Raja Ampat, an Indonesian archipelago of more than 1,500 islands and coral reefs, is described as one of the richest biodiversity zones on Earth. Located in the western Pacific’s Coral Triangle, it is known for exceptionally healthy reefs and for its relative protection from heavy human activity because of its remote location. Above the water, the area also hosts birds of paradise, but the main story is underwater.
The article highlights several unusual marine species found there. One is the Raja Ampat epaulette shark, a small reef shark that moves along the seafloor using its pectoral and pelvic fins, a behavior that makes it look as if it is walking. The shark drew international attention in 2020 after being filmed on the ocean floor. Raja Ampat is also one of the few places where the ornate wobbegong shark lives, a flattened shark with frilled edges around its head that uses camouflage to blend into the seabed.
The region is likewise notable for its manta rays, including an unusually high number of black manta rays, a result of melanism, which gives them a dark, uniform coloration. A five-year study in Raja Ampat Marine Park followed more than 500 reef manta groups and found that the animals form social bonds and choose particular social partners. The article notes that this does not mean they chat like humans, but it does suggest more complex social behavior than many people assume.
Biodiversity on land is just as striking. A scientific expedition searching for a rare orchid climbed Mount Nok on Waigeo, the largest of the archipelago’s four main islands, and rediscovered a rare blue orchid long considered lost. Researchers also found an entirely new orchid species with bright red flowers. The article says travelers usually reach Raja Ampat via Jakarta or Makassar, then Sorong, and finally by ferry.
