Indonesia's Raja Ampat ("The Four Kings") is a dive destination I ache to visit. Referring to four large jungle-covered islands with the faraway-sounding names of Batanta, Waigeo, Mysool, and Salawati, Raja is part of a 600+ islands-and-islets archipelago west of Bird's Head Peninsula. Not only is Raja at the heart of the richest marine area in the world, the topside doesn't look too shabby, either. Unfortunately, I haven't yet had the chance to visit this underwater wonderland that features dozens of WWII wrecks and zillions of fish, including wobbegongs, mantas, sweetlips, surgeonfishes, and fusiliers -- not to mention the four different species of pygmy seahorses.
However, Andrea and Antonella Ferrari -- whose excellent new book A Diver's Guide to Reef Life is finally available on Amazon after a long delay -- HAVE been lucky enough to visit this paradise, and their recent trip report only serves to fuel my longing. Although getting to remote Raja Ampat is not easy, diving (and relaxing) in what may be the world's most beautiful place with only a handful of other divers should certainly make the trip worthwhile. And for the chance to see four different species of pygmy seahorse, I'd venture that the Ferraris' pronouncement that the diving is "simply incredible" is probably an understatement.
