The incredible coral reefs of Indonesia’s Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat —
Imperious squadrons of barracuda are a common sight over Raja Ampat's reefs, schooling and circling in the blue.
Chris Mitchell
Worth the journey —
Sea fans, soft corals and feather stars cluster together in a colorful riot. The sheer abundance and pristine state of Raja's coral reefs are what attract so many divers to make the long journey there.
Chris Mitchell
Coral formations —
Given the right conditions, coral will encrust almost any surface. This huge rocky overhang is coated in a blanket of soft corals both above and beneath.
Chris Mitchell
Windows of Boo Island —
This spectacular church-like underwater window of light is one of the famed "Windows of Boo Island." The endless movement of Indonesia's waters continually shapes the limestone rocks that make up many of the country's islands, sometimes to amazing effect.
Chris Mitchell
Batfish —
A hundreds-strong school of batfish hangs effortlessly in the blue. These big-eyed fish are probably the most laid back inhabitants of Indonesia's seas, rarely bothered by divers and their bubbles.
Chris Mitchell
Sea turtles —
Frequently spotted on Raja's reefs, turtles are endlessly fascinating to watch, whether propelling their seemingly ungainly bodies gracefully through the water or languidly nosing through corals for their next meal.
Chris Mitchell
Coral bommies —
Fish love to gather around these giant mushroom-like coral bommies, which also provide shelter for the big barrel sponges that grow around their base.
Chris Mitchell
Coexisting —
Each outcrop of rock provides a place for coral to gather and grow, with numerous species all vying for space and managing to coexist together.
Chris Mitchell
Sunken UFO? —
While it may resemble a crashed UFO, this gravity defying hard coral -- about two meters in diameter -- is the result of years of uninterrupted growth.
Chris Mitchell
Colorful coral —
Even in the darker corners of Raja Ampat the corals manage to thrive.