what I encounter.
Certain things are commonplace like schooling fish, mantas, wobbegong sharks, the world’ smallest and cutest seashorses, and of course the most breathtaking underwater scenery.
That’s your base as far as expectations and encounters should be concerned and as you can see it’s a pretty solid base.
This is not by any means to say that this is all you will see on a dive excursion in Raja. Holding the title of oceans most bio-diverse marine ecosystem, Raja has a pretty impressive reputation for exceeding expectations. Those mind bending encounters that you hadn’t really planned on, like fleets of mobula rays corralling clouds of silversides just above you, record breaking stingrays, or even whales!
Along with thirteen other types of whales, sperm, brydes, and even killer whales thrive in the nutrient rich waters of Raja. From Dampier’s Strait to Misool, the shiny grey backs of whales regularly break the waters surface with that iconic spout and audible woosh. There is also a very mysterious whale which resides here, and like many of the other Raja residents, it’s new on the species list.
To be honest I had no idea the Omura’s whale even existed until a couple days ago when myself and the guests aboard Mermaid II’s had the privilege of witnessing the whale world’s newest member, though we didn’t know it at the time. From the lateral perspective of the boat, we could just see the backs of one, two and on several occasions three of these whales breaching briefly and then dipping back down into their blue realm.
To enjoy the many pictures of the whales in Raja Ampat visit that page.
To read the full article by Alex Lindbloom, visit that page on Mermaid Liveaboards blog.
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