Raja Ampat is one of those rare places that actually lives up to the hype. I’ve always wanted to visit this place and it exceeded my expectations. Remote, pristine and incredibly alive, these are scattered islands where jungle and reef meet in the most unfiltered way. There’s a reason it’s often called “the last paradise on Earth.”
There’s a reason Raja Ampat is often considered one of the most special maritime destinations on Earth. Raja Ampat, located in the Coral Triangle, boasts the highest level of marine biodiversity in the world. The region is home to more than 75% of all known coral species on Earth, as well as more than 1,500 species of fish and countless other marine creatures, from reef sharks and manta rays to tiny pygmy seahorses hiding in the coral.
What makes it special isn’t just the numbers, it’s how vivid everything feels. The coral reefs here are incredibly healthy and vibrant, with movement everywhere. Even casual snorkeling can make you feel like you’re swimming through a nature documentary. Unlike many tropical regions where marine life has noticeably declined, Raja Ampat still feels wild, thriving and noticeably unspoilt. This is one of the few places where you can truly feel that nature is still in full control.
Getting to Raja Ampat is not simple. This is one of the things that makes this place special. When booking your travel, we recommend booking your trip to Jakarta first. After that, you’ll need to book a short domestic flight to Sorong, the gateway to Raja Ampat. You will need to take a boat transfer or ferry from the first stop in Sorong. Many liveaboards also start here.
If you are staying at the resort like us, we will arrange all your transportation from Sorong.
Since we only stayed in Central Raja Ampat this time, I will focus on that in this blog post.
We split our week into two very different stays. Papua Paradise Eco Resort A legendary diving-centric world Papua Diving Resorts (Sorido Bay and Kri Eco Area). And honestly, that combination felt like the best way to experience Raja Ampat.
Papua Paradise Eco Resort (Biri Island near Batanta)
Papua Paradise Eco Resort Somehow, it feels adventurous and luxurious at the same time. The resort grounds felt like a true barefoot luxury retreat nestled deep in nature. Everything had a rustic yet sophisticated charm: wooden walkways stretching out over the turquoise waters, lush jungle surrounding the property and traditional overwater bungalows that blended in perfectly with their surroundings. Read more about our stay My blog post is here.
There are certain places in the world that completely change your perspective on nature, and Raja Ampat is one of them. But what made our experience even more special was staying with the pioneers of Raja Ampat diving. Papua Diving Resort. Founded by Max Ammer, one of Raja Ampat’s first explorers who discovered and mapped the region’s most iconic dive sites, Papua Diving Resorts has helped protect and preserve a special part of the planet for decades.
Two sister properties, Kri Eco Resort and Sorido Bay Resort, sit side by side on Kri Island in the heart of Dampier Strait, minutes from one of the most biodiverse coral reefs on Earth. We split our time here across two sister properties. Read more on my blog. Here is the blog post.
1. Snorkeling & Diving
This is definitely the biggest reason people come to Raja Ampat and it still exceeds expectations. One thing we really liked was how snorkeling friendly the whole trip felt. We went out for 3-4 snorkeling sessions a day, and what makes Raja Ampat so special is that many of the iconic dive sites are just as amazing as they are from the surface.
Each snorkel felt different. Some were filled with huge schools of fish, others had the healthiest coral gardens we’d ever seen, and some had the feeling of floating through the aquarium with visibility so clear that it almost didn’t seem real.
Some of our favorite snorkeling spots (in no particular order):
- Cape Cree (We hold the world record for seeing the most fish species in one dive!)
- Mike’s Point
- Pam Slope
- Melissa’s Garden
- island 2
- water island
2. Fam system
Our trip to Fam Islands was one of the highlights of our entire trip. The scenery throughout the entire trip is breathtakingly beautiful. There are dramatic limestone karsts rising from incredibly turquoise waters, small jungle-covered islands, and hidden lagoons as far as the eye can see. I think it’s too beautiful to be real.
The Piaynemo viewpoint is every bit as amazing as the photos make it look. After a short climb, you will see the iconic Raja Ampat landscape of emerald islands scattered across the blue sea. Honestly, it looked like my desktop screensaver had come to life.
3. Batanta Falls
One of the things I loved most about Raja Ampat was that the experience wasn’t just about the sea. The Batanta Falls journey takes you through mangroves and jungle before reaching a hidden waterfall nestled deep within the island.
After spending days in salt water, it felt really refreshing to swim in cool fresh water surrounded by dense rainforest. Peaceful, quiet and a nice contrast to the reefy days.
4. Kali Biru River
Kali Biru was one of the most unexpectedly beautiful places we visited.
The water here is an otherworldly shade of crystal clear blue, so vibrant it almost looks natural. Swimming down a river surrounded by jungle felt incredibly surreal and calming at the same time. This is one of those places that doesn’t do justice to photos.
5. Beaches and sandbars
Some of Raja Ampat’s dreamiest moments occur between activities during sleep breaks. During our boat rides and trips to the surface, we often stopped at small sandbanks or completely empty beaches surrounded by shallow turquoise waters. Soft white sand and endless shades of blue in every direction.
6. Bird watching
Raja Ampat is not only an amazing underwater world, but it is also home to some of Indonesia’s most exotic bird species, including the famous Red Bird-of-Paradise.
One of our favorite experiences was the Hornbill Sunset Tour. Here we watched hornbills fly across the sky as the island turned golden at sunset. It felt incredibly untouched and wild. If you wake up early, you can take a bird-of-paradise trip deep into the jungle. This is one of the most unique wildlife experiences in the region.
How to get there: Take a plane to Sorong (via Jakarta/Makasar/Bali) and then take a boat booked at the resort.
Connectivity: Very limited. Wi-Fi is commonly available in public areas of the resort.
What you need: Reef-safe sunscreen, rash guard, dry bag, and underwater camera if possible.
Best time: Diving occurs year-round, although generally October to April when the weather is mild.
Days: 1 to 2 weeks. Traveling between islands takes time, so it’s best to stay for at least 4-5 days per island.
Raja Ampat is less of a destination and more of a reminder of what the natural world was like before everything became overdeveloped and overcrowded. One of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems on Earth, the amount of life in this area is difficult to understand until you see it in person. The coral reefs feel endless, the water is constantly moving with marine life, and every dive or snorkel somehow reveals something new. People call Raja Ampat “the last paradise on Earth,” and honestly, after spending a week there, it’s hard to argue with that title.
Thanks for stopping by! xo
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