See & Do
Raja Ampat - Pretty much heaven on earth
If you're a diver, you probably already know Raja Ampat is as close as you're ever going to get to heaven on earth. The beauty of Raja Ampat's marine environments is that they are so diverse, rich and accessible that you don't have to be a diver to be enthralled by the ever changing kaleidoscope of form and colour beneath the region's waters.
There's a huge range of ocean life able to be explored on a single lungful of air. Even pelagic species like manta rays can be found close to shore in waters shallow enough for them to be seen by simply donning a mask and snorkel and floating on the surface... though there's nothing quite like taking a breath and getting down amongst them!
Snorkelling in Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat has a deserved reputation as one of the best places in the world for diving and underwater photography, but from what we've seen on the internet, few seem to realise it's also one of the best places in the world for snorkelling. The range of habitats and marine life in the ocean's top few metres is just astounding. Even better, many of the homestays in Raja Ampat have fantastic snorkelling available right at their doors.
One of these is Nudibranch Homestay near the village of Sawinggrai on Gam Island. The homestay is built on a shore protected from the currents and waves of the open ocean by a belt of mangroves. Most of Raja Ampat's mangroves are known as blue water mangroves because, unlike the majority of mangroves elsewhere in the world, they don't grow on deep mudflats and the waters they stand in are free of silt and river-borne sediments.
Kayaking in Raja Ampat
Sea kayaking is without a doubt the best way to explore the Raja Ampat archipelago. Gliding silently among these spectacular islands without the noise and fume of outboard engines means experiencing nature at its wild and beautiful best in what has to be the world's greatest sea kayaking destination.
Indonesian import duties make bringing your own kayak to Raja Ampat ridiculously expensive and also have the effect of making kayaks virtually impossible to buy in the country.
There's two ways around this obstacle: One is to bring a foldable kayak - if customs ask, just tell them it's a tent!
The other is to go with a unique, community-based tourism venture that can provide everything you'll need.
