Tucked away in a hidden corner of the world, off the coast of West Papua, the Indonesian province which shares an island with the little-visited nation of Papua New Guinea, lies the archipelago of Raja Ampat. From other tourist destinations such as Bali and Lombok it’s a bit of a slog to get to, requiring a flight, then a ferry, then a longboat to get to your resort. But trust me when I say the effort to get here truly pays off.

For divers, it’s a dream come true. Raja Ampat lies in the coral triangle, the area where the Indian and Pacific oceans meet, making it a hotspot for all kinds of marine life. In fact, it’s one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, with one of the world’s highest densities of marine life.

For non-divers, it’s still an absolute slice of paradise. Crystal clear waters, spectacular viewpoints, delicious homecooked meals, fantastic snorkelling right off the resort, and the cheapest over-water bungalows in the world. The stunning scenery, the peace and tranquillity, and the astonishing value make Raja Ampat a destination not to be missed – and yet still it remains a hidden gem.

 

Waisai

To reach Raja Ampat you’ll need to take the ferry from Sorong to Waigeo. Most people get immediately picked up by their resort and whisked off by long boat, but if you have time to spare, the town of Waisai located 2km from the port is worth checking out. The market is bustling and lively, and the fried sweet potatoes on offer in every shape and style imaginable are delicious.

You can also hit up the atm to ensure you have enough cash, as there are no atms on any of the islands. We decided to stay two days longer than we’d originally booked, and did 2 extra dives, so the extra cash was needed!

 

Kri

One of the closer islands to Waigeo, and with the most options for budget travellers, Kri is an excellent choice for accommodation. Here you’ll find the cheapest overwater bungalows in the world – an opportunity not to be passed up!

Something to be aware of if you’re planning to dive: there’s an arrangement between homestays that if your resort has its own dive shop, you must dive with them. So when choosing, make sure to look at the accommodation itself but also the dive centre. If you stay somewhere without its own dive centre attached, you can dive with any company you like.

 

Arborek

Arborek is one of the more built up islands that can be visited. By built up I mean there are a couple of mini markets, a church and a school. You can still walk the entire perimeter of it in 30 minutes, so it still very much has the idyllic island vibe. The amenities here are slightly better than on the other islands, such as electricity throughout the day, not just for a couple of hours in the evening.

One of the best snorkelling spots in the area is found right at the end of the Arborek Jetty. Huge schools of fish shelter beneath the jetty, and there are colourful soft corals to be found all around. You’ll also find some of the best beaches for swimming on Arborek, as the water is calm and there are larger stretches of sand than on many of the other rockier islands.

 

Piyanemo

This viewpoint will change your life. Okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic. But it’s definitely one of the most incredible views I’ve ever seen. You absolutely can’t leave Raja Ampat without visiting here. Day trips are organised from all of the other islands, and will usually include a couple of other epic stops, but the view from the top of Piyanemo is undoubtedly the best.

 

Manta Sandy

A huge draw for visitors to the area is the opportunity to swim with Manta Rays. There are a couple of dive sites in the archipelago for increased chances of spotting these magnificent creatures, but the top choice is Manta Sandy – and the great news is it’s suitable for snorkelers too! Manta Sandy is a feeding station, with large concentrations of plankton during the months of October to April. During these months be sure to sign up for a dive or snorkel trip to this location for an unforgettable experience!

 

Ransiwor Island

Between Kri and Masaur Islands is a shallow spit of sand, with another small island called Ransiwor in the middle. The land bridge between the islands never full dries out, but it does get shallow enough to walk at low tide, and at high tide it is a fantastic snorkelling spot. The currents can get a little strong here, but you won’t get swept out to sea so it’s not too dangerous, you just have to stay alert. One positive of the strong currents is the wildlife it attracts: turtles love the swell! This is one of the best spots to snorkel with these gentle creatures, as well as many other inquisitive fish species, and perhaps the odd reef shark.

 

Warkesi Forest Park

The bird of paradise is one of the symbols of the Papua region, and locals believe them to be the reincarnated spirits of fairies. There are 42 different species of the bird of paradise, and the diverse range of characteristics includes dazzling colours and ornamental plumage, as well as spectacular mating displays. The birds are so spectacular, in fact, that for a long time the British didn’t believe they actually existed! Unique to West Papua, Papua New Guinea, and eastern Australia, Raja Ampat is a great location to try to spot one of these majestic birds for yourself.

Warkesi Forest Park on the island of Gam is accessible via a short hike through the rainforest, and there’s actually a great birdwatching spot on the path before you reach the park itself. Many exotic birds call Raja Ampat their home, so this is a must do for bird lovers – just make sure you have your binoculars with you, as they’re often hard to spot! A guided tour is therefore the best way to see the iconic bird of paradise if this is on your bucket list.

 

Cape Kri

This one’s just for the divers, and it’s preferable if you have your advanced qualification or a decent amount of experience, as the currents here can be quite strong. But you will be rewarded with a dive site filled with the highest quantity of marine life I’ve ever seen in a single area, and it will blow you away. It actually holds the record for the most fish species recorded on a single dive! I highly recommend getting scuba qualified before travelling to Raja Ampat as this site is widely regarded as one of the best in the world.

 

Misool

Raja Ampat literally means ‘four kings’, so named after a local myth that tells of a woman who finds seven eggs. Of these, four hatch, and become the kings of the four biggest islands of the archipelago: Waigeo, Salawati, Batanta and Misool. Waigeo is likely where your Raja Ampat trip will start, and Salawati and Batanta are much more remote and harder to get to. The fourth and largest island, Misool, is another ferry from Sorong, this time to the south. It’s much less visited than the northern islands, making it perhaps even more beautiful. There are more land activities on offer here, including hiking and caving. Petroglyphs can even be found in some of the caves. Of course, there is also incredible snorkelling and diving to be found, and the colourful corals are a particular highlight here.

 

Wayag

These islands are the picture perfect scene that you can only really dream of – but they exist, and they’re called Wayag. As an independent traveller without your own sailboat, these are very hard to get to. But just in case that once in a lifetime opportunity arises, these need to be on your radar! Maybe head to the Waigeo Marina and see if any sailors need an extra pair of hands – it’d be the most epic way to experience Raja Ampat, so it’s worth a shot!

“Explore the Stunning Archipelago of Raja Ampat, Indonesia” was first published on Wanderdash (follow me @rosroundtheworld)