Raja Ampat is located in the northwestern part of West Papua, an Indonesian province. It is an archipelago comprised of around 1500 islands of which 610 are atolls. The four main islands are: Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo.
According to old Indonesian mythology, there was a woman who found eggs while walking through the forest. She picked them up and brought them home. The night the eggs hatched, four boys were born and it is said that they became the kings of the four main islands.
The name of the archipelago comes from this legend, in fact Raja Ampat in the local language means the Four Kings.
The area where Raja Ampat is situated is called the Coral Triangle, a geographic area that is considered to be the heart of the marine biodiversity and a paradise for both scuba divers and snorkelers.
THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO GO TO RAJA AMPAT
Situated close to the equator, Raja Ampat has a tropical climate and for this reason it can be visited all year round. The dry season goes from October to April, however the recommended period for scuba divers is from October to the middle of December because during these months underwater visibility is around 20 to 40 meters.
HOW TO GET TO RAJA AMPAT
It is not easy to get to this unexplored paradise because there are no direct flights from Europe so the best way to get there is to first take a flight to Jakarta and second a flight to Sorong. From Sorong you can take a public ferry that takes 2 hours to dock at Waisai’s port and from there you will be able to reach the accommodation you choose.
Even if it seems like and endless trip I know it is worth it. You will realize what I am talking about once you get there.
WHAT IS THERE TO SEE UNDERWATER
Home to more than 500 species of corals, more than 1000 species of coral fish and different dives (wreck dives, muck dives, drift dives..) Raja Ampat is considered to be one out of the ten best diving places in the world. Turtles, seahorses, sharks and mantas are some of the animals that you can meet during your dives. Moreover, you are almost guaranteed to see the Wobbegong, an endemic species of carpet shark.
Among the best diving sites it is worth mentioning :
- Melissa’s Garden; a coral garden inhabited by many species, including nudibranches, pigmy seahorses and the famous blue ring octopus.
- Manta Way and Manta Sandy; two beautiful sites where it is possible to spot mantas.
- Blue Magic; a place where you can dive between huge schools of pelagic fish but also between sharks and mantas that travel there to get to the numerous cleaning stations.
For those who love snorkeling, do not forget to snorkel in the coral reefs that surround Cape Kri island, and the visitable villages of Arborek and Sawandarek, which are inhabited by local people.
WHAT TO DO ON THE ISLANDS
It is absolutely worth seeing out of water the popular Piaynemo Lagoon, one of the most famous and photographed places of Raja Ampat. You should also visit Pasir Timbul Beach, a sandbar beach in the middle of the sea surrounded by crystal waters.
The archipelago is not only well known for its stunning beaches and its breathtaking seabeds, it is known for many other wonderful things as well.
If you love to go trekking, Raja Ampat can be the right place for you given the unspoiled nature and the multitude of species that populate it.
Along with the sea, forests that cover the islands dominate the region. They are home to more than 200 species of mammals and colorful birds, including the beautiful Wilson’s bird of paradise. If you go trekking in this territory, you will discover hidden waterfalls, clear streams and unforgettable sceneries.
What are you waiting for? Book your trip!
Per terra e per mare 