By Abd. Wahab
You might have heard about the wonderful Raja Ampat. These 4 islands are full of natural beauty. On land, you will see the primary rainforests with amazing and unique animals, such as the beautiful Birds of Paradise. Below the surface, you can find incredible marine life teeming with coral and fish.
Once you arrive in Raja Ampat, no matter where you go, you will find endless adventure and exploration. But to make sure you get the best of the best of this archipelago, these are some of the top places to visit in Raja Ampat:
1. Kali Biru (Blue River) Raja Ampat
Kali Biru, also known as Blue River, is located inside the lush green forest of the Wasandim Village, Raja Ampat. The site just opened in 2016, and its location is very remote and far from the crowd. But its beauty is already known widely by domestic and international travelers.
The river is named Kali Biru because it has transparent and clear blue water. The color is made naturally by sunlight interaction with clear water and shallow depth, reflecting the sunlight to the bottom of the river. It also has fresh and cold water with temperatures around 10c to 20c.
To get to Kali Biru, you have to rent a local boat along the river for around 15 minutes from the village. Once you reach the land, you still must walk along a path through the forest for around 30 minutes. Even though it sounds challenging, it’s a worthwhile adventure because, along the way, you will see the forest’s beauty before reaching the Kali Biru spot.
2. Piaynemo Viewpoint Raja Ampat
Piaynemo viewpoint is the best-known spot to picture the beauty of Raja Ampat from 60m above the sea level. From this viewpoint, you can see breathtaking scenery, with turquoise waters, lush green mountains, and limestone karst island clusters.
To get to the Piaynemo viewpoint, you only need to challenge yourself by hiking to the top of the hill. But no worries because the path is very accessible to most people. You will get there by following the well-maintained wooden stairs. It takes only around 320 steps or about 15 minutes. Once you arrive at the top, you will see the most beautiful living postcard you have ever seen.
3. Warkesi Birdwatching Area
Raja Ampat is also known as home to 350 bird species, including the famous and beautiful Birds of Paradise. If you are a birdwatcher or twitcher, the Warkesi Birdwatching Area, also known as Warkesi Forest Park, is the best place to visit for birdwatching in Raja Ampat.
Warkesi Birdwatching area is one of the conservation efforts involving the local communities and Government in Raja Ampat to protect and nurture the forest and endemic birds in the region. Here, you might see the Red Birds of Paradise, known for their special dances during mating, or spot a rare Wilson’s Bird of Paradise, which you can only find in Raja Ampat.
4. Stingless Jellyfish Lake
This Stingless Jellyfish Lake is located in Misool, Raja Ampat. The lake is considered one of the only three places in the world where you can swim with stingless jellyfish. It’s rare, and visiting this hidden lake will be an unforgettable adventure you will ever experience.
To enjoy this unique experience, you don’t need to dive. All you need to do is float with your snorkeling mask, and you will see thousands of jellyfish of various sizes around you. The feeling is similar to watching an aquarium. It’s beautiful and calming.
5. Misool Prehistoric Rock Art
Most people only know Raja Ampat for its natural beauty on land and under the surface. But Raja Ampat is also known for its cultural heritage. If you are more into something cultural or historical, explore the prehistoric rock art in Sumalelen, Peff, or Dafalen in Misool Area, Raja Ampat.
The rock art paintings in this area are estimated to be between 3,000 and 5,000 years old. They depict various human figures, human hands, fish, and flowers. People speculated that the paintings were by early visitors, possibly the Aborigines from Australia who went as far as Papua.
6. Tomolol Cave Misool
If you want to try something different or a new adventure experience, Tomolol Cave is one of the places to visit in Raja Ampat. It’s a dark, quiet, and mysterious cave but beautiful.
This cave is different from other caves because it looks like a pool with fresh blue water. To explore the beauty inside the cave, you can go through by paddling, kayaking, or swimming. But make sure to bring your light or headlamp to see the towering stalagmites and stalactites inside the cave.
7. Yenbuba Snorkeling Spot
There is no doubt that Raja Ampat is one of the best snorkeling spots in Indonesia and the world. Once you plunge into the water, you can find the magical beauty under the surface, like coral reefs, schools of colorful fish, and more marine creatures.
Snorkeling in Raja Ampat should be on your bucket list if you are an underwater enthusiast. You will find numerous snorkeling spots, but one of the best is Yenbuba, also known as Fishbowl. Here, you can swim with many fish and the coral beauty without going far away. You can float under the Yenbuba Jetty to enjoy a fantastic snorkeling experience, only with your mask, fins, and snorkel.
Plan Your Raja Ampat Adventure with SeaTrek
Visiting Raja Ampat is like committing yourself to get ready for endless adventure. You can explore many beautiful and amazing places in this archipelago.
If you’re planning to visit Raja Ampat, the best way to enjoy it is by cruising. You can sail with a traditional Indonesian pinisi sailing ship that will take you to the remotest and untouched area of Raja Ampat, where beauty is the only word you can say.
Let’s make your dream come true, and if you need help to plan your trip give us a call, or for more information, you can check out our available trips to Raja Ampat.
