The Raja Ampat Islands: An Astonishing Gem of the Pacific

When you look for Raja Ampat on the map, you may have a little trouble finding it. Not only because it’s in a very remote location, but because it is an archipelago made up of approximately 1,500 little islands. That can be confusing. The first step is to familiarize yourself with the Raja Ampat Islands. These are Misool, Waigeo, Salawati, and Batanta.

More than 40,000 km² make up the archipelago. These four islands account for less than a fourth of the surface area of Raja Ampat. Raja Ampat means ‘the Four Kings,’ according to local mythology. It tells about a woman who found seven eggs, four of which joined together to form the four kings. But there are many more Raja Ampat Islands, which are true paradises.

The Raja Ampat Islands are Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, the Solomon Islands Papua New Guinea and East Timor. They are part of the Coral Triangle. Because of that, there is a tropical climate with constant mild temperatures. Thus, activities like diving are possible all the year.

One of the main attractions of Raja Ampat is its craggy landscape. There you have deep forests forming a stunning contrast with its white-sand beaches.

Waigeo: The Largest of the Raja Ampat Islands

Known as Pulau Waigeo in Indonesian, this is the largest island in the archipelago. With a surface area of 3.155 km², it is also home to the city of Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat. The Dampier Strait separates Waigeo from Batanta. The Bougainville Strait, in turn, separates Waigeo from the Kawe Islands (to the northwest).

Other designations of Waigeo are Amberi or Waigiu. Further, Waigeo is the closest to Sorong (gateway to the archipelago) of all the Raja Ampat Islands. Exploring the entire Island is a challenge. Although it is best connected to West New Guinea. It contains remote places, which are namely only reachable by a boat with locals or expert guides.

Its wild interior with inaccessible and unexplored rainforests are one of the outstanding features. This virgin landscape is also the home to many unique species. For example, the Crimson Bird, an autochthonous Bird of Paradise. Other species you can find on Waigeo include giant tortoises and lizards. But also, Indonesian cranes, and the Honeyeaters or Meliphagidea. These beautiful birds you can only find in Asia.

Misool: A Refuge with Crystal-Clear Waters

Misool is off the west coast of Papua. It is the second largest island in the archipelago of Raja Ampat. In its waters, there are many marine species, since it borders on the Seram Sea. This makes Misool an underwater paradise, along with the other Raja Ampat Islands.

Misool has a thick layer of rainforests and mangrove swamps. Thus, it is one of the Raja Ampat Islands with the most stunning landscape above its waters.

Misool is the second largest island in the archipelago. There you can find enormous limestone rocks that emerge from the water. Definitely an image you will never forget! Its lush vegetation covers most of its territory and so there is not much room for beaches. Those that it does have are with white sand and studded with coconut palm trees. That is why it is the ideal spot for admiring the deep blue ocean and imagining the underwater flora and fauna.

Besides its spectacular landscape and unspoiled nature, Misool has the most cultural attractions. In its caves, you can see petroglyphs that are more than 5,000 years old.

Salawati: An Oasis of Peace and Nature

Salawati is in the northwest of the island of New Guinea. It is the third largest island in the archipelago, with a square footage of 1.623 km². The only way to reach it is by boat. This is because it is one of the least developed islands of Raja Ampat. In route to Salawati, you can observe many little-uninhabited islands or islets. This will definitely give you a sense of being in a remote corner of the planet.

The tranquility of Salawati makes it an ideal destination for relaxing. Also, in its waters, there are true submarine treasures. For instance, sunken ships from the Second World War.

Salawati is a paradise not only for divers but also for those who love exploring the nature. It has not been developed for tourism or industry. So, it is the perfect place for discovering new species. Some scientists, who have visited this island, confirm that.

Little, Craggy Batanta

This is the smallest of the four most populous islands of Raja Ampat. But Batanta stands out from the others for its craggier, more rugged geography. It has a surface area of only 453 km² and is separated from Waigeo by Dampier Strait. This little island is the ideal place for watching the unique birds native to the region. Check the Raja Ampat activities we offer here at Raja Ampat Biodiversity.

Due to its small size, Batanta is the least visited of the four main Raja Ampat Islands. Yet this makes it more appealing to those wanting to travel the less traveled roads.

It was one of the first places in Raja Ampat that was designated a natural reserve. This happened because its huge sculpted rocks, sticking out over the lush tropical forest. Since the island is so narrow, the mountains nearly reach the sea. Therefore, they provide an easy access for hikers who want to explore wonderful views.

For nature and diving lovers, the Raja Ampat Islands offer a stunning landscape and ocean. In that way, you also get the chance to plunge into a place far from society.

Have you been to one of these islands? Do you know any other island worth to mention? Our resort is in the Dampier Strait, in Waigeo, one of the main Raja Ampat Islands. From our resort, you can reach deserted islands, stunning landscapes and the best dive sites in Raja Ampat. For further information about this paradise check our article about Raja Ampat. Also, do not hesitate in contacting us for further Information!