The Walking Shark and Darkness of Misool’s Underwater Cave

The napoleon fish, often hunted, swam side-by-side with divers without fear. A carpet-like fish with camouflaged skin appeared.

Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro

A Raja Ampat walking shark (Hemiscyllium freycineti) glides across the seabed on Tuesday (10/10) in the waters of the Jeti Harja dive spot off Misool in Raja Ampat, West Papua.

Cloud coverage continued and waves enlarged as Kompas’ Coral Reef Exploration Team dove at the Magic Mountain spot in Misool, Raja Ampat. “We need to go down fast,” local dive guide Ali Oherenan said on Wednesday (11/10).

That first day’s dive plan was delayed as we needed to obtain permission from Misool Eco Resort’s management to dive at a spot it claimed to be within its grounds. “MER refuses to let divers in apart from their guests. We were told to adjust our schedule,” Raja Ampat Regional Marine Conservation Office staff member Ali said.