Snorkeling, Island Hopping and Birdwatching Trip in Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is one of the most favorite destinations in the world for marine tourism. For visitors who love snorkeling and island hopping, perhaps, this tour is interesting. We could start from the Kri island. The coral reef around this island is very beautiful. It is the habitat of a lot of species of marine creatures from batfish that likes to swim around the jetty of the resort or homestay to anemonefish and parrotfish that are common in coral reef of this tropical archipelago. For more unusual species such as the longtail carpet shark or also called epaulette shark, we could see it at night at the shallow water of the beach. 

A beach in Kri island

During the transition period from high tide to low tide in Yenbuba strait, most often, there is current. Tour participants need to wear swim fins. As a guide, I often carry an orange lifejacket with me which I can give to snorkeling participant who may have problems with leaks on his or her snorkeling mask. It is also a clear sign for boat drivers that there are snorkelers in coral reef area where they are passing. 

Homestays and dive resorts in Kri and Mansuar can be used as a base for marine tours around northern Raja Ampat archipelago. There are dive centers that provide equipment for snorkelers and scuba divers who want to see the beauty of coral reef and its marine life. 

Warahnus homestay in Kri island

Dive center in Warahnus homestay of Kri island

For those who are interested in birdwatching, the nearby Merpati island and Mioskon island are very good destinations to watch Lemon-bellied White-eye, Varied Honeyeater, Violet-necked Lory, Papuan Eclectus, Great-billed Parrot, Spice Imperial Pigeon, Beach Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, White-bellied Sea Eagle and etc.

Coral reef in the east of Waigeo island

Underwater picture of marine life in Mioskon

The next trip during the tour is going to Piaynemo. It takes around 1 hour 30 minutes to reach it. The wonderful view of the karst of Piaynemo looks like emerald jewels that are arranged in turquoise blue water. One the way back, we could enjoy snorkeling in Piaynemo and Mansuar island. 

For visitors who are interested in birdwatching, the island of Waigeo is the next stop. It can also become the base for exploring other parts of Raja Ampat such as Kabui bay, Kali biru (Blue River), Gam Island, and a lot of small islands in the west of Waigeo. There are homestays and beach resorts along the south of Waigeo. 

Coconut Lorikeet in Waigeo island

A lot of species of birds could be watched in Waigeo. They include Red Bird of Paradise and Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Claret-breasted Fruit-dove, Spice Imperial Pigeon, Coconut Lorikeet, Black-capped Lory, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Hooded Butcherbird, Brown Oriole, Papuan Eclectus, Blyth's Hornbill, and etc. 

Beautiful Fruit Dove

Tour participants need to bring birding binoculars such as the Nikon Monarch 7 or Leica Trinovod 10×42 mm, and photographic device with telephoto lens.

If you are interested in taking a snorkeling, birdwatching, and island hopping tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Raja Ampat Snorkeling Sightseeing and Birding Tours

I often organize tours for visitors who want to enjoy snorkeling, sightseeing and birding tour in Raja Ampat. The program is described as follows:

Marine Tour in Raja Ampat

Day 1

Arrive in Sorong city, transfer by car to ferry harbor, going to Waigeo by fast passenger ferry. It takes around 2 hours to reach the harbor of Waisai. Transfer to resort or homestay. Rest. Snorkeling at the house reef of the resort, birdwatching in the complex area of the resort. Birds that we could watch include Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Beach Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Willie Wagtail, Osprey, Pacific Reef Heron, Helmeted Friarbird, Brown Oriole, Hooded Butcherbird, Papuan Eclectus and a lot more.

To enhance the birding experience of tour participants, binoculars and spotting scope will be used during the tour. Every participant will be able to share the spotting scope. 

Typical view of tropical island and forest in Raja Ampat

Day 2

Participants will wake up early in the morning at 04:30. Have some tea or coffee with bread or biscuits. At 05:00, we will go by car to the site of paradise birds. It takes around 30 minutes to reach it. We will continue on foot to the site of Red Bird of Paradise. The hiking duration is around 40 minutes. We will watch the bird until around 07:30. We will walk down the slope to the site of Wilson's Bird of Paradise. At around 09:30 we will return to resort/ homestay. Restt.

Snorkeling at the house reef of the resort at around 11:00 to 12:00. Lunch. Rest. At 15:00 birding along the roadside behind the resortm At 17:00 to 18:00 snorkeling could be done again at the resort's or homestay's house reef. 

Night walk for birding could be done after dinner.

Nature Tour in Raja Ampat

Day 3

After breakfast, trip to Piaynemo will be organized. Returning from Piaynemo, we will stop at Arborek, and then Yenbuba as well as the sand bank. Back to resort/ homestay. Rest.

Day 4

We will visit Kabui bay in the morning to enjoy birdwatching and snorkeling. Back to resort for lunch. At around 15:00, we will visit Mioskon or Friwen wall for snorkeling and sightseeing. 

Boat Tour around Kabui bay (between Waigeo and Gam) of Raja Ampat

Day 5

A trip to Blue River can be organized. 

Birding and Sightseeing Tour in Raja Ampat

Snorkeling and sightseeing tour in Raja Ampat

Day 6

Check out of the resort. Transfer to Sorong city. Check into hotel. Rest. At 15:00, we will enjoy birding at the mangrove forest of Sorong city. As well as doing optional visit to traditional market to find souvenir.

Mangrove forest is the habitat of a lot of species of birds such as Brown-backed Honeyeater, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Collared Kingfisher, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, and a lot more. Birding could be done along the roadside or from boardwalk and observation tower. 

Day 7

Transfer to airport. End of Tour

Visitor need to bring binoculars, camera for the tours. If participants choose homestay as accommodation, they need to bring their own snorkeling equipment. 

Booking

This tour is suitable for visitors who plan to visit Raja Ampat for holiday in small groups such as 2, 4, 5 or 6 people. To book your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Birding, Snorkeling and Sightseeing Tour in Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is a famous destination for visitors who love marine tourism. They go there to enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving and island tours. As a matter of fact, there are other attractions which visitors can enjoy while in Raja Ampat. 

Most of the big islands of Raja Ampat are covered by tropical rainforest. They are the natural habitat of a lot of species of birds, butterflies and other insecte, reptiles, and mammals. Visitors can enjoy rainforest tour while doing snorkeling or scuba diving in Raja Ampat. 

Piaynemo Karst

The easiest wildlife tour that anyone can enjoy while in Raja Ampat is doing roadside birding. The birds that can be watched include Hooded Butcherbird, Shining Flycatcher, Spangled Drongo, Eclectus Parrot, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Red-cheeked Parrot, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Beach Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher and etc. Most visitors want to watch birds of paradise. Usually, this is carried out early in the morning. Visitors need to wake up early at 04:30 to have coffee or tea with some biscuits. After that, they need to leave their resort or homestay at 05:00 for the site of paradise birds. Most guides will organize a car to reach the site earlier. The trip to the jungle will be carried out on foot. Birding can easily be carried out along the roadside of Waigeo island. 

The view of Kabui bay as seen from a homestay

However, it can also be done in remote islands along the beach. For example to Lesser Urai or Merpati island. Birds that live in remote islands of Raja Ampat include Violet-necked Lory, Spice Imperial Pigeon, Great-billed Parrot, Singing Starling, Palm Cockatoo, Claret-brested Fruit Dove and etc.

Birding in Raja Ampat

The birding activity in remote islands can be combined with snorkeling in coral reef areas. Raja Ampat is the habitat of tropical reef fish such as Wobbegong, butterflyfish, damselfish, parrotfish, moorish idol, grouper, trevally, and a lot more. 

Marine Life in Waigeo island

Coral reef in Mioskon island

Sightseeing tour can be done to interesting places of Raja Ampat such as Blue River, Piaynemo Karst, Yenbuba Strait or Kabui bay. For this purpose, a speedboat will definitely be needed. 

If you are interested in taking a tour in Raja Ampat and want me to organize your tour and guide you, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com. 

Snorkeling and Rainforest Tours in Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat archipelago has got a lot of snorkeling sites for visitors to explore. The ones that are closer to Waisai town in Waigeo island include Saporkren coast, Lesser and Greater Urai islands, Friend Wall, Yenbuba Strait, Cape Kri, and Mioskon island. Visitors can enjoy snorkeling to see various kinds of marine creatures such as parrotfish, butterflyfish, wrasse, moorish idol, boxfish, anemonefish, lionfish, and etc. 

Snorkeling photo from Yenbuba Strait between Kri and Mansuar

Giant clam in Arborek island

Visitors need to bring their own underwater camera such as Nikon W300 or Olympus TG-6 to take pictures of these marine animals. They can also use action camera such as Go Pro to take underwater pictures. To get good results, the cameras have to be set for underwater use. 

The best time for snorkeling is in the mornings and during high tide. 

Brown Cuckoo-dove

In addition to snorkeling, visitors can also take hiking tour in rainforest for watching birds of paradise and other tropical birds of West Papua such as Eclectus Parrot, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Golden Monarch, Red-cheeked Parrot, Coconut Lorikeet and etc. To take this rainforest bird watching tours, visitors need to bring their own binoculars. 

Endemic paradise Bird from Raja Ampat

For visitors who are interested in more adventurous trips, Batanta island is one of the destinations that they should go. There, visitors can enjoy snorkeling, dolphin and dugong watching as well as watching wildlife in the forest. 

Accommodation

There are a  lot of homestays and beach resorts that are built in the islands of Raja Ampat. They can be booked online through the internet or through tour guide like me. 

Booking

If you are interested in taking a snorkeling tour with your base in Waigeo island or Batanta island of Raja Ampat and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by WhatsApp to: +6281332245180. 

Snorkeling and Watching Birds in Waigeo of Raja Ampat

The Waigeo island is a great place for visitors who are interested in seeing both the marine and rainforest environments. The coral reef is the habitat of anemonefish, parrotfish, butterflyfish, grouper, trevally, wobbegong and a lot more. Beautiful coral reef could be seen along the coastal area especially in the southern region where there are beach resorts and homestays. 

Raja Ampat has got beautiful marine and rainforest environments

The nearby islands such as Lesser Urai, Urai, Gam, Friwenbonda and Mioskon have got beautiful  coral reef that is rich of marine animals. Soft corals can be seen along the Friwenwall. The house reef at the homestay and beach resorts along the coast of South Waigeo and Gam Island is also in very good condition. 

Reef fish at southern coast of Waigeo island

Snorkeling Photo: Anemonefish in the waters of Waigeo island

For birdwatchers, birding activity could be seen almost everywhere. My favorite is still along the roads of Waigeo both near the beach and in the forest. There, we could watch Spice Imperial Pigeon, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Eclectus Parrot, Great-billed Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Beach Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Hook-billed Kingfisher, Red Bird of Paradise, Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Torresian Crow, Helmetted Friarbird, Hooded Butcherbird, and etc. 

Extended Tour in Sorong City

After enjoying snorkeling and birdwatching in Raja Ampat, you could extend your tour in Sorong city by visiting interesting places such as Mangrove forest, Buddhist Temple, Doom island, traditional market and hill forest. This extended trip lasts for around 1 to 2 days. 

Sorong City Tour

For visitors who are interested in taking a few days trip in mainland West Papua, a trip to see wildlife in the forest of Tambrauw regency can be organized. 

Traveling to Raja Ampat

Those who want to go to Raja Ampat need to fly from their country to Sorong city. Here is the flight routes from major cities in Indonesia served by Garuda, Lion Air, and Batik Air. 

WALKING TOUR AND BIRDING IN THE HIGHLAND OF MINAHASA

Minahasa highland is a region in the Province of North Sulawesi. It is a great destination for visitors who love hiking and birdwatching. The forest, agricultural land, and paddy fields of Minahasa is the habitat of a lot of species of birds such as Warbling White-eye, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, White-faced Cuckoo Dove, Crimson Sunbird, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Black-faced Munia, Collared Kingfisher, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sahul Sunbird, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Pale Blue Monarch, Eurasian Treesparrow, Slender-billed Crow, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Sahul Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, White-browed Crake, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Purple Needletail, White-breasted Woodswallow, and a lot more. 

Zebra Dove, Black-naped Oriole, Black-crowned White-eye, Brown-throated Sunbird, Sahul Sunbird, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, White-breasted Woodswallow, Sooty-headed Bulbul

Birding tour in Minahasa highland could be done all year round. The town of Tomohon and subdistrict town of Sonder is a highly recommended destination. It is surrounded by mountains, hill, wetland (paddy fields) and water streams. Ecologically, Sonder is a highly recommended destination for birding, and butterflywatching. 

Blanchard's Ghost, Meyer's Jay, Blanchard's Wood Nymph, The Clipper, Lime Swallowtail, Gigon Swallowtail, Sacred Tabby butterflies

A visitor needs to bring a good pair of binoculars such as the ones with the size of 8×42 mm, 10× 42 mm or 10×50 mm. Usually birdwatchers buy the ones that are manufactured by Zeiss, Vortex, Swarovski, Nikon, Leica and etc. Nowadays more brands from Chinese manufacturers are available in the market with more affordable prices.

Farm Tour

While doing the walking tour through agricultural land of Minahasa to watch birds, visitors will be able to see various kinds of crops that farmers grow such as rice, corn, sweet potato, banana, taro, cassava, papaya, rambutan, durian, tomato, chilli, spring onion, aubergine, kangkung, cabbage, carrot, and etc. 

Some of the agricultural produce from Minahasa highland of North Sulawesi

Visitors can buy some of the agricultural produce directly from the farmers or local market and try cooking local cuisines at the homestay or lodge where they stay.

Paddy fields in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa regency

Minahasan farmers sell their agricultural produce to towns and cities in the Province of North Sulawesi, to eastern region of Indonesia such as Manado, Bitung, Ternate, Sorong, Manokwari, Jayapura, Ambon, Balikpapan. 

Visitors who are interested in taking this hiking and birding tour in Minahasa needs to fly from their country to Manado city. There are daily flights between Manado and major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar, Balikpapan, and Sorong served by Garuda, Citilink, TransNusa, Lion Air, Batik Air. 

There are also direct flights between Manado city and Singapore served by Scoot Air; and between Manado and Guangzhou served by China Southern Airlines.

Flight routes to Manado city

Arriving in Manado city, the trip to Subdistrict town of Sonder could be done by car. There are homestay in Sonder. Visitors could find accommodation in Tomohon town by using booking.com or traveloka.com.

Land Route from Manado city to the town of Tomohon and Subdistrict town of Sonder

Visitors could combine the trip to the highland of Minahasa with snorkeling and scuba diving tour in Bunaken, Siladen, Mantehage, and Lembeh Strait of the same North Sulawesi region. 

Booking

If you are interested in taking hiking and birding tour in Minahasa highland of Indonesia and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Also read:

• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Exploring the Natural Beauty of North Sulawesi
• Nature Tour in North Sulawesi

• Sonder town
• Lake Tondano
• Birding in Minahasa