Restoring the Last Stronghold

Lying on the northwest tip of the Birdshead Seascape, in Indonesia’s West Papua province, are the islands of Raja Ampat.

- Raja Ampat

This sparsely populated archipelago comprising 1,500 islands is a sublime amalgamation of lush jungles, white sand beaches, hidden lagoons and limestone cliffs, all surrounded by abundant turquoise waters.

In the heart of the Coral Triangle, Raja Ampat is one of the last strongholds in the world where coral reef systems still thrive. Recognised as the most marine biodiverse place on Earth, its pristine reefs burst with life and colour; at the most recent count, the region was found to contain 1,427 reef fishes, over 600 coral species (comprising 75% of the world’s coral species), 16 marine mammal species and a wealth of pelagic life. This rich archipelago is also home to 114 small villages, whose inhabitants rely on the reefs for survival. A diver’s dream, these healthy reefs also support a lucrative tourism economy, and provide livelihood to a significant percentage of the local community.