The beauty of Raja Ampat is beyond words. This remote archipelago consists of more than 1,500 islands, most of which are uninhabited. No wonder it’s known as ‘The Last Paradise on Earth.’ Each island is a paradise in itself, with lush jungles, white sandy beaches, and breathtaking coral reefs teeming with life. Traveling through Raja Ampat is a bit different from other travel destinations and requires more preparation. Did you know that there are no restaurants or stores on the islands? Once you read this article with practical tips and useful information, you’ll be fully prepared, and your journey to Raja Ampat can begin!
#1 Best and Worst Time to Visit Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat is located on the equator and has a tropical climate with high temperatures and the possibility of short but intense tropical rain showers throughout the year. Unlike many other parts of Indonesia, winter is the best time to visit Raja Ampat. The best travel period starts in October and lasts until April, with the best months being from November to March. During these months, there is less rain, less wind, calmer seas, and the best visibility underwater. These months are perfect for snorkeling, diving, and island hopping. The weather in Raja Ampat remains unpredictable, and even during these months, you’ll still experience occasional tropical showers, but the sun also shines often. The best time to spot wildlife is from October to April. During this period, you can see whales, dolphins, and giant manta rays swimming in the waters of Raja Ampat. The best chance to see manta rays is between January and February.
From June to September, the seas can be rough due to the southeast monsoon and strong winds. This makes traveling between islands more difficult, and visibility underwater is worse. These months are best avoided when visiting Raja Ampat.
#2 Weather Forecasts Are Never Accurate in Raja Ampat
Don’t rely on weather forecasts, as they are never accurate in Raja Ampat. The forecast may predict storms every day, but in reality, these are usually very local, short bursts of rain. This is due to several factors, including the many microclimates and the proximity to the equator. With all the islands and mountains, there are different microclimates. You may often see one or more storms in the distance that seem to be heading your way, but in the end, they don’t reach you. Raja Ampat lies in a region with complex ocean currents and warm sea flows, causing sudden rain showers and storms. Additionally, there are few weather stations in Raja Ampat, as it’s so remote and vast, making reliable forecasts difficult. It’s better to let go of the weather forecast and just see what the day brings!
#3 How to Get to Raja Ampat?
Raja Ampat is remote, and getting there requires quite a journey. Here’s how the trip looks:
- Fly from Jakarta, Bali, or Makassar to Sorong.
- In Sorong, take a taxi to the harbor. The taxi will drop you off at the ticket office where you can buy ferry tickets to Waisai. This office opens an hour before the ferry departs. Be sure to check that you get the right change, as they sometimes try to overcharge you. The ferry departs daily at 09:00 and 14:00.
- The ferry from Sorong to Waisai takes about two hours. There are regular and VIP tickets. The price difference is small, and the VIP ticket is recommended because it offers air conditioning and assigned seats. There’s also a toilet on board.
- Upon arrival in Waisai, walk to the tourism office to register and pay the national park entrance fee. There is often a long line, so it’s better not to arrive last.
- From Waisai, take a small boat to one of the islands. Let your accommodation know what time you’ll arrive and ask if they can pick you up so the boat will be ready when you arrive. We thought we could arrange this on-site, but ended up waiting for hours for the pickup.
#4 How to Travel Between the Islands?
During your trip through Raja Ampat, you’ll most likely visit several islands. Traveling between islands is done with a traditional longboat. These narrow boats resemble large canoes. They have one or two engines and usually carry no more than six passengers. Life jackets or radios are typically not provided. Fortunately, the waves in Raja Ampat are usually not large (unless you’re traveling from June to September), and the local captains are very experienced at sea. If the motor breaks down, they’ll repair it on-site, even if you’re floating in the open sea. The boats typically have no roof, so be sure to protect yourself from the sun while traveling.
You can arrange the boat trips on-site at your accommodation. When you arrive, reserve the boat for your next destination. Keep in mind that boat trips can be quite expensive. You may need to travel long distances, and the captain has to return without passengers. For a 1.5 to 2-hour trip, you’ll likely pay around 1,300,000 IDR / $70. The price is per boat, not per person, so you can save money by sharing the boat with other travelers. Routes are shared via the Raja Ampat Boat Sharing Requests Spreadsheet, so you may be able to share boats with other travelers.
Tip: Try to combine your travel day with a snorkeling stop. It often won’t cost much extra and makes the trip more enjoyable.
#5 Be Prepared for Back-to-Basics Living
Raja Ampat is remote, and the local population lives simply. For most of the day, there’s no electricity, no running water, and certainly no wifi. There are no roads, supermarkets, or restaurants on the islands. Accommodations are very basic, often equipped with just a bed, mosquito net, fan, and hammock. The sanitary facilities at most accommodations are also quite basic. Some accommodations have regular toilets and showers, while others only have squat toilets and a large water drum with a small pot for bathing.
#6 Adjust Your Hygiene Expectations
When it comes to hygiene in Raja Ampat, we can quickly tell you that it doesn’t meet Western standards. The rooms are often clean, but the sanitary facilities, to say the least, are not so fresh. It varies by accommodation, but it’s a good idea to bring extra hygiene wipes and prepare yourself for the fact that the hygiene standards here are very different.
#7 Bring Your Non-organic Trash Back to Waisai
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that there’s no waste management system on the islands of Raja Ampat. What do they do with all the plastic waste from the increasing number of travelers bringing their own snacks? The only way to get rid of the waste is by burning it. All trash is burned on the beaches, which leads to a lot of microplastic in the sea. To minimize the amount of plastic that needs to be burned, it’s necessary to take back everything you bring to the islands. Bring one or two empty trash bags to Raja Ampat and take your trash back to Waisai.
#8 Bring Sufficient Cash
There are no ATMs in Raja Ampat, and you can hardly pay anywhere with your credit card. This means you need to withdraw enough cash before your trip. We recommend doing this before flying to Sorong so you don’t need to worry about it there. How much cash you need depends on how many tours you take, how many islands you visit, and how many days you stay in Raja Ampat. It’s wise to budget generously, as nothing is worse than running out of money in such a beautiful place. You can pay for accommodations in advance.
Withdrawing Money in Indonesia: Be aware that there is a daily withdrawal limit. Temporarily increase your withdrawal limit or withdraw the maximum amount over several days.
#9 You Eat What’s Served in Raja Ampat
Accommodations in Raja Ampat offer more than just a place to sleep. Since there are no restaurants on the islands, all meals are included at your accommodation. This means you’ll sit down at your homestay every day and eat what’s served. Fortunately, Papua has a delicious local cuisine consisting mainly of rice, vegetables, egg, tofu, tempeh, or fish with flavorful sauces. Meat is rarely on the menu, as there are no animals kept, and the nearest supermarket is far away. Most homestays serve meals at a long table shared with other guests.
Most homestays offer a simple breakfast, such as bread with chocolate spread, a cake, or fried bananas. If you’re used to a big breakfast, it’s wise to bring protein bars. It’s also a good idea to bring snacks for in-between meals. Coffee, tea, and water are available unlimited at all homestays.
Are you vegan, vegetarian, or have a food allergy? Let your homestay know in advance. Since fish and meat aren’t common on the menu, you won’t have much trouble as a vegetarian in Raja Ampat.
Watch Tip: The ocean’s wildlife is under immense pressure worldwide, and even the beautiful waters around Raja Ampat are not spared. If you want to understand more about the threats to our oceans, the documentary Seaspiracy on Netflix is a must-see. This revealing documentary shows how large-scale fishing and human activities disrupt the delicate marine ecosystem. It’s an eye-opener before traveling to one of the last underwater paradises on Earth.
#10 Always Store Your Snacks Properly
All bungalows in Raja Ampat are made from posts, planks, and palm leaves and are partially open. If you leave your snacks in the bungalow, rats or other pests will almost certainly find them. Most homestays provide plastic bins to store your snacks, but they’re not always available, so be sure to ask. If they’re not provided, you can hang your snack bags from the ceiling with a string.
#11 Religion and Culture in Raja Ampat
The inhabitants of Raja Ampat belong to various ethnic groups such as the Biak, Maya, and Ambel. In addition to Indonesian, the official language, they also speak their local languages and dialects. Most people in Raja Ampat are Christian, but traditional animistic beliefs still play a role in the culture. In these ancient traditions, nature has a deep spiritual meaning. Music and dance are important in daily life and ceremonies. Local instruments, such as drums and bamboo flutes, accompany traditional dances like the “yospan,” an energetic dance often performed at ceremonies. Although Christianity, the Indonesian government, and growing tourism influence the culture of Raja Ampat, many communities are committed to preserving their traditions. The challenge lies in finding a balance between modernization and maintaining their unique identity.
Tip: Sunday is a day of rest in Raja Ampat, when many locals go to church. On Sundays, tours or boat trips to other islands are often not possible or are limited. Be aware of this when planning your trip. It’s hard for the locals to disappoint guests, but ideally, they take this day off. On Batanta, Saturday is the rest day instead of Sunday.
#12 Dangers in Raja Ampat
We certainly don’t want to scare you, but we do need to discuss the dangers of traveling in Raja Ampat. It’s important to realize that you’re far from professional medical help on the islands. The biggest dangers in Raja Ampat are venomous animals. One of the most dangerous creatures is the stonefish, one of the most venomous fish in the world. Stonefish are well camouflaged and buried in the sand, hidden between dead corals or stones. They have sharp spines on their backs with glands that can inject extremely potent venom when stepped on. The venom causes intense pain, swelling, paralysis, and, in severe cases, heart failure or respiratory problems. Without medical help, a sting can be fatal. How to prevent a sting? Always wear water shoes or sandals when walking through the water. Additionally, saltwater crocodiles live in the mangroves, and they can grow up to 7 meters (23 feet) long. They are dangerous to humans because they are highly territorial. If you get too close, there’s a high chance of being attacked. Therefore, never swim near mangroves unless the locals indicate it’s safe.
Never touch coral or sea creatures. Coral can die from the bacteria on your hands, and marine animals can get sick. For your own safety, it’s also better not to touch anything underwater, as many dangerous animals, like the blue-ringed octopus, live in these waters. Even though it’s no bigger than your thumb, it can deliver a fatal sting.
Preventing Infections: Lastly, it’s wise to avoid getting cuts on your feet and ankles as much as possible. Don’t scratch your mosquito bites. Wounds in the tropics heal poorly, and bacterial infections are easy to catch. They often only heal with antibiotics.
#13 Be Aware of Currents in Raja Ampat
Another major danger is the strong current. The currents in Raja Ampat are notorious and are also the reason why the underwater world is so rich. The currents bring a lot of food, which benefits marine life. Raja Ampat is located in the Coral Triangle, an area where enormous amounts of water are funneled through narrow passages. Currents can vary from mild to extremely strong, depending on changes in the sea floor, within just a few dozen meters. The current is strongly influenced by tides and the lunar cycle. Around the full and new moon, the current is strongest. Currents can be incredibly dangerous and are something you should always be aware of when snorkeling or diving.
#14 Don’t Miss a Single Sunset
Believe us when we say that you never want to miss a sunset in Raja Ampat. The sunsets are absolutely spectacular! Due to the high humidity, the colors are extra vivid. Combined with the beautiful landscape, large cloud formations, and reflections in the water, they make for perfect pictures.
#15 Don’t Forget Anything Important with Our Packing List
When you pack your backpack for Raja Ampat, you’ll need to bring a few different things than for other destinations. Because Raja Ampat is so remote, there are many things that are useful to bring. We’ve written down all the essentials in a convenient packing list for Raja Ampat.
#16 Buy a Local Telkomsel SIM Card
Telkomsel is currently the only provider with internet connection in Raja Ampat. All other providers and e-sims do not work or barely work. Therefore, buy a local SIM card in Indonesia so you can stay in contact with your booked accommodations. Most homestays don’t have wifi. Without a Telkomsel SIM card, you won’t have internet during your stay in Raja Ampat. But honestly, who needs the internet in a place like this?
#17 Diving in Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat is one of the best dive destinations in the world. If you plan to dive, there are a few things to keep in mind. It’s important to know that if you stay at a homestay with its own dive school, you can’t dive with another dive school. You’ll be bound to the dive school of your homestay as long as you stay there. Also, always reserve your dives a few days in advance, especially during the high season from December to March.
It’s also important to know that diving in Raja Ampat can be quite challenging. Many dive sites have strong currents, which require diving experience. At some spots, you might need to secure yourself with a reef hook due to the strong current. If you don’t have much diving experience, it’s possible to dive at easier dive sites. It’s a good idea to dive with a PADI-certified dive school and let your instructor know that you’re a beginner. You’ll receive good guidance during the dive.
#18 Bring Something Extra to the Islands
Earlier in this article, we mentioned that local life in Raja Ampat is simple. The locals live with very few belongings, so it’s nice to bring something extra, like a volleyball or beach tennis rackets. We brought a frisbee and spent many hours playing with the children at our homestay. In the end, we gave the frisbee to them, and they were so happy. Bringing some treats for the dogs is also a nice gesture, and they’ll love you for it.
#19 Book Accommodations in Advance
Raja Ampat is not an ideal destination for spontaneous travel. It’s wise to book your accommodations in advance because the options are limited, and during the high season, many places will already be fully booked. The same goes for diving. Other tours like snorkeling, birdwatching, or hiking don’t need to be reserved in advance. You can also arrange boat trips from one island to another once you’re there, except for the ferry from Waisai to your first island. It’s helpful to book this a few days in advance through your homestay.
Tip: We’ve listed the best homestays in Raja Ampat to make your selection easy. Tourism in Raja Ampat is growing fast, so it’s best to book your accommodations as early as possible, as the most popular places are often fully booked well in advance.
