Raja Ampat Travel Guide

Raja Ampat Travel Guide – Have you ever go to Raja Ampat, the lost paradise, in Papua, Indonesia? This place is truly the hidden gem of the world and a stunning heaven second to none.  The scenery can be so much different compared to other places in Indonesia. It makes you wonder, is it a region in Indonesia country or is it Maldives?

Yes, Raja Ampat recently been called as the sister of Maldives. Those who want to get here, read the information below. We provide complete guide about Raja Ampat location, Raja Ampat best destinations, accomodation, and Raja Ampat Tour Packages.

Read also : Papua Travel Guide

Raja Ampat in A Nutshell

Raja Ampat is a district in West Papua Province, located at the northwest tip of the Bird’s Head Peninsula. The area encompasses 4.5 million hectares, most of it water, with four main islands : Salawati, Batanta, Waigeo and Misool. The capitol city is Waisai. There are 610 islands, large and small, inhabited and uninhabited. The north area is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, while the west borders the Seram Sea.

Places to visit in Raja Ampat

Don’t worry if you don’t like to swim. Raja Ampat is not only for divers, the above-water views are equally stunning.

Misool Island: Raja Ampat things to do is island hopping. That’s why, to join Raja Ampat Tour Liveaboard is the perfect one. In Misool Island tourist can visit Lenmakana Lake to snorkel with harmless jellyfish. Sacred Cave (or is called by local: Goa Keramat) is a huge cave with a hundred metres long where you can also snorkel or explore it. While in Namlol Beach, you can enjoy the beautiful and unique panorama typical of Raja Ampat with big stones near the beach. The last is Balbulol lagoon where you can spot rocks with a tapered pagoda-like shape.

Pianemo Island: Pianemo or Piaynemo is the most popular island in Raja Ampat. There is no other reason than in here is situated the Pianemo Peak to see the group of islands that is popular throughout the world. The Star Lagoon located near the Pianemo peak is also a favorite, where tourist can see star-shaped lagoon from atop of a hill.

Wayag Island: The natural ecosystem in Wayag is still well-preserved. It is a place to snorkel with Manta Rays, doing watersport, or hike up to the top of the hill to get the best view which is one of Raja Ampat iconic pictures.

Raja Ampat Destinations

Raja Ampat Village (Sawinggrai, Arborek, Sauwandarek):  There are several villages the best for trip. The people is nice, they have cheap but good enough homestays, and of course the gorgeous sea around them. In Arborek is where you can find the homestays and you can learn about their weaving and crafts. While in Sawinggrai (the fishermen’s village), with the friendliest people and kids, you can dance with them just like when you go to African countries. The last is Sauwandarek village where the residents live isolated in the small island. They live happily there by also preserving the nature around them.

Pasir Timbul: Pasir Timbul or arising sand is small island made of white sand that only emerge when the tide is low. Tourist usually been invited to visit it and marvel the beauty.

Birdwatching: People usually forget about the exotic birds in Raja Ampat which can only be found here throughout the world. If you come here, why don’t you try to spot some of the exotic birds and animals?

Raja Ampat Tourist Attractions

Two of the Best Snorkeling Spot (Friwen Island & Kri Island): Snorkeling freely with sea turtles, manta rays, and seeing live the marine life is perfect in Friwen Island. And diving in Kri Island as this place is one of the faovire diving spots in Raja Ampat. You can find school of fish and spectacular coral reefs.

Peak of Harfat: is also the spot to see group of islands and the blue sea from the top of the green hills. An amazing view to spot on!

Pencil Stone: As its name, Pencil Stone is a spot where you can find stone that has a shape like a pencil. Tourist can relax here and swim a little bit if you want.

Kabui Bay: The bay has karst islands scattered, just like the one in Wayag Island. The panorama is just stunning. And it offers a little adventure from water to above-water activities.

Island Hopping: And island hopping in Raja Ampat can feel endless, because truly, Raja Ampat has so many group of islands. There are other unique island can be visit like Mioskon or the Bat Island where people can spot hundreds of bats living around the island. And there is Yellit Island, Fiabacet, and more.

Read also :

Things To Do In Raja Ampat

  • Scuba Diving
  • Snorkeling
  • Explore small islands
  • Enjoy bird’s eye views
  • Kayaking
  • Island hopping
  • Bird’s watching
  • Get to know the local villages

How to get to Raja Ampat

Gateway to Raja Ampat :
Sorong, West Papua Province

Sorong Airport :
Domine Eduard Osok (DEO)

National Airlines Offering Jakarta – Sorong Routes :
Garuda Indonesia
Sriwijaya Air
Lion Air/Wings Air
Express Air

Flight Duration :
Express air direct 4 hours and 10 minutes.
With the other carriers, 2 hours from Jakarta to Makassar, varied transit times, another 2 hours from Makassar to Sorong.

From the airport to the harbor takes about 15 minutes :

  • Airport Taxi
  • Public Transportation
  • Motorcycle Taxi

Raja Ampat Tour

Pamitran Tours provide liveabord tour raja ampat and many more packages. Please check our tour raja ampat packages.

Raja Ampat Tour Packages

Raja Ampat Accomodation

Raja Ampat accommodation is easy. As the popularity of the place rising, many Raja Ampat hotels and Raja Ampat resort you can found when you visit this island. Hotels and resorts are always available, but if you want to come here when holiday season, please make sure that you have booked the rooms before your visit.

First luxury resort is Misool Eco Resort. It is an exclusive lodge in the remote area of south Raja Ampat. The advantage to stay here is that it is situated in a private island and it has private area for diving.

Second best resort is Papua Paradise Eco-Resort. Its location that is not so far from the seaside of Birie island, makes it always recommended for tourists. Except for diving, this cool island has many kind of birds that live in the forest. The architecture is inspired by Papua traditional style. The 16th bungalow will be ready to welcome you with various kind of view.

The third best resort is Kri Eco-Resort. You are recommended to stay here because it is also situated in the seaside of Kri island. You can also found unique thing such as if you want to take a bath, you need to share the use of Indonesian bathroom style located in the beach. This is to protect the sea from pollution and contamination.

Raja Ampat 5 star Hotels

For you who want to save a little bit your budget, Raja Ampat also has options for 5 star hotels. The best Raja Ampat 5 star hotel is Hamu Eco Raja Ampat. Situated in the seaside, the floating hotel provide the guests breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can go swimming in the beach.

Another Raja Ampat best hotel is Marley Beach Bungalow. Located in Tapokreng, it is the perfect lodge for you who want to be surrounded with forest. The facilities are private bathroom, free toiletries, and also a park. The last is Kamar Raja Guest House which is located in Selpele. It has facilities such as barbeque, bar, and chairs near the room. You can spend your time with snorkeling, diving, and fishing.

Raja Ampat Travel Guide Flights

Raja Ampat Travel GuideThen how to get to Raja Ampat? This place can be reached by airline or ship. There are several routes that usually chosen by tourist such as via Makassar, via Jakarta, and via Manado. All of them will need to transit in Sorong. There are many airlines that provide direct flights to Sorong. If you are from Jakarta, then you just need to fly to Sorong. Airlines that provide flight from Jakarta to Sorong are Sriwijaya, Batik Air, and Xpress. From Sorong to Raja Ampat you can use boats to cross Sorong and go to Raja Ampat. Use taxi to go to the harbor, and choose whether you want to use Bahari Express Marina Express, or Fajar Mulia. The different is that Bahari and Marina are faster than Fajar Mulia.

Makassar and Manado has direct access to Sorong too. In Makassar you can use Garuda, Xpress, Sriwijaya, and Batik Air, while for Manado you can only use Lion Air to directly go to Sorong. From Sorong you go to Raja Ampat via Waisai. Not only by boat, Waisai can be reached by airlines. If using airlines you will be take off in Marinda Airport.

Bali to Raja Ampat by boat

It is another way you can use if you are coming from Bali. There are several ships that can take you to Sorong. But still, the simplest way is by using airlines since Bali to Raja Ampat distance is 2 hours 18 minutes by flying. You can imagine how long if you take boat. But there is no direct flight from Bali to Sorong, so you need to again transit in Makassar, Manado, or even Ambon for the best option, and then fly to Sorong.

That is some ways to get to Raja Ampat. There are no direct flights from outside of the country to Raja Ampat also. So for example, how to get to Raja Ampat from Malaysia, is that you have to fly to Jakarta first from Malaysia. After arrived in Jakarta, fly again to Sorong. Only then can you take a boat or to shorten the time once again use airlines and get off at Waisai airport. It is also the same as how to get to Raja Ampat from Singapore. There is no direct flight from Singapore to Sorong or even Waisai, so you need to transit first in whether Jakarta, Makassar, or Manado. Then continue again with the route to Sorong and then Waisai. In Waisai, if you need to go to other island, you need to use local ferry boat.

Read also:

Raja Ampat Tour Package

We, Pamitran Tours, offers you our best and favorite Raja Ampat Tour Package which can be a good option for you to go to the beautiful islands without any bother. Joining our packages such as Raja Ampat Liveaboard Tour will give you great memory and adventure. All comfort and whatever you need there is guaranteed, so pick us as your Raja Ampat tour travel and it will not make any regret to you.

Our open trip Raja Ampat is divided into many packages such as 10 days 9 nights Northern / Southern Raja Ampat and 7 days 6 nights Northern / Southern Raja Ampat. This tour is a Raja Ampat liveaboard snorkeling, in which you will stay in luxury boat and snorkeling will be your main theme of visiting the islands. Other packages will be Misool Raja Ampat Tour Package 5 days 4 nights, Wayag Raja Ampat Tour Package 4 days 3 nights and still many more. You can check it on our website.

Trip to Raja Ampat

There are various prices as there are different kind of packages too. But still, it is an affordable one. You can check it directly on the website.

You can choose one of the packages above to feel the excitement of holiday in Raja Ampat. Here, you can not only spend time for snorkeling or fishing, but also diving. The Raja Ampat diving spot is well known worldwide. Some of the popular diving spots are Manta Point, Kri cape, Cross Wreck, Mike’s point, Waigeo, Fam island, and Farondi island.

After you read the Raja Ampat travel guide, maybe you want to contact us? Order our package easily by email or whatsapp.

Raja Ampat Tour Package