Kevin Raymond – Senior Instructor
In my last report, I wrote about how strange and special it felt to be back in Raja Ampat after having completed my internship here. Five months in, I can say that the strange part has faded — but the special part hasn’t. If anything, it’s deepened. The project no longer feels like somewhere I’m visiting or rediscovering; it feels like home. The routines, the rhythms of the jungle and the sea, the people — they’ve all settled into something familiar and grounding.
This quarter has been quieter than usual on the intern front, with a few last-minute cancellations leading to smaller numbers than we’re used to. Unexpectedly, that’s been one of the highlights. The reduced group size created a close-knit, family-like atmosphere around camp — more intimate meals, one-on-one time, and a deeper sense of connection.
We welcomed interns from India, Indonesia, Denmark, the USA, the UK, Australia, Germany, and Switzerland, and the cultural mix brought its usual blend of new perspectives, humour, and late-night discussions at the jetty.
The past few months have also brought some changes on the staff side. We said farewell to people who had become family as they moved on to new opportunities, roles in other IOP locations, and at head office. Those departures are never easy, but they also open space for fresh faces, new energy, and career progression. That said, I spent this past quarter managing the project here in our little jungle paradise. It’s been a fun and rewarding challenge learning new things, playing a bigger role, and adapting my leadership style from “corporate executive” to “jungle dad”. But most of all, it’s been incredibly fulfilling to be able to shape the project and leave my own mark on a place that’s given me so much.
One of the most exciting additions to the program this quarter has been the introduction of a dedicated dive site workshop. Instead of sites being just names on a whiteboard, we’ve been sitting down together to draw detailed maps, talk through how tides and topography influence currents, and discuss different dive plan options for each location. The response from interns has been overwhelmingly positive. Sites that once felt like “just another reef” now feel familiar and readable — places they recognize, understand, and feel confident leading divers through.
Around camp, life has been full in its own uniquely Raja way. My room has hosted a rotating cast of green tree frogs, whose enthusiastic love songs often kick off somewhere around 4am. Depending on my mood, I either try to sleep through it, or bolt out of bed to try to evict them…only to get peed on. The “Bug of the Day” Instagram series is still going strong, fueled by an endless supply of oversized beetles, leaf-mimicking grasshoppers, and other alien-looking critters you definitely don’t find back home in Canada.
This quarter has also played host to plenty of wholesome celebrations — surprise birthday parties, regular quiz nights, country night, advent treats from our own little elves, a cozy jungle Christmas, and of course a New Year’s BBQ feast. Spending the holidays in the jungle surrounded by palm trees felt strange at first, but we made the most of it. Christmas was celebrated with aquatic-themed decorations, sea-creature paper snowflakes, a cozy fireplace looping on the TV, festive cocktails and mocktails, and plenty of music. Interns took a field trip to Arborek over the holidays, which left camp unusually quiet — a rare and welcome moment of stillness for me to dip into my wine and charcuterie collection in peace.
Some things, of course, never change. Falling asleep to the constant symphony of insects, frogs, and Papuan techno music from the nearby village. Pausing whatever you’re doing when the sunset starts putting on a show. Karaoke.
Underwater, the season has been kind to us. We’ve been seeing frequent spotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) cruising past on safety stops, massive schools of fish forming swirling tornado-like shapes that stop you in your tracks. We did experience a short period of coral bleaching, but thankfully it didn’t persist. As the annual upwelling arrived, the water cooled (a bone-chilling 28°C), visibility dropped, liveaboards arrived en masse, and then — right on cue — the oceanic manta rays (Mobula birostris) returned. Since their arrival in early December, they’ve been regularly spotted at Blue Magic, and we’ve even started seeing them cruising past sites like Lao Lao, Sardine, and Cape Kri. Those unexpected sightings are truly special.
All in all, this quarter has felt like a settling-in period — not just for me, but for the project as a whole. Fewer people, deeper connections, holiday cheer, and a strong sense of place. Five months in, what’s surprised me most is how fresh it still feels. Life here is simple in many ways — dive, eat, sleep, repeat — but Raja has a way of sharpening your attention. You start noticing the small things: a bug you’ve never seen before, a new corner of a familiar reef, a sunset you’ve technically seen a hundred times (my camera roll can confirm) but still stop for. There’s a calm satisfaction in that kind of rhythm, and if I’m being honest, I dig it!
Ahmad Ilham R. E. – Marine Biologist & Data Analyst
This quarter provided a completely new experience for me, both professionally and personally. My main role at IOP is as a data analyst, where most of my time is usually spent in front of a laptop writing code, cleaning datasets, and making sense of the data that the field teams collect.
However, this quarter I was assigned to temporarily cover for another staff member, which brought me to Raja Ampat for the very first time. Everything felt new: the place, the responsibilities, the dive sites, and also the daily routines. Stepping out of my usual role and environment was initially challenging, but it quickly became one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had so far. Raja Ampat exceeded every expectation I had. On my very first boat day, I was immediately welcomed by a spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) gliding effortlessly through the water, whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus) cruising along the reef, and even a tasselled wobbegong (Eucrossorhinus dasypogon) resting on the bottom, marine species I had never seen before.
Throughout the quarter, from October to December, the science team carried out a wide range of monitoring and conservation activities across multiple sites. In total, we completed 34 roving fish surveys and 12 benthic surveys, which allowed us to assess fish communities, coral cover, and overall reef condition. These long-term surveys help us do appropriate scientific studies that could inform the general public about the condition of marine life in Raja Ampat.
We also deployed 11 Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV), providing a non-invasive way to observe marine life without diver presence. BRUVs are especially valuable for recording shy or larger species that may avoid divers, giving us a clearer picture of reef predators and overall ecosystem balance. Alongside this, we conducted 4 Coral Watch assessments to monitor coral health and bleaching susceptibility, contributing to our broader understanding of how reefs are responding to environmental stress.
Meanwhile, coral gardening and restoration remained an important part of our work this quarter. We conducted 4 coral gardening dives and 5 coral restoration dives. The coral fragments planted during these dives are intended to grow into healthy colonies over time, helping restore reef structure and provide habitat for marine life. While the results will take time to fully emerge, these efforts represent meaningful steps toward improving reef resilience and supporting biodiversity for the future.
In addition to underwater work, we completed 4 Dive Against Debris clean-ups, removing marine debris from reef areas and reducing potential threats to marine life. We also carried out 2 community visits that focused on teaching basic English to local elementary school students. These sessions were designed to be fun and interactive, using simple conversations, games, and activities to help students practice English in an encouraging environment. While not directly related to marine science, these visits were an important way for the team to connect with the local community, share time and energy with young learners, and contribute positively to the villages that host our work.
Beyond the science itself, this quarter was also defined by the people. Working alongside a group of enthusiastic, curious, and genuinely fun interns brought a fresh energy to daily operations. Their excitement was contagious. They even made up a new duty, called “vibes duty”. This duty is basically everyone’s responsibility to ensure that vibes at the camp are up to standard.
Now I’m back in Penida, once again spending most of my days in front of a laptop, playing with code and datasets, while quietly missing the sense of surprise and excitement that Raja Ampat brought not only under the water but also above it. The reefs, the routines, and the people made this quarter truly memorable. Until next time, Raja! I hope you stay just as good as you are now, or even better, when I’m lucky enough to return.
Want to join the team?
We are always seeking hard working and enthusiastic ocean lovers to join our award-winning and innovative divemaster and research diver internship. Contact us and apply online today!
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