AlamyRaja Ampat, Indonesia
March and April mark the end of the dry season in Indonesia’s West Papua province, when there’s great underwater visibility for snorkellers and divers keen to see Raja Ampat’s storied coral reefs. At the heart of the Coral Triangle, the archipelago’s karst islands rise from some of the planet’s most biodiverse waters, home to manta rays, wobbegong sharks and pygmy seahorses.
Cruise through this Unesco Global Geopark and freshly designated Unesco Biosphere Reserve aboard a handbuilt phinisi (a traditional Indonesian wooden schooner). Lamima and Celestia yachts are luxurious options for private charter, and can accommodate up to 14 guests.
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For divers, spring offers calm seas as well as fewer boats at dive sites since peak season has passed, says Jennifer Tan Phaik Hun, cruise director for Celestia. “Nutrient-rich waters attract manta rays and dense schools of fish, while visibility is between 15 and 30m,” she adds.
On shore, consider booking a local-owned homestay through StayRajaAmpat.com. Dayan Dive Homestay offers six bungalows just off Batanta island, a legendary birding locale home to the endemic red bird of paradise and Wilson’s bird of paradise. You can snorkel through soft coral gardens or go scuba diving right from your doorstep.
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