Indonesia Travel Tips: How to Get to Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is really a wonderful place on the land, shoreline and also in its underwaters. Beside its endless fascinating natural attractions, Raja Ampat also offers the unique hospitality of the Papuan. You will meet the local people with smiles on their faces. They're very friendly and welcoming. They will try to make our experience in their place extra special.

Raja Ampat can be in your travel bucket list when you're planning to visit Indonesia as it's situated at north-east of Java and Bali.

Honeymoon with your couple in exceptional romantic and exotic adventure to this secret corner of the world is short it to try.
Even just simply enjoy walking along the beach or entering the village with its distinct traditions, will give such exotic romantic experiences.

For family trips out of western US or Europe when winter come, Raja Ampat could be one of best family travel destination spot in tropical country. Doing fun family vacation as well educate your kids to love nature by visiting Raja Ampat paradise is also one of great family summer vacation ideas.

Raja Ampat Isn't just The Best Beach Vacation Spots

Some of the highlights of Raja Ampat tour packages you can pick are the amazing liveaboard trips with luxury cruises, Indonesian yatchs or other rental boats with the great diving, snorkeling including village touring in Arborek islands, Friwen islands or Waigeo island. Also jungle trekking throughout the region, finding the birds of Paradise which can been seen at various locations. Then admiring the great karst formations of the Piaynemo Islands or Wayag Archipelago up North.

You can also choose diving package amongst the great coral reefs of the Fam Island group. And then do adventure with the fish and manta rays at Manta Point in the Dampier Strait, the critter diving at Batanta and in Aljui Bay, also kayaking among the karst formations in the Wagmab Island in the South of Raja Ampat. Eexperience cave exploring around the artistic rocky islands off South East Misool.

And of course don't miss enjoying the stunning, and scattered deserted beaches throughout the Raja Ampat islands in the excellent sunset view from every place you're stay in. And also catch the Raja Ampat festivals with various distinct attractions of the Papuans and many many more.

Image: harianterbit.com
Raja Ampat exotic traditions

So, whether you are an avid divers, occasional snorkeler, or just someone who appreciated beauty of nature and culture in every sight, Raja Ampat welcomes you to the Heaven on Earth.

See video of diving in Raja Ampat Islands (video source: youtube.com/Vincent Remède)

For you who are new in diving and don't want to waste your great time in this wonderful exotic place by just admiring the coral reefs but couldn't reach close to them, there're Raja Ampat diving courses with expert instructors that can help you. If you have tested discovery scuba diving and you fall in love with this sport, you can take a diving license directly in Raja Ampat.

Read also: Diving Safely in Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat Has Complete Fasilities for Any Levels

About finding hotel to stay or a homestay diving in Raja Ampat, there are various accomodation from cheap cottages to 5 stars hotels. Koryau Kayem Homestay Raja Ampat Meridian Adventure Marina Club & Dive Resort are the best 5 stars hotels and the recommended hotels including Waiwo Dive Resort Raja Ampat, Kri Eco Resort and Raja Ampat Doberai Eco Resort.

The cheap hotel and cottages including Alter Native Stayampi, Batu Lima Homestay, Cemara Homestay, Corepen Homestay, Delvin Homestay, Famangkor Raja Ampat, Gurara Dive Resort Raja Ampat, Hamueco Raja Ampat Resort, etc.

In the peak season (usually in October to February which is the Raja Ampat's diving season), it's recommended to do booking your accommodation and desired dive sites a month before you land here.

Image: TripAdvisor.com
Beautiful scenery of Mansuar Islands

For backpackers, they're suggested go to Raja Ampat in a group, as it will be cheap in accomodation and the ferry cost. There're resorts which occasionally give special discount.

Find Flight to Raja Ampat Islands Indonesia

To get to Raja Ampat we should first take a flight from Jakarta or Makassar to Sorong. Garuda Indonesia operates daily flights between Jakarta-Sorong, as do Sriwijaya Air and Nam. Batik Air flies twice daily between Jakarta and Sorong.

Once getting to Sorong airport (Domine Eduard Isok Airport), small aircrafts can take you to Waisai, capital of the district of Raja Ampat. Or you can also take a ferry from the port of Sorong to the islands which will take about 2 hours trip.

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.

If you visit Bali first, there're also flights from Denpasar directly to Waisai. In Bali, there are also cruises companies which operate their cruisers to serve liveaboard safari trips in several wonderful Indonesian tourist destinations such as Seven Seas Liveaboard. Just take flight to Sorong, then simply stroll from the airport and board The Seven Seas.