Talking about dream destinations in West Papua, Raja Ampat often comes at the top of the list. In fact, there is still a myriad of best-kept secrets this most-eastern province in Indonesia has to offer; among them is Triton Bay. Sited at the heart of Papua’s marine protected region, known for its underwater habitats, Triton Bay is like a Shangri-la waiting to be explored.
Triton Bay – The Untouched Paradise in West Papua
Triton Bay is a part of the Bird’s Head Seascape, including Cenderawasih Bay and Raja Ampat. Bordering several estuarine regions have effectively protected the marine creatures in Triton Bay, contributing to the creation of today’s rare species and ecosystems.
Triton Bay has been classified as a marine protected area after scientists who first surveyed it in 2006 realized how exceptional the area was. It is home to large numbers of reef fish, soft corals, whale sharks, turtles, and many other endemic species.
The immense biodiversity present here is a hidden paradise for marine biologists and for many tourists and divers. This also makes Triton Bay slowly gaining a reputation as the alternative for Raja Ampat for its stunningly beautiful scenery below and above the water.
Triton Bay – Haven for Divers
The diving experience in Triton Bay is quite distinctive compared to other popular West Papua diving spots. Due to the high nutritional content, the visibility in this area is decreased, yet below the water species is abundant.
Only a few divers are adequately fortunate to explore the newly found diving spots in Triton Bay while witnessing the colorful corals adorning the sites. There might be a chance divers could come across a green turtle, whale shark, or even a pygmy seahorse on the journey.
GT Rock
This Triton Bay’s diving site is one of the best-kept secrets in West Papua. Its beauty is quite popular among divers. Divers can see a large number of fish, including giant trevallies, fusiliers, and other species darting around in the current when the underwater current is strong enough.
Disney Land
Named by Larry Smith—the famed American diver—this shallow diving spot is made up of black corals and undulating reefs. Divers who are lucky enough may be able to see sweetlips, wobbegong sharks, and snappers.
Other Attractions in Triton Bay
Triton Bay is a part of a small port town Kaimana—the town where the Senja Kaimana Festival is held every year between October and November.
The reason why it’s named “Senja”, which means evening twilight in Indonesian, is because this town is known for its stunning views of the sun setting over the water. This sky scenery is even more breath-taking in Triton Bay Kaimana.
The pristine seas combined with the orange sky, the clouds around it are also adorned with yellowish sun beams. The view of the sunset glow has never been as perfect as at Triton Bay. It’s understandable if this bay is dubbed “The Lost Paradise” and “The City of Twilight”.
The spectacular Triton Bay is also beautifully dotted with white sands and lapped by pristine blue sea, perfect for sunbathing and swimming.
Another fascinating attraction to see is the prehistoric artifacts on the limestone cliffs, measuring approximately 3.2 ft or 1 meter in length and depicting the figures of humans, reptiles, and plants.Suppose there is one untouched gem in West Papua that serves a stunning below and above the water scenery for both marine biologists and divers. In that case, it’s here in the bay of the Kaimana Regency, Triton Bay. Discover what gems this paradise on earth is hiding, and let’s preserve them for future generations.
