Snorkeling and Birdwatching Tour

Early this month I guided a solo traveler to Raja Ampat islands in West Papua province of Indonesia. We spent nearly 1 week enjoying snorkeling, and birdwatching in some tropical islands and their coral reef areas to see various kinds of fish. To take pictures of marine life, I brought my Fujifilm XQ2 and its waterproof case. The camera is small enough when inserted into my travel bag. 

Kabui bay of Raja Ampat

Small tropical island in Raja Ampat

We saw Moorish Idol, Striped Surgeonfish, Small-toothed whiptail, Latticed Butterflyfish, Clark's Anemonefish, Clown Anemonefish, Emperor Anglefish, Ornate Butterflyfish, Saddled Butterflyfish, Parrotfish, Boxfish and a lot more. To take pictures underwater, I did some freediving to a depth of 2 to 3 meters (6.56 - 9.84 feet). When I positioned my body on the same eye level with the fish or coral that I want to shoot, I could get better results. Unfortunately, I could not hold my breath for too long. When I approached the fish, it might swim away. I held hard coral so that waves or current would not push me away. In just less than 1 minute in the water, I tried to make as many photographs as possible. That's how I made the underwater pictures of marine life that I present in this blog.

Marine Life in Raja Ampat

Coral reef in Raja Ampat

In addition to swimming, snorkeling and sightseeing tour, I also organized birdwatching tour to several rainforest areas and small islands around Waigeo island. We watched Red Bird of Paradise, Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Coconut Lorikeet, Red-cheeked Parrot, Blyth's Hornbill, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Spice Imperial Pigeon, Hooded Butcherbird, Beach Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Lesser Frigatebird, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Brahminy Kite and a lot more. 

Red Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea rubra)

I brought my spotting scope and tripod, laser pointer, and binoculars, and field guide book Birds of New Guinea. These birding gear greatly enhanced our birding experience.
Raja Ampat is a very beautiful destination for visitors who like nature. I organize tours to this regency for single traveler in a customized itinerary, or for a group of some tourists who like to see the marine life and wildlife of its rainforest.
How to go to Raja Ampat?
It is easy to visit this archipelago. Sorong city is the main gate to Raja Ampat islands. Please, see the following map

Flight routes to Sorong city from major 

• First, take an international flight from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia), after that, you take direct flight to Sorong city
• Or you can fly to Singapore, continue to Manado city and then to Sorong city
• Or you fly to Denpasar in Bali and then by using domestic flight you go to Makassar and finally you fly to Sorong city. 

Booking
If you are interested in traveling to Raja Ampat and want me to organize your tour and guide you, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
Kabui bay of Raja Ampat
Reef Fish Art
Snorkeling Holiday in Raja Ampat