Raja Ampat which is existed at West Papua, truly has its incredible charm archipelago and will give wonderful experience to all its visitors. Gorgeous raw landscape and the richness of biodiversity is the mainstay of Raja Ampat eco tourism.
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 amazing, magnificent, and heartbreaking gets its true physical meaning. For couples, it might be one of the best honeymoon destination spot, of course for the nature lovers who're seeking the secret exotic place in the earth.
Indonesian Central Government and local Papuans seems have strong intention to make Raja Ampat as one of enchanting diving spot and family vacation place in Indonesia as great as other famous dive sites in this nature-rich country such as Gili Trawangan island in Lombok, Bunaken at Sulawesi Island or Padang Bai, Bali.
These Exotic Islands are The Reason to Visit Raja Ampat
Actually, almost all of the islands in Raja Ampat archipelago can be explored, not just the four main islands (Batanta, Salawati, Waigeo and Misool). Each island offer us their assets that we can experience. Here are several famous and recommended Raja Ampat tropical islands to go on vacation:Kri Island, Beautiful White Beach and Underwater Scenery
Kri Island is the most popular of Raja Ampat’s islands. Here, you can enjoy the long beach and see an unbelievable underwater scenery. There is the Kri Eco Resort, the pioneer of Papua diving resort. With its prime location with stunning white beach, well equipped bungalows deeply rooted to the local setting of Papuan and high standards of diving services, Kri Eco Resort is a dream come true for you who have a wish to get a memorable dive vacation in the exotic tropical paradise Raja Ampat.In the same island there is also the Sorido Bay Resort which is located a short 15 minute walk along the beach (during low tide) from its sister property Kri Eco Resort.
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| Image: scubadiveasia.com Kri Island best diving site in Raja Ampat |
Mansuar Island, Excellent Beach and Dense Forest
This island is best place to stay in Raja Ampat for a couple days trips. Mansuar island, a ringing coral reefs is as good as those of Kri has its exotic villages to explore, an easily accessible mid-island lake, jungle trekking opportunities which is also rich of birdlife. There are several exotic style cottage such as Koryau Kayem Homestay, Wombon Swandiwe Homestay, Mangrove Homestay and Lumba-Lumba Guest House. |
| Image: indonesia-tourism.com Traditional homestays at Mansuar Island |
For those who love an underwater adventure, there is Raja Ampat Dive Lodge, and it just minutes from the famous Manta aggregation sites like Manta Sandy and Manta Point, the popular dive sites where mantas seen here often. You will have great experience of your encounter with the numbers of huge manta rays, some with wingspans over 5m!
Arborek Island, Complete Nature Beauty and Village Life
It's a tiny sand cay in the middle of the archipelago. Only 1.5 hours from Waisai, the capital town if Raja Ampat. Excellent and best place for snorkeling.We may also have big opportunity to see mantas from here as it's also close to Manta Point. The manta usually wait above large coral heads for you to be touched. Any of us may have such question like "are manta rays dangerous?" or "do manta rays sting?" Evidently, they aren't poisonous. If threated with respect, they'll come so close to you. So, we can interact and play with manta rays safely in Raja Ampat.
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| Image: sunrise-divers.com Manta Rays at Raja Ampat diving sites |
The island has complete accomodation. There is an Arborek Tourism Village, which you can stay at a number of homestays and reach the friendly Papuans' daily life whilst observing their unique traditions. They usually perform a traditional welcome dance when a group of tourists arrived, entertaining their guests with various Papuan folk songs. About the Papuan they are have the similar physic to the Australian Aborigin.
As you visit Arborek, don't miss Sawinggrai, a village in the same district of Arborek (Meos Mansar district) which has several Bird of Paradise collections. There're four endemic species can be found around this village's area. The Paradisea rubra (red cendrawasih, iconic of Sawinggrai), paradisea apoda, small cendrawasih and the cendrawasih with funny tail, cincinnurus magnificus. The Bird of Paradise which has most beautiful gorgeous colors in the world are endemic to Papua and are protected by law.
Waigeo Islands, The Largest Islands in Raja Ampat
Waigeo Islands is Raja Ampat’s biggest island with enough attractions and accommodation options to keep you entranced for a couple days to a week. Yangkawe Homestay is one of several accommodations you can find here.The island's scenery is largely virgin rainforest rich of plant and animal life. Some spots in West Waigeo Islands are the best reefs in Raja Ampat.
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| Image: allindonesiatourism.com Wonderful Waigeo Islands Raja Ampat |
As with all the Raja Ampat islands, Waigeo's villages lie on the coast. When you visit Waigeo, don't miss the Waisai Tercinta, the place for local Papuans to gather in the late afternoon. In Waisai, you can also explore Waisai traditional market.
Wildlife rich jungles and incredible bays, spectacular seascapes, ancient handprints and cultural sites will truly gives us diverse experiences.
Also read: Indonesia Travel Tips: How to Get to Raja Ampat
Gam Islands, Majestic beauty of coastal scenery
Gam Islands has great reefs and fabulous beaches, birds of Paradise habitat and the attractions of Gam and Kabui Bays. Separated from Waigeo island only by a very narrow passage, actually much smaller, but is big enough to be home to several villages.In Gam islands, there is a Corepen Homestay that has one private bungalow on a great beach in a superb southern Gam island. During your vacation in here, experience great snorkelling or diving for the dolphins, lobsters and the occasional dugong.
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| Image: visitrajaampat.com Unique tradition of the Papuan |
With many dive centers and plenty of accommodation options, also great house reefs and beautiful beaches, we almost can't compare which one is the best between Hawaii and this Papua paradise for its beautifulness and friendliness. The both heaven in the earth are the best place to travel in the world!
Friwen Islands, The Friwen Wall
Friwen islands is also one of the tourists' favorit. Famous with its Friwen Wall, an excellent snorkeling and diving site. And also close to Waisai, Gam Island and also Kabui Bays. You will get in touch with Friwen's village friendly life here.
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| Image: cnn.com Outstanding underwater wildlife of Raja Ampat |
Friwen Island has a stunning view with its coconut trees and white sand. There're Friwmunday Homestay and Famangkor Homestay for you to choose then relax and enjoy the beach.
Mioskon Island, The Bat Island
A beautiful small island near to Waisai, the natural habitat of bats. You will see thousands bats hanging on the trees here. The tourist, usually use the island as surface interval or resting spot before diving. |
| Image: picnictoindonesia.com Explore the glowing coral reefs at Mioskon island |
And the incredible thing is that we can swim in the night here and catch the vibrant colors of corals which glow in the dark because of the fosofos emitted by the corals. And in the deeper level, you would find the big wobbegong. They usually hide in the sand amongst the reefs.
Piaynemo Islands, One of The Most Epic Spots in The World
Piaynemo island offers some of the most spectacular sceneries on the face of the earth. Popular by its karst landscape. The scenery of rock islets amidst the clear blue water and bright blue sky will amaze you. Looking down from the top of the hill, it almost as seems that Mother Nature gives you a glimpse of real paradise. The karst landscape definitely is the one of the best places in the world to photograps. |
| Image: stayrajaampat.com The sunny day views of Piaynemo Islands |
Pam Islands, The Snorkelling Paradise
Pam/Fam is the islands Raja Ampat’s most stunning beaches, crystalline waters, excellent snorkelling, right next door to the karst island and the wonderland reefs of Piaynemo and Kri island.
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| Image: stayrajaampat.com Stunning beach at Pam Islands |
The coral gardens in Fam Islands is vary in colors and formations that makes the place is great for an exciting dive. The water is so clear. At morning dive, sun rays will beautifully illuminating the stunning corals. Wobbegongs sharks, barracudas, grey reef shark and angelfish are usually present here. The lack of currents and shallow reef made it a very enjoyable dive suitable for all levels. It might be the best coral reef in Indonesia.
Wayag Islands, Beautiful Atolls and Extraordinary Underwater Life
Further at Wayag Island, you will also find an amazing rock islets formation in an even bigger scale! It has so stunning view and probably the best secret islands to vacation in tropic of Southeast Asia. |
| Image: yuktravel.con Wonderful view of Wayag Archipelago |
There are neither people on the islands, except rangers who work as guards, nor the electricity and communications. So, being here you can get the feeling of serenity and isolated from the hectic modern life. It's like another world out of the earth.
Batanta Islands, Rich of Waterfalls and Wildlife
Batanta Islands is situated on the west of the mainland city of Sorong, the smallest of the four major islands of the Raja Ampat archipelago. It is mostly interesting for nature-lovers as most of the island is made up of rugged mountains covered with dense vegetation. Batanta has some waterfalls, rich jungle wildlife, and there are remote and isolated homestays you can choose. |
| Image: TripAdvisor.com Batant |
Apart from trekking, most tourists come to Batanta Island to enjoy its peaceful beach and then we can enjoy an incredible snorkeling in this natural tropical ocean over rich reefs. And don't miss Batatanta islands rainbow fish! We could find new species of rainbowfish here, the Melanotaenia synergos. We will also meet dugongs amongst seagrass prairies. Imagine to do feeding and petting dugongs!
Misool Islands, Cave Exploring and Beautiful Landscape
Visit the Misool Eco Resort to make your experience to Raja Ampat even greater. Catch the Raja Ampat luxury cruises sensation with the Pinisi board by experiencing the great diving, snorkeling and cave exploring around the spectacular rocky islands off South East Misool. |
| Image: triptrus.com Spectacular venue of Misool Islands Raja Ampat |
Also, don't miss Kofiau islands, Salawati islands and many other places. These islands are as beautiful as above islands and worth it to do great adventures including the critter diving at Aljui Bay, or kayaking among the bee hive shaped karst formations in the Wagmab Island chain in the South of the region, etc.
Of course, for the real adventurers, avid scuba divers and nature lovers who willing to explore this vast archipelago, there are many secret place, islands and reefs still unexplored and many new astounding wildlife yet to be discovered.
Raja Ampat truly have been developed seriously to make it the best family vacation spots in Asia as well as the best scuba diving destinations in the world, the awesome paradise for you all the nature enthusiasts! The people especially the kids are so friendly with their shy smile. Also there is so easy to find the local experts who can help you as Raja Ampat travel guide and tell you all you need to know.
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