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Piaynemo karst

Raja Ampat is a group of islands on the western tip of Papua in Indonesia, famous for its diving experience. Most of the world's coral reefs biodiversity and rare species of marine life can easily be found in an archipelago about the size of Switzerland. While there are 612 islands, there are four major islands ("Raja Ampat" means "Four Kings") that have a population center: Waigeo, Misool (which is home to ancient rock paintings), Salawati, and Batanta.

Kri Island Beach

Understand

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Its location in Papua, one of the furthest places you can get to in Indonesia, may give you a head shake. But it's a diver's mecca that relatively advanced divers should not miss. The location of the islands, most of which are remote from the nearest towns, makes the reef pure and seemingly untouched. The wide area of pristine blue water contains millions of reefs and fishes, many that you will never find anywhere else. Above the ground, small but soaring islands invite you to climb their peaks, while in between your excursions the friendly locals or your crew will have fun with you. The area is much more popular with foreign tourists who seek adrenaline and natural tranquility, than with domestic ones.

Corals in Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat district's capital is Waisai on Waigeo Island. This town is the starting point for exploration in the area, as it contains the district's airport and seaport.

Climate

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The best time to visit Raja Ampat is during the dry October–April period, which is by contrast the rainiest period in western and central Indonesia. Because of Raja Ampat's tropical climate, rain can unpredictably fall, although much less frequently during the dry season. It is still feasible to travel in other seasons, but the weather is often a toss-up: you can be under the sunshine while it is raining just past the horizon.

Temperatures remain consistent throughout the year, averaging 25-32°C, but humidity may make it feel hotter.

Get in

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By plane

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The nearest major airport is 1 Dominique Edward Osok Airport (SOQ IATA) in the mainland at the city of Sorong. There are direct flights from Jakarta, Makassar and Manado, all of which are transfer points for international flights. Multiple daily flights also come from Jayapura, the largest city in the Papua province.

Wings Air also flies from 2 Marinda Airport (RJM  IATA) in Waisai to Sorong daily 10:20 and from Waisai's airport to Manado daily at 15:05.

By boat

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Port of Waisai, the gateway of Raja Ampat

There are daily ferry sailings between 3 Sorong's harbor ferry port and 4 Waisai's harbor in Raja Ampat. Two types of ferries, an express or slow ferry, will get you there in 2 and 4 hours, respectively. As delays may sometimes occur, allow at least 2 hours to connect between the seaport and the airport. Tickets for both sailings can be bought at the wharf and the tourism office.

From Sorong to Waisai, daily ferries depart daily at 09:00 and 14:00. From Waisai to Sorong, ferries depart daily (except Saturday) at 09:00 and 14:00. On Saturdays the Waisai to Sorong operates at 09:00 and 12:00. Ferries do not operate on Indonesian public holidays. The journey time is about 2 hours. Ticket prices are Rp120,000 for economy class and Rp240,000 for VIP.

Speedboats can also be rented at a wharf about 200 meters west of the ferry terminal. While it's expensive and less comfortable than a ferry, it can get you there faster.

From Sorong to 5 Fatiga's harbor on the island of Misool, K.M. Fajar Indah goes from Sorong to Misool on Fridays 23:00 and from Misool to Sorong on Saturdays 13:00. K.M. Fajar Baru goes from Sorong to Misool on Mondays 23:00 and from Misool to Sorong on Thursdays 09:00.

Permit

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As Raja Ampat is a designated marine biodiversity park, a permit must be purchased, so as to fund the park's conservation and to discourage mass tourism. The permit is valid for one year from the date of purchase.

If you are joining a diving tour, most likely this permit will have been included in the price. But if it isn't, the permit can be purchased at the tourism office across the airport access road (open M-F 08:00-17:00) or at the Waisai Ferry port (open up to half an hour after ferry arrival). The fee is Rp500,000 for Indonesian citizens and Rp1,000,000 for foreigners-you only need a passport as proof of identification, children ages 12 and under are exempt. Payment in Rupiah is highly encouraged; payment in US dollars may result in an unfavorable exchange rate.

Contrary to popular reports, a Surat Keterangan Jalan is not needed for visiting Raja Ampat, as it is a tourist attraction and far from potentially hostile tribal disputes elsewhere in Papua. Do also beware of scams for the permit purchase by only buying it at the designated locations.

Get around

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Map
Map of Raja Ampat

As the area consists of islands, the only meaningful way of travel is by boat. While there are no public boat services to the islands, your homestay or resort will usually arrange it for you for a fee. A general fee for Waisai - Arborek Village is about Rp 2,000,000. If you prefer to go on your own, hop on a Transwisata ship, charter a fisherman's boat, or seek a space in a boat bound for somewhere near the one you want, from the boat harbor at Jalan Abdul Samad Mayor at the east of town. But even when you travel close, the price can range from reasonable to exorbitant, all depending on the supply of fuel in the area.

Commonly, divers will join a tour and live in a diving resort during their stay in the Raja Ampat Islands. To access diving spots, please contact and use the professional diving organizers, who can be conveniently found in Sorong. Several tour operators also offer the option of liveaboard tours.

If you are not diving, you can still have fun! Walk the island, visit the villages, admire the nature, or snorkel and see the natural wonders!

  • 1 Pianemo (Piaynemo), Fam Besar island (usually 1½-2 hours from Waisai by speedboat). Viewpoint for the karst landforms heritage site of Pianemo. 
  • 2 Wayag (Wayag), Wayag Island (usually 3½-4 hours from Waisai by speedboat, about 5 hr from Sorong). the Icon of Raja Ampat with an amazing landscape. 
  • In Sawandarek, there's a white sand beach with sea ducks and beautiful corals. In addition, there is a traditional village where you can walk around in and enjoy the unique slow-paced atmosphere.
  • 3 Misool. One of the best diving spots in the south of Raja Ampat. You may also see a pre-historic karst cave there. (updated Nov 2022)

Historical buildings

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  • 4 Masjid Hidayatullah Saonek. The oldest mosque in Southwest Papua that was founded in 1505. (updated Nov 2022)
Soft corals or gorgonian in the waters of Misool
You may find giant manta near the Arborek Island
White sand and turquoise water at Pasir Timbul Mansuar
Waigeou cuscus, the endemic fauna in Raja Ampat

The Raja Ampat islands are a truly natural phenomenon with enormous biological diversity. The amazing marine landscape means that underwater photography should be on the top of your list during your stay.

However, with Raja Ampat's natural conditions, high endemic level of the land, sea biodiversity, coastal ecology, and local culture & tradition the islands offer more than just amazing landscapes to photograph.

So you may also consider:

  • Wreck diving
  • Sailing
  • Kayaking
  • Exploring the islands by boat including Pasir Timbul Mansuar
  • Visiting the Red Bird of Paradise
  • Enjoying the Karst islands around Wayag Island
  • Exploring the bat caves (literally, not the Dark Knight variety)
  • Make your own wood sculpture in Sauwandarek village
  • Fishing using traditional Papuan techniques
  • Trekking to discover waterfalls
  • Feeding cuscus
  • Snorkelling
  • Swimming with freshwater jellyfish that don't sting in Misool
  • Sharkwatching on the seashore in CI post, Wayag
  • Watching the Ghost Cave
  • Raja Ampat Festival

On North and West Waigeo, you can see a traditional bamboo flute (suling tambur) performance. This traditional performance usually takes place during religious festival, on Independence Day (August 17th), and during visits from important officials or leaders. If you are interested in anthropology, this is something to definitely consider in your agenda.

In East Waigeo, particularly in front of Urbinasopen and Yesner villages, there is a very interesting and unique natural phenomenon, which can only be seen every year-end. A light comes out from the ocean and wanders around on its surface for about 10 – 18 minutes. After that, it disappears and can only be seen again in the following year-end. Local inhabitants in both villages call this phenomenon the "Sea Ghost". This is more than just a sunset view, overlooking your liveaboard.

In Tomolol, you'll be amazed by the caves in the area, where you can see paintings of huge human palms and animals which were painted by ancient cave dwellers. While on North Waigeo, you can also take in some history with a visit to the World War II caves where the Dutch and the Japanese army built bunkers. The locals will sometimes perform a war dance. There is also the ever-flowing waterfall of Salawati, which is a sight you should not miss.

You may rent a small boat if you wish to stop and make personal discoveries along the line of the beaches. As the Raja Ampat Islands have four mountainous main islands and hundreds of small islands in their vicinity, you may want to take this opportunity to explore. In addition, the Karst area is a beautiful and original natural phenomenon, as it has various unique flora and fauna as its attractions, e.g., Bird of Paradise (Cenderawasih) Botak, Red Cenderawasih, Maleo Waigeo, cuscus, orchids, and palm. You can also trek around the islands to find hidden beauties, like waterfalls and ancient caves.

In addition, there are also exotic locations such as the Ayau islands consisting of small islands on a very large atoll. Many islands in this archipelago have white sands with a large seabed connecting one island to another. But there are also islands with unique sands that the local community calls "zandplaat", which are a unique habitat for local vegetation. On these islands, mothers and children of local tribes collectively catch sea-worms (insonem).

Diving

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Raja Ampat is a diver's mecca! Travellers from around the world spend time entering this area of Indonesia to explore what nature has to offer. Millions of fishes and reefs are under the blue waters, many species that you cannot find anywhere else.

For diving enthusiasts, the favorite destination is usually South Waigeo. But while you are here, why not take the chance to visit Kabui Bay with many karst islands, goa tengkorak (cave of skulls), and the historical sites of Raja Ampat in Kali Raja. You can see a variety of birds in Yenwaupnor and Sawinggrai village, the Salay dance in Saonek, and plaited handicrafts in Arborek.

You can also dive in West Waigeo, Batanta, and Kofiau. These potential destinations are great places to visit by houseboat. The Karst islands in Wayag, especially, have very interesting natural attractions to enjoy.

Kri Island and the sunset
  • 1 Arborek's village. One of the most prominent dive sites. Manta Rays are available in abundance. Visitors can dive and watch groups of mantas & stingrays. 
  • 2 Kampung Yenbuba.  Dive with sharks and bump fishes.
  • 3 Cap Kri. 
  • 4 Yeben Shallow. 
  • 5 Scuba Republic Indonesia, Jalan Saporkren 3, Waisai (from Waisai Harbour, they will pick you up), ☏ +62 823 5933 5678, . 06:00-00:00. Based in Raja Ampat, Komodo and South Sulawesi, Scuba Republic is in the prime spots for adventure. The main product is a liveaboard diving trip all around Raja Ampat or Komodo on a Phinisi Boat. Rp 1,440,000. (updated Mar 2020)
  • 6 Meridian Adventure Dive Resort, Waisai, ☏ +62 951 317 6120, . (updated Jun 2019)

US dollar is usually the form of payment at upscale resorts and liveaboards, but you usually can pay online if you are reserving a spot. Outside these areas, Rupiah is the legal tender. Banking facilities are very limited in the islands, though Waisai has Bank Mandiri, Bank Papua and Bank BRI ATMs. It's easier to obtain cash in Sorong through ATMs, but you are much better off to estimate your expense and draw your money before your flight.

Do not expect much from using credit cards for transaction, those that accept will incur a service charge. A few resorts have a policy that your US dollars used as a form of payment must be in a spiffy condition (no tears) as they will exchange the money back into rupiah.

Everything is more expensive than in most parts of Indonesia due to its isolation. Resorts and liveaboards are luxurious with prices starting from hundreds of dollars while staying with a local often gets you below that.

Handicrafts, such as noken string bags, are available in Arborek Village.

Dining services are provided by the diving organizer, and range from an international menu to fresh traditional food made by the local people. Naturally, there will be a variety of seafood dishes. Do try the fish soup. There's a local specialty called Ikan Kuah Kuning (Yellow Fish Soup), served with local spices.

The local home stays provide 3 meals a day which is included in the price. It includes fresh vegetables and fruits, tea, and coffee.

Sleep

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Visitors who venture at Raja Ampat would usually spare at least a week to explore the extensive reef complex. Getting to the diving spots in itself can take up to half of your day and different diving spots offer different sensational landscapes and coral species.

There are three general ways to stay here: liveaboard, resorts, and homestay.

Liveaboard

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One of the Raja Ampat liveaboards

As the Raja Ampat Reef Complex is enormous, the liveaboard (live aboard a boat) is one of the best solutions. When your pinisi boat rests above a diving site, just splash down under. When you are done, the chefs will cook aboard the boat as you rest before your next plunge. Excursions generally lasts about a week or two. Schedules are often limited, you have to book months or even a year before.

Resorts

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Resorts are the most expensive place to stay at Raja Ampat. A one-week stay can cost from Rp20 million to Rp50 million.

Homestays

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And even though Raja Ampat islands have few visitors, there are already hotels and homestays on Arborek, Saonek, Mansuar, and Yenwaupnor islands.

One of the local homestays

Find more informations on the "Stay Raja Ampat" website. Launched as Raja Ampat Homestays, Stay Raja Ampat is a non-commercial website built on behalf of the Papuan owners of the 36 homestays that are available in the islands. The site contains contact information for homestays on the islands of Kri, Mansuar, Arborek and Gam and provides comprehensive information for independent travellers to Raja Ampat seeking an alternative to foreign-owned dive resort accommodation.

Respect

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An appeal to don't scribble or make a scratch on trees (in the Papuan language).

Apply the leave no trace policy. Dispose of trash in the provided bins only. Do not take the fish or any natural items from the area.

Stay safe

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Raja Ampat is generally not recommended for beginner or inexperienced divers because of its strong currents, it is much helpful if you have a PADI diving certificate. If you dive, do the standard procedures, listen to your guide, and most likely you will be fine. Stick and stay along during the tour, do not stray especially if the current is strong. If you get hurt or get lost, help is usually very slow to arrive!

Electricity outside the mainland is if any, limited. Generators are on from sunset until midnight, much less so if fuel supply is limited. Internet and phone connectivity is generally reliable at the mainland, although slow compared to world's standards. Elsewhere, mobile signal may be OK, but Internet connection depends on where you are staying at.

Go next

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Back to Sorong

This rural area travel guide to Raja Ampat is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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