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Irian Jaya and
Raja Ampat Islands
Irian Jaya is a land of exceptional natural
splendour with wild impenetrable jungles.
The well known Asmat Tribe - that first
became famous through their head-hunting
practices and later it’s fine woodcarving -
inhabits this region. Around Irian Jaya the
Raja Ampat scuba diving sites have the
richest coral reef life on the planet with
over 1,200 fish species. It’s the ultimate
scuba diving fantasy!
Irian Jaya (recently renamed West Papua
Province) makes up the western sector of the
huge Indonesian island of New Guinea that
lies just north of Australia. It is home to
Raja Ampat, the world's most biodiverse
marine region hosting more recorded fish,
coral and mollusc species than anywhere else
in the known Universe. But the area’s
attractions reach much wider than the marine
life.
Wildlife enthusiasts will marvel at Irian
Jaya's natural diversity ranging from
mangrove swamps and rolling heaths to
jungles and wood-filled highlands brimming
with orchids, ferns and carnivorous pitcher
plants as well as over 1,500 bird species.
With New Guinea mapped as the world's second
largest island, Irian Jaya makes up an
astounding 22% of Indonesia's total land
area and the starkly diverse ecological
zones packed into such a limited space is
unprecedented anywhere on earth: from
moss-bedecked montane and submontane forests
that morph into alpine grasslands - to
near-impenetrable foothill jungles that rise
up into snowfields and jagged peaks capped
with glaciers and then fall suddenly into
lowlands where eucalyptus savannah, peat
swamps and brackish mangroves compete for
space.
The average lowland temperature stays around
27°C all year round. Expect hot and muggy
coastal climates and contrasting cool to
cold weather in the mountainous highlands.
Most rain falls unpredictably in the Sorong
and Raja Ampat region from May to September,
though seldom for more than a few days at a
time. Heavy rains fall on the north coast
during the northwest monsoon from November
to April with highlands downpours from
December to March. The southwest monsoon
from May to October sees rain on the
mountains but leaves the coast relatively
dry.
Excellent diving nearly
all year round. Those that have been
there will tell you diving in Raja Ampat is as
close as one can get to marine heaven.
Diving Season
Depth: 5 - >40m
Visibility: 10 - 30m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface Conditions: Calm
Water Temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience Level: Intermediate -
advanced
Number of dive sites: Unknown but
>200
With such a variant
spectrum of ecological zones, Irian Jaya is
possessed of an equally diverse spectrum of
weird and wonderful flora and fauna.
Surprisingly the largest land animal is not
a mammal but a bird: the ostrich-like
cassowary - with the largest animal listed
as the saltwater crocodile. The majority of
indigenous mammals are marsupials including
the strange egg-laying, hedgehog-like
echidna. The area also has one of the three
richest concentrations of plant life on
Earth. In terms of oceanic attractions the
Raja Ampat National Park is the most diverse
underwater region in the world.
The main islands of Raja Ampat, are known as
the Four Kings and consist of Waigeo in the
north, Salawati to the west of Sorong,
Batanta to the north of Salawati, and Misool
in the south. These are in turn surrounded
by a myriad of gorgeous, untouched smaller
isles with picture postcard beaches and
sheer, ragged limestone cliff sides.
These beautiful outcrops play host to the
greatest collection of fish and coral
species in the world, and are reportedly
also the best place to see the striking
birds of paradise in their natural habitat.
The Baliem Valley, running through Jaya’s
string of jutting mountain peaks, is home to
the gentle warrior tribes of the highlands,
the Dani. Trips to this area can be
undertaken from the administrative centre of
the region. The
somewhat more inaccessible southern coastal
region of Irian Jaya is home to the equally
fascinating Asmat tribe.
The easily reachable northern and western
coasts of Irian Jaya have a well developed
infrastructure. Apart from its great reefs
and gleaming white beaches Biak Island
offers a fine collection of war relics.
Jayapura is the provincial capital with
nearby Yotefa Bay harbouring a spectacle of
half sunken WWII ships, beached tanks and
landing craft.
The town of Sorong at
the western tip of Irian is the main airport
for the Raja Ampat Islands to the west and
offer regular flights to and from Manado,
Bali and Jakarta. Biak Island also has its
own airport.
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