If you are a frequent nature traveler or ocean lover, you’ve likely come across the name Raja Ampat, Indonesia in recent years. In fact, you’ve probably seen Raja Ampat mentioned in Oceanic Society’s Expeditions Catalog, in our blog posts, and on our social media profiles. If you are not among the few people lucky enough to have visited Raja Ampat, you may be wondering: what’s the big deal? We’re here to fill you in.

And if you’re ready to experience Raja Ampat for yourself, sign up to join our Raja Ampat by Liveaboard Expedition in October 2017 or 2018 while space is still available—click here for trip details.

Here are 9 reasons why we think Raja Ampat belongs on every nature lover’s bucket list:

1. The World’s Highest Marine Biodiversity

Raja Ampat is located at the heart of the Coral Triangle region, home to the greatest diversity of marine species recorded anywhere on Earth. This fact will become obvious during your first forays into the water here!

New species are still being discovered regularly in Raja Ampat, adding to the already impressive totals—more than 1,400 fish species and 550+ species of reef-building corals (75% of the world’s coral species) are found here. For comparison, there are 62 stony coral species found in the Caribbean Sea. Just look at all the species in the photo above!

2. Abundant Megafauna

A highlight of every visit to Raja Ampat is the high likelihood of encountering large, charismatic species like sea turtles, manta rays, whale sharks, and whales—known collectively as megafauna. Raja Ampat is home to 17 species of marine mammals, including orcas, sperm whales, Bryde’s whales, and others, as well as 5 sea turtle species, and many superlative sharks and rays, including massive whale sharks. This is due, in part, to the fact that many of Raja Ampat’s shallow water habitats, where snorkeling and diving are good, are near deep waters where megafauna are present. Moreover, Raja Ampat’s waters are remote, protected, and biologically productive, making it one of the best places to encounter wild megafauna while snorkeling, diving, and cruising.

3. Mind Blowing Macrofauna

For experienced snorkelers and divers, looking for the little critters on and around the reef—often called macrofauna—is an extremely fun and rewarding challenge. Raja Ampat boasts a breathtaking array of macro life, including hundreds of colorful and unusual nudibranch species, at least five species of pygmy seahorse, pipefishes, several frogfish species, tiny blue-ringed octopuses, incredible mollusks, many shrimp including the famed mantis shrimp, colorful wrasses, blennies, and other small fish, and so much more. It is both a diehard macro lover’s dream and the type of place that will turn you into a macro fanatic!

4. Thriving Reefs, Warm Water, Great Visibility

There are relatively few places left in the world where you can enjoy find healthy, vibrant coral reefs that show little sign of human impact. Raja Ampat, though not entirely untouched, provides a rare opportunity to see reefs that look like those Jacques Cousteau likely encountered during his legendary explorations just a few decades ago. The reefs of Raja Ampat have even been found to be naturally resilient to coral bleaching, a side effect of climate change that is plaguing reefs worldwide. Moreover, warm water temperatures (80-86˚F) and great visibility (averaging 50-100 feet) make for an outstanding in-water experience.

5. Extremely Cool Sharks

There are sharks that can walk, and you can see them in Raja Ampat. Need we say more? There are also wobbegong sharks—bottom-dwelling kings of ambush that have otherworldly, fringed mouthparts. Not to mention whale sharks (the largest fish on Earth), whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, gray reef sharks, and several other species that are readily found here. With Raja Ampat having been declared a sanctuary for sharks and manta rays in 2013, the opportunity to see these wonderful animals will be assured well into the future.

6. Awesome Diversity of Snorkel and Dive Habitats

As you traverse Raja Ampat it becomes immediately apparent that you will never run out of new and unique snorkel or dive sites to capture your attention. Raja Ampat offers shallow water reefs of 3 to 5 feet in depth where you can see large schools of bumphead parrotfish, as well as lush coral walls that gradually drop off from 5 feet to 900 feet! Beyond its reefs, Raja Ampat boasts blue water mangrove habitats that serve as nurseries for many fish and crustacean species and are a labyrinth of multi-colored soft corals and sponges. Unlike most mangroves, they are surrounded by crystal clear water, allowing you to explore them in detail.

7. Breathtaking Landscapes, Few Tourists

Raja Ampat is one of the planet’s least traveled regions, and has one of the lowest population densities in all of Indonesia. It also features a dramatic geology, with jungle-covered islands of rugged, limestone karst that rise from blue waters. Sunrises and sunsets bring about breathtakingly beautiful color palettes of blues, greens, and pinks that stimulate the senses. Multiple islands offer short hikes that lead to wonderful vantage points, allowing you to fully appreciate these incredible surroundings. And the low number of visitors and residents leads to the peaceful experience of exploring these places in relative solitude—something that is harder and harder to find these days.

8. Unique Birds and Mammals, Many Found Nowhere Else

While our Expeditions to Raja Ampat focus on the diversity found in the water, we also occasionally head on land to see the feathered and furred creatures of the island forests—as elaborately colored and adorned as any sea creature. A visit to the mating leks of the majestic Red Bird-of-Paradise is always a highlight in Raja Ampat. While there, you may be lucky enough to come across the spotted cuscus, a cat-sized, arboreal marsupial. On early morning outings to snorkel or dive sites, we are always on the lookout for massive Blyth’s Hornbills, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, and the bright red and purple Eclectus Parrot, among other charismatic bird species.

9. Your Visit Helps Protect This Special Place

Much of Raja Ampat is protected as part of the Raja Ampat Marine Protected Area network of seven protected areas that cover 1,185,940 hectares (2,930,522 acres), and all of Raja Ampat is a shark and manta ray sanctuary. Your visit as a snorkeler or scuba diver helps demonstrate the global importance and economic value of this special place when it is protected and used sustainably through tourism. The park fees you pay also provide direct support to conservation, and the money you bring to the region helps empower local communities to become conservation stewards.

Ready to Plan Your Trip?

Check out our upcoming expeditions to Raja Ampat to start planning your trip today. For our full list of Expeditions, click here, or request a free copy of our 2017–2018 Expeditions Catalog.

Special thanks to photographer Pete Oxford for the outstanding images used throughout this post, all of which were taken on Oceanic Society Expeditions in Raja Ampat.