Dreaming of Paradise? Find here your best Travel Guide to Raja Ampat for Beginners
For people who have heard all about the amazing wonders that Raja Ampat offers and are wondering how exactly to get there, what the best time to have the experience of a lifetime in that little piece of paradise is, then this Raja Ampat for beginners travel guide is just what you are looking for!When to visit Raja Ampat?
Raja Ampat warm weather allows it to be a destination that can be visited anytime of the year.
High season is considered from October to April, so it makes an ideal time for people looking for an immersive diving and snorkeling experience in the beautiful waters of Raja Ampat. November to April is migration season and there is a diversity of marine life to be seen, especially the Manta rays which are present in abundance.
May to June is considered low season, mantas are more difficult to find, however the rest of underwater life is amazing as usually . August is considered to be a windy month, therefore the boat activities can be limited, depending on weather & sea conditions. Most of the days the sea conditions are not that bad. However, it may occur that on some days it will be windy in the morning and calm in the afternoon, this days we postpone the trips for the afternoon.
The underwater life will not be affected by these weather conditions, it’s more the trip to get to the dive sites that can be more uncomfortable than usually. Land activities are available as usually, for example trekking and hiking to see the display of the amazing the Birds of Paradise. The temperature remains consistent year-round at 26-32 degrees, providing a warm and inviting environment with sporadic thunderstorms possible any month of the year. There is no clear raining season in Raja Ampat. Continuous rainy days are rare, usually rains in the afternoons or during the night.
Click here for more information on when is the Best time to dive in Raja Ampat, Seasons & Weather |
What can you do in Raja Ampat?
Diving Courses & experiences
For those wanting to learn to dive or are beginner divers you will find exceptional pristine reefs and shallow diving. In Raja Ampat there are dive sites for all levels, so we will make sure to start nice an easy to guarantee a good experience.
We offer all dive courses until Divemaster level at Biodiversity Nature Resort. What a better time to enhance your skills than when being in the best diving spots! This guarantees maximum benefits to improve your skills as a diver. The theoretical diving courses can be done online before arrival, which saves you time to take advantage of paradisiac Raja Ampat and do the practical in the water during all your stay. Courses are available all year round.
Snorkeling Courses & experiences
Raja Ampat, in addition to being one of the best places in the world to dive and to organize a diving trip in indonesia, is the best place in Indonesia, probably in the world, to snorkel, most of the reefs are very shallow, which allows snorkelers to enjoy the wonders of this waters.
As the coral reefs are very close to our resort, you can enjoy the snorkeling experience in shallow waters with enormous biodiversity just a step away from your cabin. The wealth of fauna is the other factor that makes Raja Ampat unique in the world. During your snorkeling experience you will be able to see the epaulette shark, which is endemic to the area, hawksbill turtles, blacktip sharks, jumping dolphins… and all kinds of corals and reef fish.
Tours & excursions to the nearby islands
Raja Ampat is not just diving and snorkeling. You can also do other activities such as excursions. They are carried out in different places where the imprint of Western man and tourist massification is non-existent.
• The passage: The passage is called the channel that separates the islands of Waigeo and Gam. It is a place worth visiting while browsing for its spectacular nature and tranquility.
• FAM Islands: There is no other place like this on the planet. Here, the calcareous formations and their erosion allow you to enjoy a unique landscape dotted with different islets with spectacular seabeds covered by crystal clear waters.
• Manta Sandy : This is where these curious animals come every year to be dewormed thanks to the help of wrasse fish. It is a spectacle of nature to see how the mantas line up waiting to go through their cleaning turn.
How much does it cost?
The most expensive part of your holiday to Raja Ampat will be the flights getting there, however Raja Ampat caters for all budgets, from local homestays, to top luxury resorts. Biodiversity is in the middle, with no fixed check-in/check-out and flexible dive packages! Besides, our rates offer a great value.
How to get to Raja Ampat?
Your first task will be flying to Sorong from wherever you are in the world. The most common routes for that are going through Jakarta or Bali.
Flying from Bali to Sorong
There is now a direct flight Bali to Sorong, once a week, the frequency will be probably increased slowly. There are also daily flights via Makassar. Good news is that there is a n affordable hotel right in Makassar airport to rest for few hours until your last flight to Sorong.
Flying from Jakarta to Sorong
Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport facilitates one daily nonstop flight of about 4 hours, as Sorong is the nearest airport from Raja Ampat.
Ferry from Sorong to Wasai
Next, you need to get from the airport in Sorong to the ferry terminal. You can catch a taxi, or some resorts will have someone waiting for you on arrival. The daily ferry to Waisai is operated by Bahari-Express ferry departing from Pelabuhan Rakyat in Sorong, with a daily service at 9 am and 14 pm (same time both ways). Waisai is the capital city found on Waigeo Island. The hotel or homestay you would have booked picks you up from this the ferry terminal in Waisai to take you to your next destination.
Please note that there are no public boats, offering transportation in between the different islands of the area.
Some considerations
Make sure you carry minimum plastic and do not bring material that may damage the natural environment of the area. Rechargeable batteries and equipment are preferable since the local infrastructure may not have items available for your needs. Make sure you have prior knowledge about diving if you are planning to dive. In case you are a beginner, then do take guidance from the local trainers and read your insurances thoroughly. Indeed, a visit to Raja Ampat is a beautiful life-long experience, but your safety comes first and so it is best to be fully prepared!
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