Ross1978

and asked whether the Cruise Director had gone in or not and whether he would know the rules and regulations of proper dive operator conduct around Raja Ampat.

 

 

 

 

 

Actually if the WAOW had been anchored close to Blue Magic all morning then it is the WAOW that is breaking Raja Ampat Code of Conduct. Boats should only be at a dive site for a maximum of 2 hours and then move on.

 

But as a manager at a land based resort in the Dampier Straight for 2.5 years I can confidentley say that most of the boats do not adhere to this rule, much to our frustration and dissapointment.

Great photos Buck! I especially love the Damsel, great colours from the fish and the acropora polyps.

The Manta scientists have arrived too late. The majority of the Giant Manta's have already left the Dampier Straight. They start to arrive in December, numbers seem to peak in February, they start leaving in April.

I counted 12 at Blue Magic one day but the viz was not great and I think there were more.

We also get the Giant Manta's at Cape Kri (Sorido Bay Resorts House Reef) and Sardines Reef. The all white Giant Manta is AMAZING. I've seen it a few times.

I am also looking forward to diving with papua-diving, couple of friends came back with great reports.

Right now I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that direct flights from Davao (Philippines) to Manado (Indonesia) will start soon.

   At the moment we would have to fly in a BIG circle from Taipei to   Jakarta (5 hours) and then fly back from Jakarta to Sorong (7 hours).  

With the Davao-Mando flights we can go: Taipei-Manila-Davao-Manado-Sarong (more stopovers, but a potential BIG savings in travel time):

http://www.thejakart...-be-opened.html

http://www.mindanews...o-manado-route/

BTW...I have emailed ALL the airlines and the travel agency mentioned in those reports, and not  a single ones has replied.  So, I am starting to have some doubt if this will actually happen.

Hi John,

Great. Yes lets hope they re-open that connection, because currently it's a real head ache for you guys. Fingers and toes crossed.

If you need anymore info please email Julia at marketing@papua-diving.com.

Hope to be diving with you some day.

Cheers

Ross

Ross:Thank you for the wonderful description of the diving.  we have determined that we will be coming to Kri Eco Resort next year.  We are looking at Sept or Oct and so far there will be eight of us.  If you can recommend a travel agent to book flights and travel we would greatly appreciate it. Bette
Bettewarn@gmail.com

Hi Bette,

Thats great news. I have passed on your email address to Julia our marketing manager. She will contact you today.

See you on Kri!

That's also what I said...   I do not think there are many wreck dive in RA, if any?  It will probably become a top dive site in RA.

Hi Daniel.

There is a nice plane wreck at Pulau Wai. 25 minutes from Kri. It's a U.S P47 Fighter at 28 meters. Very nice dive. Usually has a very big Broad Club Cuttlefish hanging around the wreck.