Indonesian Conservation
In early January last year, Kartika Dewi – or Dewi as she goes by – was preparing for a diving adventure in the waters of Arborek Village, Raja Ampat. Dewi deftly fastened the belt on the Buoyancy Compensator Device (BCD) attached to her scuba tank. The sky was bright and warm, a stark contrast to the constant rain in the previous December.
After ensuring all of the equipment was properly fastened, Dewi donned her mask and a pair of jet fins. She took a firm step and backward-dived off the boat’s platform, joining the other divers on a mission to find manta rays.
Indeed, Dewi was not alone that day. Led by dive master Githa Anathasia, who was also the owner of Arborek Dive Shop (ADS), and accompanied by several other divers, Dewi explored a cleaning station known as a favorite spot for manta rays. Their mission? To encounter the iconic manta rays that intrigue divers worldwide.
“It was my first time seeing manta rays in Raja Ampat. I have encountered them in Nusa Penida, Bali, and Komodo National Park, but this time it felt different,” Dewi shared after the dive. Her eyes sparkled with awe as she recounted her time underwater with the manta rays.
This encounter was unique because, despite maintaining a safe distance to avoid disturbing the rays, the divers were approached by a group of these majestic creatures. “Seeing so many manta rays in Raja Ampat is such an extraordinary experience. All the divers stayed behind the observation line, yet the mantas came to us instead of the other way around.”
Comparing her Raja Ampat experience to other destinations she had visited, Dewi recounted how witnessing the large squadron of oceanic manta rays, or giant mantas, gliding through the sea was such a unique experience that left her in awe.
A 2023 study on Raja Ampat’s manta ray population revealed that these creatures thrive in the region, surpassing populations in other parts of the world. This may be due to the full protection of the species provided by Indonesian regulation starting in 2014. However, Dewi believes that awareness and understanding of conservation in local communities, including divers, also play a significant role in making Raja Ampat a safe and comfortable home for manta rays.
The Success of Local Homestays and Dive Centers
Raja Ampat’s well-preserved natural wealth and exotic species, which attract domestic and international tourists, have significantly boosted the tourism sector. One of its primary beneficiaries is the accommodation business.
Local homestay entrepreneurs, such as Eki Mambrasar, owner of Kayafyof Homestay in Arborek Village, have experienced economic benefits from the government’s conservation efforts. “The conservation area has helped us homestay operators,” Eki stated.
In Raja Ampat, homestays differ slightly from typical accommodations. Homestays resemble guest houses, where guests stay in separate accommodations from the owner’s home but can still interact with the host family. Most homestays are managed by locals, providing a unique charm for tourists who wish to experience the local way of life.
Kayafyof, which opened in October 2013, is an example of how local homestays have flourished alongside Raja Ampat’s growing tourism industry. Starting with just three rooms, the homestay now has nine rooms accommodating up to 18 guests daily.
The tourism peak season from October to January, which coincides with the manta ray season, significantly boosts Eki’s income. “In December, we usually host around 50–60 guests, with revenues ranging from 25 to 30 million rupiah per month,” Eki explained.
In 2023, the Raja Ampat Tourism Office recorded 201 homestay units in the area, far exceeding the 58 accommodations categorized as hotels or resorts. This shows that homestay is the preferred choice for travelers seeking authentic and affordable experiences in Raja Ampat.
Although the accommodation business in Raja Ampat is growing, Eki stressed that competition in Arborek Village is not a significant issue. “Each homestay has its strength and fortune. There is no jealousy. There are guests for everyone,” he said.
A similar story came from Githa Anathasia, wife of Marsel Mambrasar, who co-founded Arborek Dive Shop (ADS) in 2016. Starting with one fishing boat and four SCUBA diving sets, ADS now caters to up to 14 guests for three daily dives. “We collaborate with several homestays in Arborek and nearby islands like Gam and Mansuar,” Githa explained.
For ADS, October to March is their busiest season, as it coincides with manta ray season which attracts divers from all over the world. “Each month, we accommodate around 40 divers, with a net income of 90 to 100 million rupiah,” Githa added.
The increasing number of local tourism business owners in Raja Ampat has proven that the presence of conservation areas continues to be a catalyst for economic growth in the region. Homestays and dive centers managed by the locals not only provide job opportunities but also ensure the sustainability of tourism in Raja Ampat by preserving nature and local culture.
The Science Behind Raja Ampat's Manta Ray Tourism
Nature conservation through collaborative efforts between the government, communities, and science-based organizations drives sustainable environmental protection in Raja Ampat. Likewise, Conservation Indonesia (KI) is present in this district to facilitate big expectations of the communities in Raja Ampat.
Abdi Hasan, Bird’s Head Seascape Shark Science and Management Coordinator for Conservation Indonesia, explained that manta ray conservation is one of KI’s programs to improve the management of marine protected areas. “The focus is on combining bio-ecological and behavioral surveys while supporting sustainable tourism management around manta rays. Activities include population monitoring, habitat surveys, and management of manta ray dive sites,” Abdi said.
Abdi added that KI continues the work of Conservation International in Indonesia, collaborating with conservation area managers in Raja Ampat and other partners as part of the Raja Ampat Manta Task Force (Pokja Manta Raja Ampat), which was established in 2012.
The task force’s work includes population surveys using the Photo ID method, which identifies individual manta rays based on unique spot patterns on the ventral side of these graceful species. As of March 2023, a total of 1774 individuals have been identified, which included 1023 males and 687 females.
On the management side, personnel from the Regional Public Service Agency (BLUD) Unit of the Conservation Area Management Office continue to provide technical assistance in the Waters of Raja Ampat at the Manta Sandy Monitoring Post. This location is a manta ray habitat and a popular dive site.
“In the future, population monitoring at several potential locations will be continued to protect manta ray nursery areas, and effective management of Manta Sandy as a manta ray dive site will be implemented. Additionally, efforts to strengthen partnerships with the tourism industry will be enhanced, such as encouraging resort operators to involve their guests in the Photo ID process, thereby expanding the monitoring coverage,” Abdi explained.
Sustainable Collaboration for Manta Rays and Tourism
The success of nature conservation and tourism development in Raja Ampat cannot be separated from the active role of the government in managing conservation areas. "We hope that the community and all stakeholders can participate in the efforts to protect, conserve, and sustainably utilize manta rays," emphasized Syafri, S.Pi., Head of the BLUD UPTD Conservation Area Management in the Waters of Raja Ampat.
Concrete steps toward this goal are evident in the management of the Manta Sandy dive site, located in two conservation areas managed by the BLUD UPTD Conservation Area Management in the Waters of Raja Ampat and one area managed by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries through the National Marine Protected Area Agency (BKKPN) Kupang Raja Ampat Task Force. BLUD UPTD has also established a dedicated monitoring post to regulate tourism activities at Manta Sandy.
In 2023, Manta Sandy was visited by 2097 tourists between January and May, showing the high interest of tourists in this site. Therefore, the monitoring post aims to ensure that tourism activities are conducted in an orderly manner without damaging the marine ecosystem, particularly the manta ray habitat.
Revenue generated from the Environmental Service Maintenance Fee (TLPJL) or entrance tickets to the conservation area significantly supports its management. The income is used for various activities, including staff salaries, operational costs of monitoring posts, and a community patrol program known as Jaga Laut (Ocean Watch).
As the number of visitors continues to rise, TLPJL revenues in 2023 recorded the sale of 25.531 tickets—a promising recovery following the sharp decline during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, while Raja Ampat experiences a resurgence of tourism, the rapid development also brings new challenges, including competition among tourism operators and pressure on natural resources.
Nevertheless, the achievements of collaboration between the government, industry actors, and the community show that responsible and sustainable tourism is possible with solid coordination and science-based approaches. This collaboration creates opportunities to establish a tourism ecosystem that not only benefits the local economy but also preserves nature for future generations.
