Most people head to Raja Ampat for the diving, but it’s equally magnificent if you just want to jump in with a snorkel, a mask, and a pair of fins. There are over 500 species of coral nearly 1,500 species of fish, and the list goes on. Here’s a quick glimpse into the many kinds of marine life you might see:

Fish

There are sooooooo many fish — it’s crazy!

Sea Stars

Giant Clams

Ink-Spot Sea Squirts

Stinging Hydroids (Feather Fireweed)

Anemones (usually with clownfish)

Jellyfish

Corals

Feather Stars

Sea Turtles

Nudibranch (Spanish Dancer) Egg Ribbons

Manta Rays

Sharks

That photo was taken from a jetty, not while snorkeling, but reef sharks are easy to come by. We also saw the tail of a walking shark, but sadly, I was not able to catch it on camera.

If I’ve misidentified any forms of sea life, please let me know! I love everything underwater, but I have a long way to go before I’ll be an expert.

For another extraordinary snorkeling experience in eastern Indonesia, see my guide to snorkeling in Alor.