The hidden paradise of Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is a hidden paradise in the remote westernmost part of Indonesia with breath-taking views of Raja Ampat islands.

D’Coral Resort in Waigo Island After a 10-hour Qatar Airways flight from London to Jakarta, a day’s rest at the Hotel Bandara International, conveniently located near the airport, I took another 6-hour flight to Sorong, but the journey wasn’t over yet. A twenty-minute drive to the harbour, where a speedboat was waiting for us to carve our way through choppy waters on the final 3-hour leg of my journey.

It was a major relief to arrive at D’Coral Resort in Waigo Island. There was a long wooden pier extending over the water leading to the main reception and shoreside restaurant. There was a narrow beach, ideal for sunbathing, especially when the fishing boats are gone.  

My spacious ensuite double bedroom was located on the ground floor of a two-story bungalow overlooking the ocean. The bed was covered by a mosquito net and although basic, it was comfortable and stylish. The terrace extended out over the sea and had wooden steps leading into the sea. The backdrop to the hotel is woodlands brimming over with local flora and fauna.

The local market in the town of Waisai Late afternoon, I took a motorcycle tour through the Island of Waigo. After a while we reached the town of Waisai, capital of the Raja Ampat archipelago.

The centre of the square has a statue of a dolphin, titled Raja Ampat. There was a bustling local market on the banks of a fast flowing river where you could find almost everything from fish and vegetables to groceries, DIY tools and textiles. We stopped at Waisai’s Grand Mosque (Masjid Agung Waisai). It was a large mosque, the interior hall painted in green with white columns.

Waisai’s Grand Mosque We headed towards the Port of Waisai where we watched a passenger ferry disgorge its mixture of workers and cargo. On our return journey, we stopped by the small airport to enjoy the stunning sunset.

I woke up early the next morning and watched the sunrise while having my breakfast. We departed at 6 am for a 3-hour boat journey to Wayag Island off the northwest of Waigeo Island.

The boat slowed down as we approached, so we could see the forested cone-shaped atolls, some as high as 200 meters. The scenery was breath-taking. 

You can climb some of these atolls, but there are no steps or ropes to aid your ascent. It is always recommended doing the climbing early morning after sunrise or near sunset. We were blessed with sunny skies, but I was dehydrated and had to use several bottles of cold water to pour over my head and drink to cool down. Despite this, it was well worthwhile for such an exciting experience.

Port of Waisai While catching my breath on top of this atoll, I took in the beauty of my surroundings. My position gave me a 360 degree panoramic view from the wetland valleys below me to the hundreds of rock isles wrapped in thick green forests that spread out to the horizon. The fresh air and clear blue sky combined with shiny calm blue waters surrounding these shady, densely forested rocks sticking out of the sea would make a wonderful painting demonstrating the amazing diversity of Mother Nature. I could have stayed there forever, but I had to head back down to carry on my journey. It was easier for me to go down the cliff, but I still had to be cautious in order not to slip.

Raja Ampat atolls in Wayag Island We couldn’t stop by the beach as the water was too shallow, so we cruised round to the far side of the island where there was a pier for us to moor. The place was nicely prepared with huts and benches for short stays and picnicking. We had our lunch, and it was then an ideal time to go swimming. It was a little scary to see numerous black sharks in the seawater near the beach. They said they had been fed meat and so, not being hungry, the sharks weren’t interested in me. I think the idea of swimming with sharks put the group off, and so we took the opportunity to take photos instead.

Black sharks in Wayag Island It was a very adventurous day, and we got to observe, experience and learn about Raja Ampat. I loved the surface beauty, but would like to have seen the underwater wonders as well. Sadly, there was no time for diving. There would be more opportunities in the next days of my journey for snorkelling, but it was time to head back to the D’Coral Resort, as we had that three-hour sea cruise ahead of us.

For more information about Raja Ampat, visit www.indonesia.travel.

See more images of Raja Ampat.

Images and story © Mohammad Reza Amirinia

 

140 people found this helpful
19905

Share Article:

Mohammad Reza Amirinia

Freelance journalist, photojournalist & travel writer

Leave a comment

*

Sign up to our newsletter to receive the latest travel tips on top destinations.

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Most Recent Articles

There’s something refreshingly nostalgic about the quintessential British coach holiday….

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.