Raja Empat - the New Nirvana

Will Postlethwaite · Issue 14, Aug/Sep 2003 · pp. 26–28

Products mentioned: Nikon F90, Subal housing, Sea & Sea YS120 strobes, Inon Quad flash, Fuji Provia 100F, Fuji Velvia

26 How do you choose the destination for your next dive trip? As a photographer there are a number of criteria you want to satisfy but in the end there is always a compromise to be made. However, if you after calm, clear water with abundant life including some of the most unusual and rare species to be found, amazing topography cradling the most pristine coral reefs in the world and not another diver in sight then there is a place that scores an easy 10/ 10, Raja Empat. These islands of the ‘Four Kings’ are off the north west tip of West Papua and with the recent introduction of a daily flight link to Manado are the latest and hottest destination. The lid really came off in April 2002 when a group of top marine biologists realeased an assessment of the coral reefs and fishes of the archipelago. Gerald Allen recorded more fish species in one dive (283) than he had ever seen before and J.E…