Nicknamed “the Four Kings,” Raja Ampat is an archipelago located off the northwest tip of the island of New Guinea), in the Southwest Papua province of Indonesia.
Known for the dynamic beauty of its limestone karst landscapes, Raja Ampat is made up of 1,500 small islands, cays, and shoals around 4 main islands (Misool, Salawati, Batanta, and Waigeo) and the smaller island of Kofiau.
It’s truly a nature-lover’s paradise, with forested islands, secret lagoons, beaches, bays, and the blue river of Kali Biru, all surrounded by some of the planet’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems.
Read on for our guide to the best things to do in Raja Ampat, from island-hopping cruises and Scuba diving (or snorkeling) to the best hiking trails, waterfalls, photo spots, villages, and more!
READ MORE: The 30 Best Exotic Islands in the World to Visit
1. Chase Waterfalls
With all due respect to TLC, chasing waterfalls is one of our favorite pastimes when we travel. And the jungles of Raja Ampat offering several spectacular beauties that are well worth a visit!
The Batanta Waterfall on Batanta Island requires a bit of an arduous trek to reach it. But there’s a smaller waterfall along the way and an 80-meter cascade at the top, with a pool at the bottom to soak in and a hidden cave behind the falls.
Located on the western tip of Waigeo Island, the Warengkris Waterfall is wider than it is tall, cascading down a sheer rock face into a cool pool that’s perfect for swimming.
“Air Terjun Malol” (a.k.a. Malol Waterfall) is a beautiful waterfall with five stages located near the Gamta Village on Misool Island. It takes 1 hour on the Gamta River by boat and a 1-hour trek through the forest to reach it. But the beautiful birds along the way and the gorgeous views of this unspoiled paradise are absolutely worth it!
READ MORE: 25 of the World’s Biggest Waterfalls (By Continent)
2. Enjoy a Cruise Through the Raja Ampat Islands
We’ve explored some of the world’s best archipelagos, from the Antilles (Caribbean), Cyclades (Greek), and Galapagos to the Hebrides (Scotland), Philippines, and Society Islands of Tahiti.
One thing we’ve learned is that small ship cruises are the best way to see them, offering a low-impact way to explore island chains spread across a fairly wide geographical area.
Whether you’re looking for a no-frills, budget-friendly option or a more amenities-filled Raja Ampat luxury cruise, there are lots of different tour operators in the region to choose from.
We personally look for eco-friendly cruise companies with upscale ships that carry less than 100 passengers, who offer a nice mix of nature, wildlife, adventure, great food, and downtime for relaxation.
Note that the best time of year for taking Raja Ampat cruises is from December to February.
READ MORE: The 10 Best River Cruises in the World
3. Go Scuba Diving in the Misool Marine Reserve
As certified Scuba Divers since 2012, we’ve been blessed with opportunities to dive all around the globe, from Belize, Curaçao, and Norway to the Philippines, the Red Sea, and Tahiti.
Raja Ampat is widely regarded as one of the best places in the world for Scuba diving, with unspoiled reefs that are home to 75% of the world’s known coral species (more than 10 times the diversity found in the Caribbean islands).
Working in partnership with WildAid, the Misool Marine Reserve protects complex coral reef systems and deep water areas that are home to nearly 1,500 species of fish, including manta rays, iridescent parrotfish, and schools of yellowback fusiliers.
Located in the remote southern reaches of the Indonesian archipelago, the reserve spans 300,000 acres, which are protected by the Misool Foundation‘s array of community-driven conservation programs.
Cape Kri, located near Kri Island, actually holds the world record for the most fish species seen in a single dive—374– and boasts a vividly stunning coral reef system that you have to see to believe.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Caribbean Islands to Visit For Nature Lovers
4. Hike to See Birds of Paradise
Mary’s favorite t-shirt reads “Birds Are AWESOME!” and she has 3 different kinds of feeders outside our living room window (not to mention 2 gardens full of pollinator-attracting flowers). Seeing fine-feathered friends is something we both enjoy.
From Sanibel Island FL and the Galapagos Islands to the Peruvian Amazon, we’ve taken many trips where birdwatching was a major focus. But we’ve never had the pleasure of seeing birds-of-paradise, outside of the BBC’s Planet Earth.
The majority of these beautiful birds are found in Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia, where the southern coasts of Waigeo and Gam offer the best chance for sightings of two colorful species.
The red bird-of-paradise is larger, with crimson wings, emerald cheeks, yellow shoulder tufts, and purple tail feathers, while the Wilson’s bird-of-paradise has a cyan cap, red-and-black body, blue feet, and tail feathers shaped like scissor handles.
Many local guides in Raja Amat offer birdwatching tours in private trails behind their homes, but some group tours to mating areas are also available.
READ MORE: 25 Spectacular Galapagos Birds You Can See on a Galapagos Cruise
5. Swim with Manta Rays at Manta Sandy
The first time I saw a Manta Ray in the wild was while swimming with Whale Sharks in Cancun, and I was blown away by how MASSIVE these rays are in real life!
Manta Sandy, which is located in Raja Ampat between Arborek and Gam Islands, is a cleaning station that attracts Manta Rays all year round. So you can dive or snorkel and watch them gliding, completely unconcerned with human presence.
Local guides are always there to ensure that everyone behaves responsibly. Because this site is located in a protected marine reserve, chasing or touching them is strictly forbidden.
Trust me, swimming with Manta Rays is an experience you’ll never forget, and this is one of the few places in the world where you’re virtually guaranteed to have an opportunity to see them up close.
READ MORE: Swimming with Sharks in Bora Bora, Tahiti
6. Take Fabulous Photos From Pianemo Hill
It seems like every major tourist destination in the world has its own iconic photograph, whether it’s the blue-domed buildings in Santorini, the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, or the volcanic peaks at the center of Bora Bora, Tahiti.
In Raja Ampat, that “must-have” photo can be found from a platform at the top of Pianemo Hill, which requires climbing around 250 steps leading up through gum trees and other dense vegetation.
Pianemo Hill is located in the Fam Islands, between Batanta and Waigeo. Ascending the summit leads you to an amazing scenic viewpoint, overlooking the 5 points of a star-shaped lagoon.
It’s the perfect place for snapping stunning shots of Raja Ampat’s dynamic karst landscape, which rises dramatically from the brilliant turquoise sea.
READ MORE: The Top 15 Things to Do in Coron, Palawan
7. Visit the Local Villages
Engaging with (and spending money in) local communities is a huge principle of the ecotourism ethos, and Raja Ampat has many little villages that offer a chance to engage with the locals.
Located on an island off the coast of Waigeo, tiny Arborek Village gives visitors a chance to experience traditional Papuan culture, from music and dancing to woven crafts in the shape of the beloved marine life found just off its shores. It’s also a great place for snorkeling and Scuba diving.
Sawinggrai Village on Gam Island offers welcoming Papuan hospitality, community-based conservation, and a chance to see the Red Bird-of-Paradise. Visitors are often welcomed with traditional dances by schoolchildren, and locals love to share the ways they help protect their pristine ecosystems.
Picturesque Yenbuba Village on Mansuar Island is another fantastic place to engage with locals. It’s beloved for some of the best snorkeling in the region, lovely pastel houses, an adorable church, and some of the most welcoming Papuan people you’ll ever meet! –by Bret Love
ADVERTISEMENT:
Hello, para pengemar slot! pernahkah mendengar istilah “slot gacor”? Kalau belum, bersiaplah jatuh cinta dengan program ini. slot demo merupakan mesin slot yang sering kasih kemenangan. Yup, mesin-mesin ini bisa dibilang sebagai andalannya buat membawa come back hasil. tapi, gimana sih
tekniknya nemuin slot demo yang tepat? Santuy Bro and Sis, kita beri santai saja di sini
Gaming terpercaya saat sekarang satu-satunya di Indonesia hanya di akan menyediakan return terbesar
SEGERA dengan di :
Informasi mengenai KING SLOT, Segera Daftar Bersama king selot terbaik dan terpercaya no satu di Indonesia. Boleh mendaftar melalui sini king slot serta memberikan hasil kembali yang paling tinggi saat sekarang ini hanyalah KING SLOT atau Raja slot paling gacor, gilak dan gaco saat sekarang di Indonesia melalui program return tinggi di kingselot serta pg king slot
slot demo gacor
slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun demo slot gacor
akun demo slot gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun slot demo gacor
akun slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun demo slot pragmatic
akun demo slot pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun slot demo pragmatic
akun slot demo pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun slot demo
akun slot demo permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun demo slot
akun demo slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
slot demo gacor
slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun demo slot gacor
akun demo slot gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun slot demo gacor
akun slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun demo slot pragmatic
akun demo slot pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun slot demo pragmatic
akun slot demo pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun slot demo
akun slot demo permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun demo slot
akun demo slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
slot demo gacor
slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun demo slot gacor
akun demo slot gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun slot demo gacor
akun slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun demo slot pragmatic
akun demo slot pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun slot demo pragmatic
akun slot demo pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun slot demo
akun slot demo permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun demo slot
akun demo slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
slot demo gacor
slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun demo slot gacor
akun demo slot gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun slot demo gacor
akun slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun demo slot pragmatic
akun demo slot pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun slot demo pragmatic
akun slot demo pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun slot demo
akun slot demo permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun demo slot
akun demo slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
situs slot terbaru
situs slot terbaru permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
slot terbaru
slot terbaru permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
merek 88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama merek88.net
merek 88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama merek88.com
mantan99 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mantan99.asia
mantan88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mantan88.asia
maksimal88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama maksimal88.biz
maksimal88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama maksimal88.asia
liburan88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama liburan88.com
indodax88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama indodax88.org
indah99 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama indah99.asia
indah88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama indah88.asia
ikn88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama ikn88.asia
ibukota88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama ibukota88.com
huawei88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama huawei88.asia
hot888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama hot888.asia
hot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama hot88.sale
dingin88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama dingin88.net
citra88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama citra88.asia
binance88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama binance88.net
best99 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama best99.info
best88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama best88.asia
tradisional 88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama tradisional88.net
tradisional 88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama tradisional88.com
tombol88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama tombol88.org
tombol88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama tombol88.net
survey88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama survey88.net
survey88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama survey88.com
start88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama start88.org
start88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama start88.asia
obatkuat88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama obatkuat88.net
obatkuat88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama obatkuat88.com
mcb88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mcb88.info
mcb88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mcb88.asia
master99 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama master99.biz
master888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama master888.asia
master88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama master88.asia
live88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama live88.bio
live88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama live88.asia
libra88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama libra88.net
kompresor88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kompresor88.net
kompresor88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kompresor88.com
kesimpulan88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kesimpulan88.net
kesimpulan88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kesimpulan88.com
kapasitor88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kapasitor88.net
kapasitor88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kapasitor88.com
kacamata88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kacamata88.net
kacamata88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kacamata88.com
jamu88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jamu88.info
jamu88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jamu88.asia
jam88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jam88.info
jam88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jam88.asia
follow88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama follow88.org
follow88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama follow88.net
dinamo88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama dinamo88.net
dinamo88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama dinamo88.info
baterai88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama baterai88.net
baterai88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama baterai88.com
miegacoan permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama miegacoan.life
miegacoan permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama miegacoan.asia
gacoan permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gacoan.org
gacoan permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gacoan.asia
website88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama website88.org
waweb88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama waweb88.net
waweb88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama waweb88.com
translate88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama translate88.net
translate88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama translate88.com
tempur888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama tempur888.info
tempur888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama tempur888.asia
tambang99 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama tambang99.news
tambang99 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama tambang99.asia
support88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama support88.org
support88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama support88.net
support88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama support88.asia
sogoslot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama sogoslot88.asia
siap88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama siap88.news
siap88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama siap88.asia
rog88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama rog88.asia
rog77 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama rog77.info
pt88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama pt88.info
pt88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama pt88.asia
pln88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama pln88.biz
pln88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama pln88.asia
oke99 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama oke99.asia
oke88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama oke88.asia
mining88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mining88.org
livechat88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama livechat88.info
livechat88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama livechat88.asia
listrik88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama listrik88.org
listrik88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama listrik88.info
listrik88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama listrik88.asia
freeport88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama freeport88.net
freeport88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama freeport88.com
free88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama free88.org
free88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama free88.asia
domain88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama domain88.org
domain88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama domain88.asia
dokter888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama dokter888.net
dokter888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama dokter888.asia
bmkg88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama bmkg88.net
bmkg88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama bmkg88.com
asn88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama asn88.org