Why I like swimming, snorkeling and freediving

Coral Reef Environment in Manokwari

I was born and grew up in Manokwari. It was a small coastal town in West Papua. When I was a kid, there were no theme parks or malls. After school, children played at football field, school yard and sometimes at the beach. Swimming was a fun and very interesting activity. I started to give special interest in coral reef since I was in elementary school.
My understanding about coral reef was getting better after reading books that were related to marine environment. Running snorkeling tours for tourists is a job that I really enjoy. In addition, I can help local people generate alternative income from their natural resources sustainably. When villagers get income from nature tourism, they will protect their marine environment.

Anemone Fish in the Waters of Tambrauw regency

Places that have got coral reef include Numfor island, Raja Ampat, Tambrauw regency and Dore bay of Manokwari. These places are located within the coral triangle region.
To take snorkeling and freediving tours, visitors need to bring snorkeling device such as mask, snorkel and fins. They also need underwater camera to take pictures of tropical fish and other marine creatures that live in the coral reef.
Coral reef is a fragile environment. For beginning snorkelers, they need to wear lifejacket or snorkeling jacket so that they can maintain positive buoyancy on the surface of the water. If they feel tired and want to stand in the water, they could find flat bottom that only consists of sand. Wearing a lifejacket is very important to prevent a snorkeler from stepping on coral reef.  Experienced snorkelers and freedivers prefer drop off enjoy freedom of swimming in deeper water. Big fish such as giant trevally, grouper, parrotfish, black tipped shark, barracuda can easily be found drop off area. Sometimes turtles can be seen in the coral reef. There are several species of them such as hawksbill, olive ridley, green and leatherback.
Coral reef thrive well in healthy marine environment. Plastic and harmful liquids must not pollute it. Sea cucumbers that live at the sea floor have to be protected too. They are the ones that filter sea water.
Coral reef can give significant economical contribution to local community if they are able to preserve it. written by Charles Roring
Also read: 7 Snorkeling Spots in Raja Ampat