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Mapia Atoll, Papua, Indonesia

Selected for Google Maps and Google Earth

Comments (5)

Francesco Silva on May 26, 2009

Hello I am sailing to Mapia next year, I need to know infos about possible passage into the lagoon by boat. Thanks! syketurah at gimail

Tom Tse on May 26, 2009

Hello Syketurah,

For the entire week we spend in diving Mapia Atoll, we did not enter the lagoon.

We used Grand Komodo Tours (now called Dive Paradise Indonesia). They employed all Indonesian crews and skippers, modifying the local bugis styled boat to become liveaboard diving boats.

According to our skipper, there was not enough depth of water for the boat to safely enter the lagoon. The passage was located at the south west side of the main island. During low tide, the passage was very very shallow and only tender would enter.

For the entire trip, we anchored at the NNE side of Pualau Bras, partly for the reason that the SW wind sometimes got strong.

Also, the local villagers visited us with their M16 machine guns on their backs. They were friendly and only talked to the skipper and the crews. We invited them up to have a drink in the guest galley. The skipper gave them stacks of canned drinks, food and fuel when they left. You have to prepare for this ritual.

Keep in touch. I will share as much as I know.

Regards,

Tom

Francesco Silva on May 28, 2009

Thanks a lot...too bad, looks on google earth there's some kind of passage on the W side...guess not. Best, Francesco

Tom Tse on May 28, 2009

Francesco,

Yes, you are right. There was a passage. But I guess it was not appropriate for entrance and the lagoon may not be the best place for anchoring.

I saw some of your photos in Panoramio. You sailed to out of reach places in Pacific Ocean. I envy you.

Where are you coming from? I guess you are Indonesian. Am I right?

Tell me more about your sailing. It is very interesting to share.

Thanks,

Tom

Francesco Silva on May 31, 2009

If you want to see more look at my site in profile.

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Photo details

  • Uploaded on November 16, 2008
  • © All Rights Reserved
    by Tom Tse
    • Camera: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD. SP-2000

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