The Sea of Raja Ampat in August

During July, the sea of Raja Ampat especially the southern region is rough. The waves are big and dangerous for small boats. In August, the northern waters of Waigeo, it is relatively calm. However, the wind blow is still strong. People can travel easily from one village to another by motorized boats. Rough sea also occurs between Sorong and Waigeo. However, due to climate change, there are some days in August where the sea is relatively calm and is suitable for snorkeling and scuba diving. 

Seaview in Raja Ampat islands

During the wave season, visibility is poor. It is not a favorable condition for diving. That's why fewer scuba divers go there during July, and  August. However, for visitors who are more interested in wildlife of rainforest and the culture of the indigenous people, they still can visit Raja Ampat during these months. 

These is less rain in August, September and October. This kind of weather allows visitors to watch tropical birds, mammals, reptiles and insects of Raja Ampat islands. 

Coral reef in Raja Ampat

Certain coral reef areas in northern sea of Waigeo is in good weather. Visitors can enjoy swimming and snorkeling there. Visitors can stay in villagers houses. The accommodations are generally basic homestays with beds, toilets. For foods, there can be arranged with the homestay owners where breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided at additional costs. 

Raja Ampat is a very popular marine tourism destination in Indonesia for marine lovers. It is easy to reach that regency. 

• Most international visitors fly from their country to Jakarta which is the capital city of Indonesia. 
• After that they can continue their flight by taking domestic airlines such as Garuda, Batik Air, Sriwijaya Air to Sorong city.
• Arriving in Sorong city, they can go to Waigeo by taking fast passenger ferry boat that leaves for Waisai town in the mornings and in the afternoons. 

My favorite places for snorkeling are Yenbuba strait, Cape Kri, Mansuar islands; as well as Warduwer beach, Yengkawe beach, Waim and Mamiaef in Waigeo island. 

Crysyal clear water and coral reef in Waim island of Raja Ampat

For birding and wildlife watching, I highly recommend such forests as Warduwer, Sopen and Insouduwer.  There, visitors can see Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Great-billed Parrot, Moluccan King Parrot, Helmetted Friarbird, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Hooded Butcherbird, Beach Kingfisher, White-breasted Woodswallow, Whimbrel, White-bellied Sea Eagle, and a lot more.

Female Eclectus Parrot in a forest in Sorong regency

If you are interested in traveling to Raja Ampat and mainland West Papua, and want me to guide you, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Also read:

• Raja Ampat Archipelago
• Rainforest Tour in Waigeo of Raja Ampat
• Wildlife watching in Raja Ampat
• Birding in Minahasa
• Nature Tour in North Sulawesi
• Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in Sonder town of Minahasa Highland
• Minahasa Beach and Great-billed Kingfisher
• Lake Tondano
• Yellow-billed Malkoha
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Knobbed Hornbill in North Sulawesi
• Birds in the Highland of Minahasa

Marine Life Art Inspired from Coral Reef in Raja Ampat

I often guide visitors to Raja Ampat for a combined rainforest and coral reef tour. For rainforest trips, we enjoy hiking and birdwatching to see tropical birds of Waigeo island such as Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Red Bird of Paradise, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Hooded Butcherbird, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, and etc.

Reef Fish Illustration

For coral reef tour, we usually enjoy snorkeling in several coral reef sites to see surgeonfish, anemonefish, parrotfish, moorish idol and a lot more. 

I often take pictures of these beautiful marine life which will be my inspiration and references when I create drawings and other artworks. 

Digital illustration of whaleshark that is printed on t-shirt

I also draw bigger marine animals like manta and whaleshark. This is important to raise awareness among all of us about the importance of keeping our sea clean. When we throw plastics on the streets, they will be pushed by rain water to drainage tunnels and ditches that flow to the sea. Marine environment will become the victim of our irresponsible behavior. 

Please, support our efforts in raising awareness about the importance of proctecting and preserving coral reef and rainforest environments by buying products such as t-shirts, mugs, tote-bags, cell-phone cases, pillows, stickers, spiral notebooks, that are printed with art drawings of fish, and other marine life through this Marine Art Online Shop.

Sea Art

Over the years I have created artworks which are inspired from the sea. They can be drawings or watercolour paintings of children swimming at a pier, an abundant shipwreck or the scene of a father and a son at a beach launching a boat toy. Sea has become an important source of inspirations for art creation. 

Sea Art

In recent years I also have drawn artworks digitally using Autodesk Sketchbook with tablet or cell phone and stylus as my tools. The use of digital tools have revolutionized the creativity of artists who are trying to make a living from the digital drawings or illustration. 

The artworks can now be sold repeatedly as printed works on t-shirts, mugs, spiral notebook, pillow and a lot more. Actually, the availability of drawing software such as the Autodesk Sketchbook for artist greatly helps digital artists in trying to earn a living from their art.

Back to the sea again - in time of the Covid Pandemic, most marine tourism activities such as in Raja Ampat, Cendrawasih Bay and other parts of the world have dropped significantly. Its impact to marine life is actually good. Big fish such as manta, dolphins and blue whales can now swim on the surface of the sea. Coral reef ecosystem can thrive without many disturbances from human. 

I don't say that marine tourism is bad for the sea. Responsible marine tourism helps preserve marine environment. But before you could go back to the beach to enjoy swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving, you could visit my redbubble artshop: SEA ART to get some of the artworks which are suitable for you.

Please, support this blog by buying some art print merchandise in my Redbubble shop as follows:

Whaleshark and a swimmer - a vector illustration

• Black-capped Lory
• Terrestrial Pink Orchid

Raja Ampat Snorkeling Season

This is now a good time for snorkeling in Raja Ampat. Starting from October, November, December, January until June, the waters in southern, and western region of Waigeo are relatively calm. The sea around Kri, Mansuar, Arborek and Batanta as well as Misool is calm. Local people can enjoy swimming and snorkeling to see the wealth of marine biodiversity in the coral reef of the archipelago.

Diagonal Sweetlips (the ones with yellow tail) in Yenbuba strait of Raja Ampat

Domestic tourists from cities and towns can now travel to Raja Ampat to enjoy snorkeling. However, they have to take rapid test. Laboratories or hospitals that provide the tests will issue letters which state that their holders are not infected with Covid-19 virus. 

In general, the number of visitors traveling to Raja Ampat is still low. Foreign tourists are still banned from visiting Indonesia. We are hopeful that in 2021 this country will be opened to international travelers again.

Snorkeling sites in eastern region of Waigeo such as the Waim and Mamiaef islands are great places for those who want to enjoy snorkeling in islands that are not crowded with a lot of tourists. This can also be seen in coral reef areas inside Kabui bay. 

Most of the beach resorts, and homestays in Raja Ampat are empty or do not operate in full capacity. I highly recommend that visitors bring their own snorkeling equipment such as snorkel, mask, and fins as well as underwater camera if they can enjoy their holiday in Raja Ampat or other places in West Papua. 

Wilson's Homestay in Raja Ampat

As a tourist guide, I organize a combined snorkeling and rainforest tour to Raja Ampat and mainland West Papua. Because I was born and grew up here, I know this province well. If you are interested in taking such tour in 2021, and want me (Charles Roring) to organize your trip, please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Dive Resorts in Raja Ampat are trying hard to survive

Dive resorts in Raja Ampat are trying hard to survive during the Covid-19 pandemic. Indonesian government have not allowed foreign tourists to travel across this country to prevent more infections among its citizens. Local government of Raja Ampat regency opened their territory for domestic visitors again on 22 August 2020. The number of visitors traveling to this archipelago is still lower than before the pandemic. Owners of dive resorts and homestays in Raja Ampat are facing difficulties in paying monthly wages of their workers and in doing maintenance of their accommodation and other service facilities. 

A Beach Resort in Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat archipelago is one of the most important destination in the world for marine tourism because its waters have got the highest marine biodiversity.

The lack of tourists in Raja Ampat waters, according to reports from workers who decide to stay in beach resorts during the Covid-19 pandemic, actually brings positive impacts to the marine environments. More big marine animals such as manta, and dolphins can now be seen on the surface of the sea closer to islands. However, some people who see the phenomenon says that ecotourism brings positive impacts to the environment because local people can generate income. They will preserve coral reef and rainforest. 

Also read: Dive Resort in Raja Ampat