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Raja Ampat: A Travel Guide To Indonesia’s Secret Paradise

This Raja Ampat travel guide will help you plan your trip, showing you how to get there, the best activities on offer and plenty more tips to make your adventure stress free!

Raja Ampat in Indonesia is home to some of the most beautiful islands on the planet. There’s spectacular snorkelling and diving, and some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. Isn’t it time you explored this secret corner of paradise?

Raja Ampat isn’t like anywhere else on the planet. Well, not that I’ve been to yet anyway. It’s raw, rugged and the closest thing to paradise that I’ve found.

Above the ground exotic birds call to each other, gigantic colourful butterflies flutter by, and hermit crabs dance along the sand.

Below sea level majestic lion fish prowl through the waters past tropical fish, purple pufferfish, turtles, dolphins and sharks.

These Indonesian waters are the most biodiverse in the world, and if you pop your head under for a moment you’ll be amazed at what you find.

Along with stunning landscapes, incredible snorkelling, diving and endless sunshine, there’s a heart and soul to this region of Indonesia. The people. The people with smiles on their faces. People who have no doubt been through some serious hardships given the tricky political situation in West Papua.

But they were open, welcoming, and made our experience extra special.

So forget Bali and the Gili Islands, let’s go on an adventure to Indonesia’s secret paradise… Raja Ampat. 

Where Is Raja Ampat?

Raja Ampat is an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands located off the coast of West Papua, north-east of Java and Bali. Click around this Raja Ampat map to get your bearings!

How To Travel To Raja Ampat? 

The journey isn’t simple, so you do have to work for your paradise adventure! While I can’t guarantee this Raja Ampat travel blog will be 100% up to date with information for the area in the archipelago that you’re trying to reach, hopefully it will give you some pointers.

• From Jakarta, fly to Sorong (4 hour 5 mins). Some flights will go via Makassar.
• From Sorong, take a taxi to the harbour (15 mins).
• Once at the harbour take the Bahari Express ferry to Waisai, which is located on the island of Waigeo. The express ferry takes 2 hours.
• From there you’ll need to arrange a taxi boat with your Raja Ampat accommodation. Most home stays and hotels will organise your transfers.

Things To Do In Raja Ampat

Diving and snorkelling in raja ampat.

The diving and snorkelling in Raja Ampat is said to be among the best in the world with over 1,400 species of fish enjoying its reef. It’s often top of peoples scuba bucket lists ! 

While staying at Raja Ampat Dive Lodge  I snorkelled from the end of the pier and saw a plethora of tropical fish including angelfish, needlefish, several lionfish, batfish, and even a purple pufferfish. In the evenings we spotted walking sharks close to the shore. The coral was beautiful too.

Also in the incredibly diverse waters are bluefin jacks, manta rays, grey reef sharks, blacktips and whitetips along with the elusive wobbegong – a type of shark that’s only found in this region. The Raja Ampat diving is truly off the scale!

After a long day in the water, there’s no better way to unwind than by watching one of Raja Ampat’s incredible sunsets.

Visiting Islands In Raja Ampat

A visit to Arborek really is a must! The island is open to tourism with kids greeting visitors with traditional dances and a tour of the village. It’s a tiny place with around 200 residents, a school, church, a few home stays and basic stores.

It’s a picture-perfect paradise island with no cars, a few colourful boats, and bright yellow and blue fencing. I fell a little bit in love! People have asked me “is Raja Ampat safe?” While I would never say anywhere in the world is 100% safe, people live a quiet life on these islands and there’s very little to stress about. I definitely felt safe during my trip. It’s hard to know how I would have felt if I’d been a solo female traveller in Raja Ampat. 

Visit Piaynemo – Stunning Small Islands In Raja Ampat

When you’re planning your Raja Ampat itinerary, you just have to visit Piaynemo. This is the most famous view of the archiplago. I’d seen photos before visiting and assumed they must have been photoshopped… but no. It really was as magical as I’d hoped! From our hotel it was around 30 minutes by boat, then a hot and sweaty trek up to the viewpoint.

We couldn’t wait to dive into the greeny-turquoise water after to cool down!

This really was a highlight of my time in Raja Ampat.

Kayaking In Raja Ampat

Many hotels have kayaks you can rent out. It’s a great wait to cruise along the coastline of the islands, but be wary of strong currents.

Where To Stay In Raja Ampat

I stayed at Raja Ampat Dive Lodge which was wonderful! The small wooden bungalows on the beachfront were cute, cosy and located seconds from the sand. The restaurant served a decent buffet breakfast and even cooked up a BBQ one evening! There was AC, wifi (although slow, come on, you’re in paradise!) and snorkel gear and kayaks for rent.

When To Visit Raja Ampat

The best time to visit Raja Ampat is between October and April, with the best conditions towards the end of the year. It’s pretty much bang on the equator with average highs of 31 Celsius and lows of 25. June and July are the wettest months, but in tropical paradise you get used to seeing storm clouds most days. Thankfully they pass pretty quickly!

How Much Does It Cost To Visit Raja Ampat?  

Prices will vary, but here’s a rough guide:

• Return flights from Jakarta to Sorong: £200. Taxi from Sorong Airport to Sorong Harbour: IDR 100,000 (£6.20)
• Raja Ampat visitor permit fee for international visitors: IDR 1,000,000 (£62.64).
• Express ferry tickets: IDR 130,000 (£8.14) for economy class or IDR 220,000 (£13.78) for a VIP ticket.
• Total travel costs (excluding food & extra activities): £282.62 ($353 USD or IDR 4,622,228)

F.Y.I. One night at Raja Ampat Dive Lodge on Mansuar Island costs £239 for a double room. They offer plenty of packages which include dives. Find out more here .

Useful Information For Visiting Raja Ampat

As the islands are pretty cut off, it’s important to organise currency before you take the trip. Some hotels will accept credit cards but it’s not something to rely on.

Cover up. It’s important to show respect when visiting villages and you’ll see signs reminding you not to wander around in bikinis.

I read that Sunday is considered family day for a lot of people (for religious reasons) so avoid this for travelling or taking part in activities.  

Remember, Raja Ampat isn’t a tourist destination like Bali, so expect the experience to be a little more rough and ready! It’s all part of the adventure…

I hope this Raja Ampat blog helps you plan your trip. Huge thanks to the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism for inviting me on the #TripOfWonders as part of their #WonderfulIndonesia campaign. As always, opinions are my own! 

Looking for other places to visit in Indonesia? Check out my Bali travel blogs , which are packed full of information, hotel recommendations, tips for things to do and plenty more advice for your trip.. 

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Chloe Gunning

With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

18 thoughts on “Raja Ampat: A Travel Guide To Indonesia’s Secret Paradise”

Chloe! Love your story! Thanks for sharing. I really love this area of the world.

Thanks Victor – it really was a magical part of the world to visit 🙂

Oh my god, it really does look like paradise! I wish I had known about it before my Indonesia trip earlier in the year! Looks like you had a blast x

It looks like you had an amazing trip too but yes, Raja Ampat really was incredible! I’d love to see how it develops over time. Fingers crossed it’ll stay reasonably untouched. So stunning!

you should visit spot called balbulol and dafalen when in raja ampat. also there is jellyfish lake, on some of the island there is human bone up there.. and also there is weird unique small rock formation idk the name of the spot tho.

Thanks for the tips! I’d love to return but sadly I think it’s many years off! Such a magical part of the world.

any idea where we can rent sea kayaks to explore on our own. thanks

Hi Shaun, most hotels will have them available for rent. They had them at our hotel – Raja Ampat Dive Lodge. Thanks

Hello! We are hoping to make this trip later this year, any must-see’s? Did you need any vaccinations? Also do we need to know any of the language or do the locals mostly speak English?

Hi Millie! Lovely to hear from you! I got my rabies boosters done as I wasn’t up to date on those but I’d already had quite a few vaccines before. Some people didn’t bother so I don’t know how high the risk is right now – definitely worth checking the World Health Org site to make sure you’re happy. Some people working in the hotels and tourism industry speak bits of English but on the islands there were local dialects. It’s always good to get a few words in the local lingo I find – hello / goodbye / thanks will get you far! Have an amazing time – Piaynemo is my must-see. But it’s so beautiful and untouched generally, you’ll love it!

This look so beautiful! I am going to put this on my bucket list for Indonesia next time I go! Beautiful photos and great tips!

Thanks for your comment Aaren – I loved it there!

So I’m going by myself in December and I was wondering as a female what is covering up actually mean? Are shorts and a tank top considered not covering up?

Hi Kim, you should be fine dressed like that. It’s more about not wearing swimwear around the islands with the locals.

wow, this is absolutely amazing, it really makes me put Raja Ampat as my top destination for next year! I have a friend who recently went diving there, she absolutely loved Cape Kri, said it was the experience of a lifetime. I so want to get there myself and explore everything!!!!

It’s SUCH an incredible place Serena! Hope you make it there soon!

Hi what time of the year did you go to get all those beautiful days of sunshine? Me and my boyfriend are going in 3 weeks until June 7 and I’m wondering if we risk getting rain/wind every day! :/ Beautiful blog

Hi Sarah, Hope you’re well! Raja Ampat is SOOO amazing! You’re going to love it. It’s one of the top places I’ve ever travelled to. We were there in October time, but I think they get a lot of sunshine all year around. Also, when it rains, it’s often only one big downpour and then it brightens up again. Fingers crossed it’s nice for you!

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• Raja Ampat Tour Package 4 Days 7 Days 10 Days

Raja Ampat Tour Package

Raja ampat tour package | raja ampat tour service | raja ampat liveaboard.

Raja Ampat Tour Package, We are a tour operator company providing you guiding and organizing services for excursions, snorkeling and diving in the islands of Raja Ampat – West Papua Indonesia. Exploring the islands of South Waigeo in the Raja Ampat will offer you a spectacular view of the unique underwater nature and landscape.

Known to be the last frontier the Raja Ampat islands have been announced to house the richest reefs in the world. With total fish and coral count which breaks the world record. It is our passion to live close with this nature and share you to feel its magnificent beauty.

All Shared Raja Ampat Tours 2023 – 2024:

We are happy to announce that our Live on board tours are fully active again. Most of our clients join our shared tours, but we also have possibilities for private tours (live on board and / or accommodation on land). Please contact us for the latest updates.

Shared Tours

Please contact us if you would like to join our Raja Ampat Tour, and would like to check the availability.

Raja Ampat Tour Packages Schedule 2023 – 2024 

3D2N Raja Ampat Pianemo

4D3N Raja Ampat Pianemo and Wayag Budget Tour

4D3N Raja Ampat Pianemo Mioskon

4D3N Raja Ampat Wayag and Pianemo

4D3N Misool Snorkeling Tour

5D4N Raja Ampat Snorkeling Tour

6D5N Raja Ampat Diving / Snorkeling Tour

10D9N Raja Ampat Diving / Snorkeling Tour

10D9N Northern Raja Ampat Snorkeling Tour

7D6N Raja Ampat Snorkeling Tour

Question? We are glad to assist you for more information about custom tour yogyakarta. Please do not hesitate to contact us .

Please do not hesitate to contact us. If you are looking for custom tour in Raja Ampat, any requirements possibility about Tour Raja Ampat.

More Information Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat Islands, Paradise on Earth

• Raja Ampat Travel Guide

Activities for Raja Ampat Tour Package :

As part of our main excursions program, we will explore by snorkeling a wide area of various snorkeling sites. To snorkel all of the nicest reef as we pass along while enjoying the excursion. Most of the snorkeling sites are shallow to moderate deep, typically the reefs is found on a slope ranging from 0 – 30 meters with good visibility and current. There are mangroves with crystal clear water and have corals growing, also walls and patch reefs. Snorkeling the area will offer you an unlimited exploration and discovery.

Raja Ampat has lots of world class dive sites, on our trip we will take you to dive and explore some of these dive sites. On our excursions as we pass this dive sites we give the opportunity for you who is interested to go diving. To organize the diving we are working with the local dive center which have experience and professional crew. The dive sites are manageable and good for all level of divers. The reefs are well protected, ranging from 0 – 30 meters deep. Housing plenty kinds of fish and creatures and also aircraft wrecks, these diving will take you to see one of the best reef wonders.

Along the coast we will visit villages and people with their traditional culture and craftman. Going culture and exploring the landscape filled with tropical forests and reefs is another type of excursion we offer.

Another program for Raja Ampat Tour Package is to spot several kinds of birds which is endemic in Papua. Spotting the birds in their habitat and going for an easy treking to the local waterfall.

Accomodation

Most of the trip we will be staying on the liveaboard for overnights, but occasionally we spend our night near villages and deserted islands, you will have the option to spend your overnight in these places.

Liveaboard Tour

Deserted-island.

During your whole travel, we will arrange the transportation and accomodation on different options, this depends on your interests.

We provide one main wooden boat to make the Raja Ampat Tour Package, it is a traditional wooden boat recently build in Sulawesi. It has one main room with beds for 8 passengers and a sundeck and a toilet room with freshwater shower. The boat is powered with 2 main 4 cylinders engine with one as back up and one 8kw generator. The  boat is towing one smaller fiberglass longboat, we use this boat for organizing daily excursions.

Accommodations for Raja Ampat Tour Package

For the whole trip you will be having your accommodations onboard, but we also provide possibilities for those who like to combine their stay in homestays or camping is several uninhabited islands. This option could be provide with early notification so we could arrange the itineraries. We always park our boat near beaches and villages for overnight, we will provide the boat for those who likes to get off board and spend the night locally.

Meals is served on board for 3 meals and it is included with our Raja Ampat Tour Package prices. We mostly serve healthy Indonesian food for our meals and we serve it as one table for everyone to share. Fish is served everyday with nice tropical fruits and mineral water is included. If you have special request for your meals please inform us so we could prepare from main town.

Raja Ampat The Last Paradise on Earth

Located in the heart of the coral triangle, Raja Ampat islands had become one of the richest marine life destination. Here you can see a wide range of species in fish, corals and birds. For you who likes to go out with nature, this place is one spot you would not miss. We are offering our trip packages to discover and explore all of these places.

• Papua Raja Ampat Trip Schedule
• 10 New Bali from Indonesia
• 3D2N Raja Ampat Pianemo Budget Tour (RA-301)
• 3D2N Raja Ampat Pianemo (RA-302)
• 4D3N Raja Ampat Pianemo and Wayag Budget Tour (RA-401)
• 4D3N Raja Ampat Pianemo Mioskon (RA-402)
• 4D3N Raja Ampat Wayag and Pianemo (RA-403)
• 4D3N Misool Snorkeling Tour (RA-404)
• 5D4N Raja Ampat Snorkeling Tour (RA-501)
• 6D5N Raja Ampat Diving / Snorkeling Tour (RA-601)
• 7D6N Raja Ampat Snorkeling Tour (RA-701)
• 10D9N Northern Raja Ampat Snorkeling Tour (RA-101)
• 10D9N Raja Ampat Diving / Snorkeling Tour (RA-102)

Example Itinerary Raja Ampat Tour

4 Days 3 Nights

4 Days 3 Nights – Northern Raja Ampat Tour

Day 0 – Arrival and overnights in local homestay/resorts or Waisai town

Day 1 – Dampier Strait – Batangpelle island

Snorkeling : Kabuy bay, Batangpelle island

Day 2 – Batangpelle island – Wayag islands

Snorkeling / Trekking :   Balakbalak island, Jetty CI Station

Day 3 – Wayag islands – Batangpelle island

Snorkeling : Batangpelle island

Day 4 – Batangpelle island – Gam island – Manswar island – Waisai town ( trip finished )

4 Days 3 Nights @ US$ 650.-/person (minimum 4 persons)

Price Include :

• Mineral water
• Airport taxi transfers

Price Exclude :

• Marine Park Entrance Fee,
• Snorkeling & Dive gears,
• Hotel Sorong

This package is organised for tourist which plan or already been staying in homestays and resorts around Dampier strait and Waisai town. We will pick you and drop you back to your chosen homestays/resorts.

7 Days 6 Nights

7 Days 6 Nights – Northern/Southern Raja Ampat Tour

Day 0 – Arrive in Sorong, stay overnight in a hotel and prepare for departure early the next morning.

Day 1 – Sorong – Kabuy Bay

Snorkeling : Friwenbonda island and Batu Lima island

Day 2 –  Kabuy Bay- Bat island / Batang Pele island

Snorkeling : Passage / Cave, Hidden Bay and Bat Island

Day 3 – Bat Island / Batangpelle island – Bala-bala island – CI station (Wayag island)

Snorkeling / Trekking : Balakbalak island, Jetty CI station

Day 4 – Fullday Wayag island

Snorkeling and trekking

Day 5 – Wayag island – Fam/Pyanemo island

Snorkeling : Melissas Garden, Anitas Garden, Arborek Jetty

Day 6 – Pyanemo – Gam island

Snorkeling : Island Kri, Manta Point, Cape Kri, Koh island/pasir timbul, West Mansuar

Day 7 – Kri – Sorong (trip is finished)

7 Days 6 Nights @ US$. 800,-/person (minimum 4 persons)

Price include :

• Mineral water,

Price exclude :

10 Days 9 Nights

10 Days 9 Nights – Northern/Southern Raja Ampat Tour

Day 0 – Arrive in Sorong, stay overnight in a hotel and prepare for departure early the next morning

Day 1 – Sorong – Kabuy bay

Snorkeling : Friwenbonda island and Batu lima island

Day 2 – Kabuy bay – Bat island / Batangpelle island

Snorkeling : Passage / Cave, Hidden bay and Bat island

Day 3 – Bat island / Batangpelle island – Balakbalak island – CI Station (Wayag island)

Day 5 – Wayag island – Mayafun island – Fam island

Snorkeling : Mayafun island and Fam island

Day 6 – Pyanemo – Fam island

Snorkeling and trekking : trekking Pyanemo island and snorkeling Melisa garden, Anita garden and Jetty Arborek ( visiting village )

Day 7 – Gam Island

Snorkeling : Yenbraimuk, Yeben island, Mikes point

Day 8 – Gam Island – Manswar island

Snorkeling : Manta point/Manta sandy,Cape Manswar, Jetty Sawandarek

Day 9 – Manswar island – Kri Island

Snorkeling : Agusta island, Merpati Island, Cape Kri, Koh island, Jetty Yenbuba

Day 10 – Kri Island – Sorong ( leave in the early morning / trip finished at Sorong )

10 Days 9 Nights @ US$. 1,050.-/person (minimum 4 persons)

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My Trip to Raja Ampat (16 Things To Do, Tips & How To Get There)

Travelling is not only about the destination; the journey is sometimes just as incredible! This famous quote was definitely applicable to my trip to Raja Ampat. If you have read my blog Sailing through the Raja Ampat Islands with Mutiara Laut you know how I ended up on this amazing luxury sailing ship and that I had the time of my life.

Like anyone else I have always been dreaming to go to Raja Ampat and in 2016 I finally got the chance to visit. This island group is any scuba divers dream but there is more than that. This place on earth is so peaceful it could be like in heaven. So blue, so green, no pollution, hardly any human traces just raw nature at its best.

Off the beaten track Indonesia

When you mention this amazing place to someone who is interested in exploring remote areas of the world I am sure they will start getting excited. Raja Ampat is a very deserted island group in West Papau and the number one off the beaten track Indonesia destination. Its isolated location makes it a paradise for explorers, but the reality will tell you that to travel to Raja Ampat is not that easy.

Organize your own trip to Raja Ampat, a Raja Ampat Tour or a liveaboard?

An organized Raja Ampat tour is pretty exclusive and the reason is simple: there are hardly any facilities on the islands, most islands are inhabited, have no electricity, no natural resources, and no phone signal. If you decide to organize a trip to Raja Ampat by yourself be prepared to go back to basic. If you have unlimited time and are up for a big adventure go for it.

Where is Raja Ampat located?

Raja Ampat may be a paradise to visit, but it is a pain in the ass to get there. Raja Ampat is located of the coast of West Papua in northeast Indonesia.

Raja Ampat is off the beaten path in Indonesia, but there is still a phone connection possible. Have a look at my best sim card in Indonesia article to know which mobile internet provider is best for traveling in Indonesia. 

How to get to Raja Ampat

As I said getting to Raja Ampat is not easy, but first you will have to get to Sorong on the mainland of West Papua. Sorong has the closest airport to Raja Ampat and is the hub for all those travelers willing to explore, dive and amaze the beauty of this off the beaten path destination in Indonesia.

How to get to Sorong, West Papua

From Jakarta there are direct flights nowadays:

• PT. Nam Air flies directly from Jakarta to Sorong in 4h 5min and is the budget option for around $80 one-way.
• Garuda Indonesia flies also directly from Jakarta to Sorong in 4h 15min but will cost 3 times as much: $250 one-way.

From Bali there are no direct flights to Sorong. Plan for a long journey!

• Sriwijaya Air is the budget option for around $80 one-way. The journey takes about 12 hours with a 8 hour layover in Makassar, Sulawesi.
• Garuda Indonesia has about the same journey. The stopover is an hours horter, but you will pay the double: $170 for one-way.

By boat to Sorong?

It is fairly impossible to get to Sorong by boat, unless you have a couple weeks and want to go island hopping along the way. There are for example boats from Manado in North Sulawesi to Ternate in North Maluku. From here there also is a boat to Sorong. I have not taken this journey myself but I have asked the help of some locals to explain me this route. Boats are slow, and can take forever. Schedules are weather depended and very irregular.

From Sorong to Raja Ampat

Once you made it to the airport in Sorong you have to get to the harbor to make your way to the islands. Best way to get from the airport to the harbor is to take a taxi. It will take about 10 minutes and should never cost more than $10.

Raja Ampat actually means 4 kingdoms and therefore consists of 4 bigger islands. All the 4 bigger islands are inhabited but have countless uninhabited little islands around them. From the harbor of Sorong you will have to choose where you want to go. Waisai is the most popular island to visit in Raja Ampat. It also serves as the capital for Raja Ampat and is the easiest to get to from Sorong. But there is also Misool, which is further away and even harder to get to, but much more of an adventure when you travel to Raja Ampat.

From Sorong to Waisai

From the public pier in Sorong there are express ferries to Waisai twice daily at 9.00am and 2.00pm. The other way around the same schedule applies. The boat is called Bahari Express and is a modern big white ferry with red letters. Tickets cost 100,000 ($6,5) for economy and 150,000 ($10) for VIP/AC.

Tickets can be bought on board and there is no need/possibility to reserve a seat online.

From Sorong to Misool

Taking a boat from Sorong to Misool is a little harder and ferries run infrequent. The boat from Sorong take 5 hours. Look in Sorong harbor for a boat to Yellu Village.

There are two different ferry companies:

Kapal Fajar Baru 8

• From Sorong there is a nightboat leaving every Monday at midnight 00.00.
• The boat back from Misool to Sorong goes on Thursday at 09.00 am.

Km Fajar Indah II 

• Boat from Sorong to Misool: every Friday 00.00 (midnight).
• Boat from Misool to Sorong: every Saturday at 15.00 pm.

If you travel to Raja Ampat take in mind that boat schedules are just an estimate and change without prior notice. Changes in weather conditions will often result in changes. Ask your Raja Ampat accommodation to verify ferry times the day before your departure.

When to visit Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat obviously has a tropical climate with great temperatures all year round. But there is a wet periode with most rainfall between May to August. The dry season lasts from October to April and is the best time to visit Raja Ampat.

Liveaboard Raja Ampat

If you want to avoid the hassle then save up a little bit more money and join an organized liveaboard. From what I have seen I am afraid that this is the only way to get the most of your Raja Ampat tour. If you have read more of my blog then you know I am not a fan of organized tours, but if you want to see the real beauty of this fantastic natural wonder then travel to Raja Ampat with someone who knows where to go in Raja Ampat. I was among the lucky ones to enjoy this paradise in style on the majestic luxury schooner of the Mutiara Laut , click to see their website!

Of course is scuba diving one of the best things to do in Raja Ampat and therefore I named it as one of the best scuba dive destinations in the world .

16 Things to do Raja Ampat

In total I sailed around for 7 days and although I was constantly at sea, time was flying! You might think staying on a 46-meter long boat for a week there will be moments that you are finding yourself lost at sea, but there was never a dull moment. With hardly any phone reception and therefore no Internet, it was a bit of a rehab for me I can tell you, but I totally loved being disconnected from the world and may be that was one of the best things about my sailing trip to Raja Ampat. Every day I enjoyed doing all the amazing activities, then it was time to watch the sunset, catch up with great stories of that day, eating catch of the day and watching stars while sailing in the middle of the night!

1. Scuba Diving

Of course scuba diving is one of the best things to do in Raja Ampat, This is what draws people from all over the world to this underwater paradise. All my dive friends on Facebook were sending me messages like: ‘stop posting pictures, we are jealous!’ Diving in Raja Ampat is every divers dream because of the incredible underwater world and marine life. Diving with Manta Rays, whalesharks, seahorses, and dolphins all in one dive is possible!

2. Snorkelling

Don’t worry if you are not a scuba diver, snorkelling is just as great. The shallow reefs around the islands are untouched. Sometimes there is even no need to gear up and get your self in your scuba gear, just a snorkel and fins are enough to see amazing things. While snorkelling I also saw big tunas, barracuda’s, and yes also sharks! We even tried to snorkel with dolphins, but ended up seeing the reef sharks in the middle of the ocean hunting for sardines!

3. Island hopping in Raja Ampat

It means a lot when an avid scuba diver like me says that the true beauty of Raja Ampat not only lies underwater! I have been to places like El Nido and Halong Bay that are in essence very similar, but my trip to Raja Ampat totally stands out. In 7 days sailing I saw may be a 1,000 islands but only 3 other boats and a handful local sea gypsies. This area is so remote that building a sustainable village is almost impossible. There are a couple islands that are inhabited but don’t expect more than a couple stilt houses and some hidden wooden sheds between the palm trees. More than 99% of the islands are uninhabited and a pristine paradise. Some have beaches, some only coral gardens, some are accessible, some not. Exploring the Raja Ampat islands for sure is my coolest island hopping tour ever and together with diving the best things to do in Raja Ampat.

4. Wake boarding

One of the most amazing things about the Mutiara Laut is that it has two tenders available for anything the guests are up to. When I heard that there was the possibility to go wakeboarding I got really excited! I only did it once in a cable park, which was big fun! If you ask me now where I really learned how to wake board I can say: Raja Ampat! :)

5. Watching the most amazing sunsets

Who is not a fan of sunsets? Out on the ocean they get even better, the horizon is endless and there are always some clouds around. Here in this paradise the only thing that could spoils your unobstructed view were the karst shaped Raja Ampat islands! Sunrises were equally stunning but I am not a big fan of them! ;)

6. Sailing in Raja Ampat

I have done a sailing trip before from Panama to Colombia and it was amazing, but it was in a small catamaran and because there was hardly any wind we only sailed once for a couple hours. Now I found myself on a two mast Schooner, build to perfection by a renowned shipper from Holland. Putting up all the sails up was a long process and all the 18 crew members were involved. I think it took a little under an hour but wow what was it impressive to see the Mutiara Laut with all the sails up. The motor was turned off and the only thing you could hear was the wind in the sails and the ship breaking through the waves. Such an amazing experience lying in the nets on the bow of the ship. I am in doubt now, may be sailing is the best thing to do in Raja Ampat! I don’t know anymore, my trip to Raja Ampat was so phenomenal, everything was cool!

7. Deserted islands

For the ultimate Robinson Crusoe experience you have to explore a little island that has some cliffs for a lookout, a little beach for a fire, some trees for shelter and a house reef to fish. The ultimate survivor islands are easy to find here and from what I heard is that they filmed a couple seasons of the French survivor here. I know exactly why they chose this location!

8. Heavenly beaches

On a Raja Ampat tour you gotta find yourself that picture-perfect tiny little island with a white sand beach and some palm trees. There are plenty around so I chose my own to get dropped off. I brought some drinks, sat in the sand, looked around, sipped my beer, felt the crystal clear sea water coming in at my feet, smiled, sipped again on my beer and thought: wow this is fucking amazing!

9. Eating fresh seafood

On the ocean every journey is a food journey. I love catch of the day and whatever it is it has never been disappointed. Of course the amazing crew on board the Mutiara Laut prepared some fantastic dishes but the best thing still is the fresh seafood caught just before dinnertime!

10. Wayag Viewpoint Raja Ampat

Probably the most famous spot in Raja Ampat is the Wayag Viewpoint. It was the only place where there were some kind of touristy activities going on and we saw a couple other boats that were doing day trips from Sorong. Local tourists, no foreigners by the way. There is a staircase that leads you to a magnificent viewpoint on top of one of the islands overlooking the absolutely stunning bay.

I would have loved to go Live at this viewpoint and show my social media followers this absolutely breathtaking spot while I was exploring it, but I can tell you there is absolutely no phone reception in Raja Ampat. Once you get phone reception you might want an indonesia prepaid sim card with data.

11. Watching marine life

Watching the giant gentles of the ocean will never get boring, staring the horizon on the lookout for fins popping out of the water. According to the captain we were not really lucky on this trip to Raja Ampat, but we still saw a pod of dolphins and some whales a little bit further away.

12. Bird watching

It was not really my favourite thing but apparently there are many bird species around. I saw a ton during the trip and tried to catch some rare ones that only exist in West Papua with a binocular. If you are a bird watching fan inquire about the Bird of Paradise to add to your Raja Ampat tour.

13. SUP boarding

With so many islands around there are many calm places to jump on a stand up paddleboard and paddle around. In and between the islands where the water is so crystal clear that you don’t need a snorkel to see clearly what is going on under the surface. I mostly tried to paddle out just before sunset, at least those times when I was not shooting sunset pictures.

14. Exploring caves

Most Raja Ampat islands are uninhabited and therefore unexplored as well. Though there are a couple tourist spots that a handful tourists every month! LOL. We went to a place that was hardly accessible as the waters were super shallow, but zigzagging through a maze of islands we found a old wooden ladder that lead us over a rock and into a cave filled with water. Swimming in a cave in Papua is a must do on your trip to Raja Ampat. It was an amazing adventure and the further we got inside the dark it became. Without our torches it would be pitch black. To make it even more excited we weren’t there alone: spiders, bats and hell knows what lives there. After swimming for 15 minutes there was light at the end of the tunnel and a little climb lead us to a hidden lagoon surrounded by 50m high limestone cliffs. There are no words how to describe this, but I swam to the middle of this small lagoon floated on my back and looked around. This is how I imagined Raja Ampat to be, something I had never seen before: a magical place so far away from civilisation! My mind was zooming out like Google Maps floating here in this lagoon. I wish I had a 360 camera! This is the real off the beaten track Indonesia destination.

15. Mangrove tours

We all know mangroves are a vital breeding ground for marine life and around the Raja Ampat islands there are a lot of mangroves to explore. Best to be done on a paddleboard, but we were warned there are salt water crocodiles that live in this part of the world. Unfortunately I did not see any! :)

16. Watching shooting stars

Another magical phenomenon is to watch the stars at night. There is no better place to look for shooting stars than in the middle of the ocean. Did you know that it is really easy to see shooting stars on a clear day? You just gotta be a little patience and you will always see some!

If you have any specific questions I am happy to answer them personally!     

6 Tips for traveling to Raja Ampat

These are vital things to know when you travel to Raja Ampat.

1. No alcohol

West-Papua is a dry province in Indonesia, that means alcohol is forbidden. This is in contrary with the rest of Indonesia where alcohol is legal. According to the stories that I heard is that in West Papua alcoholism became such a huge problem that they declared it a dry state to solve the problem!

2. Religion in Raja Ampat

What is the religion in Raja Ampat? Christian! Another remarkable fact is that the people of Raja Ampat are not Muslim like everywhere else in Indonesia. There are some mosques in Waisai and Sorong, but because of the colonized history most of the people are Christians.

3. Very few ATMs

The only place in Raja Ampat where you can find an ATM is in Waisai. Here you have four different bank companies that let you withdraw money. My tip for traveling to Raja Ampat is not to rely on these machines. Often they don’t accept foreign cards or are out of service. Bring enough cash in advance. You can bring dollars there is always somewhere to exchange them, but it is better to bring Indonesian Rupiah.

4. Bring warm clothes

Although there is a tropical climate in Raja Ampat, during and after rain showers it can feel a bit chilled. Especially when there is some wind it feel much better wearing some warm clothes. Rain comes unexpectedly at times, so always bring a rain coat.

5. Meet the people of Raja Ampat

Locals are extremely friendly and love to see foreigners visit Raja Ampat. Of course they also understand that tourists bring money and these people most probably live a very simple island life. They may not have much, but they are super friendly and welcoming. Try to give something back, leave some stuff you can miss or buy some before your trip. Pencils and books for kids are always a good idea to bring to Raja Ampat.

6. Dive and snorkel with whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay

If you travel to Raja Ampat you might want to combine your visit with another divers dream destination: Cenderawasih Bay. If you want to snorkel with these amazing creatures you have to head here. This bay is partially declared a marine national park and with 8 square kilometers the largest in Southeast Asia. Cenderawasih Bay is located on the east coast of West Papua. Whale sharks are around all year long.

Trip to Raja Ampat too expensive?

Is a trip to Raja Ampat a bridge too far? Travelling in Indonesia is captivating, so you might want to start with a trip Bali. I have been to Bali numerous times and totally loving it now. I can easily give you 12 reasons to visit Bali , or what about an adventure on the stunning Nusa Penida Island . Want to try magic mushrooms in Gili Trawangan ? I can tell you were to get them! More off the beaten path destinations in Indonesia? Go to the burial caves of Tana Toraja and see dead people! ;)

If you like my article would you please pin it on Pinterest or share it on Google+ or Facebook? It would help me a lot... thank you so much!

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Raja Ampat Islands

The sparsely populated Raja Ampat Islands comprise more than 1500 islands just off Sorong. With their sublime scenery of steep, jungle-covered islands, fine white-sand beaches, hidden lagoons, spooky caves, weird mushroom-shaped islets and pellucid turquoise waters, Raja Ampat is without question one of the most beautiful island chains in the world.

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The Ultimate Pristine Paradise in West Papua

Far from the view-blocking skyscrapers, dense and hectic concrete jungles, congested traffics, flickering electric billboards, endless annoying noises, and all the nuisances of modern cities, you will find a pristine paradise where Mother Nature and warm friendly people welcome you with all the exceptional wonders in  Raja Ampat , the islands-regency in West Papua Province. With all the spectacular wonders above and beyond its waters, as well as on land and amidst the thick jungles, this is truly the place where words such as beautiful, enchanting, magnificent, and fascinating get its true physical meaning.

The Emperor of Four

Situated off the northwest tip of Bird’s Head Peninsula on Papua, the most eastern island of the Indonesian Archipelago, Raja Ampat or literally meaning ‘ The Four Kings’  is an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands, cays, and shoals surrounding the four main islands of  Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati , and  Misool . The name Raja Ampat itself is believed to derive from a legend where a woman found seven eggs, with four of them hatch and become the kings of the four main islands, while the other three became a woman, a ghost, and a stone.

For underwater enthusiasts, Raja Ampat definitely offers some of the world’s ultimate experience. The territory within the islands of the Four Kings is enormous, covering 9.8 million acres of land and sea, home to 540 types of corals, more than 1,000 types of coral fish and 700 types of mollusks. This makes it the most diverse living library for the world's coral reef and underwater biota.

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According to a report developed by The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International, around 75% of the world's species live here! Raja Ampat’s sheer numbers and diversity of marine life and its huge pristine coral reef systems are a scuba dream come true – and a fantastic site for snorkelers too.

As you embark on your dive here, the phrase "Attention to detail" takes on new meaning as pigmy seahorses swim around your fingers. Manta Rays and wobbegongs will glide right by you. Schools of Tuna fish, giant trevallies, snappers, batfish, and even barracudas are there to complete your underwater "meeting list". Not to mention the friendly assistant of the dugong, and a busy colleague, the turtle. Down at the sea floors, giant sea clams measuring to over one meter in length truly offers one of kind close encounter sensation.

Obviously, there are a lot of diving and snorkeling spots to choose from in these vast waters. Among these are at the  Kabui Passage  (the very narrow passage between Waigeo and Gam Island crossed by the renowned British explorer, Alfred Russell Wallace in 1860), around the  Arborek  Island’s Dock,  Sawandarek ,  Yenbuba ,  Friwen Wall , and many-many more.

While its underwater splendors are beyond exceptional, the landscape above the surface is equally breathtaking. As if it was carefully designed and placed with such aesthetic, the rock islets amidst the clear blue water and bright blue sky in  Piaynemo  offers some of the most spectacular sceneries on the face of the earth. Looking down from the top of the hill, it almost seems that Mother Nature painted her finest artwork and offers a glimpse of paradise. Further at  Wayag Island , you will also find an amazing rock islets formation in an even bigger scale.

The incredible wildlife of Raja Ampat does not stop underwater. Amidst the many thick jungles within the islands, one can still find various bird species including the spectacular  Cendrawasih or the bird of Paradise . There is also an endemic species of cuscus, the  Waigeou cuscus  or Waigeou spotted cuscus ( Spilocuscus papuensis ) which is a species of marsupial in the family Phalangeridae.

The Local Ambience

Aside from its endless fascinating natural attractions, Raja Ampat also offers the distinct hospitality of the Papuan. At the  Arborek Tourism Village , you can stay at a number of homestays and mingle with the locals whilst observing their daily life and unique traditions. When a group of tourists arrived, they usually perform a traditional welcome dance right at the dock and entertained the ‘guests’ with various Papuan folk songs.

With all its spectacular wonders inland, on the shore, and beyond the waters, and distinct serene ambiance that you rarely find anywhere else on earth, Raja Ampat truly offers the ultimate experience ones can only dream of.

So, whether you are an avid diver, occasional snorkeler, or just someone who appreciated the beauty in every sense, Raja Ampat welcomes you to the Heaven on Earth.

To get to Raja Ampat you should first take a flight from  Jakarta  or  Makassar  to  Sorong . There are small aircraft to take you to Waisai, the capital of the district of Raja Ampat, or alternatively, you can take a ferry from the port of Sorong to the islands.

Established in 2012, the  Marinda Airport  in  Waisai , the capital town of Raja Ampat Regency served flights to and from the city of Sorong. Wings Air served daily flight between Sorong and Raja Ampat, while Susi Air flight twice a week on Monday and Saturday. Please be advised that Marinda Airport is still under development and expansion and located relatively far from any facilities. So be sure to pack some snacks and drinks as you await your return flights to Sorong.

Alternatively, there are ferries available to get you from Sorong and Waisai and vice versa. The ferry trip will take about 2 to three hours.

As the main hub to Raja Ampat, the  Domine Eduard Osok Airport  in Sorong serves flights to a number of major cities in Papua and Indonesia including  Manokwari, Jayapura,  Ambon ,  Makassar ,  Manado , and  Jakarta .

Garuda Indonesia  operates daily flights between Jakarta-Sorong. As do  Sriwijaya Air  and  Nam Air,  Whereas  Batik Air  flies twice daily between   Jakarta and Sorong.

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The Ultimate Travel Guide to Raja Ampat, Indonesia

With greens and blues as far as the eye can see, deserted beaches and an underwater ecosystem to delight the most seasoned snorkellers and scuba divers, the Raja Ampat archipelago is Indonesia’s quintessential island getaway. There are many ways to explore this remote paradise, only one guarantees a trip you’ll never forget.

Located in the far-flung reaches of Papua, Indonesia , Raja Ampat is a place with raw natural magnetism. Above and below the shimmering ocean, the archipelago’s 1,500 islands and cays buzz with life: birds of paradise flit and flounce through lush jungle canopies and 75 percent of the world’s known coral species intermingle beneath the waves. The sheer magnitude of the archipelago is astounding and its beauty irresistible but, as holiday destinations go, it could be more straightforward – for local buses, think local boats; for sightseeing, you’ll need a snorkel and binoculars, not just a pair of sunglasses and a sense of direction. But fear not. This travel guide contains everything you need to know to make your stay in Raja Ampat the trip of a lifetime.

How to get to Raja Ampat

First, you’ll have to fly to Sorong, the hub for most Raja Ampat travel plans. Garuda Indonesia and Sriwijaya airlines have daily flights from Jakarta to Sorong, though some routes may require you to make a connection.

You need a permit to visit Raja Ampat and you can purchase one at the Tourism Information Centre in Sorong or at designated spots in airports and ports. Usually, if you sign up for an organised tour, the operator will secured a permit for you but it never hurts to check.

From Domine Eduard Osok airport, head to the harbour and catch a public boat to the island of Waigeo. The journey costs approximately 145,000 Indonesian rupiah (£7.50) per trip.

How to get around the archipelago

From Sorong onwards, your journey’s most likely going to involve a boat. At the harbour, you’ll see boats with varying fees and capacities available for rent. Travelling alone will always cost more than joining organised group tours, though it does come with its own advantages. If you have the cash to spare, a liveaboard sailing ship is a luxurious and practical option, giving you transportation and accommodation in one.

Always ask about transportation arrangements when booking accommodation, especially if you aren’t travelling with a tour operator.

Where to stay in Raja Ampat

If getting a massage on the terrace of an oceanfront villa is your thing, Raja Ampat’s luxury resorts are certainly worth the splurge. Opting for a humble homestay or a few nights in a traditional hut, meanwhile, will grant you a glimpse of Papuan life. There are also a few inhabited islands where camping is permitted – just make sure to get a permit from the local community, which you can acquire for a small fee. And there’s always the liveaboard option, which makes your doorstep your next diving spot.

What to pack for your island getaway

In addition to the usual island getaway essentials – suntan lotion, swimwear, hat, sandals, sunglasses – throw some comfortable walking shoes and mosquito repellent into your luggage. The risk of contracting malaria isn’t high, but it’s a possibility, so wear light long-sleeved clothes in the evening and sleep under a mosquito net at night – these should be provided even in homestays.

Make sure you have all relevant legal documents – passport, visa, proof of a return ticket, insurance policies, dive certifications – with you, and keep them waterproof. Many resorts accept credit card payments but make sure you have rupiah bills for things such as food on the go and tipping. Remember to withdraw or exchange money in Sorong, if not before, as ATMs and money changers can be scarce on the more remote islands.

If you have it, bring your own dive gear, especially things like safety whistles and mask straps. A dry bag or waterproof pouch for your electronic devices is another Raja Ampat must-have. It’s also advised to have a pair of binoculars at hand – bird watching is an activity in the archipelago that’s sorely overlooked.

If you’re going to bring your own toiletries, among which dry shampoo is probably a necessity, make sure they are environmentally friendly. The hospital in Raja Ampat has only the very basics so make sure to pack enough of any medication you need for the duration of your trip.

Where to go in Raja Ampat

Trek on Pianemo

With jungle-clad rock formations scattered in turquoise waters, Pianemo is Raja Ampat in miniature. Across the archipelago, you can find sweeping vistas of green and blue, but few compare to those on Pianemo. For the best of the best, trek up the 340 steps to the viewpoint on the main island.

Experience local culture in Arborek

Not far from Waigeo’s port, Arborek is a village on stilts where you can expect a warm welcome from local people, one involving dancing, singing and feasting on traditional food. Its coastline is renowned for its unspoiled beaches and snorkelling spots. Don’t leave without buying a locally made hat or noken (string bag).

Kayak around Kabui Bay

White-sand beaches and dramatic karst formations divide lush tropical greenery and the sparkling ocean at this Gam Island nook. Kayaking is a popular activity in the bay, promising encounters with exotic fish, birds of paradise and, if you’re lucky, dolphins. The area is also home to Goa Tengkorak, a cave that contains the skeletons of the island’s ancient inhabitants.

Dive at Manta Sandy

Squadrons of mantas roam the waters of Manta Sandy, an area whose rising popularity means that diving is now regulated. Only twenty or so divers are allowed in the water at a time, which, though it requires a little more planning and waiting, makes for a far more intimate, not to mention sustainable, experience.

Dive deeper at Mike’s Point

This is one for more experienced divers. During World War II, the US Air Force kept confusing Mike’s Point with a Japanese ship, bombing it repeatedly. The resulting blown-off chunks and caves now form a unique underwater landscape that is home to hundreds of marine species. Whitetip sharks, turtles and sea snakes are among the creatures who inhabit this colourful coral garden.

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Raja Ampat Guide: A Secret Indonesian Paradise

Explore Raja Ampat, a group of the most beautiful islands on the planet, in Indonesia's West Papua Province. Travel one of the world's best-kept secrets offering spectacular snorkeling and diving, pristine beaches and feeling of paradise. Discover what to see and do in our Raja Ampat guide.

RAJA AMPAT - WORLD'S BEST-KEPT SECRET

Raja Ampat is a remote archipelago comprising of over 1500 islands in Indonesia's province of West Papua, and we dare to say it remains one of the world's last destinations protected from mass tourism, but its popularity is increasing every year and the rumors about pristine beaches, unique marine biodiversity, postcard-like landscape, and friendly Papuans, are spreading quickly.

Raja Ampat is the least developed and also easternmost islands of Indonesia and the distance and remoteness determines both the life of locals and the form of tourism.

The advantage and concurrently disadvantage for those visiting the area is already mentioned remoteness and time-consuming journey, but on the other hand, this is what saves Raja Ampat from the crowds and ensures that Raja Ampat will be visited only by those genuinely interested in its natural beauty.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN RAJA AMPAT

We've put together a list of best things you can see and do in Raja Ampat.

Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of activities takes place in the water or in its close proximity. 

#1 Snorkeling & Diving

Raja Ampat's underwater life is fantastic and hard to compete with especially when Indonesian waters surrounding these islands are known as the most biodiverse on the planet.  Simply put, the best diving and snorkeling awaits here for you.

The numbers are also incredible: 1,508 fish species, 537 coral species, and 699 mollusk species altogether with mantas, orcas, dolphins, turtles and many more create real underwater heaven.

Most homestays in Raja Ampat have perfect snorkeling spots right at the door, and once you explore the nearest places, hosts are willing to sail you to other unexplored underwater gems which only locals know, and you won't find them in any guidebook.

Some homestays offer snorkeling gear to rent, but of course, it's best to take your own to ensure it fits.

#2 Watch Sunsets

Sunsets on Raja Ampat's islands are a chapter on its own.

We've never seen so many breathtaking sunsets at one place in our lives.

Every evening we couldn't wait to walk on the beach, sit on the sand and enjoy the movie. If you're looking for a place to capture the most picturesque sunsets, Raja Ampat is worth it for sure. We believe the same is true of sunrises, but we were every day so exhausted after the all-day spent in the water, that we were not early-birds this time.

#3 Piaynemo Lookout

This view will never pall and prepare that it will leave you speechless for a while. Arrive by boat or paddle a canoe to the small pier and climb few (hundreds) wooden stairs.

We guarantee you won't want to leave.

We spent quite a long time on the viewing platform and had to return repeatedly the other days. From the top, you can see an iconic karst island seascape.

The mushroom-shaped rocks are towering from the water which is almost unnaturally blue and crystal clear, we could've even seen a turtle swimming in the sea from the viewing point.

If you are craving for more views similar to Piaynemo, you can consider visiting Wayag, but it is far, and the transport is pricey. 

#4 Island Hopping

A big plus when it comes to the decision which island to visit is that you don't have to stick with one island only, but you can freely travel around and enjoy different snorkeling/diving locations, stay in several homestays and explore remote beaches in the Raja Ampat area.

For inspiration, we visited Friwen, Kri, Piaynemo, and Arborek in two weeks' time. These islands are not that far away from each other and thanks to that we didn't have to spend that much time with transfers and could've enjoyed island's activities instead.

#5 Meet the locals

What we enjoyed the most was our accommodation in homestays, and the interaction between hosts and visitors which illustrated the relaxed atmosphere in the true sense of the term.

We could see our hosts' everyday life and eat food their families prepared (and caught) that day. Locals are friendly and seemed genuinely interested in our lives the same way we wanted to know more about theirs.

Even though their English is very basic and in some cases none, we were able to communicate without a problem and had a lot of fun when translating what we wanted to say into their language.

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THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS IN RAJA AMPAT

During two weeks spent in Indonesia's province of West Papua, we tried to see as many islands as we could, but on the other hand, we didn't want to rush and wanted to enjoy our vacation at the same time.

Because our time was limited, we inevitably had to choose our destinations carefully, and after research, we came up with a list of most beautiful islands in Raja Ampat we definitely wanted to see.

A small island with incredibly white sand, family homestays and a beach we had just for ourselves.

The main highlight is Friwen Wall just opposite the island with the stunning underwater world. It takes about an hour to swim the whole length of the Wall, so if you are unsure about your swimming skills or level of fitness, tell so to the boatman to wait for you nearby, because in our case, he probably got a feeling that we're doing fine and left to wait for us at the very end (some of us were pretty exhausted when finally reached a small beach at the end of the Wall).

Kri is a forested island, much bigger and more developed than Friwen.

Accommodation is available on both sides of the island which is split by the hill in the middle. Jungle trekking is not possible because of lack of trails and steep terrain, so climbing the hill to get to the other side of the island is probably the only option if you're looking for different kind of activities. We found a lodge near the pier where the snorkeling was surprisingly good and diverse.

There were small sharks (we've been told that when sharks are similarly big as a human, they shouldn't attack, but who knows) and poisonous stone fishes on the seabed so watch your steps.

Travel Insurance

We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.

Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.

SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.

Travel smarter and safer!

Piaynemo Island

A super small strip of send and the accommodation on the pier was our base to explore the Piaynemo area and its surroundings.

We enjoyed two days of canoeing, repeating visits to Piaynemo Lookout, new snorkeling locations, hidden coves and also hikes to get another superb (and not that known) views of the Raja Ampat's seascape. Because of minimal pollutions and light effects, this spot is great to watch stars and night sky. You don't need to stay in Piaynemo to enjoy the postcard-like views.

You can reach it for example from Arborek in about 90 minutes boat ride.

ARBOREK ISLAND

The last, tiny (you can walk around in about 30 minutes), but the most touristic island we visited has its charm and atmosphere. Arborek even has unified village (part of the Indonesian government’s tourist village program) with the main street through it, houses with blue roofs, sufficient homestay options and football playground. Arborek is near to the famed Manta Point, snorkeling and dive sites where you can swim with mantas.

Locals are incredibly friendly, and little kids running around are everything but shy. Their evening dancing and singing entertainment is fun!

WHAT TO PACK FOR RAJA AMPAT

Having the right gear can make all the difference to your snorkeling trip. You don't need to bring much for island hopping in Raja Ampat, but here are a couple of things we think are essential to pack.

Waterproof Bag | This is our favorite water-resistant bag we use to protect our electronics during water activities.

Snorkel Mask & Fins | Snorkel mask should be your first purchase when going for island hopping adventure. We love snorkeling with fins, as they are huge benefit. You save energy, and it's easier to dive down.

Water Bottle | Raja Ampat is one of the most beautiful places in the world, don't litter plastic, use SteriPen .

Phone Waterproof Case | If you like to bring your phone for your water activites, you need a good waterproof case.

GoPro | Adventure underwater camera is a must-have when traveling around the Indonesia as snorkeling is world-class here.

Sunscreen | Sun is way too strong in Asia, especially when you spend all day in the water, so having a quality sunscreen is a must. You can also use a reef friendly biodegradable sunscreen for snorkeling.

Travel Resources

Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.

Accommodation : When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld .

Tours : Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.

We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator .

Rental Cars : When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com , a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.

Flight Tickets : When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.

Travel Insurance : World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.

Home » The Ultimate Raja Ampat Guide » Vital information » Raja Ampat: A step by step guide

Raja Ampat: A step by step guide

All the help you need to plan your amazing Raja Ampat adventure

Reading the information linked in the steps below will provide you with everything you need to independently plan and book your Raja Ampat visit.

• Find out if traditional Papuan homestay accommodation will suit you by reading this important introduction .
• Check to see if it will fit your budget . Raja Ampat is great value but West Papua is more expensive than other regions of Indonesia.
• Decide when to go. Check our weather info page for the best time of year.
• Decide which islands have to be on your itinerary. See these island information pages .
• Choose your accommodation – here are all the Raja Ampat homestay  options, and here is our Raja Ampat maps page so you can see where everything is.
• To quickly find accommodation that offers diving and any other services and facilities that might be important to you, use the accommodation page search filters.
• If you plan to dive in Raja Ampat, be sure to read this important diving safety information . (Links to all accommodation with an on-site dive center included.)
• Boat travel in Raja Ampat is expensive! Plan your trips carefully to avoid backtracking. This article will help you estimate trip and transfer costs.
• Make a booking by using our online booking form to automatically translate and send your request to your chosen host. Please do read this important information  so you understand how our booking system works.
• All homestays provide tours and guides, but if you have a special interest, need help in Sorong, or want to visit areas without homestays, here are the guides that can help .
• Find your flights to Sorong, West Papua. Read our How to get to Raja Ampat page .
• Check out some of the activities you might enjoy while you are there.
• Keep up with the latest news, and contact other travellers to share the fun and the costs. Follow our facebook page  and/or join our Raja Ampat Travellers’ Forum facebook group.
• Get a medical and dental check up, and organise some medicines – see our Health and Medical FAQ
• Organise your visa. Citizens of most countries can apply for 30 day tourist visas online . If you purchase your visa before arriving in the country, then you can also apply online for a further 30 day extension. If you purchased your visa on arrival, or if you don’t have access to the internet, then you will have to visit the Sorong Immigration office to arrange an extension.
• Organise the Indonesian Rupiah you’ll need before you get to Sorong (see the Money, Banks and ATMs page ).
• Unless you want to be offline and uncontactable, get a Telkomsel SIM for your phone .
• Catch that plane to Sorong!
• Get your Raja Ampat Marine Park entry permit and Visitor Entry Ticket .
• Top up your Indonesian Rupiah – there are no ATMs outside Sorong and Waisai.
• It’s island time – get that ferry !
• Have an amazing time. It’s not hard.
• Don’t forget to observe cultural sensitivities and leave the islands as beautiful as you found them.
• Please, leave feedback about your experience.
• There are few voluntourism enterprises in Raja Ampat. Instead, please support local communities’ own Raja Ampat conservation initiatives .
• Tell your friends. A well patronised locally-owned ecotourism economy is (provided that tourists visit responsibly and don’t overburden local infrastructure) the best chance Raja Ampat has of protecting its environmental treasures  from the lucrative but incredibly damaging resource extraction and mass tourism development pressures that could destroy it.

Does the 9am ferry from Waisai usually arrive in Sorong on time at 11am, or are there often delays? I’m wondering if it will give me enough time to connect to a 1255pm flight from Sorong airport.

The ferries usually run on time these days, Ben. Under normal circumstances, you’d have no problem making a 1255 flight from the 0900 ferry.

There’s no guarantee though: All it takes to delay a ferry departure is one VIP running late!

Or can we go shopping at Sorong super market before taking the ferry to Wasai? Merci JB

Yes, as long as you had enough time between leaving the airport and the ferry departure time, you could certainly do that, JB.

Hi, If we have a flight at 4pm from Sorong to Jakarta, do you think it is possible to leave our homestay on the morning to take the ferry at 9am or is it too short?

Yes, the 0900 ferry would usually return you to Sorong in plenty of time to catch a 1600 flight. With the exception of Batanta, Pam and West Waigeo homestays, your hosts will be able to provide transport to Waisai in time for the 0900 ferry.

Hello, I’m finally visiting Raja Ampat from December 17 until January 7 (3 weeks). There’s one thing I need to know in advance: since I’m taking a flight from JKT to Sorong and back I have to know if there’s any pharmacies/test centers etc. where I can get an antigen or swab PCR test before going back to Sorong airport.

My flight is departing on January 7th at 4:30 pm in the afternoon from Sorong airport. I planned to take the morning ferry back to Sorong so that I have enough time to get a negative test result before heading to Sorong airport. So: any facilities near Sorong harbour/on the way to the airport to get that test result?

Thanks a lot for your help!

Hello Younes

You can get covid testing done at the hospital and at the pharmacy in Waisai. There would certainly be places in Sorong too, but we don’t know which those are, sorry.

My husband and I will travel to Raja Ampat next March. For some reason our families are a little worried about our safety there. We have taken care about travel insurances and vaccinations, prepared with sunscreens and mosquito repellents and other normal stuff. Is there something more we should take into account?

We would like to schedule our boat transfers that time when the see is calmest (if possible) as I’m not a fan of big waves. I suppose the conditions are best in the mornings – am i right? As the way to the further islands is quite long and probably less comfortable if the see is very rough.

We have booked three nights at Gam island but we also would like to see some other places as well. Especially we would like to see a lot of different, colorful corals. Can you recommend some island or homestay where there is good possibilities for that? We are snorkelers.

Thank you for your answers and happy new year!

Happy New Year Tanja :)

It sounds like you are well prepared, so there is little to worry about regarding your safety.

The sea is indeed usually calmest in the mornings, so arriving at Waisai on the morning ferry is a good plan.

Gam, Kri, Mansuar and Ransiwor all have great reefs. Apply the “Good house reef” Location Features filter on the accommodation page to quickly find all accommodation with great reefs at the door.

What is the best way to safe money on transfers to the homestay? Requesting the transfer strait to the homestay or ask in the visitor centre once in Waisai?

The only way to save on transfers is to share the boat with others, Roger.

Kri is currently the only destination to which boats are almost always departing at ferry arrival times. If you’re headed anywhere else, and want to eliminate the possibility of a long wait at Waisai, then it’s best to request a pickup when you book.

Halo, apakah dipraktikkan untuk mengirim uang muka ?? satu bulan sebelum kedatangan ??

Yes, if you book a homestay on the SRA website, there are a few that will contact you to ask for a deposit.

I will be in Raj ampat Oct.4-11. I am starting the booking process now, which looks a bit formidable. Can you advise me as to whether you think three weeks is enough time to set up the booking, i.e., are there plenty of homestays there. thank you for any help.

Choosing can be difficult! It might help to make use of the search filters on our accommodation page : Just check the boxes for all the features that are important to you, then apply the filters to see a list of matching homestays.

For all but the very popular homestays, three weeks ahead will be enough to secure bookings.

Hi. I will be staying in raja ampat ( mostly gam and manyafun). I forgot my malariapills at home. How big risk is it to get malaria at this time? Have alot of repellents and such.

Hello Martin

Anti-malarials are available without prescription at pharmacies in Indonesia. Look for Kimia-Pharma or an Apotek sign in Sorong or Waisai.

As far as we know, the risk is fairly similar all year round.

If you will not be staying longer than a couple of weeks and take every possible precaution to avoid being bitten, then you would quite likely be OK. It’s a gamble though – and not one that you would want to lose. It only takes a single bite from an infected mosquito.

Hi. I am thinking of visiting later this year (November) for snorkeling. It’s fine with me to bring a mask and snorkel but decent fins obviously won’t fit in my carry-on bag. Any chance there would be a dependable way to mail the fins from the US to Sorong or Waisai? I would probably begin at Warimpurem before moving on to Kri or Gam. Thanks.

The most dependable way is to send by tracked and signed delivery, so you’d need to arrange that with the addressee. Note that, if the fins are in new condition, there could be the added complication of import duties being levied. Our experience has been that, when applicable, those need to be paid on delivery.

Hi Can you please tell me how ro cancel a booking please?

A great website!

Thanks Wendy :)

If you booked via the website, you will find a cancellation link provided near the bottom of your booking confirmation email. Clicking that link will cancel your booking.

We are 2 old travellers7 3 and 71years old Jo and jeannette

We will stay on Gam at the DIVA homestay and after we want to go to Kri on a other homestay for 10 days. Do we have to go back to WAISAI first and than go to Kri? Or maybe we can go to our Kri accommodation straight away, so we don t lose one day.

Hello Jeannette

No, as explained on the page linked at 11. above, all homestays can arrange onward transport, so you do not need to return to Waisai.

Hello I am planning a trip to Raja: 1 diver (myself) and 2 non-divers. What would be the best island/area in Raja Ampat for the 2 friends while I am on a liveaboard for a week? Both of them are interested in nature, animals and local culture. Thanks!

One of the homestays near Waisai ticks all those boxes and would be most convenient and cost effective, Helena.

Thank you for all the information on this site it’s fabulous. I looked on the website for information about the renewal of the 30-day visa. But I didn’t find anything.

I applied for a 60-day visa in my home country but I think they will refuse me because I didn’t put a sponsor. I didn’t know what it was. So I think I need to make a 30-day voa visa and renew it in Sorong. Can you tell me how long this could take? Do we need a sponsor? Is there an agency that could help us in Sorong? It is very difficult to find information on it. Can you help me to anticipate all the problems.

Thank you in advance

You’re welcome Sandrine

You don’t need a sponsor if you are applying for a 60 day tourist visa . A sponsor is only required if applying for a social visit visa .

You do not need a sponsor to extend a tourist visa, and you can do it at the Immigration Office in Sorong . It usually only takes a few days and other guests have reported successfully extending by themselves. (We don’t know if there’s an agency in Sorong that can help.)

It would be much easier, more convenient and would sidestep any potential problems if you are able to get a 60 day tourist visa in your home country. It shouldn’t be a problem to do that.

Hallo! First I have to say, amazing page :) Thanks a lot! I heard from some people that the only way to discover the stunning and unique dive spots in Raja Ampat is to go on a liveaboard. Is this true or can you also visit this places by daytrips? If it is not so. What’s the best place to stay for diving? Thanks a lot Karolin

Hi (and thanks!) Karolin :)

That’s definitely not true. Homestay dive centers dive almost all the same sites that liveaboards do, and provide the service at a fraction of the cost.

Homestays can also take you anywhere you want to go, including many places inaccessible to liveaboards. If you design a trip staying on a few different islands, you’ll see quite a lot just on the transfers between them.

We’re not divers, so can’t say what the ‘best’ dive center is, but reading the reviews on the individual pages of the establishments linked from this page will hopefully help.

I will be going to Raja ampat in the 1st week of December(landing in Sorong on 2nd). I plan to spend 3-5 days there. Can you suggest any good dive centers to plan diving there. I looked online but could not find something concrete.

Also, in your opinion is the number of days too less? My main goal is to dive there and wanted to get 5-6 dives done there.

Lastly I am traveling there solo so can you recommend home-stays/hostels which are best for socializing with other travelers?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hello Gaurav

You will find Raja Ampat dive centers linked from this page . Please click through to individual pages and read the guest reviews to decide which might be best for you.

You could easily do 6 dives in the time you have planned.

Kri accommodation is the best for meeting other travellers. You can easily find Kri accommodation with on-site dive centers by simultaneously applying the “Kri” Location filter and “On site dive center” Activities filter on our accommodation page .

Thanks a lot for your reply. The options with on site diving are all in Kri or Bam. Are there no dive centers in Waigeo or Waisai?

Another question I had was regarding the ferry from Waisai to Sorong. On your website according to the schedule given the earliest ferry is at 9AM and it takes 2 hours to get to Sorong.

But when I look at flight options to Bali, most flights leave in the morning between 8 to 11AM. So is there any way(except for taking a personal speed boat as that is too expensive) to take those flights without having to go to Sorong a day before the flight?

No Homestay Association dive centers on Waigeo yet, Gaurav. There are others that a search engine will find though.

Chartered boats are the only way to get to Sorong before the morning ferry does. We avoid the problem by flying Garuda. (Which is the most reliable airline and also lets you change economy class tickets without penalty if you need to.) Garuda has a flight departing from Sorong at about 2pm. It goes to Makassar, from where a connection is available that will land you in Bali at about 9pm.

Thanks guys for your responses. They were indeed very helpful.

Hello, First congrats with the site. we just arrived at Jakarta and are planning to go to raja ampat after visiting yogiyakarta. We still did decide which islands we want to visit but probably go for a stay at kri or arborek. Do you think we can still find a place if we arrive Sunday from Surabaya? We probably will do our booking tomorrow. Kind regards Peter and Alejandra

Thanks Peter :)

As long as you don’t want to stay at one of the most popular places, then yes – you’ll be able to find a place on Kri and/or Arborek. Bear in mind that we give homestays 2 days to respond to booking requests – most usually reply within a few hours, though. If by any chance you don’t secure a booking before arriving, the Homestay Information Center in Waisai will be able to organise something for you.

hi , I am from India and need to know how to reach there and also which island would i be coming and sight seeings . can someone please help .or guide me with the packages.

Sorry Rashmi, but we are not travel agents and do not sell package tours. We only provide information for independent travellers to arrange their own itineraries.

Hello, We’re planning on visiting Raja Ampat for a week after Banda islands in October, is it wise to book homestays in advance for this period and if so how long in advance. We are then also flying back to Sorong in February next year, is this more or less high season than October and the same question really, should we book our accommodation in advance at either time ? Thank you!

If you don’t mind where you stay and are happy to check in to anywhere that has a room available then you don’t need to book ahead.

If you want to stay at a specific homestay, then yes – it’s best to book ahead. How far ahead depends on which homestay. Most don’t need more then a few weeks’ notice, but the most popular often need more at those times of year.

Thank you so much, that’s most helpful. So are October and February both high season, busy periods in the islands ?

Might you also feature Misool home stays in the future? I have read about one called Nut Tonton but it’s hard to find anything about either this homestay or others in the area, there don’t actually seem to be very many, is that right ?

You’re welcome Annie. Yes – October and February are both quite busy.

Unless the Homestay Association extends its representation to include Misool, then it’s unlikely that we’ll ever get around to adding the Misool homestays: We’re not based in the islands, and it’s all we can do to keep up with developments in northern Raja Ampat!

Our Misool island guide has contacts for guides who can help you with Misool, and there are several members of our Raja Ampat Travellers’ Forum facebook group who know far more about it than we do. You’re welcome to join!

Thank you so much for this, you do an amazing job and I am very grateful for your help. Keep up the good work, the website and the effort you you put into it is truly inspirational.

Hello, Thank you so much for this amazing website. It seems that you are putting so much sincere effort to preserve the richness and biodiversity of this paradise, and in the same time helping travelers plan as best as they can.

I appreciate your detailed and considerate work. I hope that I can come visit sometime!

Hello Beril and thank you for such kind words :)

We hope you can too!

Thanks for the great information! Going to help me a lot in planning my trip!

Do you have any information for tides?

You’re welcome Christine :)

We haven’t posted any yet. Maybe we should! Internet has plenty though: Here’s one.

That’s really helpful. Thanks so much :)

Hello my name is Alex Burch. I have been contacting the email and both numbers and have not had a response. Please let me know that is going on. Thank you.

You haven’t said which homestay you’ve been trying to contact, but if you want to make a booking and are sure of the dates you want, the easiest way to do it is to submit the booking request form on the homestay’s page.

I am planning to visit Raja Ampat from June 13 to 20, 2018 on either homestay or Resort on Gam Island. From experience, what are the chances to get some nice sunny weather and not only rain. And from where is it best to organize a day trip to Piaynemo?

Chances are good. See the weather info page linked at 3 above. (Scroll through the comments until you see a photo taken in June 2017.)

Almost all homestays can arrange trips to Piaynemo and many publish prices on their pages.

This is probably THE best tourist website I have ever browsed. I am planning on visiting Raja Ampat at the end of December for about 30 days.

What I cannot seem to find is information about boat transfers between islands. Can this be arranged with homestays to take me from one to the next ? I will probably want visit at least 5 or 6 different ones.

Wow. That’s high praise indeed Philip – thank you! :)

And a well deserved brickbat. Kind of shocking that we overlooked that. Thanks again Philip – and we’ll fix that right now.

Transfers between islands can be arranged with either your current hosts, or with the place you’re heading for. Your hosts should be able to call your destination for you if you can’t. So, if using the website booking forms to book, you obviously only need to request a Waisai pickup from the first place you stay at.

Thank you so much for the swift response. I kind of assumed that may be the case But It’s always best to check and confirm !

Just a thought for you would be to perhaps add to your wonderful website some suggested itineraries? like a 5, 10, 15, 20 day trip ?

I do appreciate there are many variables but sometimes it is easier to offer a ready made “package”for people . Which could show possible costs with transfers and a few excursions ?

I have been lucky enough to visit raga ampat twice in recent years and love everything about this very special place and it’s extraordinary flora, fauna and friendly people.

So I very much hope that your website and efforts help the local people.

You’re welcome Philip.

It’s a special place indeed – and we’ll be adding package tours later this year, once all the details have been worked out with the service providers.

Hello there.I have 60 days tourist visa and i extend that every month at Lombok immigration office.Because this is Indonesia, its better ask than regret:D Can i have my extension stamp at Sorong immigration office and if i can, what is the price for that? Thank you.

Apologies! We thought we’d responded to this already. Perhaps our response was lost in our recent website upgrade….

Anyway, just in case we didn’t, (and hoping it’s not too late now) we can confirm that you can extend visas at Sorong, but we don’t know if they charge the standard prices.

Many thanks for your fantastic service and for all the information. We have just returned from Raja Ampat and would like to also contribute a little bit.

The flight from Sorong to Marinda Airport – Waisai (Raja Ampat ) takes 30 minutes. We took it directly (coming from Jakarta via Makassar) and didn’t have to spend a night in Sorong. Transport from the airport to homestays in this island or to the Port is very easy. There are drivers with cars that will take you for IDR 200,000 or 250,000.

The main problem is that sometimes these flights are cancelled because of the rain.

You’re most welcome Inigo, and thank you for the information update :)

Thanks for all the useful information available on this great website! I’ve not seen any comment about sandflies. Are they present on the islands? Thanks Nicola

You’re welcome Nicola :)

Yes, they are around. Not everywhere, and they seem to be seasonal too. Insect repellant is a must anyway, as there’s also a malaria risk. More about health related stuff here .

Hi again, I’m planning to travel to the islands in January-February, is the season bad or good? And do you know on which islands they are less or more present? Thanks Nicola

Sorry! Can’t recall what month it was that we encountered them. It was at Kri and at Saporkren on Waigeo, but we’ve been at those places at other times and not had a problem. They’re likely to be anywhere there’s sand really. A decent insect repellant keeps them at bay though.

Hi! How commin is it to see dugong and small sharks? And when is the best time to see itvi? Who can i conntact? I really whant to see it but it is very difficult to find information. Best regards Vicky

Hello Vicki

It’s very common to see small sharks. Dugongs are less common, but if you can spend a few days at a Batanta homestay you will almost certainly see one. Sorry, but we don’t understand “itvi”? Our step by step guide provides links to the answers most Raja Ampat visitors ask.

We have questions related to Ramadan in Raja Ampat. Are any of the homestays closing or not serving food during the day? Will there be transportation issues during Ramadan and Idul Fitri right after? Overall what is Raja Ampat like during Ramadan. FYI to all travelers Ramadan 2018 is May 15th – June 14th then there is Idul Fitri holiday thru June 17th.

Thank you, Hazam Family

Homestays are all open and will be serving food in the daytime during Ramadan. The ferries between Sorong and Waisai can sometimes be a bit busy during the Idul Fitri holidays, but there are not usually transport problems in Raja Ampat like there can be in other parts of Indonesia during Lebaran. Overall, Raja Ampat during Ramadan and Idul Fitri is very much like at any other time of the year.

I definitely will bookmark this. Thank your for your thorough writing and extensive information. I was born in Biak island, I wish to go to Raja Ampat with my kids during their Summer break. I hope June – July is still considered a good time to go, weather wise. I’m sure all of this information will be helpful for us.

We hope you get to go! June is usually a good time to be in Raja Ampat, but the windy/rainy season usually starts around the end of that month. The best time of year to avoid windy conditions is October to April.

Hi, I want to go to Raja Ampat in December. Coming from Bali. Is there a direct flight from Ngurah rai to Sorong? If not, is via Jakarta the best option? Thanks in advance.

You’ll find a detailed answer to that question by clicking the link provided at point 10 above. Best option to Sorong from Bali is via Makassar.

What is the recommended tipping amount for homestays?

Hi Tara –

Homestay families are happy that guests are willing to pay to stay in their establishments and don’t expect tips.

Of course it’s up to you if you feel something extra is warranted for exceptional service, but our feeling is that it would be a shame to create a culture of expecting tips as a standard practice.

Hi I’m heading to sorong 24 may and staying a night there. Then want to take a look at the islands over the following few days. I can’t find a lot to suggest where I should be located to do that from. Have read about renting a private boat, sounds ok. Im pretty flexible. Not that keen on diving, only don’t it once.

Any place you choose to stay can organise a boat for you Daryl. The best way to take a look at the islands would be to choose a few different island groups to stay at.

Hi there..we planning to go there on Oct this year..read couples of articles but still confuse..hope someone could help me out..we flying from kuala lumpur to makassar and then we have to fly again to sorong am I correct? Or can we just take a boat? How long it takes? How far is makassar from sorong? The make it easy is could someone just explain to us how to get to raja ampat from makassar? Thanks in advance for your help..

Hi Shah haris –

Yes, KL to Makassar, then Makassar to Sorong. Please click the link provided at 10 above. Everything about getting to Raja Ampat is explained there. Sorong is around 1400km (about two hours’ flying time) from Makassar.

Buenas noches, me gustaría saber si a parte de la empresa Pelni, hay otras compañías que ofrezcan trayectos de una isla a otra. He visto que Pelni ofrece trayectos desde Sorong a Waisai, otro desde Sorong a Piaynemo, a Wayag, a islas Arborek y dos destinos más. Mi pregunta es si hace falta siempre volver a Sorong para ir a otra isla, porque por ejemplo, mi pareja y yo queremos ir a Waisai, Piaynemo y a Wayag pero sin tener que volver a Sorong. Dentro de la página web de Pelni, no conseguimos encontrar las rutas exactas que he mencionado. Tampoco estamos encontrando mucha información sobre cómo moverse por las islas. En vuestra página web y en algún blog, hemos visto que el dueño del “homestay” organiza excursiones como salidas de pesca o buceo; nosotros queremos ir más por libre pero no podemos contactar con nadie porque todavía no hemos realizado ninguna reserva.

Hi Jaione –

With the exception of Sorong-Waisai, for which the best option is the Bahari Express ferries described above, the easiest and best way to travel between islands is to arrange transport with your homestay. All homestays can transfer you to any other island you wish to stay on. You don’t need to book transfers in advance – you can just arrange them on the day.

Hi Stay Raja Ampat, first of all I would like to compliment you greatly for your site, it’s very helpfully, and so easy!!! I’ll be to waisai on 2nd of March. I’ve a problem: I would like to visit W A Y A N G. What is the best place to stay ????………..not so far from Wayang!!!!!! or….. Are there some trip escursions to visit Wayang? How can I do? Can you help me please to choose the best solution?????? Thank you very much in advance Alberto

Thanks Alberto :)

Use the advanced search on the accommodation page and select the “Wayag trips” in the Activities column to quickly find homestays advertising Wayag trips.

Homestays in Manyaifun and West Waigeo are the closest.

Piaynemo is a much closer and easier place to visit that affords similar vistas .

Thank you so much for your support. You all are amazing!!!!!! Alberto

Hi stay raja ampat, we just been there and the schedule of the ferry waisai sorong has some alteration. When we got there on Monday, ferry leaves sorong at 11am and another one at 2pm. Some days, it starts at 8am on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Wednesday and Friday they have 9am ferry. They also have the 2pm ferry everyday too. You may want to update the website.

Hi Betsy and thanks for the update :)

Ferry timetables are a constant headache! We’ve just returned too, and the picture below shows the timetable at the Sorong terminal which the ticket office staff assured us was correct. We noted there was one difference between it and our most recently published schedule .

HOWEVER: On our return from Waisai, there was no 0800 Saturday ferry as advertised. Its departure was at 1100 instead. We were luckier than our host’s guests the previous weekend: He had called a Waisai ticket agent on their behalf and was told the times were 8am and 2pm as advertised. His guests decided to go at 2pm, but when they got to the harbour they discovered the boats that day had left at 8am and 11am!

Sadly, to be absolutely certain of catching a flight from Sorong, the best approach remains to return to Sorong the day before your departure.

Happy New Year … Hi … Hello … Everyone … I’m traveling to Sorong by this Monday (9 January 2017) … I’m planning to be in Raja Ampat area from 10 till 20 January 2017 … I’m interested to go to Wayag & Piaynemo (dates are flexible) during my stay in Raja Ampat … This is my 4th trip to Raja Ampat since January 2004 … As such I’m looking for any other people that might want to share expenses for the trip to Wayag & Piaynemo. I’m able to converse in English, Bahasa Indonesia/Malaysia and (passable) German. Cheers … Yusran Yusoff

[email protected] Mobile +60 17 886 0913 Malaysia Mobile +62 813 3918 9901 Indonesia

* BTW Similar posting has been put up in SRA FB page …

Hi, your site is great but I’d really appreciate a little more help. I’d like to come in Feb with my 2 children (10 & 12yrs old). I’ve looked at loads of the homestats and they all say the accommodation is for 2 people, do you know if anywhere that is for 3? We want a snorkelling holiday with lots of boat trips to different reefs but I am on a budget, so would look to save money on fuel costs / boat trips if possible. Can you advise me? Thanks

Thanks Sian :)

Homestay rooms are set up for 2 usually, but extra beds can be added if required, so it’s no problem for any of them to accommodate 3 in a room.

The best way to save on boat trips is to share them. If you stay at a Kri homestay you’ll have the best chance of finding other snorkellers to share trips with.

Hello. We will be arriving at Sorong on Sunday 11 Dec and immediately boarding a liveaboard diving boat. Is there anywhere open on Sunday morning to buy a few cases of Bintang for the boat trip? And do you know how much we should expect to pay for a case of Bintang?

thank you so much

Hi Julian –

Very little is open in Sorong on weekdays before about 10am, so we imagine you might have a problem there! Also don’t know where you can buy Bintang, or what the going price is. A taxi driver (or your guide) would be the best person to ask.

Thanks for your assistance!

Hallo, i hv plan to go to Raja Ampat next month and i’m planning to stay in a hostel in Waisai bcs i’m not interesting to stay in local homestay. Do you have any suggestion how can i get a tour guide from Waisai? i wanna go to some islands and go back to Waisai bcs i stay there :D

See the guides page Riayu

Hi, is there anything on Raja Amat that can eat you (e.g. sharks) or bite you (e.g. snakes) ? Is alcohol available ?

See the link at 11 above Bill. Beer can be purchased at a few places, but that’s about it.

I’m wondering if it’s necessary to book all the accommodation in advance? For example, say if I were to first stay at Mansuar, and would later like to stay at Kri or Gam…? Would it be wise to have everything planned to the T or leave some room for spontaneity? I believe boat rides are expensive and would like to see if there are others who want to share the ride.

Thanks so much in advance!

No – it’s not necessary to book in advance unless you want to stay at one of the busier homestays. You’ll always be able to find a homestay with rooms available.

To Doug & Amber

Stay Raja Ampat founders

Dear Doug & Amber Oooh to travel to raja ampat and visit that wonderful paradise. . . We always dreamt about- but until we found your webside we thought that for to fulfill that dream one has to be very rich guys . . Finally through your site we learned about the small homestays , came last february for the first time to pulau kri – an spent unforgettable weeks at lumba-lumba homestay !! where we became friends with ribka and dedy, the local owners. As we are also divers we discovered, that dedy is a very good divemaster! We are an european couple living in pensiun now in bali since 5 years, so now we plan to come back to our friends in pulau kri every year for some weeks. And to all our friends we warmly recomand the place and your very helpfull website too.

Today i read again on your website, as some indonesian travelling friends are arriving, and i did not find any informations about lumba- lumba homestay on pulau kri anymore. Perhaps this is a mistake? If you need some fotos or a little report we could provide that, if you like.

We are very grateful for your website and appreciate your work to support the local people and their small homestays very much. Terima kasih baniak! Kind regards from northbali. Eveline & Peter Kalisada, Seririt Bali

Hi Eveline & Peter

We’re so happy the website helped: That’s exactly what it was built for. Thanks for taking the time to comment too – it’s much appreciated.

Lumba Lumba has unfortunately been temporarily suspended from the website until they can meet the standards required by the Raja Ampat Local Homestay Association . We have been in touch with Dedy and Ribka. They are working with the the Association to regain compliance and we hope to have them back on the website soon.

Hi Eveline and PETER I am travelling to Raja Ampat in Oct 2018 and would love to be in touch with you via email before I go??? I’m looking to plan my own trip staying in Homestays Could you please email me at [email protected] Thankyou?

I have a question… Is there also a Chance to visit Pulau Ayu? Many thanks

Hi Simona –

Yes – it’s possible to visit Ayu, but getting there isn’t easy and would be quite expensive. The best place to start from would be Kabare on Waigeo’s north coast. There are flights from Sorong to Kabare.

Many Many thanks! And really great and useful site!!! Which homestay or guide will provide this transportation from Kabare to Pulau Ayu? Do you know if there any homestay in Palau Ayu or should I bring a tend? And one more question, beginning of November is a great period to visit it? Many many thanks!!!

We only know of one homestay and guide on the north coast of Waigeo , but there may be others. We have never heard of any homestays on Ayu. You could also try to arrange transport from any of the homestays that offer Wayag trips (select that activity in the Advanced search on the accommodation page ), or via the Sorong Tourism office . Whichever way you find to do it, it will be expensive!

A really, really big thank you for this website! We found so much useful information to help us prepare for this adventure :-) We are flying off to Raja Ampat with our 4 and 5 year old kids this Wednesday and will be staying in Mambetron and Monkairi. We are all excited to explore the beautiful islands and sealife and are looking forward to get in touch with the families of the homestays. We will post how much we liked Raja Ampat after we come back. Thanks again.

Hi I am flying into Denpasar Bali in February and have a 60 day Indonesian visa, my aim is to fly to sarong and travel and dive raja ampat do I need a separate visa apart from the marine visa to enter papuan? Went to the Indonesian embassy in London and they said I had to get a letter from the police station in Bali but my lonely planet guide doesn’t mention this, slightly confused

Hi Olivia –

No – you don’t need anything except a tourist visa and the Marine Park Entry Permit to visit Raja Ampat. (The embassy staff operate from a handbook that says that a surat jalan is needed for Papua, so they always say you need one. You don’t – as long as you’re not planning on visiting anywhere else in Papua.)

Hello, We would like to go to Raja Ampat this year and are no divers but like snorkling and jungle trekking etcetera. What would you advice, shall we stay at just one island or choose more? And which island can we choose for this? Does the fastboat only departs on monday, wednesday and friday? Thanks!

Hi Elizabeth –

Having travelled so far to reach the islands, most visitors choose to stay at at least a couple of islands – they each have their own special features. It’s difficult to recommend one without knowing what kinds of things you like – almost all are great for snorkeling. Suggest you use the advanced search on the accommodation page to select the features that are important to you and quickly see a list of matching homestays. The fast ferry departs from Sorong every day, with 2 trips on Mon, Wed and Fri. (See the timetable linked at point 18 above.)

O.k. thank you! We will do that. We are looking forward to stay on this beautiful piece on earth. We prefer to do some jungle hiking, snorkling, visit traditional villages etc.

Hello people , I will arrive in Raja Ampat in end-January and will stay 15 days.

I read on your pages that in many homestay there is a good phone reception-

I would like to buy a sim for my smartphone , can you tell me what telephone operator choose??? Can you give other information about telephone and internet?

Hi Riccardo –

A Telkomsel SIM is the one you need, see this page in our Vital Information section for more about electricity, phone and internet.

I was thinking about doing a week or 10day trip to Raja Ampat Islands in May. I would like to see Wayag and Pyanemo and walk around there and otherwise do some snorkeling. Is there a good organisation? As a solo traveller I would feel better to have it organised either by a guide or a organisation (would prefer that one)… I would prefer live-abord, but haven’t found a organisation yet. Well one that answers mails anyway…

Hi Stefanie –

The organisation we work with is the Raja Ampat Local Homestay Association – all of the homestays on this site are members. You can find ones that offer Wayag trips by using the advanced search on the accommodation page . See this page for liveaboard tours.

Hi, We (couple) are arriving in Jakarta on December, 29th, scheduled arrival 6:10pm. I couldn’t find a way to book a domestic flight to SOQ. Is rhere a reliable website to book those flights? Is it likely so get a flight out of CGK on the same day or should we stay for a night and proceed on the next day?

As I understand, ferries sre leaving at 9am and 2pm daily. So it is best to arrive at least 2 h earlier.

Thank you very much! A

Hi Andrea –

Follow the link at point 8 above – use traveloka to book your ticket. You could fly out of Jakarta on the Xpress flight at 1.10am. Sorong to Waisai ferries only run every day at 2.00pm. The 9.00am ferry departures are on Mon, Wed and Fri only.

hai , umm just got a plan with my girlfriend and make a trip to RA , the budget isnt that huge , its around IDR 25.000.000 , is that enough for like 5 or 6 days there while enjoying snorkling and diving ? and btw the budget include’s the plane tickets ! some suggestion/opinions will do from you ! and btw were from Bali !

Hi Jansen –

Your question’s answered in the info linked at point 2 above. As long as you don’t want to do a lot of diving and are careful with boat trips that should be enough. Snorkelling is free – but it’s best to bring your own gear.

Hi, I dont know yet If I’ll go in this summer (and if I go, i’ll definitly will check your web again), but I really have to congrats you guys because this is a really good web site and I think you are doing a great job for the locals and for RA and for all the people that have intentions to go there. Keep the good work! (I thought you should know!) Peace!

Awww – thanks AV – always nice to hear the work’s appreciated :) Hope you get to go soon!

I am arriving Sorong on Saturday the 30th of May at 7.30 am, and planning to do diving on 30 and 31. let me know if anyone is interested we can do it together

Hi Mo – you might get a better response if you also post this over on our facebook page . Good luck!

We are coming to RA on the 30th of January 2015 and would like to stay at Mambetron homestay, but we cannot get in touch with Hendra or Yudas. Any ideas how we can get in touch and make a reservation?

Thank you and best regards, Uros

Hi Uros & Agnes –

Communication with homestays is often difficult – you need to allow at least a few days for a response. Please see this article for more information. All the available methods of contacting homestays are provided on each homestay page. If you’re having trouble all we can suggest is to keep trying!

is there some people who go to visit raja ampat. Maybe we can travel together so we can split the costs for tours and boat fees. we like also to dive. we will arriving the 2 of us at 6 april 2015 on Jakarta from the Netherlands.

kind regards

Hi Youssef –

Posting this over on our facebook page would probably help increase your chances of finding travelling companions and would make it easier for folks to contact you directly.

All the best :)

Youssef, I could be very interested. There are two of us as well, getting in around the same time

First, Garuda Air changed their schedule in Dec 2014 for flights to Sorong. Just FYI. Because we missed the flight today, we now have only one night at the first homestay and would rather go on to the second one where we have a longer stay. Do we have any obligations to the first homestay if we can go on to the second one? Thanks, Ann

Hi Ann – thanks for the headsup. It’s hard to keep up with airline schedule changes – that’s why we provide links to their websites and recommend checking!

Up to you to decide how obliged you are to honour your booking at the first homestay. If it was at one of the busier ones then it’s probably no big deal to the owners, but a lot of the less patronised homestays have to spend cash to prepare for guests. Things like buying in food and organising fuel (or boat hire) to come and pick you up. No shows for those families are tough.

Hope that helps!

hi..any recommendations for a place to stay for a night in waisai before the transfer to other islands? near the port?

Hi Sue –

There’s nowhere near the port as far as we know – you have to go into town. We usually organise a pickup at the ferry and get straight out to the islands – Waisai’s not that nice!

The only place we’ve ever stayed there was Penginapan Najwa Indah on Jl Abdul Saman Mayor – +6285244653444. It was OK. All mod cons and about IDR 450,000 a night. There’s a range of options in Waisai though. Trip Advisor might have some better recommendations.

thanks for the information..i’ve checked tripadvisor, a few options there…just thought i can get better advice here :). Im not sure if i head straight to the islands, as i’ll reach back to Waisai ard 4-5pm…

You’re welcome Sue. We don’t know a lot about the options in Waisai because there’s no homestays there and we try to avoid overnighting there as much as possible. If you’re heading for Gam or Kri there’s no problem getting there in the late afternoon if you’ve arranged a pickup with the homestay. Also – I didn’t think to mention them earlier because I took your “in Waisai” question literally – both Yenkangkanes and Warimpurem Homestays are a short drive from Waisai and are nice places to stay.

Cheers Doug SRA Admin

that’s good news for me…i’ve made a booking with warikaf homestay via Pak Martin for the stay on the next day..maybe i’ll do a night with Yenkangkanes or Warimpurem before my transfer on the next day.. :)

Hi, Im wanting to go to RA on pretty short notice and fear i have missed the liveabords. Currently in Lombok Im finding it hard to get information from travel agents as they dont know too much about it. Will I be Ok flying into Sorong with nothing booked and taking it from there?

Much appreciated,

Hi Callum. You’ll be fine. Either drop in at the Tourism Information Office in the Meridien Hotel opposite the airport and ask there or SMS/call the homestay of your choice now.

Hello, is it also that easy in January? We arrive in Sorong tomorrow, 31st of December, where we booked a hotel for 1 night. So far we have no accommodation on RA. We started contacting several homestays a week ago, but most of them do not respond.

Hi Sheila –

The busiest of the homestays will more than likely be full, but you’ll definitely be able to find accommodation. The Tourism Information Office in Sorong should be able to help.

I’m planning to go over next March. Most likely single traveller. Any recommendation for accommodation? I have diving license but not sure if I’ll want to dive. Is 4 days 3 night too short?

Cheers! Angeline

Hi Angeline –

Can only recommend you have a look at these accommodation listings to see what suits you. You can use the Show advanced search feature to select the features that are important to you. Four days/three nights is not too short to have a great time, but you may well find yourself wishing you’d booked for longer! :)

Hi, my wife and I (early 30s) are heading from Australia to Thailand on our backpacking travels and would really like to visit Raja Ampat in February. Neither of us dive but we love snorkelling. How long should we aim to visit for and which island / homestay is best for the snorkeling? Thanks!

Hi Chris – We think you should plan to stay as long as your budget and visa will permit – there’s so much to see! Almost all homestays have great snorkelling at the door, so it’s hard to recommend one in particular. If you haven’t already seen it, check out our Snorkelling in Raja Ampat article . You can also select the “Good house reef” checkbox in the advanced search on the accommodation page to quickly find homestays with great snorkelling.

we need acommodation for 3 pax from november 2 nd to november 4 th .pls can you advise us acommodation plus price .

Click the blue links in steps 4 and 5 above to choose a homestay and see their prices polona.

we will be in raja Ampat during next Lebaran Holiday in August.. will it be possible during that period to go to Wayag ? How could we arrange for Speedboat and also other guests to join us ? because we are only 3 persons .. please do help with further informations

Hi Ricky – August can be windy and it might be difficult to find a boat for Wayag then. We are not tour booking agents – you will need to contact one of the homestay owners on the site or you could try Deni, who also arranges tours to Wayag. You can contact Deni at https://www.facebook.com/deni.rajaampat Hope you get to go! :)

Hi..I stay in sorong..just want to inform you that ‘the south wind’ will end up in august or early september, So it’s a little bit difficult to reach wayag..

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Last Cabins Available From The  27th April to 5th May 2024

• Alor – East Lesser Sunda Islands
• Banda Sea – South Moluccas
• Halmahera – Moluques
• Komodo National Park – Flores
• Raja Ampat – Western Papua
• Togean Islands – Sulawesi
• Triton Bay – West Papua
• Rates & Availabilities
• Diving Spots

THE KEY POINT

• Made up of 1,500 islands, the Raja Ampat archipelago is unspoilt and breathtaking both underwater and on land.
• Located in the famous Coral Triangle, Raja Ampat is renowned for sheltering the richest and most diverse marine fauna in the world: 75% of the corals listed in the world are in Raja Ampat.
• Karst landscapes bathed in turquoise waters, idyllic beaches and totally pristine islands.
• A real adventure cruise with multiple activities (discovery of villages, trekking, Kayaks, Stand up Paddle) which all make the trip even more rewarding.

DIVING AND SNORKELING

• One of the best diving destinations in the world.
• In general, dives are with current, on seamounts, pinnacles, sandy and rocky depths gently sloping and some places with amazing underwater landscapes (for example : Raja Ampat South).
• For the most part visibility is average, due to the richness and abundance of nutritive substances and plankton. The water temperature is around 28-29°C all year-round.
• Pelagic and macro diving, there is something to suit everyone’s taste, with some sites that are easily accessible from Papuan beaches and villages.
• An abundance of soft corals, gorgonians and intact hard corals.

DESTINATION RAJA AMPAT

A little Geography

This archipelago of 1500 islands includes four main islands, Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Missol. The islands are often mountainous and the green tropical vegetation contrasts with the white sand beaches and the turquoise sea of ​​the coast. Raja Ampat is located between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean which gives rise to a strong continental current originating in the Sahul (Sahul is the name of the continental plateau with parts that have emerged, which are known today as Australia, Tasmania and the New Guinea). Raja Ampat covers an area of ​​approximately 46,000m2 and has around 50,000 inhabitants spread around the archipelago in villages that we visit during our cruises.

An exceptional underwater world

Located in the heart of the world of coral biodiversity, Raja Ampat is still very well preserved both underwater and on the surface and has been partially protected since 2007. The protected areas that have been created (covering 9,000m2) favor the proliferation of marine life which is exceptional. The snorkelling and scuba diving sites are varied and abundant with corals which are sometimes gigantic in size. There are a multitude of Coral fish and pelagic fish such as Manta Ray, tuna and sharks as well as huge schools of fish. Most dive sites are also accessible to snorkelers from beaches or piers in Papuan villages.

Alone in the world in (almost) virgin nature

The walks in pristine nature, lazing on the deserted white sand beaches and visits to Papuan villages to meet the ever welcoming natives are part of our discovery cruises to Raja Ampat. We make you discover the beauty of nature underwater and also on land. A phenomenal experience more than just a journey.

Our cruises are designed for everyone, divers, friends and companions alike: kayaking, stand-up paddling, land excursions, snorkelling are on the program. There is always something exciting to do even for those who prefer to take it easy on the surface.

Because Raja Ampat seems to us to be a top destination to discover, we insist on having a principled approach to the area in order to limit our impact on this jewel of nature as much as possible.

The months of October to April are particularly favorable for your arrival in Raja Ampat aboard the Jakaré. The climatic conditions are excellent: Temperatures of 30 ° during the day, water at 28 ° and a calm sea. This environment promotes the proliferation of plankton which will not fail to attract, among others, the majestic manta rays.

For more information: https://www.misoolfoundation.org/ https://birdsheadseascape.com/ https://www.stayrajaampat.com/

OTHER KEY INFORMATION

Sorong – West Papua or Kaimana (Triton Bay) or Ternate (Halmahera)

From 7 to 12 days

Between October-November and April-May

Humid equatorial, it is hot and humid all year round

10 D / 9 N cruise: from 20 and 25 dives

Sorong Airport, the gateway, from Jakarta, Surabaya and Makassar with Garuda Air Asia, Lion Air, Batik Air

TYPICAL 12 DAYS CRUISE ITINERARY IN RAJA AMAP

General Information

At the cross roads of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, everything is enchanting, from the seabed to the tropical forests, birds of paradise and multicolored coral gardens. Departing from Sorong, you go on a ten-day diving cruise in the Center and North of the Raja Ampat. The program offers two to three dives per day with night dives if you wish. The delicate island of Kri, the karst cliffs of Wayag, the ascent of Mount Pindito, the plankton-rich waters of Aljui, the ballet of Manta rays near the Dampier Strait and more.

Please find below our additional itineraries. Jakaré can cruise there as well, feel free to contact us for more information.

• Raja Ampat North or South: these complementary routes include either Raja Ampat south and Central, or Raja Ampat North and Central.
• Raja Ampat South (Misool) and Triton bay towards the East of Raja Ampat.
• Raja Ampat South (Misool) and Almahera, toward the west of Raja Ampat.

Day 1 – Arrival in Sorong and Pulau Waisai

Guests will be picked up at the airport or their hotel in Sorong and then will board Jakaré in the Harbour of Sorong. Welcomed drinks and snacks will be served while Cruise Director will brief the guests on the safety, onboard organization, overall itinerary. Guests will then be shown their cabins to settle in, take shower and get ready for the start of the Cruise.

Jakaré will sail North toward Pulau Waigeo, approximately 40NM. This sailing time is usually a good time for resting and briefing on the activities including scuba-diving. A check / discovery dive and snorkeling session will be organized at Saonek Kecil.

Overnight: Anchorage in Waisai or Friwen village.

Day 2 – Dampier Strait

Dive or snorkel at Pulau Mioskon, Blue Magic and beautiful Cape Kri. Mioskon reef is a beautiful snorkelling site and an easy dive site. Schools of Yellow Snapper, Napoleon Wrasse, trevallies, big groupers and many wobbegong sharks can be found in Mioskon. Pigmy seahorses, different species of nudibranch can be seen as well. The Famous Blue Magic is a non-emergent pinnacle located in the north west of the Dampier Straight and offer current dives on dynamic reefs facing directly the current. The all food chain is on open display there, from reef fishes feeding on rich waters full of nutrients to big pelagic including sometime Mantas Rays. Schools of yellow fins barracudas, yellow snappers, silver trevally are very common as well as dogtooth tunas, giant trevally and black tip and white tip sharks.

Cape Kri is a unique snorkelling and diving site. Schools of yellow sweet lips and silver trivalis, Dogtooth tunas, mackerels and Barracudas can be observed as well as reef sharks. It has been recorded 374 different species in the area which became a world famous dive site for its huge numbers of diversity. It is a steep slope with a vast garden of colourful hard and soft corals.

Sail to nearby Saunderek for snorkelling and village discovery / beach in the late afternoon. Saunderek Jetty is famous for schools of big fishes and giant clams right at the jetty. It is an easy snorkelling site with lots of healthy coral and abundant marine live.

Overnight: Sail to Pulau Wayag Overnight.

Day 3 – Pulau Wayag and Pulau Kawe

Wake up and Ascent Mt Pindito early morning and then dive or discover Wayag inner lagoon and its pristine white-sandy beaches with kayaks, paddles or speed boats. Wayag lagoon includes beautiful snorkelling and diving spots where giant clams and many other coral life can be observed.

Divers will dive at Batu Seven and a secret dive spot in Pulau Wayag where we often encounter mantas rays, giant clamp shells, coral gardens, and so many others. Then by midday Sail to Kawe West (Eagle Rock or Black Rock). Both snorkellers and divers will share the same spots: Black Rock or Eagle Rock which are both considered as currents snorkelling and diving spots.

Black Rock is well known for its wonderful soft coral gardens, profuse fish life (sharks, Napoleon and other can be observed) and its fields of ancient black coral bushes. Eagle Rock where you are likely to spot mantas using the many cleaning stations or feeding on the surface in the channel between two of the islands. In a labyrinth of gigantic boulders covered with an array of citrus colored soft coral, wobbegong sharks like to hide.

Overnight: Jakare will then further continue south to Pulau Wofoh. Arrival early evening, anchoring and overnight at Pulau Wofoh.

Day 4 – Pulau Wofoh

Wake up in beautiful Pulau Wofoh. From the Jakaré anchored close to the island, guests can discover Wofoh pristine beaches in the south and north parts using kayaks or paddle. The snorkelling is just amazing there with unspoiled hard and soft coral gardens. Easy diving will be proposed for the divers in the south part of the island, on a beautiful wall and sandy valley surrounded by amazing soft and hardcorals. School of trevallies, blue and yellow fusiles, turtles are usually encountered. By Midday sail to Pulau Yeben. Enjoy the beach, snorkel, dive and get ready for a beach BBQ.

Day 5 – Pulau Pienemu

Jakaré will sail early morning to Pulau Pienemu. On our way to the dive sites, we will stop at central Pienemu for a Lagoon walk on top of a limestone mount and refreshing swims. Then Jakaré will continue further southward toward the dive sites Keruo Chanel and the enchanting Melissa Garden. Keruo Channel is an easy wall drift snorkelling and dive location with wall slopes covered in beautiful and untouched soft and hard corals. There are many different crabs, sea spiders, clams, shrimps, and sea urchins amongst the corals as well as many varieties of reef fish with schools of barracudas, snappers…etc.

After Keruo Chanel, beach / snorkel and a second dive will be proposed at Melissa Garden. Melissa Garden is a current dive. Made of fantastic pinnacles covered in soft corals and anemones of all different colours. The pinnacle is home to large schools of fusiliers, jack fish, and batfish. Giant trevallies are also spotted here along with snappers, and rainbow runners. In the shallower parts, there will be larger groups of sweetlips and lionfish, as well as many other reef fish of the area. Alternatively or in addition we will propose dive at My Reef or Blue Window.

Overnight: After the dive / snorkelling, we will continue sailing southward overnight to Misool.

Day 6 to 11

– misool / south raja ampat.

We will arrive by morning in the Balbulol Area and will start the discovery of underwater and above water wonders in coordination with the local authorities and hotels. Hence the locations and dive sites below may be explored in a different sequence depending on the situation at the time of the cruise.

– Misool Balbulol and Farondi Area

Balbulol offers not only excellent diving sites but also amazing landscape above water with crystal clear water, limestone mounts and small hidden lagoons. The dive sites include Baby Rock, Balbulol Corner, Balbulol plateau and many others. Drop off, canyon, pinnacle and a healthy fish life with beautiful hard and soft corals in shallow waters.

Guest may enjoy discovery of the surrounding with Kayaks and SUP as well as superb snorkelling. Farondi dives include Long Island and 3 rocks which offers great underwater seascape, good corals and profuse sea life.

Overnight: Anchorage in Balbulol area.

– Misool Boo Area – Boo Window

In the Boo area, we will dive Boo Window, a reference dive site with extraordinary tunnels or openings piercing the rock from the surface to underwater below. Other dive sites include Bo West, Magic Mountain and / or Yiliet Kecil, both sites knowns for their huge gorgonian sea fans and lots of reef fishes and sea life including turtles, reef sharks and barracudas and even some mantas if we are lucky.

Boo, like other locations, offer beautiful snorkelling and kayaking area to discover above and underwater exceptional sites. The anchorage around the Pulau Yiliet not far from the Rangers Station and beach is one of our preferred overnight location, to rest on the white sand beach or play in the sheltered and warm waters with the numerous baby sharks from the nursery.

– Misool Boo Area – Fiabecet

In the Fiabecet area, the famous Fiabacet Ridge offers amazing dive and snorkelling sites where pelagic fishes and turtles can be seen. This site offers great underwater ridges connecting Tank Rock and Nudi Rock sites. Fiabacet Pinnacle and Whale Rock offer great soft corals and are rich in healthy fish life including small creatures like seahorse Barbiganti and Denise pygmy.

– Misool Wayil Area

Wayil and its lagoon with beaches and blue water surrounded by karstic mounts and tropical vegetation has a lot to offer. Dive sites include the breath-taking Neptune Fan Sea channel and its profusion of big gorgonians sea fans, the famous Four King where a very healthy fish life (both pelagic and coral fishes) can be observed in avery specific underwater topography made of four pinnacles. Other nice dive and snorkelling sites include Barracuda point, wedding cake and dunia Kecil around the Pulau Wayil.

Wayil anchorage is usually quiet and well protected.

– Misool Pele Area

Pele’s Playground, the most westerly site of the Waaf’s island group delivers often a spectacle with schools of anchovies and pelagic predators. Kaleidoscope, on Pele North West side, is well known for its black coral and multi colors soft corals and gorgonian fans. Manta rays have been spotted in this area where again very healthy fish live can be observed in shallow and deeper parts.

– Misool Daram Area

At the extreme East of Misool lays the Daram Island with superb dive and snorkeling sites including Andy’s Ultimate, Candy Store and Mary’s pinnacle.

We will depart early afternoon from our last location to Sorong for an overnight sail thru the Selat Sele bypass.

Day 12 – Sorong and Checkout

The last day will be dedicated to travel back to Sorong (mainly overnight) and get ready for the end of the cruise. Filling the diving log books, stamping the logbook by the Diving Instructor / dive master and exchanging addresses and photos from the wonderful time spent together. A small ceremony will be organized on board the Jakare before leaving the boat to the airport or hotel.

Other destinations

Your Travel Experts for Raja Ampat & West Papua

Raja amp at custom tours, great journeys. fascinating places. unforgettable memories., the journey of a lifetime, extraordinary tours.

We don't only make plans, we help you build experiences and memories. From exotic island hopping to adventurous trekking - we'll come up with the prefect trip for you.

Wayag & Beyond

Enjoy the breathtaking view of Wayag's iconic lagoon, visit turtle nesting beaches and explore spectacular islands and vivid reefs.

Astonishing Ayau

Explore the vast lagoons, snorkel epic drop-offs with incredible visiblity and cruise along Waigeo's spectacular north coast.

Beautiful Batanta

Look for dugongs and Birds of Paradise, trek pristine jungle, snorkel colourful reefs and visit Raja Ampat's most picturesque village.

Our tours are designed to show you the archipelago's genuine wonders. Come with us on an unforgettable and unique journey through Raja Ampat's enchanting island world.

Upcoming Tours

Some of our journeys are open for you to join ..

Upon booking, every guest can decide whether the tour should be open for fellow travellers to join. This helps to lower the rates and is a great way to meet new people and make new friends.

The Best Experience in Raja Ampat

We continually strive for complete customer contentment. Don't take our word for it, see what our guests say.

Amazing Tours

Together we will explore the most astonishing parts and hidden corners of Raja Ampat.

Awesome Team

Let our exceptional team take you on a trip filled with memories you will never forget.

Absolutely Unique

Raja Ampat is known as the Crown Jewel of the coral triangle for a reason!

Ambitious Goal

Only when your travel experience surpasses your expectations, will we be satisfied.

Exclusive Services & Private Tours

What We Offer

Who We Are & What We Do

Meet Our Team

Dynamic. authentic. unique..

Our enthusiasm for Raja Ampat's natural beauty is unbroken and we are determined to show you places beyond imagination.

We believe no journey is complete without experiencing the local lifestyle - and with us you definitely will.

Each one of our tours is based on your personal preferences and interests, so you can enjoy your perfect holiday.

 A n exceptional Archipelago

n exceptional Archipelago

forgotten World

tropical Paradise

natural Wonder

About Raja Ampat

Hidden gems, raja ampat's secrets.

Take advantage of our exceptional knowledge and visit Raja Ampat's most amazing spots - many of which are still widely unknown.

Relaxing & Exciting

The papuan way.

Let us show you Raja Ampat from a unique perspective. Experience a leisure way of life while exploring the amazing archipelago together.

Embrace Sustainability

Travel responsibly.

Our entire operation builds on a fair form of tourism . We support local businesses and an NGO dedicated to education and conservation.

Closer to Nature

Let us take you into the tropical wilderness . Flora and fauna are best experienced up close and we will show you the to places to do so.

From the First Moment

Personalized attention.

Building a close relationship to our guests is the key to superb service. We love what we do - and so will you.

We Take Care Of Everything

Professional approach.

Accommodation, transport, fees, permits, activities and everything else - don't worry, let us handle all of it.

Raising the Bar

Satisfaction guaranteed.

Raja Ampat Islands

Cruise by phinisi in raja ampat: explore the best biodiversity in the world.

Sailing Raja Ampat with Indonesia Phinisi Cruises brings you to one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Unspoilt, remote and packed with life: Welcome to one of the most extraordinary environments on the planet Raja Ampat, or “four king” lies on the eastern end of Indonesia, in the West Papua province. The archipelago consists of over 1,500 small islands, cays and shoals surrounding the four main islands: Misool, Salawati, Batanta, and Waigeo. On land, the islands’ cultural heritage is very diverse. With Phinisi Boat charter  in Raja Ampat islands you will get to know prehistoric cave paintings and relics as well as cave bunkers and a seabed wreckage from World War II. Visitors can trek through the lush jungle, hike to breathtaking view points, see traditional “kampung” life in local villages and visit sea turtle sanctuaries and pearl farms.

Explore the coastal mangrove forests on a sea kayak or simply snorkel in one of the shallow crystal clear waters of the lagoons with Phinisi Boat charter in Raja Ampat islands. The Raja Ampat archipelago is habitat to the largest number of freshwater bird species in the region. Those include hornbills, parrots, lorikeets, marbled frogmouths and the famous paradise bird. Phinisi Boat charter  in Raja Ampat islands is suitable for Divers and Snorkelers alike. Join us with Indonesia Phinisi Cruises on a Raja Ampat Dive Cruise or join a Raja Ampat Expedition as a Snorkeler. Raja Ampat Cruises depart either from Sorong or from Waisai.

Raja Ampat Snorkelling Cruise

A Raja Ampat Snorkelling Cruise with Indonesia Phinisi Cruises will bring you to a Archipelago where a vast majority of Marine Animals lives just under the ocean surface. Sightings of Mantas and other large Marine Animals are common – not only for Divers. Snorkel the shallow Lagoons and Reefs or go more advanced and Drift with the currents through the narrow channels between the Islands. Furthermore, do many of our Phinisi Boat managed by Indonesia Phinisi Cruises offer further Watersports activities like Stand up Paddle Boarding and Sea kayaking. The Raja Ampat islands of Waisai, Misool, Wayang are not only specular underwater. Many Highlight of Raja Ampat are on Land. Spectacular Bird Watching, breathtaking Viewpoint as well a visit to a local Village offer a diverse blend of Activities for Snorkelers.

Diving on A Raja Ampat Phinisi Cruise

Most noteworthy, Diving Raja Ampat boasts with more than 1,320 fish species and 550 coral species! Hence, the expression “Frontier Diving” is often referred to when Diving and Cruising Raja Ampat. Diving in this archipelago really feels like being on the edge of the world! The enormous variety of life in the ocean in Raja Ampat can be staggering. Some areas boast with enormous schools of fish and regular sightings of sharks, including wobbegongs.

It is very likely you’ll encounter large groups of manta rays. If you are lucky, maybe you will even spot a pod of dolphins in the water. Keep your eyes open! Raja Ampat features a vast variety of dive site styles, suitable for beginners and advanced divers alike.Walls and slopes, plenty of passages, canyons, caves, underwater ridges as well as WWII wrecks provide magical opportunities for every passionate diver. Exceptional muck diving sites are close to jetties and black sandy slopes. Some Dive sites have strong currents  there are also protected lagoons for the less experienced divers. We offer Scheduled Departures as well as Private Phinisi Boat Charters.

Waigeo – the heart of Raja Ampat

Waigeo is the largest of the 4 islands of Raja Ampat and is surrounded by various areas for Snorkeling and Diving as well as Land Explorations. The island, which is the easiest to access among the Raja Ampat archipelago, is the perfect starting point for your Raja Ampat Sailing Trip. There are several areas and smaller islands around Waigeo including Aljui Bay and Yeben in the West, Wofu Island towards the north Gam and Yanggefo toward the south the famous Damier straight and Mansuar towards the south.

Waigeo area offers a broad range of activities and sites in a relatively small area – scuba diving, bird watching, a pearl farm, flying foxes, local villages pristine beaches and lagoons for Kayaking. Especially shorter Raja Ampat Sailing Adventures will focus on the land & sea sites of Waigeo.

Most of our the Raja Ampat Sailing Cruises depart from Waisai on Waigeo island. To get there, you simply take a fastboat from Sorong (9am and 2pm) are you are already in the heart of Raja Ampat, making it the ideal location to kick off your sailing adventures in Raja Ampat. We will assist you with your travel to Raja Ampat and airport pick up in Sorong.

Dampier Strait

The islands of Waigeo and Gam to the north and Batanta to the south create the strait named after the British adventurer William Dampier, who first sailed through it in 1686. On the middle of this strait lies Mansuar island and Kri Island.The islands are home to tropical birds living in the depths of the jungle; and on the strait itself, attracted by incoming stream along with all the nutrients it brings, aquatic life is very much alive – from beautiful coral formations to a variety of underwater species. World famous dive sites of Dampier Strait include: Blue Magic – with a chance for Oceanic Mantas, Cape Kri, Sardine Reef and Chicken Reef.

The island of Batanta offers fantastic bird watching and jungle scenery during your Raja Ampat Sailing Adventure – Blythes hornbills, palm cockatoos, egrets & various sea eagles returning to roost for the evening. Visit a local waterfall and explore the Bantanta islands offers a variety of Dive sites, including muck diving as well as a WWII plan wreck and some dive sites featuring Manta Rays on a regular basis

Wayag Island

Wayag islands is home to the well-known views of Raja Ampat. This photographer’s utopia features those idyllic mushroom shaped limestone domes, draped in flora surrounded by waters of blue and green. This site also offers chances to climb limestone peaks, discover hidden coves paddle-boarding through the passageways carved out by the architects of nature. Some great dive and snorkeling sites are in close reach of the lagoon, while the best dive sites in the area are a little off in Quoy, Uranie and Bag.

Jalan Jatayu II No.88, Legian Kaja, Legian, Kuta, Bali 80361 Indonesia

Office Hour: Mon. to Sat. 9h to 17h

Book your Indonesia Phinisi cruise adventure today and let us help you create memories that will last a lifetime. Explore our extensive collection of Indonesia Phinisi and semi Phinisi cruises …. read more

Phone: +62-361-4471222 Mobile: +6281 1389 1668 Chat with our Travel Consultant : +6281 1389 1668 24 Hour Skype : Indonesia Phinisi Cruises Email: [email protected]

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By Liveaboard Yacht in the World's Most Biodiverse Marine Habitat

Snorkeling raja ampat.

From $6,895

Call 1-800-368-2794 or contact us for any questions

Head off the map with us into the Raja Ampat archipelago, one of the most phenomenal snorkeling destinations on the planet, renowned for pristine reefs and an astonishing range of marine life. And the setting is jaw-droppingly beautiful. We've chartered our 100-foot Indonesian liveaboard schooner to get you to the best spots in these islands, where shallow reef systems make for idyllic snorkeling. We'll snorkel in amazing ecosystems, from shallow bays with rare shrimp gobies to underwater limestone rock islands covered with corals. We'll also explore the jungle-draped limestone islands themselves, with their aquamarine lagoons and rare birds. Experience this perfect paradise in the Coral Triangle — in WT style!

Arrive: Sorong, Indonesia

Depart: Sorong, Indonesia

• World-class snorkeling with an expert Trip Leader in the beauty of the Coral Triangle
• Kayak, beachcomb, or birdwatch on remote beaches
• Travel aboard an Indonesian liveaboard schooner
• Experience a “dream island” setting of jungle-covered rock outcrops and waters of every imaginable shade of blue and green
• Look for the endemic red bird-of-paradise on Waigeo Island

Boarding our boat in Waisai, near Sorong, we sail into the Dampier Strait to snorkel on Friwinbonda Island, where the hard coral reefs teem with reef fish. Our small group size—maximum 10 travelers—means you'll have a personalized experience both above and below the water, and you can snorkel at your own pace. En route to Mansuar Island, we have our first chance to snorkel over soft corals with large schools of barracudas and turtles. On the island of Penemu, our idyllic anchorage is in a turquoise bay surrounded by vertical limestone cliffs.

Dates & Pricing

Pricing below is per person and based on double occupancy. The earlier you book, the more choice you’ll have. WT also has the most generous cancellation and transfer policies in the industry, we make it easy if you change your mind. Have a small group of your own? Take over an existing date or choose your own. You’ll have your own private guide–and the adventure–all to yourselves!

Payment & Cancel Schedule

At time of reservation: $600 150 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost 90 days prior to departure: Balance Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

Cancellation & Transfer Schedule

Minimum fee: $600 per person 91-150 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost 90 days or less: 100% of trip cost

Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

• Expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
• Accommodations aboard a schooner
• PFDs (life jackets), and boat safety gear
• All transportation and baggage handling from meeting until departure
• All activities as indicated in Detailed Itinerary

Not Included

• Travel to and from the arrival and departure location as indicated in Detailed Itinerary
• Additional hotel nights outside the trip's scheduled dates
• Optional gratuities to Trip Leaders or staff
• Optional travel insurance
• Other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.)

Accommodations

Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.

Traditional Indonesian Schooner

Days 1-11 (11 nights)

Trip Leaders

Wilderness Travel Trip Leaders have a passion and a joy for creating an unforgettable journey. We are extremely proud of them and the incredible travel experiences they make possible. For more information, including client comments about them and which specific trips they will be leading, please click on their profiles below.

Wendy Brown

Bob Brunskill

Andrea Duggan

Karl Klingeler

What the Trip is Like

• 4-6 hours snorkeling
• 3-4 hours sailing
• Occasional kayaking, paddle boarding, and short-moderate hikes
• Day 4: 4-5 hours snorkeling, including 2 hours in an area with extremely strong current, 3-4 hours sailing, and 1 hour hike

Ocean Conditions

The seas are generally calm in Raja Ampat, but unexpected squalls or high winds can create rough ocean conditions at any time. There is a higher chance of rough seas on Days 4 and 6 when our crossing takes place in the open ocean. The remainder of the sailing is in much more protected waters, and sea sickness is typically not a problem.

Medical Attention and Evacuation in Remote Destinations

The Raja Ampat journey takes place in an extremely remote and uninhabited archipelago in the Pacific. In the case of serious illness or injury, medical attention and swift evacuation are not available. Once we sail from Sorong, we are far away from towns and medical facilities. In the case of serious illness or injury, we will make every effort to reach medical facilities as soon as possible, but be aware that it may take the boat days to return to the port of Sorong. If you have health or medical issues of concern, please discuss them with your physician before considering this trip.

Extend Your Trip

Bali Extension

From $1,495

Yogyakarta Extension

From $1,295

Client Testimonials

"I had a wonderful time on this trip. The snorkeling was exceptional and the boat was great!"

Oakland, CA

"Thank you, Wilderness Travel, for putting together this wonderful experience. Our trip leaders made every minute count. We appreciated all the planning it took to juggle the tides, the winds, and the calendar to make sure we immersed in as many habitats as possible."

"Raja Ampat is not just a snorkeling destination. This is nature at its mind-blowing best. You don't have to settle for watching the Blue Planet on TV, you can live it every day while onboard and then understand why we need to save it."

Honolulu, HI

"A very organized and comfortable way to enjoy an experience in an exotic place we would never visit on our own."

"I was awestruck by the beauty I saw. I felt for the first time in my life that I had been honored to see the world as it was in its beginning. Certainly a life-changing experience."

Betty-Lynn W.

Westport, CT

"I feel like I've experienced the best snorkeling the world has to offer—and who know how much longer we'll have coral reefs to enjoy."

"This was one of the best WT trips that I've had, and I have done quite a few. Being on our ship, the Shakti, was a wonderful experience—made all the more so by the care of the crew, Andrea, Bob and Di."

Catherine R.

Grand Junction, CO

"As well-traveled as I am, I marvel that there are still special places like Raja Ampat out there that are a privilege to visit."

Chicago, IL

"Once again I was sailed off to Shangri La where time has no meaning and only the beauty of the moment surrounds. That is Raja Ampat to me and no one could dream of a more ideal trip."

"Absolutely wonderful. The perfect way to enjoy this beautiful part of the world."

New York, NY

"This is the ultimate snorkel trip—the fauna are in perfect balance so you see a large number of incredibly rare species. This isn’t a vacation, it’s a privilege."

East Peoria, IL

"We had a memorable lifetime adventure on this trip, with incomparable snorkeling, beautiful scenery, and a boatful of nice people."

"It was a fabulous trip. What a unique opportunity to see such a pristine coral reef! I will likely go again."

Cazenovia, NY

"The trip was fabulous and I have just now signed up for the May 2019 trip with my niece!!!"

Riverside, CA

"Raja Ampat is the most beautiful snorkeling place in the world. Bountiful, rich with life and diversity. Can’t be beat!"

Fairfax Station, VA

"I loved the trip and have never been disappointed with Wilderness Travel."

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

"This was an incredible trip. Raja Ampat is so remote and stunning."

Boulder, CO

"Swimming with a manta ray, the phantasmagoria of color under water, awaiting the dawn and the bird of paradise—awesome!"

Concord, MA

"This is the third time I’ve been to Raja Ampat/Misool with WT and I hope to go again. It’s a snorkeler’s paradise, made even better by Trip Leader Ethan Daniels and the boat staff."

"We thoroughly enjoyed Our trip to Raja Ampat. It was the most beautiful snorkeling we ever experienced—a trip of a lifetime for us!"

Lindenhurst, IL

"A truly great trip—one of the best I’ve ever taken."

Forth Worth, TX

"This was the trip of a lifetime for us! Staying on the boat was fantastic. It wasn't camping, but it had some of that rustic, romantic feel—What a wonderful way to enjoy the beauty of Raja Ampat. The snorkeling was unparalleled. We explored two different reefs every day and each was spectacular. The soft coral snorkel was particularly awe-inspiring. I've been snorkeling for many years and have never seen anything like the corals and animals we saw on this trip. The guides were fabulous, pointing out animals and plants I would never have seen on my own. I really enjoyed the company of the other guests as well as the guides and crew. If it weren't so far away, I'd go again next week!"

Mission Viejo, CA

"This was an amazing trip, absolutely the best 12 days I’ve ever experienced."

Santa Fe, NM

"A lifetime experience in this exquisite part of the world, so removed from civilization as we know it."

"This is a truly wonderful snorkeling adventure in a beautiful place with a very experienced guide. It is the trip of a lifetime for people who like to snorkel."

Winnepeg, Canada

"If lots of snorkel and swim time is your goal, this trip is for you. I have snorkeled all over the world and this trip itinerary is truly fabulous with the different sites chosen with a lot of thought and the the safety boats and crew providing impeccable service to all the guests, no matter what their experience."

Arroyo Grande, CA

"Tremendous trip. It met or exceeded all my expectations; I would recommend it very highly. Environmentally, the area visited is of world-wide significance and this value was respected throughout the trip—right down to being alert to unintended minor damage to reefs that might be caused by less skilled snorkelers."

Seattle, WA

"This was a mind-blowing experience for me. I've been a diver for many years and have never seen anything like what we saw on this trip. Other areas in the world where I have dived or snorkeled don't even come close to Raja Ampat."

Danville, CA

"This was a great snorkeling experience. We got to see 22 different reefs—lots of variety—and didn't see any other boats for 8 days—truly amazing."

Sedro Woolley, WA

"All WT trips are good and often great, but superlatives aren't sufficient for this trip."

Berkeley, CA

"We love to snorkel and this is the best in the world. The fish are incredible—a super underwater experience."

East Falmouth, MA

"A superb trip and extremely good value."

"Very well organized and executed by a most competent leader. I have participated in years of SCUBA live aboard and land-based trips and Din's demeanor and personal attention beats all. Even though it was billed as a snorkeling trip you come away feeling like it was a lot more."

Los Gatos, CA

"Stunning trip and great to have an experienced trip leader who is flexible and knowledgeable of the conditions of the area to ensure we got the best possible experience."

Christchurch, New Zealand

"I loved this trip. Din, my fellow travelers, crew made it a great experience."

New Haven, CT

"The awareness of just how remote we were and the raw beauty of the surroundings seemed like a dream to me! There were moments on this trip that truly filled my soul."

Sausalito, CA

"The remoteness of the region and the colors of the sea, coral, and fish are beyond words!"

"I've gone on at least 12 group trips, and this was one of the very best. I highly recommend that people go to Raja Ampat soon since the coral is still living and beautiful here, unlike most places in the world. I can truly say that I have never been as relaxed as I was on this journey; it was hard coming back to reality! I can't rave about this trip enough—10 out of 10!"

"There are not enough words to describe the trip. It was just amazing and I loved every minute. Lots of laughter and fun out of the water and the snorkeling was beyond what I expected. I would love to go back."

Noosaville, Australia

"The beauty of Raja Ampat has to be seen to be believed. It’s hard to imagine that there is a place so remote, pristine, and beautiful left on the planet."

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Book your trip today

Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

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Trip Levels

With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.

Level 1 – Easiest

Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.

• Royal Rajasthan and Villages of India
• Small ship cruises

Level 2 – Easy to Moderate

Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.

• Our African safaris
• Costa Rica Wildlife

Level 3 – Moderate

Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.

• Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
• Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
• Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
• Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as  Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin,  are Trip Level 3.

Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.

• Ultimate Patagonia
• Hiking the Spanish Pyrenees

Level 5 – Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.

• Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
• Everest Lodge to Lodge

Level 6 – Very Strenuous

Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.

• Everest Base Camp
• Climb Kilimanjaro!

Visit Piaynemo – The best day trip in Raja Ampat

When you visit Indonesia, planning a day trip to Wayag-like seascape of Piaynemo is a must! Home to rich biodiversity and that paradise-looking tropical water, island hop your way around Piaynemo and enjoy the extraordinary views and aquatic life below the shores.

What is Piaynemo

How to get to piaynemo, how much does it cost to visit piaynemo.

• Hike to the viewpoint

Staying overnight in Piaynemo

What to do nearby, our best tips for piaynemo, planning a trip to raja ampat start here:.

Piaynemo is one of the most recognizable spots in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. It is a spectacular group of karst islands surrounded by turquoise, crystal clear water, which you can enjoy from a viewpoint located on the bigger island of Pulau Penem.

– “IT’S NOT WAYAG!” – Many people mistake the photos of Piaynemo for Wayag , the more popular yet very remote destination in Raja Ampat. Being so off the beaten path, Wayag can be very expensive to reach, making Piaynemo a great alternative if your time and budget won’t extend to visiting Wayag.

There is much more to see (and do) in Piaynemo than the postcard-like viewpoint you’ll see in photos. The island is about 4.8 square kilometers in size and it’s a long, narrow shard of limestone peaks, rising from the blue sea, with 28km of coastline.

When visiting Piaynemo, make sure to tick off Rufas Island, the Turquoise Lagoon and the Star Lagoon. If you’re up for an adventure, ask your host whether he knows the trail to the hidden lake in southern Piaynemo, or have some fun exploring the colorful reef below the surface.

First off, where is Piaynemo? Piaynemo is located in Pulau Penem, in the Fam (technically Pam) Islands, a remote yet stunning archipelago in Raja Ampat with some of the best beaches in Indonesia. You can read more about the archipelago in our full guide to the Fam Islands .

Wondering how to reach Raja Ampat? Make sure to read our full guide on how to get to Raja Ampat for the low-down.

Luckily, Piaynemo is not as remote as Wayag, and it can be visited on a day trip from most islands. Below you can find the exact location of Piaynemo.

Obviously, there is no way to reach Piaynemo other than by boat. You will either need to ask your host to take you there or see if other hosts from other accommodations are already going and possibly share the trip with other people. Transportation is usually the biggest expense in Raja Ampat so it’s best to travel in a group when possible .

Reaching Piaynemo from Waisai:

If you plan to stay overnight and you want to reach Piaynemo directly from Waisai, you can do so by speedboat. The pick-up is provided by the Piaynemo Island homestay and costs IDR 3,000,000 ($200 USD) each way. The boat can carry up to 8 passengers and the cost is shared. Please note that if you don’t reach the number of 8 people you still have to pay the full price .

Reaching Piaynemo from Kri Island:

Kri Island is about halfway between Waisai and Piaynemo. It is also Raja Ampat’s most touristy island, which means it won’t be too difficult to find other people to share a boat for a day trip to Piaynemo from here. In fact, boats to Piaynemo leave daily from Kri island, and it’s relatively easy to find cheaper deals just by asking around.

A one-way trip from Waisai to Kri island only costs around IDR 700,000 ($47 USD), which you can share with 4-8 passengers, depending on the type of boat. From Kri Island, a return trip to Piaynemo will then cost you about IDR 6,000,000 ($400 USD), which you can share amongst 6-8 people. If you’re 8, expect to pay about $50 USD per person for a day trip.

Reaching Piaynemo from Pam/Fam islands:

Getting to one of the Pam/Fam islands from Waisai will generally cost you less compared to a trip directly to Piaynemo. Depending on the accommodation and on the type of boat, prices will range from IDR 1,500,000 and IDR 2,500,000 ($100-$170 USD) each way and it can usually be shared amongst 4-8 people.

From there, expect to pay an additional IDR 300,000 to IDR 1,500,000 ($20-$100 USD) per trip to reach Piaynemo, as well as other destinations, as part of a day trip. This price can also be shared with other people, usually up to 4-8 per boat. This price varies a lot since it depends on how far the island is from Piaynemo, the type of boat, and the honesty of the host (some hosts change the prices on you, be sure to ask for a confirmation of the price before).

Do you think these boat transfers are overpriced? Please check out this useful blog post by stayrajaampat.com which walks you through the different costs of each boat ride in Raja Ampat. Keep reading for the only public boat option available to reach Piaynemo.

Reach the Pam/Fam Islands with a public boat:

Another option for reaching the Fam (Pam) Islands is by public boat (which is the most affordable option) that runs between Sorong, Arefi on Batanta island, and Pam village on Pambemuk island. Note that this is mostly used only by locals, and we don’t recommend using this as your primary option mainly because it’s less reliable and the hours are less convenient for travellers, but it’s good to know this option exists in case you’re stuck.

A one-way ticket between Sorong and Pam costs about IDR 120,000. To plan, keep note that the boat leaves Sorong once a week at 16:00 PM on Fridays. It arrives in Arefi at Batanta at 22:00 PM. If you need help finding a boat, reach out to John Urbon who can help you in Sorong.

While going by public boat is safe during the day, it can be potentially dangerous at night, so for your return, we recommend telling your homestay when you arrive on the ferry and they will help you by arranging a pickup. If a pickup isn’t possible, ask where you can spend the night in Pam village.

The return trips leave Pam village at 8:30 AM on Saturday mornings, arriving in Arefi close to 12:30 PM and Sorong at 17:30.

Visiting Piaynemo is free ! There is no entrance fee in Piaynemo and the only costs are the initial Environmental Service Fee (which you have to pay in Waisai before entering Raja Ampat) and obviously the cost of transport, which we’ve described above.

Hike to the Piaynemo viewpoint

The boat will stop at a long timber deck situated in one of the lagoons. Here there are several small shops selling drinks, coconuts, and other basic stuff. Sadly, you will also be welcomed by locals trying to sell you live Coconut crabs, an endangered species that is protected under Indonesian law and that it’s being illegally fished and sold to tourists. Many homestays will refuse to cook this variety of crabs for you, and it’s also not recommended to buy these crabs to release them as this would encourage locals to fish them again and earn from this process.

Once you get passed these shops, a short hike to the summit of the viewpoint begins. The trail is on timber stairs, leading to the lookout atop one of the island’s impressive limestone peaks. Personally, we were quite surprised to see that even in such remote areas everything was paved and built for tourism.

While it wasn’t exactly the raw experience we were expecting, we understand that this timber structure was built for easier access, making it enjoyable to everyone and also safer for tourists.

The way up only takes about 15 minutes, and as soon as you reach the top you’ll be rewarded with one of Indonesia’s most stunning views.

Yes! It is possible to stay overnight on Piaynemo island and visit this awesome island over different days. However, there is only one accommodation on the whole island of Piaynemo, known as Piaynemo Homestay .

A night at Piaynemo Homestay will cost you IDR 588,240 ($40 USD) per person/night including 3 meals a day. While this might not seem like an awful deal, considering how unique the place is and comparing it with other travel destinations, it is still quite pricey for Raja Ampat.

Cheaper accommodations are located on the also very unique Rufas Island, just 1.5km away from Piaynemo. Sleeping here costs IDR 411,770 ($28 USD) per person/night, also including 3 meals a day, and you can choose between Lagoon Homestay and Rufas Homestay .

Alternatively, consider staying in one of the several accommodations in the Pam/Fam Islands .

Please note that booking in advance is recommended at popular homestays, especially during peak season (October to March).

Near the Piaynemo viewpoint lay some other stunning places of interest, which you can visit on the same day trip. The first one is the Star Lagoon , a beautiful star-shaped basin that you can visit after a short hike just like Piaynemo. We enjoyed the star lagoon as it’s a more raw and less touristy experience, with no wooden stairs nor any man-made structures to make the hike easier. The hike is short, but the rocks are sharp so we recommend wearing shoes and to be careful on your way down.

Another great lookout point worth visiting is located on a different peak, overlooking a turquoise lagoon . Not all tours end up here so make sure to ask your guide if they may include it on the itinerary.

Once again, there are timber stairs leading up the peak, but the path is steeper than the previous ones as the elevation gain is greater. From the top the view is just as impressive.

Swim in the lagoons of Piaynemo, or get back on the boat and head to one of the small, untouched islands nearby which are great for snorkelling and relaxing. Our host took us to a beautiful, pristine beach and we couldn’t have been happier!

Don’t worry too much about which island you should choose because each one has a beach that is just as natural and wild as the next. The raw beauty and quietness of these places will really make you feel relaxed and carefree.

• Bring sunscreen, a T-shirt, and a hat. There is not much shade around Piaynemo attractions and the risk to get sunburnt is high.
• Pack good walking shoes. Flip flops can get the job done, but wearing shoes wouldn’t be a bad idea, especially when hiking the star lagoon lookout point.
• Bring a snorkel and a mask. While we’ve mostly talked about viewpoints in this post, you can swim anywhere around Piaynemo. We stopped to swim at a couple of points and we loved it.
• Bring a drone if you have one. Piaynemo looks so cool from above!
• Be responsible and respectful of the coconut crabs species . When visiting the lookout dock, you’ll notice many locals selling food and drink and souvenirs. While you may find some items such as virgin coconut oil and natural soaps that make for great souvenirs from Pam islands, you will also find black coral bracelets and live coconut crabs that have been captured. Why care? Well, these large land creatures are endangered due to over-harvesting and habitat destruction for tourism development. In fact, many homestays will refuse to cook them if you buy them. The best thing you can do as a tourist in this kind of situation is to not buy them and participate in this.

The Fam Islands: a hidden paradise in Raja Ampat

Visit narni, umbria: a weekend in an enchanting medieval town.

[…] main landmark of the Fam Islands is undoubtedly Piaynemo, a fabulous karst seascape you may have seen in many photos of Raja Ampat. This is a must-visit […]

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Coral Island: All Legendary Fishes (& How to Catch Them)

L egendary Fish in Coral Island are rare sea creatures that only appear in specific parts of the map during limited periods. In this guide, you’ll learn all the details of catching all available Legendary Fish and discover more about their specific uses. (If you want to maximize your chances of catching these uncommon creatures, bring a couple of Large Baits with you, as they increase the chances of catching large fish by 25%.)

Coral Island: All Treasure Chest Locations

List of all legendary fishes.

Coral Island has nine Legendary Fish types : Giant Sea Bass, Giant Stingray, Great White Shark, Green Sawfish, Hammerhead, Monkfish, Raja Ampat Shark, Red King Arowana, and Yellow Moray Eel. Each of these fish will take four days in a Pond to reproduce, whereas a regular fish would reproduce in half that time.

How to Catch Every Legendary Fish

Legendary Fish are seasonal catches, requiring you to catch them during specific times they appear in the waterways. Below is a comprehensive guide on catching each one:

Giant Sea Bass

In the first seven days of Fall, head to the Ocean at any time of day or night, regardless of weather conditions, to catch the Giant Sea Bass. You require one Legendary Bass to complete the Rare Fish Altar in the Lake Temple . Any additional fish can be sold for a base price of 972 coins.

Giant Stingray

Between the 15th and 28th of both Summer and Spring, fish in the River (Forest) during Sunny or Windy weather in the mornings or afternoons to catch the Legendary Giant Stingray. Donate the first Legendary Stingray you catch to the Museum for extra points.

Great White Shark

During the first 14 days of Summer, head to the Ocean near the Dock area and fish in the mornings or afternoons on sunny and windy days to catch the Legendary White Shark. Donate your first catch to the Museum for three extra points, and sell the rest for a base price of 972 coins.

Green Sawfish

During rainy, stormy, snowy, or blizzard weather in Winter, you can catch a Legendary Green Sawfish in the Estuary. Visit this location during afternoons, evenings, or nights to maximize your chances of catching this rare fish. Only Theo loves this item as a gift , and you're better off donating it to the Museum or selling it for the same base price as other Legendary sea creatures.

Catch a Hammerhead in the Lookout Area (Ocean) during the first 21 days of Fall and Winter. Visit this area during rainy, stormy, snowy, or blizzard weather, and fish from morning to night to guarantee catching it.

Monkfish is available in the Forest area's Ocean during the first 14 days of Spring. Fish during the evenings or nights on sunny or windy days for a chance to catch this Legendary fish. You will not need this fish for any of the Altars, and your best bet is to donate it to the Museum.

Raja Ampat Shark

To catch this Legendary shark, head to the Lookout area's Ocean during the first 14 days of Summer and fish in the evenings or nights. Regardless of the weather, you will have an opportunity to catch the Raja Ampat Shark if these conditions are met.

Red King Arowana

From the 22nd to the 28th of Fall, when the weather is rainy, stormy, or windy, you will have a chance to catch the Red King Arowana in the Water Mine, Wind Mine, and Fire Mine. Note that this Legendary creature only shows up in afternoons and evenings.

Yellow Moray Eel

The Legendary Eel can be caught in the Beach area's Ocean during the second half of Spring and Summer. Visit this location from the 15th to the 28th of these seasons and fish during nighttime to catch it.

View prices for your travel dates

Hotel Djaz is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Elektrostal, offering many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay.

A 24 hour front desk is one of the conveniences offered at this small hotel. In addition, Hotel Djaz offers an on-site restaurant, which will help make your Elektrostal trip additionally gratifying. If you are driving to Hotel Djaz, free parking is available.

Travelers looking for pubs can head to Beer Club Tolsty Medved or 400 Krolikov.

Should time allow, Statue of Lenin is a popular that is relatively easy to get to.

Enjoy your stay in Elektrostal!

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Trains Moscow to Elektrostal: Times, Prices and Tickets

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Moscow to Elektrostal by train

The journey from Moscow to Elektrostal by train is 32.44 mi and takes 2 hr 7 min. There are 71 connections per day, with the first departure at 12:15 AM and the last at 11:46 PM. It is possible to travel from Moscow to Elektrostal by train for as little as or as much as . The best price for this journey is .

Get from Moscow to Elektrostal with Virail

Virail's search tool will provide you with the options you need when you want to go from Moscow to Elektrostal. All you need to do is enter the dates of your planned journey, and let us take care of everything else. Our engine does the hard work, searching through thousands of routes offered by our trusted travel partners to show you options for traveling by train, bus, plane, or carpool. You can filter the results to suit your needs. There are a number of filtering options, including price, one-way or round trip, departure or arrival time, duration of journey, or number of connections. Soon you'll find the best choice for your journey. When you're ready, Virail will transfer you to the provider's website to complete the booking. No matter where you're going, get there with Virail.

How can I find the cheapest train tickets to get from Moscow to Elektrostal?

Prices will vary when you travel from Moscow to Elektrostal. On average, though, you'll pay about for a train ticket. You can find train tickets for prices as low as , but it may require some flexibility with your travel plans. If you're looking for a low price, you may need to prepare to spend more time in transit. You can also often find cheaper train tickets at particular times of day, or on certain days of the week. Of course, ticket prices often change during the year, too; expect to pay more in peak season. For the lowest prices, it's usually best to make your reservation in advance. Be careful, though, as many providers do not offer refunds or exchanges on their cheapest train tickets. Unfortunately, no price was found for your trip from Moscow to Elektrostal. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find price results. Prices will vary when you travel from Moscow to Elektrostal. On average, though, you'll pay about for a train ticket. If you're looking for a low price, you may need to prepare to spend more time in transit. You can also often find cheaper train tickets at particular times of day, or on certain days of the week. Of course, ticket prices often change during the year, too; expect to pay more in peak season. For the lowest prices, it's usually best to make your reservation in advance. Be careful, though, as many providers do not offer refunds or exchanges on their cheapest train tickets.

How long does it take to get from Moscow to Elektrostal by train?

The journey between Moscow and Elektrostal by train is approximately 32.44 mi. It will take you more or less 2 hr 7 min to complete this journey. This average figure does not take into account any delays that might arise on your route in exceptional circumstances. If you are planning to make a connection or operating on a tight schedule, give yourself plenty of time. The distance between Moscow and Elektrostal is around 32.44 mi. Depending on the exact route and provider you travel with, your journey time can vary. On average, this journey will take approximately 2 hr 7 min. However, the fastest routes between Moscow and Elektrostal take 1 hr 3 min. If a fast journey is a priority for you when traveling, look out for express services that may get you there faster. Some flexibility may be necessary when booking. Often, these services only leave at particular times of day - or even on certain days of the week. You may also find a faster journey by taking an indirect route and connecting in another station along the way.

How many journeys from Moscow to Elektrostal are there every day?

On average, there are 71 daily departures from Moscow to Elektrostal. However, there may be more or less on different days. Providers' timetables can change on certain days of the week or public holidays, and many also vary at particular times of year. Some providers change their schedules during the summer season, for example. At very busy times, there may be up to departures each day. The providers that travel along this route include , and each operates according to their own specific schedules. As a traveler, you may prefer a direct journey, or you may not mind making changes and connections. If you have heavy suitcases, a direct journey could be best; otherwise, you might be able to save money and enjoy more flexibility by making a change along the way. Every day, there are an average of 18 departures from Moscow which travel directly to Elektrostal. There are 53 journeys with one change or more. Unfortunately, no connection was found for your trip from Moscow to Elektrostal. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find connections.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from Moscow to Elektrostal, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.

Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys

Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from Moscow to Elektrostal.

Always check special offers

Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.

Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains

If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.

Best time to book cheap train tickets from Moscow to Elektrostal

The cheapest Moscow - Elektrostal train tickets can be found for as low as $35.01 if you’re lucky, or $54.00 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as $77.49.

Find the best day to travel to Elektrostal by train

When travelling to Elektrostal by train, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Moscow to Elektrostal CO2 Emissions by Train

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