Diving Raja Ampat, Papua


 Sorry ya saya mau menumpang Promosi wisata di Raja Ampat he he he..
Voted as one of the best trips in 2013 by National Geographic, Pulau Raja Ampat / Raja Ampat islands are definitely the next travel destination for not only divers but also nature lovers and travelers alike. The name itself meant four kings and it is well known for its riches in wild marine life, pristine reefs and corals. It consists of 1500 unique small islands.
Pulau Raja Ampat Islands, Papua Indonesia
Pulau Raja Ampat Islands, Papua Indonesia
Where is it

Raja Ampat islands are located in the northwest tip of Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya) in Indonesia.
raja ampat
                                         Map of Pulau Raja Ampat Islands, Papua Indonesia
Why go


Diving Pulau Raja Ampat Islands, Papua Indonesia
Diving Pulau Raja Ampat Islands, Papua Indonesia

Diver’s paradise as Raja Ampat has a vast marine life diversity that would wow even the most seasoned diver. It is part of the world’s Coral Triangle which is known for housing more than 3000 species of fish and other extraordinary habitats that breeds the biodiversity of its marine life. Many scientists still travel there today to discover new species in the ocean. You may well put this place into your list of diving trips!
Also Raja Ampat is a remote place almost left untouched by development and only touched by explorers that are nature lovers and independent travelers that care and travel responsibly. Here you can also meet with the local Papuan people and directly contribute to their living and get to immerse in their culture.

When is the best time to go

Indonesia being a tropical climate of only two seasons, dry and wet, it is best to visit during the dry season to maximize your marine visibility. You may go around late September till early June, in between June to September will be the monsoon season where there will be a lot of rain especially in the afternoon.l

What to do

Fish and Corals, Dive Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia
Fish and Corals, Dive Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia


Dive, dive and dive!
You trip to Raja Ampat will never be complete without diving here as you have more than 30 dive sites to choose from where you can enjoy thr diverse and amazing marine lives. You may get dive in places filled with coral gardens or walls to mangroves and wreck diving. Some of the famous dive sites in Raja Ampat are Cape Kri, Sardines, Manta Sandy and Mios Kon Snorkel at many of the sites above if diving is not your thing, you’ll be pleasantly delighted that there are many marine lives as well in shallow area.
Explore the islands by boats or visit the Red Bird of Paradise or the bat caves in Tomolol.
Trek around the island to discover waterfalls.

What to see


Tour around Papua villages to see Asmat artisan’s wood sculptures or their fishing techniques or traditional performance of bamboo flute.

Watch the famous Sea Ghost phenomenon at East Waigeo where at the end of the year where a light would appear from the ocean and wander around the surface for about 15 minutes and then disappears.

Karst rocks at Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia
Karst rocks at Raja Ampat, Papua


What and where to eat

If you did not get a diving package or other packages there that are most likely to cover your food, you may go around and eat traditional local food. Try the special fish soup call Sup Ikan Kuning (yellow fish soup) that are made with local spices.

Where to stay

There are many dive resorts or even eco resorts dotted around for you to choose from or you may go different and choose the few homestays available in villages.

Corals at Dive Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia
Corals at Dive Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia

How to get there

Fly into international airports in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya or Bali (Denpasar) and then connect by domestic flight to Sorong, Raja Ampat. Some of the Indonesian airlines that fly to Sorong, Papua are Garuda Indonesia, Merpati, Sriwijaya Air, Lion Air and Batavia air while international Airlines is Silk Air.
From Sorong to Raja Ampat, you may take either the Speed Boat which takes about 1 hour at cost 2 million Rp or a Long Boat which takes 2-3 hours at cost 1.2mil RP.

How to get around

You can mostly travel around by boat here, like from Sorong to Wasai, on longboats, speedboats, liveaboard or dive boats. For land travel on the islands, you may normally cover by walking or hop one of the ubiquitous ojek (motorcycle taxi).

Into Lagoons at Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia
Into the Lagoons at Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia

Where to go nearby

Get back to Sorong and then proceed to discover the rest of Papua. You may fly to Jayapura and then discover Baliem Valley and Lorentz National Park.
Since Raja Ampat is in the tip of Papua, it is near to Maluku Islands, you may arrange to head there for further dive trips and exploration.

Travel Tips

Before able to go to dive spots, you would need to get a permit from the local Papua police station. Bring 3 copies of your passport page with Indonesian Visa.  

Ok I will wait you all, Good Luck

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