RajaAmpat
5
Day Itinerary •
Indonesia
Five days in Raja Ampat allows you to explore the full extraordinary breadth of the most biodiverse marine environment on earth, moving from the world-record reefs of Kri and Cape Kri in the north to the extraordinary manta cleaning stations, the ancient karst lagoons of Pianemo and Piaynemo, the remote wilderness of the Wayag Islands and the extraordinary Misool reefs of the deep south. This extended route covers Raja Ampat properly. The extraordinary Passage drift dive, Manta Sandy and Manta Ridge, the bird of paradise dawn display at Sawinggrai, the extraordinary Wayag viewpoint, the hidden stingless jellyfish lake of Misool, the finest traditional Papuan villages, and the extraordinary Blue Magic pelagic dive site where whale sharks are occasionally sighted.
Best Time To Visit
October to April, calm seas and finest underwater visibility
Getting There
Fly to Sorong (SOQ) via Jakarta or Makassar, then ferry to Waisai
Getting Around
Liveaboard or daily speedboat charter from resort
Budget Per Day
Approx 200 to 500 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, diving or snorkelling daily
DAY 1
CAPE KRI AND PIAYNEMO
MORNING
CAPE KRI, THE WORLD'S MOST BIODIVERSE REEF
The extraordinary reef at Cape Kri holds the world record for fish species counted on a single dive: 374 species logged by Dr Gerald Allen in 2001. The wall drops into extraordinary blue water with massive schools of barracuda, Napoleon wrasse, grey and whitetip reef sharks, hawksbill turtles and extraordinary hard coral formations. Snorkellers encounter extraordinary diversity on the shallow reef top. Entry included in marine park fee. Boat: 45 min speedboat
MIDDAY
SARDINE REEF AND CHICKEN REEF
Two of the finest shallow reef dive sites in Raja Ampat's north, where extraordinary schools of yellow-stripe fusiliers and glassfish move in extraordinary synchronised walls through the coral. Chicken Reef is named for the extraordinary density of wobbegong carpet sharks resting on the bottom. The soft coral coverage on both sites is extraordinary. Perfect for snorkellers and all levels of diver. Boat: 30 min speedboat
AFTERNOON
PIAYNEMO VIEWPOINT AND LAGOON
The most extraordinary viewpoint in Raja Ampat, a 300-step climb to a clifftop lookout over the extraordinary Fam Islands karst towers rising from electric turquoise shallows. Then descend for a snorkel in the extraordinary lagoon beneath the karst pinnacles, where the clear water and white sand bottom are extraordinary. Entry approx 50,000 IDR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Sawinggrai village on Gam Island is the finest place in Raja Ampat to see the red bird of paradise at dawn, a local guide leading you to the display tree for approx 100,000 IDR. The extraordinary courtship display of the male bird of paradise, fanning its extraordinary crimson plumes in the forest canopy, is one of the finest wildlife encounters in all of Southeast Asia.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Resort breakfast Fresh tropical fruit and local fish before the early first dive. | Lunch: Packed lunch on the boat Most resorts provide an extraordinary packed lunch eaten between dive sites on the water. | Dinner: Resort dinner Fresh daily catch grilled simply. Local papeda sago and grilled tuna is the extraordinary local staple.
DAY 2
MANTA SANDY AND THE PASSAGE
MORNING
MANTA SANDY CLEANING STATION
The most extraordinary 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. Sometimes 10 to 20 mantas at once, with wingspans reaching 5 metres, circling in extraordinary slow-motion ballet. Best at dawn on an incoming tide. Entry included in marine park fee. Boat: 20 min speedboat
MIDDAY
ARBOREK ISLAND VILLAGE AND HOUSE REEF
The extraordinary traditional Papuan village of Arborek on a tiny coral island whose community of skilled freedivers and woven pandanus hat makers make it the finest village experience in Raja Ampat. The Arborek jetty snorkel is extraordinary, with remarkable fish density around the wooden pilings. Buy extraordinary woven hats directly from the women weavers at fair prices. Boat: 30 min speedboat
AFTERNOON
THE PASSAGE, RAJA AMPAT'S FINEST DRIFT DIVE
The extraordinary narrow channel between Waigeo and Gam islands where strong tidal currents sweep divers through a cathedral of extraordinary coral walls. The density of sea fans, soft coral and schooling fish in the current is extraordinary. At full flow the Passage is one of the most thrilling drift dives in the world. Snorkellers can drift the shallower sections safely.
💎 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. One of the most extraordinary and least visited hidden landscapes in all of Raja Ampat. Most resorts offer kayak hire.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast, 5am departure Light breakfast before departing for Manta Sandy at first incoming tide. Dawn is essential. | Lunch: Arborek village warung Simple grilled fish and coconut rice at a local family warung on the extraordinary island. | Dinner: Resort dinner Freshly caught tuna and local reef fish prepared by the resort kitchen.
DAY 3
WAYAG ISLANDS
MORNING
WAYAG ISLANDS, THE MOST DRAMATIC KARST LANDSCAPE
The extraordinary Wayag Islands in the far northwest of Raja Ampat, a cluster of vertical limestone towers rising from an impossibly blue lagoon that is the most photographed landscape in all of West Papua. The 3 to 4 hour speedboat journey from Waisai is itself extraordinary, crossing open ocean to reach this remote wilderness. A permit is required. The Wayag viewpoint at the top of the central karst tower gives the finest panorama in all of Raja Ampat. Boat: 1 hour speedboat
MIDDAY
WAYAG LAGOON SNORKEL AND DIVE
The extraordinary snorkelling and diving within the Wayag lagoon, where the underwater karst walls drop into extraordinary clear blue water with blacktip reef sharks, enormous bumphead parrotfish and extraordinary coral formations rarely dived by anyone. The extraordinary isolation of Wayag, with no permanent settlement and very few visitors, makes every dive here feel like a genuine discovery. Boat: 3 hours speedboat back
AFTERNOON
RETURN JOURNEY AND SUNSET AT SEA
The extraordinary return crossing from Wayag to the resort as the sun drops towards the horizon over the Bird's Head Peninsula. The sea surface in calm conditions is a mirror reflection of the extraordinary sky. Flying fish break the surface alongside the boat. The extraordinary remoteness of Wayag, hours from the nearest town, is what makes it one of the finest experiences in Indonesia.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Wayag permit system requires arranging in advance through your resort or liveaboard operator. The route to the Wayag viewpoint involves a steep scramble up bare limestone with ropes. The view from the summit over the extraordinary turquoise lagoon and karst towers is the single finest vista in all of Raja Ampat and worth every hour of the journey.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pre-departure breakfast Very early start for Wayag. Eat a full breakfast at the resort before 6am departure. | Lunch: Packed lunch at Wayag Lunch eaten on the boat or beach at Wayag. Bring more food and water than you think you need. | Dinner: Resort dinner Extraordinary return dinner at the resort after the long day. Cold beer and fresh grilled fish.
DAY 4
FRIWEN WALL AND KABUI BAY
MORNING
BIRD OF PARADISE DAWN DISPLAY, SAWINGGRAI
The extraordinary red bird of paradise courtship display at the display tree above Sawinggrai village on Gam Island, where male birds fan their extraordinary crimson and yellow plumage at dawn in one of the finest wildlife spectacles in Southeast Asia. A local guide from Sawinggrai leads you to the display tree before sunrise for approx 100,000 IDR. The extraordinary display begins at first light and lasts about an hour. Boat: 20 min speedboat
MIDDAY
FRIWEN WALL, THE FINEST CORAL WALL IN RAJA AMPAT
The most extraordinary coral wall dive in the entire archipelago, a vertical drop from 3 metres to 40 metres covered in an extraordinary density of hard and soft coral, giant sea fans, nudibranchs and remarkable schooling fish. The pygmy seahorses hidden in the sea fans require a guide to locate. The extraordinary visibility on calm mornings is breathtaking. Entry included in marine park fee. Boat: 30 min speedboat
AFTERNOON
KABUI BAY KAYAK THROUGH KARST PILLARS
The extraordinary Kabui Bay hidden mangrove lagoon between Waigeo and Gam, where karst limestone pillars draped in extraordinary hanging gardens of fern, orchid and strangler fig rise from the water. Kayak through the extraordinary narrow channels between the pillars at high tide. The extraordinary silence of the lagoon and the quality of the afternoon light on the karst walls are unlike anywhere else in the archipelago.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Manta Ridge near Wayag is a submerged seamount where oceanic manta rays, eagle rays and occasional whale sharks congregate in the currents on the right tidal conditions. Less visited than Manta Sandy, the mantas at Manta Ridge are often in much larger numbers and the extraordinary open-water setting makes the encounter entirely different in character.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pre-dawn breakfast Light breakfast at 4:30am before departing for the bird of paradise display at Sawinggrai. | Lunch: Packed lunch on the boat Lunch between Friwen Wall and Kabui Bay. Fresh fruit and local rice prepared by the resort. | Dinner: Resort dinner The finest dinner of the trip. Fresh whole grilled reef fish and local Papuan vegetables.
DAY 5
MISOOL
MORNING
MISOOL STINGLESS JELLYFISH LAKE
The extraordinary saltwater lake on Misool Island where thousands of stingless Mastigias jellyfish pulse through the clear water in an extraordinary golden cloud, completely harmless and extraordinary to swim through. One of only a handful of such jellyfish lakes on earth and the finest in Indonesia. The extraordinary experience of floating among thousands of pulsing jellyfish in absolute silence is unforgettable. Access by local guide only. Boat: 30 min speedboat
MIDDAY
BLUE MAGIC, MISOOL'S FINEST PELAGIC SITE
The most extraordinary pelagic dive site in southern Raja Ampat, a submerged pinnacle where strong currents attract extraordinary concentrations of schooling fish, reef sharks, eagle rays and occasional oceanic mantas and whale sharks. The extraordinary density of life at Blue Magic on a good current day is among the finest pelagic diving experiences in the Coral Triangle. Entry included in marine park fee. Boat: 20 min speedboat
AFTERNOON
MISOOL KARST LAGOONS AND DEPARTURE
A final afternoon exploring the extraordinary hidden lagoons of Misool, where karst limestone towers rise directly from the sea and narrow passages between the cliffs open into extraordinary enclosed pools of luminous water. The Misool karst landscape is different in character from Wayag and Piaynemo, more intimate and extraordinarily beautiful. Then begin the return journey to Sorong for departure.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Dafalen passage in Misool is a hidden channel through the karst that opens at high tide into an extraordinary enclosed lagoon completely surrounded by vertical limestone cliffs covered in extraordinary hanging gardens. The passage is navigable only by small dinghy and only at high tide, making it one of the most extraordinary and least visited places in all of Raja Ampat.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Misool Eco Resort breakfast Outstanding breakfast at the finest eco resort in Raja Ampat before the jellyfish lake departure. | Lunch: On the boat between dives Packed lunch at sea between Blue Magic and the afternoon lagoon exploration. | Dinner: Waisai or Sorong warung Simple Papuan grilled fish on the mainland before your onward flight.
Where To Stay
Liveaboard, All 5 Nights Strongly recommended for 5 days. Covers Wayag and Misool. Approx 250 to 450 USD per day all-inclusive. North Waigeo Resort Papua Paradise or Kri Eco Resort for nights 1 to 3, then transfer south. Approx 150 to 300 USD per night. Misool Eco Resort The finest eco resort in Raja Ampat, nights 4 to 5. All-inclusive. Approx 300 to 500 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Book your liveaboard or resort 6 to 12 months ahead. Raja Ampat fills up completely in peak season.
2. Pay the marine park fee in Waisai immediately on arrival. Rangers check every boat in the water.
3. A liveaboard is the only practical way to reach both Wayag in the north and Misool in the south.
4. The stingless jellyfish lake at Misool is one of the rarest natural phenomena in Southeast Asia.
5. Bring all cash from Sorong. No ATMs exist anywhere in the islands. Card payments almost impossible.
6. Cape Kri holds the world record for fish species on a single dive. Dive it at first light for the best experience.
Total Budget
280 to 700 USD/day