Who doesn’t know Raja Ampat? The islands, which are located at the head of the Papuan bird, keep the beauty of a marine park with the most complete and most beautiful biota. The natural charm of Raja Ampat seems not enough if you only enjoy it for a day or two.
Foreign and domestic tourists often choose to spend a few days in the captivating Raja Ampat Islands, drawn by their natural beauty. To reach these enchanting islands, you’ll need to embark on a roughly two-hour journey via a fast boat from Sorong’s Mina Usaha port.
The expenses involved in traveling between Sorong and Raja Ampat can be quite substantial. As a result, it’s advisable to maximise your time in Raja Ampat rather than shuttling back and forth. Fortunately, there are various inns available to accommodate your stay on the islands. Whether you’re in search of a local taxi, a convenient way to book a taxi, or a York airport transfer service to reach your chosen inn, you’ll find options to make your Raja Ampat experience even more enjoyable.
Waiwo Dive Resort
Waiwo Dive Resort is located in the capital city of Raja Ampat, Waisai, which is located on one of the largest islands of Raja Ampat, Waigeo Island. The inn with the concept of “closer to nature” consists of 12 cottages with ethnic Papuan nuances. Each cottage is filled with two to three beds and one bathroom. The wooden walls and floors create a calm and peaceful stay. However, this inn is not equipped with air conditioning.
According to the resort manager, Berto Rahawarin, his party deliberately did not install air conditioning to create a natural stay. Waiwo Dive Resort seems to combine the beach atmosphere with the harmony of the forest. The cottages there were built under the shade of trees but also close to the beach.
If you stay there, you will be spoiled by the singing of birds and a parade of insect music combined with the sound of the waves. There is a restaurant and bar separate from the cottage, and it is located not far from the beach.
Regarding the stay rate, the manager sets different prices for foreign tourists and domestic tourists. Meanwhile, for snorkeling, you only need to pay IDR 50,000 a day. To reach Waiwo Dive Resort, you can use a car or motorcycle taxi with a journey of about 20 minutes from Waisai pier, the capital of Raja Ampat.
Raja Ampat Dive Lodge (RADL)
Raja Ampat Dive Lodge or commonly called RADL is located on Mansuar Island, Raja Ampat Islands. This well-known inn in Raja Ampat presents an ethnic Balinese feel amidst the tropical forest and white sand beaches of Raja Ampat.
Entering RADL starts from a small pier connected by a long wooden bridge to the inn’s entrance. Fou enjoy views of the island covered in green tropical forests combined with the clear blue seawater. Alo from the pierng the way from the pier to the entrance of the inn, you will be spoiled with underwater views of Raja Ampat.
Coral and colorful fish seen from above sea level. The beach sand that surrounds RADL is also safe for children to play with. The inn, which American tourists dominate, has 27 rooms consisting of 20 bungalows and seven standard rooms. The rates are divided into three, namely single 165 US dollars per night, double 230 US dollars per night, and triple 315 US dollars per night for bungalows. As for the standard room, the rate is US$ 190 per night with a double bed, while the single is US$ 125 per night. Each room is equipped with air conditioning and a fan. Each room is filled with queen beds or twin beds equipped with mosquito nets to prevent you from being stung by mosquitoes.
Each room is also equipped with a bathroom, hot water, and toiletries such as soap, shampoo, and towels. In addition, there is a vanity, sink, and hairdryer in each room. Like other hotels, each room at RADL is equipped with a wardrobe and safe deposit box for valuables. Most of the food in RADL is processed seafood such as fish, shrimp, or lobster. As the name implies, RADL provides diving and snorkeling facilities for visitors. You only need to pay 9 dollars per day for snorkeling while for diving 35 dollars per day.
To reach RADL, you can rent a fast boat with a capacity of 20 people at a cost of IDR 3 million from Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat. The inn also provides pick-up services at varying costs you depend on the distance and type of ship. If you are picked up from Waisai, you are charged 80 US dollars. While from Sorong, 400 US dollars with a small engine ship or 800 US dollars with a large engine ship.
Acropora Cottage and Restaurant
Acropora Cottage and Restaurant is located on Waigeo Island. The inn built by the government is located not far from Waisai Beloved Beach or WTC Beach. As the name implies, Acropora Cottage and Restaurant consist of several bungalows with ethnic Papuan nuances. The rental price varies, ranging from IDR 480,000 to IDR 600,000 per night, so it can be an option for those of you who want to save more on tourism in Raja Ampat.
Each bungalow is divided into four rooms: two bedrooms, one living room, and one bathroom. Each bedroom contains one to two beds equipped with air conditioning. Then the living room is equipped with two chairs, a dispenser, a television, a minibar, and a dressing table. The bathroom is not equipped with hot water, but toiletries such as towels, soap, toothbrushes, and shampoo are still available. Although simpler than RADL, Acropora Cottage and Restaurant is quite comfortable to stay.
Not far from the inn, there is a typical Waisai souvenir shop. The inn also provides a gift shop for those who want to shop for Papuan t-shirts or batik. In addition, the location of Acropora Cottage and Restaurant is not far from Waisai Pier, about 5-10 minutes by renting a car or motorcycle taxi.
Homestay in Residential Village
In addition to hotels and cottages, homestays in resident villages can also be an option for you to stay. There are five tourist villages in Raja Ampat that provide homestays, including Sawinggrai Village and Arborek Village. Homestay or lodging in Sawinggrai Village is built near the village pier, above the sea supported by a wooden foundation like a pier.
There, there are two homestays consisting of a number of rooms, such as a living room and a bedroom. The cost of staying at homestays in these tourist villages is quite affordable. Homestay in Sawinggrai Village is rented at a rate of IDR 500,000 per person per night, including three meals, and recreational bonuses such as feeding fish, snorkeling, and watching the dancing paradise attraction.
Meanwhile, the homestay in Arborek Village costs IDR 350,000 per person per night, which includes eating, snorkeling, and exploring the village. To reach the two tourist villages, you can rent a fast boat from Waisai with a capacity of 20 people to Arborek for IDR 5-6 million while to Sawinggrai for around IDR 3 million.
Whether your trips take you on a long stroll on beaches, delicious cuisines, relaxing spas, and resorts, or urban attractions, extra research will give you the best experience for your visit. Get to know more about Raja Ampat by visiting Wonderful Indonesia.
