RAJA AMPAT DIVING PROJECT

The Raja Ampat Diving Project focuses on both marine conservation and community initiatives in one of the most stunning, aquatic environments on earth. The project is located at the heart of the Coral Triangle in an archipelago known as Raja Ampat. Situated off the coast of Western Papua in the east of Indonesia, this truly is a diving paradise and an epicentre of marine biodiversity.

Raja Ampat, or "Four Kings', is made up of over 1500 small islands and cays, although only 35 of them are inhabited. Many of the islands remain unexplored and reefs are yet to be dived, making it one of the few remaining scuba diving frontiers in the world. One of the project's main goals is to produce detailed coastal habitat-maps of the area for use in advising local governments and communities on establishing Marine Protected Areas so that this paradise can be safeguarded.

Understanding that the long-term protection of this special environment cannot work unless accompanied by education and the sustained alleviation of poverty, the project works with the local communities - educating, improving equality of life and aiming to alleviate poverty once and for all. There are a number of community projects and initiatives for you to get involved with around the twice daily dives, which makes for a truly rewarding marine conservation volunteer experience.

PROJECT DETAILS

GETTING THERE

You will need to meet at the Meridien Hotel in Sorong on the start date of your project by 8am. Therefore we recommend arriving into Sorong the day before to ensure you do not miss the transfer to the project site. Sorong Airport can most easily be reached via Jakarta International Airport.

If you would like help booking your flights please feel free to contact our flight partners via our flights page.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

You must hold a valid passport to enter Indonesia. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry to Indonesia. For a visit of up to 30 days, citizens of the UK, the USA and nations in the European Economic Area can obtain a single-entry visa on arrival for free when first entering Indonesia(this is for 30 days maximum). There is an option which costs US$35 for a visit of up to 30 days. This tourist visa can then be extended once by 30 days and the project staff will help you with this using their visa agent based in Bali at a cost of £35. Alternatively, you can apply for a 60 day tourist visa before travel from your local Indonesian Embassy. For stays of over 60 days, you will need to apply for a visa beforehand.

CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE RATES

The Indian currency is the Indonesian Rupiah. The conversion rate is around 1 IDR to 0.00005 GBP, 0.00005 EUR and 0.00006 USD

DIVING EQUIPMENT

If you are joining an expedition as an unqualified diver, your expedition fee will include the use of Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) and a full regulator set (1st, 2nd Stage, Octopus and SPG) for the first week. If you are joining an expedition as a PADI Open Water qualified diver your expedition fee will include the use of Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) and a full regulator set (1st, 2nd Stage, Octopus and SPG) for the first week. If you are joining an expedition as a PADI Advanced Open Water qualified diver or above, you will need to bring your own equipment, including BCD and full regulator set.

It is however possible to rent some of these items on site, whether you are a qualified or un-qualified diver, if you do not wish to carry them while on further travels. The following items are available for rental on-site (costs are per week and in Pounds Sterling £):

• Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) - £10
• Full regulator set (1st, 2nd stage, Octopus and SPG) - £10
• Mask & Snorkel - £10
• Wet suit - £10
• Fins & Dive boots - £15
• Dive Computer (Compulsory) - £20 (£150 refundable deposit needed)

If you would like to rent any of the above items for your expedition, please indicate this on your project account within the rentals section or inform your travel consultant before you go. If you do not do this, we cannot guarantee the items you may need will be available when you arrive on your expedition. If there are high numbers of volunteers renting items, please be aware that there may be times when volunteers will need to share the equipment between them. We recommend volunteers bring their own equipment where possible. Please note for each diving course you partake in you will need a passport sized photo with you.

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE PROJECT?

• Accommodation
• 3 meals a day, tea, coffee and filtered water
• Scuba diving training courses for divers (ONLY for Open Water, Advanced Open Water and Emergency First Response courses. For Rescue Diver and Divemaster courses there is an additional fee of £200 and £350 respectively)
• Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) & Regulator hire for the first week of your stay
• Tanks, air, weights & weight belts (All divers)
• Comprehensive Science Training Programme
• All dives (12 a week in total when possible)
• PADI Emergency First Response course (worth £100)
• 24hr field support staff
• Transfers between Waisai Port to Basecamp

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?

• Flights
• Airport Transfers
• Ferry Transfers
• Visas
• Travel insurance (Please make sure this is DAN)
• PADI manuals and Dive Certification (Positive Identification Card - PIC) - these must be bought before you fly as you cannot purchase either out at Raja Ampat.
• Personal diving equipment
• Additional dive courses - Rescue (£200) and Divemaster (£350) courses
• Raja Ampat Marine Reserve park fee (IDR 1,000,000)
• Any personal spending money
• Dive Slate - you must bring this with you