Snorkeling Raja Ampat

Easy to Reach Snorkeling Site with Comfortable Accommodation

The southern coast of Waigeo island is covered by coral reef which is the habitat of a lot of species of marine creatures.

There are beach resorts abd homestays for visitors to sleep comfortably while enjoying their holiday swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling over pristine coral reef environment.

Marine Life at Warduwer Beach of Raja Ampat

Snorkeling Photo from Warduwer beach of Waigeo island

There are a lot of fish that make the house reef of these beach resorts and homestays as their natural habitat. Some of them include parrotfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, hawkfish, anemonefish and a lot more.

Snorkeling in Raja Ampat

Marine Life in Raja Ampat

There are a lot of fish that we could see in the shores of Raja Ampat. Some of them include butterflyfishes, surgeonfishes, Damselfishes (pink anemonefish, clark's anemonefish, clown anemonefish), snappers, emperors, jacks, barracuda, sharks, dolphins, slender schoolers, groupers, hawkfishes, sweetlips, parrotfish, wrasses, cardinalfish, gobies, and etc. There are also sea stars, sea cucumbers,turtles, christmas tree worm, nudibranch, and a lot of other marine animals that we could see in the water.
Because coral reef is a very fragile environment, visitors are advised to avoid standing on it. To take a rest on the water, visitors can ask for lifejackets. Or visitors can swim to shallow water and stand on the sand.

Transportation and accommodation

Adventure Tour in Raja Ampat

We may go to Raja Ampat by ferry boat but we will tour around its islands by motorized boats that belong to local people. There are guesthouses in certain islands that are frequently visited by tourists. But if we go to remote areas in northeast Waigeo, or South West Raja Ampat, such guesthouses do not exist. We will stay in homestays of the villagers or in tents in uninhabited islands. Tents and other camping equipment such as cooking and eating utensils will be provided by us. So, tourists do not need to carry heavy bags along the way from their country to Raja Ampat.

Taking Pictures

Tourists who want to take this snorkeling adventure tour is highly recommended to bring underwater camera, or any digital camera that is housed in waterproof casing. Make sure that the watertightness of the case has been tested before bringing the camera into the water. I use an action camera Brica B-Pro5 Alpha Edition. It is not the best but at least it is useful for me when I want to take pictures for my trip reports that I usually write in this blog.
For rainforest tour, the camera that is needed to take pictures of birds, butterflies or other animals in high trees is the one that has got telephoto lens or super zoom capability such as the Canon SX60 HS, Nikon Coolpix P900.

Rainforest Bird and Wildlife Tour in Raja Ampat

The snorkeling tour to tropical islands of Raja Ampat will include some hiking and birding trips in the rainforest. We will do hiking and birding in the forest to find Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Palm Cockatoo, Red Bird of Paradise, and a lot of other coastal and woodland birds.

What to bring
Here are some items that visitors need to bring for adventure tours in Raja Ampat:

• Snorkeling gear: mask, snorkel, fins. 
• Underwater camera for taking pictures of fish and coral reef
• Sunblock lotion
• Anti-insect lotion
• Personal medicines
• Biscuits, sweets and other snacks and mineral water
• Towel
• Watershoes
• Binoculars for rainforest birding and wildlife tour.

Flights
To reach Raja Ampat, first, you need to fly to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia). After that, you could take a domestic flight to Sorong city. Garuda, Sriwijaya, Batik Air and Nam Air, as well as Lion Air provide regular flights between Jakarta and Sorong.

Booking

To share the cost, I highly suggest that visitors take this tour in a group of 3 to 4 people or more. However, I can also organize private tour for single traveler or a couple. To book your snorkeling, birding and wildlife watching tour with me (Charles Roring), please, your e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180

Related posts:

Where is Raja Ampat?
Snorkeling in Raja Ampat islands
7 Snorkeling Spots in Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat Snorkeling Adventure

Birding in Sorong and Raja Ampat of Indonesia

Kingfisher

I offer birding tours for visitors who are interested in watching tropical birds both in the forests of Raja Ampat and Sorong. The duration of the tour can be customized into a few days up to more than one week.

Birds that can be watched during the tour include Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Olive-backed Sunbird, Rainbow Bee-eater, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Amboyna Cuckoo-Dove, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Beautiful Fruit-Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit-Dove, Western Black-capped Lory, Rainbow Lorikeet, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Red-cheeked Parrot and Palm Cockatoo, Large Fig Parrot, Black Parrot, Dollarbird, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Magnificent Riflebird, King Bird of Paradise, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Lesser Birds of Paradise, Red Bird of Paradise, Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Hooded Butcherbird, Spangled Drongo, Beach Kingfisher, Torresian Crow, Hook-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Crested-Tern, Papuan Hornbill, Willie Wagtail, etc.

Things to prepare:

• Binoculars such as Swarovski EL 8.5× 42 or any binoculars that are good enough to produce clear images og birds in distant trees.
• Camera with telephoto lens. A bridge camera such such Canon SX60HS, and Nikon P900 are very powerful photographic device for taking picture of birds. If you have got spotting scope, you could bring it too.
• Watershoes or hiking boots, t-shirts and pants that are suitable for hiking and watching birds in the forest.

How to get to Sorong?

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

• For international flights, you can fly from your country to Jakarta - the capital of Indonesia. 
• For domestic flights, you can continue your trip by flying to Sorong city. Daily regular flights are provided by such airlines as Garuda, Sriwijaya, Batik, Nam, and Lion Air.

Booking

Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or use whatsapp: +6281332245180

Raja Ampat Birding and Snorkeling Tours

Moluccan Starling in Raja Ampat

As a tourist guide, I offer hiking and birding tour in Raja Ampat islands of West Papua. The tours may involve staying at villager's houses or camping in the forest to find such target birds as Red Bird of Paradise, Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Papuan Hornbill, Yellow-faced Myna, and Olive-backed Sunbird, Palm Cockatoo, and Sulphur Crested Cockatoo.

Marine Life in Raja Ampat

The birding tour in the forest and coastal areas of Raja Ampat will be combined with snorkeling tours where participants can enjoy the beauty of coral reef and its wealth of marine creatures. Fish such as moorish idol, butterflyfish, diagonal sweetlips, anemonefish and striped-surgeonfish can be seen at depths between 1.5 meters to 5 meters.

To share the cost of the tour, participants should at least be around 4 to 6 people. A good pair of binoculars, spotting scope and camera with telephoto lens capability will enhance the birding experience of the visitors. For snorkeling in Raja Ampat, visitors will need to bring their own masks, and fins.

Booking

If you and your friends are interested in taking this Raja Ampat birding and snorkeling tours,  please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Also read:

• Birding in Minahasa Peninsula
• Sonder's Birdwatching and Butterflywatching Sites
• Birding in North Sulawesi

Where is Raja Ampat

Location of Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is a group of large and small islands in the western most region of South-West Papua province of Indonesia. There are more than 1,500 big and small islands as well as karst islets in the archipelago. Four big islands consist of Waigeo, Misool, Salawati and Batanta. Raja Ampat is considered as the center of marine biodiversity in the world because its waters and coral reef environment have got the highest number of fish species. The archipelago has got groups of karst islets that exhibit magnificent view of marine landscape. Some of them include Wayag, Piaynemo (Fam islands), Kofiau, Kabui bay and Fish Lagoon. Every year tens of thousands of visitors go to Raja Ampat to enjoy swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, free diving, scuba diving and sightseeing. In addition to marine tours, Raja Ampat islands attract significant number of birders who travel to the regency to watch the endemic Wilson's Bird of Paradise (Diphyllodes respublica) and Red Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea rubra).

How to go to Raja Ampat?

Raja Ampat islands

Visitors who want to go to Raja Ampat need to fly to one of the major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Denpasar, Makassar and Manado.
There is direct flight service by Garuda that connects Jakarta and Sorong city (the main gate to Raja Ampat). Regular flights between these cities are also offered by Sriwijaya, Batik, Nam, and Lion via Makassar city.
Tourists who land in Denpasar Bali can continue their trip to Raja Ampat by flying to Makassar and then to Sorong. Asian tourists can fly to Singapore and then fly to Manado by Silk Air. Regular direct flights to Sorong city are available from Manado by Garuda, Lion Air and Nam Air.
PELNI Ships
Besides going by airplanes, visitors can also go by ships to Sorong city. PELNI passenger ships connects Sorong and major coastal cities in West Papua as well as in Maluku, Sulawesi and Java islands.

Snorkeling freediving and birding Tours
I offer snorkeling and free diving tours for visitors who are interested in exploring the islands of Raja Ampat. The usual duration is 3 to 5 days. The tours will be combined with hiking and birdwatching tours to find such birds as palm cockatoo, pinon imperial pigeon, pink-spotted fruit dove, sulphur crested cockatoo, eclectus parrot and rufous-bellied kookburra. Please, bring your own snorkeling mask and fins as well as binoculars if you want to take the tour.
Booking
If you are interested in traveling to Raja Ampat and need a guide, I can be your guide and organize your tours from airport or hotel in Sorong city to Raja Ampat islands. Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Also read: 

• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Minahasa Peninsula
• Sonder's Birdwatching and Butterflywatching Sites
• Snorkeling in Raja Ampat Reef - Birding in its Rainforest
• Snorkeling Raja Ampat
• How to get to Raja Ampat
• Bird Photography Tour in Raja Ampat

Snorkeling in Raja Ampat Islands

Uninhabited island of Raja Ampat

Snorkeling in Uninhabited Islands
I often organize snorkeling tours to Raja Ampat islands. Visitors prefer  remote beaches and uninhabited islands to famous sites around Dampier strait. Here is the picture of Isanak beach which is one of the snorkeling spots that is rich of marine life. It takes approximately two hours ride by motorized boat to reach the island. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling and freediving as well as exploring the plants and animals in little forest of the uninhabited island. During the tour, I will bring tents, drinking water and food materials so that visitors will be able to spend one or two nights in the island before going further to a nearby village or continue hopping to another uninhabited island of Raja Ampat.

Jungle Tours for watching Birds of Paradise

Diagonal sweetlips in Raja Ampat waters

I can organize tour into the forest of Waigeo island for visitors to enjoy birdwatching. Early in the mornings, male Red Bird of Paradise dance in trees to seduce their female birds. If the female birds are impressed with the courtship dance of the male birds of paradise, they will mate. It is a good way to start a day. Birds of paradise have got more than one sex partners.
To enjoy watching the paradise birds, visitors need to bring their own binoculars, telephoto camera or spotting scope. We can spend one more night in the forest.

Village Tour and Birding Tours 

There is a village that is not far from the lek of birds of paradise. After watching the birds, we can go to the village to take a shower, meet local people and have lunch. We could also do village tour to see and meet local people in their daily activities. Another night in the village will enable us to explore the forest at the back of the village. We can easily explore the forest because there is road. Birds that become our target are Papuan Hornbill, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Olive-backed Sunbird, Lowland Peltop, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, and etc.

Island Hopping

We will continue our snorkeling Tour to another uninhabited island of Raja Ampat. Here, in addition to snorkeling, we can enjoy fishing. Local villagers can catch some fish aand we can grill these fresh fish for our lunch.  Reef fish such as Grouper, Damsel Fish, Anemonefish, and Striped Surgeonfish can be seen at the depths between 1 to 3 or even 5 meters. Sometimes hawksbill turtles and black-tip shark could be seen in the waters too. We can make a visit to a sand strip in the middle of the sea to take pictures of the blue ocean and its marine environment.

Fish Lagoon
More exploration of pristine nature of Raja Ampat will bring us to Fish Lagoon where will will enjoy the beauty of the islands that form the lagoon. A short hike to the top of the island will present us the magnificent view of the lagoon. One more night in the nearby village is a good way for us to interact with local villagers.

Getting to Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is a regency in the western most region of West Papua province, Indonesia. As of today flights to this archipelago can be carried out to Sorong city. Here is how to get there:

• Fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia)
• After that take a domestic flight to Domine Eduard Osok (DEO) airport of Sorong city. There is direct flight served by Garuda - the Indonesian national flag carrier. Batik, Sriwijaya, Nam, and Lion Air
• I will meet you at the airport or the hotel where you stay and organize your adventure tours to Raja Ampat

Getting to Raja Ampat can also be done from cities in Indonesia when you are already inside this country. For instance, if you are in Manado city, you can fly to Sorong city. If you are in Manokwari coty, you can take PELNI passenger shop to Sorong city. You could also fly to Sorong from Rendani airport of Manokwari.
Booking
I offer this tour to anybody who is interested in exploring the natural beauty of Raja Ampat islands. It is important to have several participants (3 to 5 or 6 people) to share the cost. Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Visiting Fish Lagoon in Raja Ampat
Snorkeling and Watching Birds of Paradise in Raja Ampat
Snorkeling and Hiking in Raja Ampat
Tour to Uninhabited Islands of Raja Ampat