Raja Ampat or Fiji? Are my impressions close?

[Taxgeek]

Hi All! (posted this also at wetpixel).

I've narrowed 2007 down to Fiji or Raja Ampat. Both would be on liveaboards, longish trips. I can afford either, and I understand the logistical and travel differences (minor and major pain in the you-know-what, respectively, from Los Angeles).

I'm trying to get a good handle on how the diving would be different. I gather that Fiji, from the Naia most likely, would involve tons of colorful soft coral, and maybe lots of reef fish too. I get the impression that Fiji tends to have great visibility and coolish water (mid to high 70s anyway). I have no idea what Fiji's topside scenery is like, or whether Naia lets you go onto any beaches. Fiji seems to be fairly civilized from what I can tell, at least the parts I'll see.

I get the impression that Raja Ampat also has lots of soft coral and reef fish, and a huge variety of them (biodiversity center of the universe) but has other things too? Also beautiful hard coral I've read, and people talk about some nice muck sites, which sound a little bit interesting but not hugely so. RA seems to have so-so viz and very warm water. RA appears to have very pretty topside scenery, with one area that looks like Palau's rock islands. RA has the whole "third world country-adventure-culture" thing going for it, but also increasing its "pain in the arse" factor.

Any other major differences? (Ignore the presence or absence of sharks, I've had my lifetime dose of sharks last month in Cocos. They were great.)

I'm looking for pretty things to photograph - colors, soft coral, anemonefish, big schools of small fish, that sort of thing. I shoot video and still. I'm also looking for a really cool adventure and pretty topside scenery.

Not really looking for alternative options - I know there are lots of other great places out there, which I can't wait to try eventually. But I have an emotional response to these two places, so I'd like to choose one of them.

Any corrections of my impressions or additinal informatin about what these places are like to dive would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
Taxgeek

 

[Repetitive Diver]

Hey Taxgeek

You seem pretty well informed about these two places already and I would rate them as both excellent places for a liveaboard.

The main difference in terms of atmosphere between the two destinations would be the frontier diving quality that Raja Ampat has compared to the South Pacific charm of Fiji. In Fiji you will feel like you arriving in a pretty modern place that sort of 'Aloha's' a welcome to you and then you might stay overnight in a resort or hotel before being taken to the departure point in an efficient manner. For liveaboards in Raja Ampat you will probably get off the plane in Sorong which is an airport about the size of the average back yard. You will cruise past islands with few inhabitants and some where modern life seems largely to have passed them by.

For diving I think Raja Ampat certainly has it over Fiji in terms of biodiversity - very healthy hard and soft corals, plenty of big stuff and loads of small stuff. Muck diving doesn't sound great but when you explore the nooks and crannies of Missol island where there are more critters than most textbooks, then you know you are somewhere special.

Fiji is special too however and being the soft coral capital of the world there will be no shortage of colour for you here and some awesome caves and caverns. You are cruising around over the waters of the South Pacific (with historical names like Bligh Water) which can never fail to excite.

You say you are planning for a longish liveaboard -well most Raja Ampat cruises run for a minimum of 11 days and range from budget to deluxe - there are a few traditional Phinisi schooners (big wooden sailing vessels) that cover these waters. In Fiji the main boats like the Nai'a and Aggressor are very much modern Motor Vessels fitted out to specifications that the US market would expect. However only the Nai'a runs trips which are more than a week long.

In short both would be awesome. Why not do one this year and the other the next?

Have fun - I know you will!!

More info here:
http://www.divetheworldfiji.com/fiji-liveaboards.htm
http://www.divetheworldindonesia.com/indonesia-liveaboards.htm

 

[hallboy]

A wooden vessel like the shakti in the middle of Rajaampat..... This sailboat goes with the place. and all compared the diving should be better; so..... begin by Fiji: next year when you will go to RA you will not be disapointed.
I m serious.

 

[Taxgeek]

Thanks, Repetitive Diver and hallboy.
I am leaning toward Fiji, if for no other reason than to avoid it being a letdown later!

 

[Kevrumbo]

Wow, I've been to the Fiji Bligh Waters and am looking forward to see Raja Ampat. The Captain of the Tech/Expedition Liveaboard M/V Empress (http://www.mvempress.com/) confirms that this place has the most prolific and abundant Fish & Coral Life he's ever seen (the Captain, Vidar Skoglie, is also a professional Wreck Salvager & has helped set-up other dive operations elsewhere, like Wakatobi for instance).

 

[leeaf]

I have dived Beqa Lagoon and Taveuni in Fiji and I have just returned from a trip to Raja Ampat/Bunaken/Lembeh.

As far as the diving goes there is absolutely no comparison - RA wins hands down. The vis was usually 15-25m (actually better than what I got in Beqa in March), the reefs are much more spectacular and the fish numbers are massive in comparison. The dives are mostly drift dives along walls or diving sea mounts and pinnacles. Fam Channel and Sardine Reef rate up with the best dives I have ever done and you are GUARANTEED to see Mantas at Manta Point. How can you beat that?

The other benefit is, as you have to go via Manado you can also tack some time on as I did diving Bunaken and Lembeh. Check out this link to see some of the photos I got to give you an idea of what you are likely to see:

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=550096892&security=zedxJg

IMHO you would be mad to do Fiji over RA!!

 

[D_O_H]

Just wanted to butt in and say those are some outstanding photos you linked to, leeaf!

I was trying to make the same decision (Indonesia or Fiji) a few months ago. It's our honeymoon, so we ended up settling on Fiji due to the topside bula/aloha thing.

Would love to check out RA someday soon though.

I have dived Beqa Lagoon and Taveuni in Fiji and I have just returned from a trip to Raja Ampat/Bunaken/Lembeh.

As far as the diving goes there is absolutely no comparison - RA wins hands down. The vis was usually 15-25m (actually better than what I got in Beqa in March), the reefs are much more spectacular and the fish numbers are massive in comparison. The dives are mostly drift dives along walls or diving sea mounts and pinnacles. Fam Channel and Sardine Reef rate up with the best dives I have ever done and you are GUARANTEED to see Mantas at Manta Point. How can you beat that?

The other benefit is, as you have to go via Manado you can also tack some time on as I did diving Bunaken and Lembeh. Check out this link to see some of the photos I got to give you an idea of what you are likely to see:

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=550096892&security=zedxJg

IMHO you would be mad to do Fiji over RA!!

 

[Taxgeek]

Thanks leeaf! (Nice photos too, btw.) Raja Ampat looks to be about the ultimate for me in diving in terms of what I like, so I might as well just go there already! Wish I could go this year! 2007 it will have to be, however.

Taxgeek

 

[leeaf]

Thanks for the kind words on the photos DOH and Taxgeek. It's nice when you get some that turn out well - gives you more encouragement to keep on trying. If I keep improving I might be able to justify to myself the investment to move up to a DSLR set up one day!

DOH, given it was your honeymoon, I can understand why you went for Fiji. No doubt it is a much better topside location. Your wife would have had to be a really keen diver to go for RA. It is definitely third world above water but first world underneath.

Good luck with RA Taxgeek. The next big decision is what liveaboard to go with. I chose the ****kira which is mid-range in comfort and price but the crew were first class. If you want a bit more detailed info give me your email address and I will send you an article I wrote for our local dive mag and some photos of the ****kira. If money is no object then check out the Pindito and Kararu. They are more upmarket boats but are 33% more expensive.


Best regards

Lee

 

[Taxgeek]

He Lee.
I am actually thinking seriously about a trip with City Sea Horse on the SMY Ondina - they book photographers. The ship is an 18 passenger ship, but they limit the trip to 12 divers. Not sure how the price compares, but the schedule is great - over the thanksgiving holiday, which saves me alot of vacation time. I like the philosophy of the people running the trip too - it's all about the photography, everything revolves around optimizing the shooting conditions.

Personally, if I was choosing a boat, I like the Voyager, but the Pinisi style boats are really pretty even if they're not quite as comfortable (looking). I will look at the other boats as well - how did you find the photo facilities on the ****kira? I have a big bulky dslr setup, so that's important. I had seen one comment before that the ****kira was a bit crampy in the photo facilities, but it gets alot of raves otherwise. It seems like more and more boats are going to RA at least part of the year, so the choice is getting bigger.