Raja Ampat: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Indonesia’s Hidden Paradise 🏝️🐠
Imagine this: Waking up in a wooden bungalow on stilts, the sound of gentle waves beneath you. You step outside, and the sunrise paints the sky in shades of gold and pink. A school of tiny fish shimmers just below your feet. Somewhere in the distance, a bird of paradise calls from the jungle. This is Raja Ampat. 🌅✨
I’ve travelled to many islands, but nothing—absolutely nothing—compares to the raw, untouched beauty of this place. Raja Ampat isn’t just a destination; it’s a dream you get to live.
If you’re here, I know you’re serious about adventure, crystal-clear waters, and diving into the unknown. I visited Raja in May 2024 and I have made this Raja Ampat itinerary based on where I have been, but bear in mind there is so much to see in Raja so if you have time go explore beyond the islands I am going to mention below. Other nice additions would be the secluded Rufas or Camping in Wayag.
Getting to Raja Ampat - West Papua 🛫🚢
This paradise doesn’t come easy—but that’s part of what makes it so special. We left London and we arrived to Raja 2.5 days later (travelling almost non-stop). We were tight with time but you can definitely break the trip by staying in Indonesia for a bit once you get there (Jakarta, Bali or Makassar are what we recommend since they are some of the few places offering a direct connection to West Papua).
Once you are in Indonesia:
1️⃣ Fly to Sorong (SOQ) West Papua – The only way in! Flights from Jakarta, Makassar, or Bali.
2️⃣ Ferry from Sorong to Waisai – The "capital" of Raja Ampat. Public ferries run twice daily (~2 hrs) and you can buy the tickets at Sorong Ferry Terminal.
3️⃣ Speedboat to Your Island – Resorts & homestays arrange private pickups - make sure you Whatasapp or Text/Call your homestay to arrange your pickup from Wasai before you get there!
Yes, it’s far. But the moment you see those first emerald-green islands rising from the ocean, you’ll forget every hour you spent getting here.
💡Pro Tips for Travelling to Raja Ampat 🏝️✨
🛳️Make sure you catch one of the 2 ferries (currently at 9 AM and 2 PM) on the same day that you land in Sorong.
Be prepared to pay "tourist parking fee" once you enter the port in Sorong. Try to get seats on the top floor rather than downstairs (even if they have "Air con" downstairs). The smell of petrol downstairs is really strong and our ferry was full of cockroaches (make sure you close your backpack properly!).
🚫 Skip staying in Sorong for the night - We didn’t find much to explore, and other travellers shared the same opinion. If possible, move straight to Raja Ampat.
💵 Bring Enough Cash: ATMs are nonexistent in Raja Ampat, and credit cards aren't accepted. Calculate your expenses in advance, including accommodation, transport, excursions, and diving, and bring extra cash for unexpected costs. Island transfers are private (no public ferries) and can be pricey due to high fuel costs in this remote area.
Once you get to Wasai with your Ferry you will need to walk 5min to another part of the port where you will pay the Park fees and you will take a small speedboat to your Island.
In Wasai you will be asked to pay the Raja Ampat Marine Park entry permit (700,000 Indonesian Rupiah) and the Raja Ampat Visitor Entry Ticket (300,000 Indonesian Rupiah).
🥘 Food & Snacks: Most accommodations include three meals per day, but snacks are hard to find on the islands. Bring your favourites before arriving. If you have a plastic container bring your snacks in a (hard) plastic container that can be closed with a lid as most islands have a 🐭 problem.
📅 Book your accomodation in advance! The most popular ones tend to get fully booked quickly. Each homestay has only a handful of bungalows.
Lastly, remember Raja Ampat is off the grid - accomodation is very basic, there is no Wifi, barely any data reception and electricity only during certain time of the evening. Bucket showers are common, normal showers rare, and hot showers very rare.
📶 Telkomsel is currently the only network provider in Raja Ampat, so if you want to use the mobile network without roaming charges, you’ll need a Telkomsel SIM for your phone and you have to specifically ask the shop to ensure your data package covers Raja Ampat area.
7-Day Raja Ampat Itinerary ✨🌊
🏝️ Day 1-2: Kri Island – Snorkeling & Diving Wonderland
📍 Stay: Yenbuba Homestay / Kri Guesthouse
We stayed at Yenbuba, and without a doubt, it was our favorite accommodation of the entire trip! Our overwater bungalow was perfect, complete with a cozy little patio where we enjoyed the breathtaking sunsets. It was magical to watch marine life swimming just below us (including sting rays and baby sharks – Yes, BABY SHARKS! 🦈) The facilities were great, and we even had hot water. The room had a fan and a few electric sockets, though electricity was available only during set hours in the evening. Food was great throughout our stay in Raja - the meals are pretty similar everywhere (some local fried donuts or banana pancakes for breakfast, rice or noodles with proteins and vegetables for lunch and dinner).
We chose Yenbuba because it’s located right next to the famous Yenbuba Jetty and close to our dive school, Soul Scuba Diver.
We also want to give a shout-out to Kri Guesthouse, located just across from the dive school on the other side. We met travellers who absolutely loved it there, and the beach on that side is absolutely stunning! 🌅
🌊 What makes Kri special?
- Home to Cape Kri, the most biodiverse dive site on Earth—374 species in ONE dive!
- Easy access to Blue Magic, where manta rays glide past like underwater spaceships.
- The Yenbuba Jetty – where reef sharks & colorful fish gather right under your feet.
🥽 Must-do experiences:
✅ Snorkel straight from your bungalow – the coral reefs here start at your doorstep.
✅ Dive with sharks & turtles – in some of the clearest waters on Earth.
✅ Sunset at the jetty – watch the water glow in neon blues & oranges.
🌴 Day 3-4: Gam Island – Jungles, Birds & Secret Lagoons
📍 Stay: Papuani Homestay / Corepen Homestay
Gam feels like the beating heart of Raja Ampat. Lush jungle, towering limestone cliffs, and hidden lagoons where time seems to stop.
Looking at the map, you'll see that Gam Island is quite large. For convenience, we chose to stay in the southern part. Originally, we had planned to stay at Corepen, but when we decided at the last minute, it was fully booked (definitely a reminder to book your accommodation in advance). So, we ended up at the first place our boat dropped us off—Papuani Homestay, and it turned out to be a great choice. The rooms were simple, as expected, but they were clean and comfortable. The food was delicious, just like everywhere else. Plus, it was conveniently located next to Tarzan Diving, which would’ve been our backup dive school if we hadn’t already dived in Kri.
🐦 What makes Gam special?
- Home to the Red Bird of Paradise—one of the rarest birds on Earth.
- The gateway to Kabui Bay, where towering rock formations create a lost-world landscape.
- Incredible mix of jungle & ocean—you can snorkel in the morning & hike by sunset.
🥾 Must-do experiences:
✅ Sunrise Birdwatching – Trek into the jungle before dawn to see the legendary Bird of Paradise.
✅ Secret Lagoons of Kabui Bay – Take a boat through narrow jungle canyons to find hidden pools.
🔥 Personal Tip: If you’re an early riser, grab a kayak & paddle in the morning mist. It’s pure magic.
🌊 Day 5: Arborek – Tiny Island, Big Heart
📍 Stay: Kayafyof Homestay
The highlight for us for this Homestay was the owner. He was so helpful and friendly - he speaks a little English (which is quite rare to find), he gave us plenty of recommendations and he even took us all the way to another island.
🌟 This tiny island is home to only 40 families—but it’s one of the most welcoming places in Raja Ampat. Here, the locals are just as much a highlight as the underwater life.
If you don't scuba dive, than this is the best island to do snorkelling!
🤿 What makes Arborek special?
- The famous Arborek Jetty – one of the BEST snorkeling spots in Raja Ampat!
- A true cultural experience – meet the friendly villagers & learn traditional weaving.
- Just a short boat ride from Manta Sandy, where you can dive with giant manta rays.
🚣♂️ Day 6-7: Pam Islands – Hidden Lagoons & Kayaking Paradise
📍 Stay: Tanjung Mefiyai Homestay
The Pam Islands (near Pianemo/Piaynemo) are straight out of a postcard. We felt like we wanted to have some more beach time before we left and according to various reviews the best beaches are in the Pam Islands. It's not untrue - the beach and the palm tree looked amazing. However, it is worth noting these islands are really, really remote and far from any other island.
The homestay is the most basic we have been and sand flies are a problem, make sure you bring lightweight long sleeves.
🏝️ What makes Pam special?
- Pianemo/Piaynemo Viewpoint – The most famous view in Raja Ampat! Our homestay arranged a boat for us to go there and took us also to various snorkelling spots
- Kayaking through hidden lagoons where the water is so clear it feels unreal.
- Fewer crowds—this is where you’ll feel like you have paradise all to yourself.
🔥 Personal Tip: Climb the Pianemo viewpoint at sunrise before the crowds arrive. The view? Unbelievable.
🤿 Best Scuba Diving Schools in Raja Ampat
🌊 Soul Scuba Divers – This is what we went for. It was quite popular and we liked their big patio on the jetty where people chilled during the day and watched the sunset together.
🌊 Tarzan-Diving – This was our other choice. We ended up seeing their Dive Shop in Gam but we didn't dive with them because it was a Sunday and they were closed on Sunday.
📅 Where to Book Your Raja Ampat Adventure?
✔️ Stay Raja Ampat – This is what we used to book our accommodations in Raja Ampat. Make sure you book in advance.
🎒 Packing List for Your Raja Ampat Trip
Check out our Backpacking Packing List for all the essentials! 🎒♻️ and definitely do not forget to pack snorkelling gear and GoPro.
Unfortunately, like many other places in Southeast Asia Raja Ampat has a serious rubbish problem. Due to its remote location, there are no proper disposal facilities, and we noticed that some rubbish is burned as a means of getting rid of it.
Everywhere you go, you’ll be encouraged to take your waste with you, so please be mindful—bring a refillable water bottle and carry back any plastic waste, snack wrappers, or other disposables.
On Kri Island, Soul Scuba Diver frequently organises beach and ocean cleanups. If you have the chance, consider joining in—it’s a small effort that makes a big difference! ♻️
At Tribe Feel, we’ve curated a selection of eco-friendly travel essentials to help you reduce waste on your journey—from soap containers and bamboo toothbrushes to reusable straws, reusable cutlery, and more. Explore our Southeast Asia Collection for sustainable travel gear.
🎁💙 Final Thoughts: Raja Ampat Is a Gift—Take It
If you’re reading this, you’re probably dreaming of Raja Ampat. Let me tell you:
🌍 It’s even better than you imagine.
🐠 The ocean here is alive in ways you’ve never seen before.
🏝️ The islands feel untouched, wild, and sacred.
This isn’t just a trip. It’s a love affair with the planet’s most beautiful corner. 💙 So stop waiting. Go. Raja Ampat is calling. Will you answer? ✈️💙