Raja Ampat "The Lost Paradise"

 Raja Ampat from the Top

About

Raja Ampat or 'Four Kings' is the name given to four beautiful islands in eastern Indonesia. A name that comes from a local myth. The four main islands is Waigeo, Salawati, Batanta, and Misool which produce the ancient rock paintings. Tourists who love the underwater scenery come from all over the world to Raja Ampat to enjoy the marvelous of the underwater scenery. You can Start your activity with diving to enjoy the amazing Raja Ampat underwater scenery, Explore the vertical walls underwater and feel the tension when you see the magnificent underwater wealth. Although you pounding when ocean currents oscillate but it certainly will be an unforgettable experience in Raja Ampat. 

View of Misool island

Region of the islands in the Raja Ampat is very broad, covering 4.6 million acres of land and sea that is home to 540 species of coral, 1,511 species of fish, and 700 species of molluscs. The wealth of sea biota has made Raja Ampat as a living library of the collection of coral reefs and marine life of the most diverse in the world. In fact, according to a report of The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International, there are about 75% of the world's marine species living in this amazing island.For a moment you might think like being in a dream, but this is not an illusion.  

What To Do?

When you plunge underwater dive into the note with details of marine animals will greet you. Pygmy seahorses can be closer to your fingers as if to greet shaking hands. Mantaray and wobbegongs will swim with you. Tuna, giant trevaliies, snapper, barracuda and even helped welcome you under the sea, and if it was not enough, what if there is a new friend that is friendly dugong fish like to swim with you.

Do not miss too busy to observe small fish keep his territory back and forth. If you are lucky may be able to swim with sea turtles.Natural beauty, as if completely untouched and the main attraction here. No need expression beauty blue sky or the lush green island, because of what was on land and under the sea will tell you "Welcome to the Raja Ampat; This is a tropical paradise of the richest marine biodiversity in the world today. 

The Raja Ampat You can also see the "sea ghost", that is precisely in the eastern part Waigeo, in front of the village Urbinasopen and Yesner. There is a unique and interesting natural phenomenon and can only be seen every end of the year. sea ghost is a light that come from the surface of the sea, this light lasts about 10-18 minutes. Locals refer to this phenomenon as the "sea ghost".

 Swimming with whale share at cendrawasih bay

This phenomenon is more than just a beautiful view of the sunset, and you will be hope to enjoy it while relaxing on a boat. so don't miss  to ignore this phenomenon with your camera. Besides diving you can also try to surround the area of ​​Raja Ampat by boat. There are two types of boats that you can rent, speed boat and long boat.speed boat can carry 15 passengers and takes about 1 hour 40 minutes, at a cost of Rp2,000,000 or $ US 180, while long boat carrying 10 passengers and takes about 2-3 hours, with Rp1.200.000 or $ US100,the price can change any time.a few tips for you, You can rent a small boat if you want to explore this island more freely.  

The islands of Raja Ampat has four main islands and a hundreds of small islands around it that you can explore. In addition, this region also has a lot of coral which is a beautiful natural phenomenon. There are a variety of unique fauna such as Wilson's bird-of-paradise, paradise red, maleo Waigeo, kus-kus. For these types of flora, you can see orchids, palms, and many others.

 

Try to doing Tracking activities around the island to discover the hidden beauty such as the waterfalls and ancient caves. 

How To Reach?

Transportation Access to Raja Ampat can be reached by flight to Sorong that served by several national airlines. If you are departed from Jakarta will take 4 hours to Sorong and your flight will transit in Manado with Lion Air or Air Wings. Alternatively, you can take a flight for 6 hours with water sriwijaya or garuda airways and tansit in makasar. After reached Sorong, You must continue your travel to Raja Ampat with aboard the flight from Sorong to Raja Ampat by Susi Air with capacity of 14 people, or you can cross the sea for 2 hours from Sorong to Waisai by ships route Sorong-Saonek and Waisai. Fery departs from Sorong at 13.00, Route from Sorong to Waisai takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. The ferry back to Sorong from Waisai at 11.00. In Sorong also available speedboat that you can be rent if you want to get around. Sorong just like any other city, you can get almost everything here, although with more expensive price.

Where To Stay? 

Don't worry about a place to stay, Raja Ampat provided various hotel with varying rates. so you can choose which one that you like. in addition, lodge here also serves traditional Indonesian food which delicious.

When to Go? 

Now, are you interested to visiting Raja Ampat? The best time to visit is in October or November, because the sea conditions in Raja Ampat is very quiet, so it'ss perfect for those of you who want you explore the natural beauty of Raja Ampat.