Raja Ampat travel blog: The fullest guide to discover Indonesia’s diving paradise

Known as the “last paradise on earth”, the Raja Ampat Islands are a must-see destination when traveling to the “land of a thousand islands” Indonesia. Coming here, visitors will have the opportunity to admire the picturesque islands and beaches, explore the rich marine ecosystem with many rare species. In addition, this archipelago is also an ideal coordinate for coral diving tours. Let’s discover Indonesia’s diving paradise through this Raja Ampat travel blog (Raja Ampat blog) below!

In the following article, we will review with you the interesting experiences at the Raja Ampat Islands of Indonesia.

Raja Ampat is home to the most beautiful islands in the world in Indonesia, with surreal landscapes, vibrant marine life and pristine natural wonders creating a true tropical paradise. Let’s explore this special destination with Living Nomads through the following article.

Raja Ampat travel blog: Overview of Raja Ampat Islands

Raja Ampat Islands is a lush tropical paradise located off the west coast of Bird’s Head Peninsula, in the province of West Papua, Indonesia. In Indonesian, Raja Ampat means “Four Kings”, referring to the four main islands of the archipelago: Waigeo, Misool, Salawati and Batanta.

Raja Ampat or Four Kings is an archipelago of more than 1,500 islands off the coast of West Papua, Indonesia. The main islands are Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo. Raja Ampat’s highlights are its unique underwater world, many ancient caves and beaches with crystal clear waters. Here you will enjoy some of the best diving activities in the world.

Despite its stunning beauty, Raja Ampat remains relatively isolated and untouched thanks to its remote location. Dubbed the “Amazon of the seas,” this tropical maze boasts some of the highest biodiversity in the world, with over 1,000 species of fish and a wide variety of corals. If tourists have only known Bali or Gili before, they should definitely add Raja Ampat to their dream destinations.

Coming here, visitors will have the opportunity to explore pristine beaches, majestic rainforests and many caves and ancient limestone islands. In addition, Raja Ampat is also the area with the highest marine biodiversity on earth with more than 600 species of hard corals and 1,700 species of rare coral reef fish. 

With its beautiful natural landscape and temperate climate, the Raja Ampat archipelago is an ideal destination for vacations. Visiting this beautiful oasis, you will have the opportunity to experience exciting activities such as: scuba diving to see corals, trekking, mountain climbing, bird watching… In addition, the diversity in culture and indigenous customs is also one of the factors that attract tourists. 

The best time to visit Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat has a fairly warm climate, so you can visit here at any time of the year. According to travel experience, the peak season here is from October to April. The weather conditions at this time are ideal for those who want to go diving or immerse themselves in the clear blue water. November to April is also the season of marine migration, at this time you can see the diversity of local species, especially there are many Manta rays.

Raja Ampat Islands are located in the tropical monsoon area, divided into 2 distinct seasons: dry season and rainy season. The dry season lasts from October to April, which is the most ideal time to travel. At this time, the weather is sunny and there is little rain, the sea is clear, the waves are gentle, suitable for sightseeing and experiencing fun activities on the sea.

Meanwhile, the rainy season usually starts in May and ends in September, with increased rainfall making the weather more erratic than in previous months. In particular, from July to August, Raja Ampat is also affected by the West monsoon. Strong winds cause rough seas, high waves and heavy rain, making it difficult to dive and travel to the islands.

In addition, May to June is considered the low tourist season in Raja Ampat. August is often windy, so boat activities may be limited depending on sea conditions. You can consider your schedule or personal needs to choose the right time to visit Raja Ampat for you.

How to get to Raja Ampat Islands?

From Vietnam

To travel from Vietnam to Raja Ampat Islands (Indonesia), visitors need to combine many flights and use water transport such as trains, ferries or boats to get to the islands.

From Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, you can fly to Jakarta (CGK) or Bali, then transfer to Sorong – the closest airport to Raja Ampat. The flight time from Jakarta to Sorong is estimated at about 4 hours.

After arriving in Sorong, take a taxi or use the airport shuttle service to get from the airport to the ferry terminal. There are daily ferries from Bahari Express from Sorong to Waisai – the capital of Waigeo Island.

From within Indonesia

Fly from Bali to Sorong: There are now direct flights from Bali to Sorong. There are also daily flights via Makassar, so you can rent a hotel to rest for a few hours before catching the next flight to Sorong.

Fly from Jakarta to Sorong: Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport has a direct flight every day (about 4 hours) to Sorong – the nearest airport from Raja Ampat.

Ferry from Sorong to Wasai: Next, we will show you how to get from the airport in Sorong to the ferry terminal. You can take a taxi, or some resorts will have someone pick you up when you arrive. Daily ferries are operated by Bahari-Express to Waisai, departing from Pelabuhan Rakyat in Sorong. Waisai is the capital of Waigeo Island.

Getting around Raja Ampat Islands

A common question asked by many visitors is how to get from one island to another in the Raja Ampat archipelago. To answer: there is no regular connection between the islands, except for the Sorong-Waisai ferry that connects to the larger Waigeo Island. So, you can ask a local family if they will take you on their boat. But you need to know where you want to go to avoid being “ripped off”. In addition, if you have a large group or meet other backpackers, we can also share the boat with each other.

If you want to visit the islands of the Raja Ampat archipelago, visitors must contact the locals to rent a small boat. A small tip to help you save a lot of money is to join a group to rent a boat. Traveling together not only helps to share costs, but also brings a more enjoyable experience when accompanying new friends on the journey to explore the Indonesian island paradise.

What to do: Experiences not to be missed when coming to Raja Ampat

Known as “the last paradise on earth”, Raja Ampat archipelago is an ideal destination for those who love nature and exploration. If you have the opportunity to visit this green oasis, you must definitely experience all the exciting activities and places to visit below.

Explore the picturesque islands and beaches

Raja Ampat archipelago is blessed with pristine islands and picturesque beaches. Of which, Arborek and Piaynemo islands are the top destinations in this archipelago.

Arborek Island

Arboreek Island is a small island with a population of about 200 people, located in the middle of the blue sea and sky of the “land of thousands of islands”. The island impresses visitors with its mysterious, pristine natural scenery and quiet space, suitable for relaxation.

Not only that, Arborek Island is also one of the areas with the most unique indigenous culture. Coming here, you will have the opportunity to enjoy Papuan folk dances and songs that have been passed down from generation to generation.

The island is open to Indonesian tourists, with children welcoming everyone with traditional dances. The island is also quite small, with about 200 residents, a school, a church, a few guesthouses and basic shops. There are no cars, just a few colorful boats and bright yellow-blue fences.

Piaynemo Island

Piaynemo Island is a famous symbol of Raja Ampat and Indonesia tourism. Visiting this island, you will have the opportunity to admire the majestic limestone hills and experience exciting activities such as: boating, diving to see corals…

Piaynemo is an iconic tourist destination of Raja Ampat. The name is derived from the Biak language, meaning the connection between the head and the shaft of a spear. Piaynemo Island possesses a beautiful natural landscape with towering limestone hills in the middle of the sea. Sometimes it is often described as a “star lake” because of its special star-shaped motifs and layout. One of the experiences that MIA.vn encourages you to try here is to admire the “star lake” view from the top of Piaynemo hill.

Snorkeling & diving

The Raja Ampat Islands are the “heart” of the Coral Triangle – the place with the highest marine biodiversity on earth. Coming here, visitors will have the opportunity to admire colorful coral reefs and countless rare marine species such as manta rays, dugongs, dolphins, sea turtles, etc. With a rich marine ecosystem, this archipelago is one of the ideal coordinates for snorkeling activities.

Raja Ampat is one of the best diving destinations in the world. There you can explore the colorful underwater world with many different animals such as dolphins, sharks, whales and schools of fish from barracuda to parrot fish, colorful coral reefs. Most of the expeditions are done by drift diving due to the strong currents.

Diving in Raja Ampat is great. It is a world of over a hundred species of coral and fish, rich and diverse. You will discover rare rays, barracudas, seahorses, parrot fish. You can arrange diving trips near resorts and diving schools. There are many great destinations, do your research to see which one is best for you. Plan to dive for at least a few days because there is so much to see and experience that it is impossible to enjoy it all in just one or two days.

Dampier Strait

The Dampier Strait area is considered the “holy land” of diving in Raja Ampat. With strong currents and high nutrient content in the water, Dampier attracts a large number of creatures, creating an extremely rich marine ecosystem.

Visit famous coral reefs such as Cape Kri, Blue Magic or Sardines Reef, you will have the opportunity to admire beautiful coral populations and millions of sea fish swimming around.

Raja Ampat also has many shallow waters ideal for snorkeling, with manta rays, dwarf octopuses and sea slugs. Some islands also have jetties to jump off and explore the coral, such as Yenbuba and Sauwandarek. Most accommodations in Raja Ampat rent snorkels and fins.

Misool Island

In addition to the Dampier Strait, visitors can choose the Misool island area in the south of the Raja Ampat archipelago as their diving destination. This area is famous for its unique karst landscape and countless large and colorful coral reefs. If you want to explore the fascinating ocean world in Misool, take note of the following diving paradises: Boo Windows, Magic Mountain, Nidi Rock…

Bird watching at sunrise

One of the activities not to be missed in Raja Ampat is bird watching, including two endemic birds of paradise, the cassowary and a large number of colorful parrots. As a travel expert, you can hire local guides on the islands, including Pulau Gam. They can take you bird watching at dawn and explore their local habits.

Kayaking in a tropical paradise

Eco-friendly Kayak4Conservation is a community development project that offers kayaking programs from homestay to homestay for experienced kayakers, or with guides and support boats for those who need extra safety. The homestays are owned by locals and snorkeling is also included in the kayaking adventure in Raja Ampat.

Raja Ampat travel blog: Island hopping

One of the most interesting activities that you should do when coming to the archipelagos in Raja Ampat. That is to go boating and experience Island hopping to explore the neighboring islands. With this activity, you will truly become an explorer and conquer the nearby pristine islands.

Experience going on a boat drifting on the sea and searching for a blue ocean. It will definitely bring you a lot of new and exciting emotions. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen and swimsuits to be ready to take a dip in the distant waters!

Trekking to explore the pristine jungle

If you have come to the Raja Ampat archipelago, you should try a jungle excursion. With this wild jungle excursion. You will be able to explore the diverse flora and fauna in Raja Ampat. In addition, you also have the opportunity to learn about rare animals living in the forests full of tall green trees here. Some notes when trekking the jungle are:

• You should go in a large group and go with a local guide.
• Bring necessary items and luggage for the trip.
• Drinking water and food are some of the indispensable items.
• Sunscreen, insect repellent, and high socks are the luggage that will help you avoid ultraviolet rays as well as small insects.

Overnight camping in Raja Ampat

The camping experience in Raja Ampat will definitely bring you the most unforgettable memories. There are two great places for you to do this experience: at the beach or in the forest. No matter where you are, you will have an enjoyable vacation with your friends or relatives.

If you camp by the sea, you will hear the sound of waves and the gentle sea breeze blowing in your ears. If you camp in the jungle and near waterfalls. The majesty of the sound of falling water and the sounds of all kinds of animals will stimulate your hearing. More special than the sound is the image that remains in your memory. And the image that Phuot wants to talk about here is the quiet starry night sky. Surely you will not be able to find a sky with thousands of stars in bustling cities. Only when you leave the prosperity with high-rise buildings. This starry sky will appear.

Learn about the culture and customs of the Raja Ampat villagers

In addition to the fascinating natural landscape, the Raja Ampat archipelago also attracts visitors by its diversity and uniqueness in culture. This place is the “common roof” of many tribes, so the customs and languages ​​are also richer than many places in the world.

When visiting the Raja Ampat islands, you should note that the local community is Christian. Therefore, we should limit organizing tours or boat trips on Sundays. Some dive centers may also be closed for diving on Sundays because this is their day off. It is especially important for visitors to note that most of the guesthouses in Raja Ampat only have electricity at night and the villages use their own generators.

Visiting the islands in Raja Ampat, you will have the opportunity to enjoy unique folk songs and traditional dances. In addition, culinary culture is also one of the things worth experiencing when coming here.

Don’t miss out on making friends as well as learning about culture and traditions. As well as the customs of the people in Raja Ampat. You can visit the villages in Raja Ampat and make friends with the hospitable villagers. This is also a good opportunity for you to learn about the daily life of the people. In addition, remember to ask them to enjoy a meal with dishes that are typical of Raja Ampat cuisine!

Food in Raja Ampat

Most guesthouses in Raja Ampat include three meals a day in the room rate because most of the islands do not have restaurants. Meals are served buffet style. Breakfast usually consists of fried bananas, pastries, donuts or bread – foods that are popular with locals. Lunch consists of rice, noodles, chicken or fish, served with tempeh and tofu for protein. Dinner is similar to lunch but a little more nutritious, consisting of freshly cooked fish, rice, noodles and a variety of local vegetables.

Suggested places to stay when traveling to Raja Ampat Islands

For the convenience of exploring the islands and tourist attractions in Raja Ampat Islands, visitors should choose hotels in the Waisai area, Waigeo Island. There are a variety of accommodation options for you to choose from, from high-end resorts to budget hotels and guesthouses. Depending on your financial ability and experience needs, you can choose a suitable place to stay when traveling.

Here are some quality, affordable Raja Ampat hotels that we would like to suggest to you:

Meridian Adventure Marina Club & Resort Waisai

• Location: Waisai, Kota Waisai, Raja Ampat Regency, West Papua, Indonesia
• Price: From $173.26/night

Meridian Adventure Marina Club & Resort Waisai is a 4-star resort located in the center of Waisai, Waigeo Island. The resort’s rooms are designed in a simple, modern style with full amenities for relaxation. In addition, the resort also has a variety of internal facilities to serve the needs of customers for rest and relaxation. (agoda, booking)

Raja Ampat Dive Lodge

• Location: Mansuar Island, Raja Ampat, Pulau Mansuar, Meos Mansar, Raja Ampat, Papua Barat, Raja Ampat
• Price: From $146.36/night

If you are looking for a quality place to stay for your upcoming vacation, you can refer to Raja Ampat Dive Lodge. Staying here, you will be able to rest and relax in a cozy space with diverse amenities. In addition to the quality room system, the hotel also scores points with customers thanks to its professional service and reasonable prices. (agoda, booking)


Vogelkopf Resort

• Location: jln Transwaisai no 108, Saporkren, Kota Waisai, Raja Ampat, Papua Barat, Indonesia
• Price: From $104.00/night

With a convenient location right in the center and highly rated service quality, Vogelkopf Resort is a place to stay worth considering when traveling to the Raja Ampat archipelago. The rooms at the resort are moderate in size, designed in a minimalist style but still ensure the necessary amenities for visitors. In particular, each room has large windows to welcome natural light, opening up to a cool green garden view – bringing a feeling of relaxation, close to nature, truly a resort in the middle of a “tropical paradise”.

Check more best hotels in Raja Ampat on Agoda, Booking.

Guide to budget travel to Raja Ampat

• You should plan and arrange your travel schedule before coming to Raja Ampat. Once you have a perfect schedule, you can easily calculate how much money you need to spend.
• The time of travel is also an important factor. It helps you calculate the money you will spend during the days you travel.
• You need to choose a reasonable time to go. From there, you can easily pack your luggage. And you don’t need to buy anything else when traveling
• Traveling in the off-season will help you save more than the peak season. That’s because the cost of services in the off-season is lower. And sometimes, they will also have preferential programs to stimulate tourism.
• If you choose to travel during the peak season, remember to book the service in advance to get a slightly cheaper price and avoid running out of seats.
• Booking air tickets at the right time is also a way to save money. If you book tickets too close to the departure date. The normal ticket price will be very expensive. So you need to note to book tickets 1 to 2 months in advance to be able to “hunt” for cheap tickets. Or, you can also wait for promotional programs from airlines to buy cheap tickets.
• Book hotels with websites such as: Agoda, Booking, Airbnb, … often have discount and promotions.
• If you book hotels on the above websites regularly. You will be able to accumulate points and save them for the next booking. If you have enough points, you will be able to stay for free on your next trip.
• You should book a hotel in the center of Raja Ampat or near tourist attractions to save on travel costs.
• If you go with a small group of 1 to 2 people, renting a motorbike will be very reasonable.
• If you go with a larger group such as family or friends. Choose a car service with a driver. With this service, you will go to many places but the cost will not be as high as a taxi.
• When shopping, remember to negotiate with the seller to get the cheapest cost and buy more things.
• Roadside restaurants, shops or warungs will have cheaper costs than luxury and high-class restaurants.

Notes and tips when traveling in Raja Ampat

• For island tours in Raja Ampat, sunscreen, jackets and hats are necessary equipment. If you bring these “treasures”, your skin will not be damaged by ultraviolet rays.
• In case you go during the rainy season, remember to bring a raincoat, umbrella, jacket, quick-drying clothes, … to limit getting wet.
• When you go trekking, conquering waterfalls, etc., remember to wear high socks and insect repellent to avoid being bitten by small animals.
• Join the local people in Raja Ampat to protect the natural forest and sea environment. Things you should not do are: Do not litter, do not pick or break leaves, do not harm animals, etc.
• When you book a hotel, you should look for places in the central area or close to the places you will visit and have fun for easy travel.
• You can rent a car at the place you are staying. In case they do not have one, ask the receptionist to help you find the nearest rental place.
• Most of the travel experiences in Raja Ampat are outdoor activities. Therefore, you should contact travel agencies for the best support from tour guides.
• Cotton, bandages, personal medicine, and medical equipment are indispensable items when you experience outdoor activities.
• When participating in festivals or crowded places. You should keep your belongings and money carefully.
• Choose clothes that are suitable for the tourist destinations in Raja Ampat that you visit. For example: When going to the temple, wear formal clothes, when going trekking, wear comfortable clothes that are easy to move around, etc.
• There are some areas and tourist attractions that do not allow photography. You need to pay attention and ask before taking pictures.
• Remember to exchange money before coming to Raja Ampat. Because there are not many ATMs or places to exchange money directly here.
• Don’t forget to buy a 4G SIM card to use network data for: Contacting service providers, relatives, posting photos, searching for photos, etc.

What do you need to prepare when traveling to Raja Ampat Islands?

• To have a complete experience with your trip to Raja Ampat, visitors need to plan a detailed tour and equip themselves with the necessary items.
• One of the indispensable items is the 4G SIM card for use in Southeast Asia, currently being sold at Traveloka at a super preferential price. With this convenient SIM card, you can stay connected continuously, easily look up information, contact relatives or update memorable moments without worrying about interruptions in the middle of your journey in a foreign land.
• In addition, you should also exchange a sufficient amount of foreign currency to serve your shopping and dining needs. Finally, you just need to prepare yourself with beautiful outfits to be ready to explore the tropical paradise of Raja Ampat.

This is a complete guide to explore the “diving paradise” of the Raja Ampat archipelago, hopefully it will be useful for you in your upcoming journey. The pristine waters and impressive biodiversity of the Raja Ampat archipelago have attracted many visitors to Indonesia, especially those who love diving. Hopefully, with the useful experiences that we have compiled, you will have many unforgettable experiences here.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Bali you can refer to

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