RajaAmpat
3
Day Itinerary •
Indonesia
Three days in Raja Ampat gives you an extraordinary introduction to the most biodiverse marine environment on earth, an archipelago of 1,500 islands rising from the Coral Triangle in West Papua where scientists have recorded more fish species in a single dive than anywhere else in the world. The extraordinary karst limestone towers, hidden lagoons and utterly untouched reefs of Raja Ampat are unlike anything else in Indonesia. This focused route covers the essential Raja Ampat. The extraordinary Piaynemo viewpoint over the mushroom-shaped karst islands, the world-class reef diving of Cape Kri and Sardine Reef, the extraordinary manta ray cleaning stations of Manta Sandy, the hidden lagoons of Misool and the finest traditional Papuan hospitality in the region.
Best Time To Visit
October to April, calm seas and best visibility
Getting There
Fly to Sorong (SOQ) via Jakarta or Makassar, then ferry to Waisai
Getting Around
Speedboat charter essential throughout the archipelago
Budget Per Day
Approx 150 to 400 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, swimming and snorkelling
DAY 1
WAIGEO NORTH
MORNING
CAPE KRI, THE WORLD'S MOST BIODIVERSE DIVE SITE
The extraordinary reef at Cape Kri on the northern tip of Kri Island holds the world record for the highest number of fish species recorded on a single dive, 374 species counted by Dr Gerald Allen in 2001. The wall drops into extraordinary blue water with massive schools of barracuda, Napoleon wrasse, reef sharks, turtles and extraordinary coral formations. Even snorkellers see extraordinary diversity in the shallow reef top. Entry included in marine park fee. Boat: 45 min speedboat
MIDDAY
PIAYNEMO VIEWPOINT, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY VISTA IN RAJA AMPAT
The most extraordinary viewpoint in all of Raja Ampat, reached by a 300-step stairway to a clifftop lookout over the extraordinary Fam Islands, where dozens of mushroom-shaped karst limestone towers rise from an extraordinary shallow lagoon of electric turquoise water. The view is one of the most photographed in Indonesia and extraordinary in every light. Entry approx 50,000 IDR. Boat: 30 min speedboat
AFTERNOON
PIAYNEMO LAGOON SNORKEL
The extraordinary snorkelling lagoon beneath the Piaynemo viewpoint, where the turquoise shallows between the karst towers teem with extraordinary coral formations, reef fish and sea turtles in water barely two metres deep. The extraordinary play of light through the shallow lagoon water onto the white sand bottom is unlike anywhere else in the Coral Triangle. Swim freely between the karst pinnacles.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Sawinggrai village on Gam Island is the finest place in Raja Ampat to see the red bird of paradise performing its extraordinary courtship display in the wild. A local guide leads you to the display tree at dawn for approx 100,000 IDR. The extraordinary plumage display of the male bird of paradise is one of the most extraordinary wildlife spectacles in all of Indonesia. Entirely off the mainstream tourist circuit.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Resort or homestay breakfast Fresh tropical fruit, local fish and rice before the early morning dive departure. | Lunch: Packed lunch on the boat Most resorts provide an extraordinary packed lunch eaten on the boat between dive sites. | Dinner: Resort dinner Fresh daily catch prepared simply by the resort kitchen. Local papeda sago porridge and grilled fish.
DAY 2
MANTA SANDY AND ARBOREK
MORNING
MANTA SANDY CLEANING STATION
The most reliable manta ray encounter in Raja Ampat, a shallow sandy cleaning station in the channel between Waigeo and Gam islands where oceanic and reef manta rays queue to have parasites removed by cleaner wrasse. At incoming tide, mantas arrive in extraordinary numbers, sometimes 10 to 20 at once circling in the current. The extraordinary wing spans of the oceanic mantas, reaching 5 metres, are breathtaking. Best at dawn on an incoming tide. Boat: 30 min speedboat
MIDDAY
ARBOREK ISLAND TRADITIONAL VILLAGE
The extraordinary traditional Papuan village of Arborek on a tiny coral island ringed by an extraordinary reef, home to a community of skilled freedivers and the finest woven pandanus hat makers in Raja Ampat. The village jetty snorkel is extraordinary, with a remarkable density of reef fish gathering around the wooden pilings in the current. Buy the extraordinary local woven hats direct from the women weavers. Boat: 45 min speedboat
AFTERNOON
PASSAGE DIVE, THE NATURAL AQUARIUM
The extraordinary Passage between Waigeo and Gam islands, a narrow channel where strong tidal currents sweep through a cathedral of extraordinary coral walls creating one of the most extraordinary drift dives in the world. The density of soft coral, sea fans and schooling fish in the current is extraordinary. Snorkellers can drift the shallower sections of the channel with ease.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Kabui Bay between Waigeo and Gam islands is a hidden mangrove lagoon studded with extraordinary karst limestone pillars draped in hanging gardens of fern and orchid. Kayak through the extraordinary narrow channels between the pillars at high tide when the water level allows passage. Several resorts offer kayak hire. One of the most extraordinary and least visited landscapes in Raja Ampat.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before dawn departure Light breakfast at 5am before heading to Manta Sandy at first light for the best manta activity. | Lunch: Arborek village warung Simple grilled fish and coconut rice at a local family warung on the island. Fresh and extraordinary. | Dinner: Resort dinner Freshly caught tuna, reef fish and local Papuan vegetables prepared by the resort cook.
DAY 3
FRIWEN WALL AND PIANEMO
MORNING
FRIWEN WALL, RAJA AMPAT'S FINEST CORAL WALL
The most extraordinary coral wall in Raja Ampat, a vertical drop from 3 metres to 40 metres covered in an extraordinary density of hard and soft coral, sea fans, nudibranchs and schooling fish. The pygmy seahorses hidden in the sea fans are extraordinary. The extraordinary visibility on calm mornings allows views along the wall for 30 metres. One of the finest dive sites in the entire Coral Triangle. Boat: 30 min speedboat
MIDDAY
PIANEMO HIDDEN LAGOON EXPLORATION
The extraordinary hidden inner lagoon of the Pianemo karst complex, accessible only by kayak or small dinghy through a narrow passage in the limestone cliffs, opens into an extraordinary circular pool of luminous turquoise water completely enclosed by vertical karst walls. The silence and the extraordinary quality of the light inside the lagoon are unlike anywhere in Raja Ampat. One of the finest hidden places in Indonesia. Boat: 20 min speedboat
AFTERNOON
SAWINGGRAI SNORKEL AND DEPARTURE PREPARATION
A final afternoon snorkel at the extraordinary house reef of Sawinggrai village on Gam Island, where the extraordinary shallows between the mangrove roots and coral bommies shelter walking sharks, juvenile reef sharks and extraordinary macro life. The extraordinary wobbegong carpet sharks resting on the coral are one of Raja Ampat's most distinctive residents. Then return to Waisai for the ferry to Sorong.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Wayag Islands in the far northwest of Raja Ampat are the most dramatic karst island landscape in the archipelago, a cluster of extraordinary vertical limestone towers rising from an impossibly blue lagoon. Reaching Wayag requires a 3 to 4 hour speedboat journey from Waisai and a permit, but the extraordinary Wayag viewpoint at the top of the central karst tower is the finest panorama in all of Raja Ampat.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Resort breakfast Final morning breakfast at the resort before the last full day on the water. | Lunch: Packed lunch between sites Cold snacks and fresh fruit eaten on the boat between Friwen Wall and Pianemo lagoon. | Dinner: Waisai town warung Simple Papuan grilled fish and papeda sago in Waisai before the evening ferry to Sorong.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Eco Resorts, All Nights Papua Paradise Eco Resort or Kri Eco Resort. All-inclusive dive packages. Approx 150 to 300 USD per night. Liveaboard Option A liveaboard boat is the finest way to explore Raja Ampat. Approx 200 to 450 USD per day all-inclusive. Budget Homestay Local family homestays on Arborek or Sawinggrai from approx 30 to 80 USD including meals.
Top Tips
1. Pay the Raja Ampat Marine Park entry fee in Waisai before departing. Rangers check at sea.
2. Book your resort or liveaboard months ahead. Raja Ampat has very limited accommodation.
3. Cape Kri holds the world record for fish species counted on a single dive. Ask your guide.
4. Manta Sandy cleaning station is best at incoming tide. Dive first thing in the morning.
5. Bring all cash from Sorong. There are no ATMs in the islands and card payments are rare.
6. A liveaboard covers far more ground than a land base. For serious divers it is the only option.
Total Budget
180 to 520 USD/day