Group Adventures

ULTIMATE INDONESIA: RAJA AMPAT & LEMBEH STRAIT

The most spectacular reefs and best critter diving

The aim of this trip is, quite simply, to combine the best tropical critter diving with the world’s most spectacular reef diving and so create a truly extraordinary dive adventure!

Indonesia straddles the ‘coral triangle’, an imaginary shape drawn on the map by scientists that defines the bounds of the world’s richest marine habitats. Our two destinations are accepted by most divers as the two very different ultimate expressions of that richness. The Lembeh Strait in Sulawesi is THE critter capitol of the world, the benchmark destination that all muck diving spots are measured against. Still further to the east, the Raja Ampat archipelago, off the western end of New Guinea, has the most beautiful, thriving and biodiverse coral reefs in the world. It is a destination that has blown the minds of even the most widely travelled underwater photographers. If you think you have seen coral reefs in all their glory, think again!

The adventure starts in the world famous Lembeh Strait, located on the eastern side of the North Sulawesi peninsula, sandwiched between the mainland and Lembeh Island. Our goal here is strange critters, with dive sites such as the famous Hairball, Nudifalls and Police Pier. Lembeh’s cast of characters is constantly changing, but we can expect to see some or all of the following: frogfish, ghost pipefish, Stargazer, Mandarinfish, Mimic Octopus, Wonderpus, Blue Ring Octopus, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Inimicus Scorpionfish, Ambon Scorpionfish, Rhinopias, seahorses and countless crustaceans and nudibranchs. We will be sure to spend time at classic dive site Jahir, the place where Alex saw his first Mimic Octopus and Flamboyant Cuttlefish. When a friend of Alex’s visited recently, there were no fewer than 12 Hairy Frogfish present! New critters are constantly turning up at Lembeh and the latest star attraction is a new species, Pygmy Pipehorse, discovered by scientists in December 2006.

At Lembeh Strait we will be staying at the well-regarded Lembeh Resort on Lembeh Island. This small resort has been designed to cater for keen divers and photographers (see the Lembewh Strait entry earlier in this brochure for details of the diving and Lembeh Resort). As many keen divers have already visited Lembeh Strait, unlike Raja Ampat, we are offering participants the choice of a short stay at Lembeh or an extended one. We will make three boat dives each day in Lembeh and for those wanting more, there is unlimited shore diving.

Then it is off to Raja Ampat for the main course – 12 nights on the fabulous Seven Seas liveaboard. Graham Abbot, dive guide extraordinaire, will be our Cruise Director. Alex has worked with Graham several times before, both for his Divequest group trips and also in Raja Ampat for the final photography for his new book, ‘Reefs Revealed’. “I am very happy that Graham is involved,” says Alex, “as he runs charters that put our diving and photography first. He will add so much to our enjoyment and productivity in Raja Ampat.” Graham has run many charters for National Geographic, Conservation International and the BBC Natural History Unit in these waters. Graham has led photographers from National Geographic including David Doubilet, works with IMAX film crew Howard & Michelle Hall, and takes BBC film maker Peter Scoones on shoots for the BBC. He will be able to ensure that photographers and marine life enthusiasts alike will be diving on the most suitable dive sites at the best times of the day for marine life photography. He offers great flexibility to divers and makes sure everyone gets to see all the highlights on the expeditions he leads!We could not wish for a better guide and Cruise Director in this area.

Raja Ampat, or the ‘Four Kings’, gets its name from the four large islands of Salawati, Batanta, Waigeo and Misool, which plug the gap between West Papua and Halmahera and divide the Pacific and Indian Oceans. There are thousands of small islands, most with thick undercut ledges and lush rainforests ashore. Signs of mankind are rare. This is virgin territory.

The reefs here defy description. Alex does his best saying “I have dived sites in Raja Ampat that left me totally stunned. One site in Misool had the best hard coral I have ever seen and the best soft coral. But I didn’t even photograph that. I was absorbed by a massive school of fish, a ‘mini-sardine run’ as Graham called it, with jacks, tuna, giant groupers and other predators all gorging themselves. The reefs are very fishy and there are plenty of larger creatures such as Wobbegong Sharks and Manta Rays. Get closer and there are macro delights everywhere. Pygmy seahorses are far more common than in Lembeh; the one in this Divequest brochure was photographed on my safety stop at 5 metres. After almost every dive on my first week I came out of the water proclaiming the site was my best dive ever. Graham takes it all in his stride, adding with a wry smile “Wait for tomorrow”. Tomorrow never disappoints. Dives in Raja Ampat don’t just slot in at the top of your best ever, they totally redefine your points of reference for reef diving”.

Our itinerary in Raja Ampat is a special one: starting and finishing at Sorong in West Papua, we will be able to explore the full spectrum of Raja Ampat. We intend to visit the remote southern reefs of the Misool area of Raja Ampat that few divers have the opportunity to visit, and take in the unique blue water mangroves of Nampele complete with archerfish, before heading up to the central area where many of the more well known dives are, such as Mike’s Point and The Passage.

The Seven Seas is a 33-metre traditionally built Buginese schooner. Custom-designed to accommodate up to 16 guests in spacious comfort, she is has plenty of space for diving and relaxation. The galley is fitted with the latest in culinary equipment so that the chef can produce excellent meals and snacks. Seven Seas features the latest diving and safety equipment, Nitrox supplies, three speed boats to whisk divers to the chosen dive sites and satellite communication. You can sail on Seven Seas in comfort and with confidence. The crew are highly trained to provide a professional, attentive and safety conscientious service. Handling underwater photography equipment with care and respect is all part of their superb service.

There are 8 staterooms each with air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms. Four staterooms have double beds, 2 staterooms have a double bed lower and a single bed upper and 2 staterooms have two single beds, bunk style. Accommodation is on three decks, with the upper deck having a large sun deck with lounge chairs and day beds, plus a smaller sun deck area with comfortable day beds. Two double staterooms are situated on the upper deck. The middle deck houses the air-conditioned lounge and dining areas, and the shaded dive deck with deck showers and dive gear storage. The lower deck houses the remaining 6 staterooms.

Underwater photography, author and marine biologist Dr Alex Mustard will be your guide throughout. There will be no formal teaching during the trip, but Alex will be available throughout and is always happy to pass on tips and recommendations. The combination of two world-class guides along with a superb itinerary should deliver the most spectacular dive experience possible.