Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat, off the far eastern coast of Indonesia in West Papua, is often called the last paradise, a remote archipelago of hundreds of jungle-clad karst islands scattered like emeralds across brilliant turquoise seas. Beneath the water lies the richest marine biodiversity on earth, with more coral and fish species than anywhere, making it a world-class, if hard-to-reach, destination for diving and snorkelling, above pristine lagoons and iconic island viewpoints.

History

Archaeological evidence shows people first reached the islands more than 50,000 years ago, when Misool and Salawati were joined to New Guinea and Waigeo and Batanta formed one island, Waitanta; at the Mololo Cave site early people processed tree resins and hunted native animals. The name means "the four kings", after the main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo (Wikipedia, Raja Ampat Islands).

The landscape

• The karst islands - the jungle-clad limestone islands and lagoons.
• The diving and snorkelling - the richest reefs and marine life on earth.
• Piaynemo - the iconic viewpoint over the clustered islands.
• The pristine wilderness - the remote, untouched seas and villages.

When to go

October to April for the best diving conditions and calmest seas, though it is a year-round destination; the remote location means going is a commitment at any time. Liveaboard boats and remote homestays and resorts are the main ways to stay.

Good to know

It is very remote and expensive to reach, requiring flights to Sorong and then boats, so it is a serious, costly trip for dedicated divers and nature lovers rather than a casual stop. Facilities range from simple village homestays to pricey resorts and liveaboards. Its very remoteness is what keeps it pristine.

Nearby

Sorong in West Papua is the gateway; the wider islands of eastern Indonesia lie beyond.

Key facts