Raja Ampat

Overview

Raja Ampat lies at the easternmost tip of Indonesia and is renowned for the highest marine biodiversity in the world, with more than 1,500 recorded fish species and 700 species of coral. Its curious mushroom-shaped islets, emerald mangrove lagoons and crystal-clear water form an unmatched natural landscape, making it a world-class destination for diving and freediving and a dream for travellers seeking extreme tranquillity.

History

The Raja Ampat archipelago comprises more than 1,500 small islands around the four main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo, from which the name four kings derives. A network of marine protected areas was established from 2007 with support from international conservation groups, and local communities hold customary fishing rights, a combination that has kept the reefs exceptionally intact.

Highlights

• •World-class diving
• •The mushroom islands
• •Kayaking in the mangrove lagoons

Practical tips

• •A marine park permit is required
• •Conditions are best from October to April

Practical information

Best time

October to April

Tickets

Varies by island

Opening hours

Open all day

Local food

Grilled fish, sago and tropical fruit

Getting around

Access is via a connecting flight to Jayapura, and remote areas need a permit applied for in advance

Visa

Visa-free or visa-on-arrival arrangements apply to Chinese citizens; check the latest announcements. Entering Bali requires an electronic customs declaration.

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