I'm staying a Raja Ampat Dive Lodge on Mansuar Island. Today was the first day of diving at Mayhem, Yenggola Ridge, and Cape Kri. Mayhem and Yenggola Ridge are in great condition. Lots of healthy coral. There are some red and green algae patches here and there, and it's spreading. Water temps were 83-84 degrees. I saw 5 wobbegong sharks today at Yenggola Ridge, the most I've seen in one dive site.
What you've heard and read about Cape Kri is still happening. There are huge areas of bleached hard corals, including stony, table top, and cabbage, and some others I don't know the names. These are huge coral structures that have suffered, like 6-10 feet in diameter. It's really sad. The water temp today varied from 83-87 degrees. There is less red algae cover here.
I was here in December 2023, and this is a dramatic change in such a short period of time. Back then, there was no evidence of widespread disease of any sort and the fish were plentiful. I did notice a reduction in the number of fish and critters. There were a couple of schools of fish, but not the volume I remember from the last trip.
If you're a first-timer to RA, you won't have a basis of comparison unless you're used to the dying reefs of the Caribbean. Had this been my first time, I would have regretted spending the time and money to come across the world to RA for diving. As it is, I do have some measure of disappointment and I'm not "wowed" like the first time.
I snapped a couple of pics. I'll post later as more of the Dampier Strait sites are visited.
