Triton Bay

Triton Bay lies south of Kaimana on the Papuan coast, part of the Kaimana marine protected area, and it is the counterpart to Raja Ampat further north-west - the same karst geology of forested limestone islets rising out of the water, but with nutrient-rich green water rather than blue, which produces some of the densest soft coral growth recorded anywhere and a set of fish species described from here in the last two decades, including a walking shark and a flasher wrasse. Whale sharks come to the bagan fishing platforms as they do at Cenderawasih. On the cliffs above the water are ochre rock paintings - hands, fish, figures - of unestablished age, part of a wider Papuan rock art tradition. Access is essentially by liveaboard or a single small resort.

What's there

• Dense soft coral - among the richest growth recorded, in nutrient-green water.
• Karst islets - forested limestone towers rising from the bay.
• Cliff rock paintings - ochre hands, fish and figures above the waterline.
• Whale sharks at the bagan - as at Cenderawasih, around the fishing platforms.

When to go

October to April. Five days.

Practical notes

Visibility is often low because the water is nutrient-rich - that is why the coral is there. Access is expensive and by liveaboard or one small resort. Papua travel requires checking current entry rules.

Nearby

Kaimana is north; Raja Ampat is far to the north-west.

Key facts