Raja Ampat One of Best Islands in the World for Vacation

Raja Ampat! The new travelling destination spot in Indonesia which will make us falling in love once we land there. It has been getting more and more attentions from the nature lovers and adventure seekers around the world!  Currently, the most visitors per year came from US visitors followed by Germany, French, Australian, China and Japan.

Far from modern athmosphere, it's absolutely one of exceptional spot which completing a number of beautiful and exotic places to visit in Indonesia. Raja Ampat isn’t like anywhere else on the planet and has been gradually becoming one of Indonesia famous place.

What to see in Raja Ampat? You will find a pristine paradise where exotic beautiful nature and warm people welcome you with all the unusul wonders owned by this place. It's raw, rugged and the closest thing to paradise that you may ever imagine!

Image: TripAdvisor.com
Natural life from your cottage in Raja Ampat islands

Imagine stepping outside of your traditional cottage style in the shoreline, you can see cute hermit crabs do sun bathing along the white sand. You can even spotting starfishes while admiring colorful corals through the clear water. And when you reaching the lush green of tropical forest which can be accessed directly from the beach, another astounding things make you feel amazed. Above the ground, exotic birds call to each other even you can see them dancing on the branches. There're also various butterflies flutter by and perch on beautiful tropical flowers. The impressive natural life is so easy to find throughout Raja Ampat region.

The Exotic Secret Islands of Paradise Raja Ampat

With all its spectacular wonders inland, on the shore, and beyond the waters, and distinct serene athmosphere that you rarely find anywhere else on earth, Raja Ampat will truly offer us the wonderful experience, the secret escapes from your modern life. Raja Ampat is a place you must visit once in your lifetime.

So, where is Raja Ampat? Raja Ampat is located at Papua, the most eastern Island of the Indonesian Archipelago, situated off the northwest tip of Bird’s Head Peninsula of the island (West Papua province). It is an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands, cays and beaches surrounding the four main islands of Batanta, Salawati, Waigeo and Misool. Raja Ampat itself means "Four Kings" which refers to those 4 main islands.

Image: reefrainforest.com
Coral reefs of Raja Ampat, West Papua

The areas within the islands of the Four Kings is enormous, covered with coral reefs, home to 540 types of corals, thousand types of coral fish and 700 types of mollusks. This makes it the most diverse living library for world's coral reef and underwater. According to The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International report, around 75% of the world's species live here!

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Raja Ampat the Paradise for Diving Enthusiast

With the large area of the reefs and abundace of hard coral and fish species, Raja Ampat is mentioned as the home to more than ten times the number that found in the Caribbean. Visiting Raja Ampat can be as an alternative Carribean hollidays.

Obviously, for underwater enthusiasts, Raja Ampat which has been rewarded as the best diving spot in the world by CNN definitely will offers some ultimate adventures. If Raja Ampat are named as one of the top liveaboard dive destinations in the world by experienced scuba divers, it's completely believable!

Image: lcc-abeytravel.com
Wonderful coral reefs of West Papua Indonesia

There are a lot of diving and snorkeling spots to choose from in this vast waters. There is Raja Ampat dive lodge at the Kabui Passage, the narrow passage between Waigeo and Gam Island.

There are also several diving sites around the Arborek Island’s Dock, Yenbuba, Sawandarek, Misool, Friwen Wall Fam usland and many many more. Several Raja Ampat diving cruises owned by expatriates and also a large number of Indonesian yachts have been operated there to escort the visitors exploring the islands and its underwater. You can charter a safari board and then experiencing the best liveaboard dive trips in this secret and exotic Indonesia diving spot.

It's not just a fantasy, you may expect this wonderful experiences... As you embark on your dive spot in Raja Ampat, you will be greeted with tens of small reef fishes swimming around you in curious manner while you're observing a pigmy seahorse which is staying still on its host. There're numerous clownfish reaching you cheerfully as if trying to get your attention. The majestic lionfish prowl through the waters past another tropical fishes. You would see one or two turtles swimming gracefully next to you, even Manta Rays and wobbegongs glide right by you! Not to mention the friendly assistant of the dugongs, and also the cute dolphins! Turn down to the sea floors, giant sea clams measuring to over one meter in length also giant trevallies and barracudas will truly offer you one of kind close to a marvellous sensation.

Image: lonelyplanet.com
You can clearly see coral fishes from your cottage in Raja Ampat resorts

Wildlife of The Tropical Rainforest Papua

The wonderful wildlife of Raja Ampat does not just underwater, the landscape above the surface is also so fantastic. The group of Four Kings islands and other smaller islands are waiting you to be explored. Enjoy them from distance when sunny day or when sunset is equally heartbreaking as if it was carefully designed and placed with such aesthetic, then painted with beautiful sky and the glowing sea by God! If you ask "is Raja Ampat worth it to be visited?" The answer is absolutely yes!

Amidst the many thick jungles within the islands, we can still find various bird species including the spectacular Bird of Paradise, Cendrawasih. There is also an endemic species of cuscus, the Waigeou spotted cuscus (Spilocuscus papuensis) which is a species of marsupial in the family Phalangeridae. Also, if you lucky, you would find Dendrolagus sp, the tree kangaroo which is close to the family of Australian kangaroos.

Image: yayasantitian.org
Tree kangaroo endemic of Papua, Indonesia

Papua land and New Guinea was part of Australia continent in the Ice Age, so we will find similarities in their biodiversities. So, If you have a couriosity about where to see kangaroo in the wild outside Australia? Raja Ampat and also another parts of Papua island is the place.

Check out video of the wonderful Bird of Paradise which can be found in Papua and Maluku Island, Indonesia (video source: YouTube.com/LabofOrnithologhy)

Read also: Indonesia Travel Guide: How to Get to Raja Ampat

Diving Safely at Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat’s sheer numbers and diversity of its marine life and large area of coral reef systems are fantastic site for snorkelers and also provide them its best scuba diving spots within the wonderful Indonesian archipelago.

Raja Ampat can be visited anytime each year. But for scuba diving enthusiasts, the best time to visit Raja Ampat is at the months of October to April. At that Raja Ampat's dive season, the weather is more friendly and the current isn't as high as the rest of the months.

Image: papuaexplorers.com
Scuba diving in Raja Ampat underwater

About diving safety in Raja Ampat, for diving in Raja Ampat it needs a license because of the natural conditions, mostly considering to the form of Raja Ampat's atoll systems and the current is strong enough.

Also considering of every diving sites are located in a remote area, your safety and health are of highest importance. It's recommend that you take all safety precautions. It is mandatory that divers have insurance that covers diving emergencies and treatment. Almost all the Raja Ampat's diving resorts takes diving safety seriously with years of experience and proven safety record.

If there are tourists who want to try diving for the first time or haven't gotten a dive license, it's suggested to find dive instructors once you land to the island. You can even take a diving license directly in Raja Ampat. Some resorts work closely with authorized licensed diving operators for the diving courses. Usually in their Raja Ampat's tours package or in the four-day open water course, there is a dive course package.

Your expert instructor will choose a place to try scuba or discovery scuba diving in a safer place. Usually not on the famous Raja Ampat diving sites like Mioskon, Gam Island, Manta Raef, Cross Wreck and many others.

The instructor will usually bring a novice diver to try discovery scuba diving in a place where the current is calm. Starting point must also have a ladder so that instructors and divers can communicate easily.

About Raja Ampat's diving sites conditions, the local authorities, the resorts and the Papuans have good intention to always preserving their coral reefs and all their natures. So, you can get fun nature adventures as well as diving safely in Raja Ampat. Experience wonderful scuba diving and travelling to Raja Ampat with kids, with families or with your friends! Raja Ampat is also has its extraordinary romantic destinations for couples who are see seeking an exotic and peaceful place for honeymoon.