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Snorkeling in Raja Ampat/Banda vs. Palau/Yap

Replies: 5 - Last Post: Jul 1, 2012 10:47 AM Last Post By: ashley6

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ashley6

ashley6 avatar

Jun 27, 2012 5:15 PM
Posts:  250

Snorkeling in Raja Ampat/Banda vs. Palau/Yap

For those who have had the opportunity to snorkel in the Banda and Raja Ampat Islands as well as Palau and Yap in the past 4-5 years which would you say is best in terms of variety of coral (hard and soft) vvariety of fish species and sea anenomes at 5-10 foor depths with visibilities of 30-40 feet in Dec. through April? I am not interested in jelly Fish Lake but down and dirty quakity snorkeling.
Thanks,

johnney

johnney avatar

Jun 28, 2012 12:26 AM
Posts:  1,110

1

Well all will have visibilty over 40 feet.

rooibosx

rooibosx avatar

Jun 28, 2012 7:14 AM
Posts:  25

2

i have done banda and RA, and both are simply surreal.

i am on my way to fiji this december, anyone have ideas as to how i will find the snorkeling there?

thanks

Konniandmatt

Konniandmatt avatar

Jun 28, 2012 1:51 PM
Posts:  87

3

Hello ashley6:
For corals and great visibility, check out Tanjung Karang on Sulawesi as a possible alternative. It’s widely underrated, less known and quite affordable. We dived/snorkelled there last year and it was just awesome; one of the best dive spots ever, with most beautiful corals and huge sponges, all still in an excellent shape, healthy and colourful. Find all the details and many pictures (seeing is believing) in our travellers’ journal at:
http://konniandmatt.blogspot.com/2011/08/16-aug-15-sep-2011-tanjung-karang.html
http://konniandmatt.blogspot.com/2011/09/04-sep-05-sep-2011-lebo.html
Happy and safe travels always, Konni.

chingonazos

chingonazos avatar

Jul 1, 2012 2:36 AM
Posts:  9

4

Hello

the marine life in raja ampat is the most spectacular of the world. raja ampat is the heart of the area known as the "coral triangle", so it is the place for the highest concentration of marine biodiversity. you can easily find information about the many species of fish, coral, mollusks that exists in raja ampat. simply, it will blow your mind. there are great places for snorkeling in mansuar/gam islands. local homestays (very basic) are found in mansuar (check out yenkoranu homestay in mansuar). the snorkieling around this area is great. also, you have other accomodations in gam (check out rajaampatbiodiversity.com) also with excellent snorkeling.
you will enjoy much of raja ampat!
have fun!

ashley6

ashley6 avatar

Jul 1, 2012 10:47 AM
Posts:  250

5

Konni; We are on a liveaboard so I cannot select where we go. We were at Wakatobi a year ago and I would gigeve it a B but no more. We start in Ambon ahe do to several Banda Islands for 5 days and then into the RA for 7 days ending at Sorong. I only remember we are going to Kri. in RA. Our 110 sq. ft. A/C cabin is our home for the 12 days.
I was just tryimg to determine whethe Palau (Koror) was a must do nect for ot is a very costly trip. Airfare is over $2200 from NYC.
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