Face-shaped Rock in Kabui Bay

Planning your first-ever trip to Raja Ampat in West Papua but feeling overwhelmed about which spots to visit? You've read countless articles and watched numerous videos, yet still unsure? No worries, MyTrip has got you covered, ensuring you won't miss a thing. After all, it'd be a shame to travel far and spend much only to miss out on amazing places. Disclaimer: This guide is for non-diving trips only (yes, you can enjoy Raja Ampat even as a non-diver).

Must read: "Your Smart Travel Guide for Exploring Raja Ampat 2024 Edition (Part 1)"

1. WAYAG

A trip to Raja Ampat just wouldn’t feel complete without going to Wayag. Sure, lately many Trippers are content with only reaching Piaynemo, because, let’s face it, Wayag is indeed pricier. Not to mention the speedboat journey to Wayag takes at least 4 hours. So, it’s understandable that, due to budget and time constraints, many end up crossing Wayag off their itinerary.

White sandy beaches with turquoise green sea at Wayag

But what will you find and experience at Wayag? We’ll name a few: white sandy beaches with turquoise green sea, an exhilarating climb up steep karst hills, and when you get to the top, a 360-degree bird's eye view of the expanse of islands and karst hills emerging amidst the crystal clear sea water—one of the most beautiful sights in the world. That is the view from the top of Wayag 1.

View from the top of Wayag 1

Not only that, there's still Wayag 2. The view from the top of Wayag 2 is equally stunning, with sharp karst island formations resembling Tumpeng amidst the dark blue sea. So, if your budget and time aren't tight, make sure to add Wayag to your itinerary.

View from the top of Wayag 2

2. PIAYNEMO

It could be said that this is the main attraction of Raja Ampat. Its proximity, not as far as Wayag, has led some operators and speedboat owners to offer day trips to Piaynemo straight from Sorong, the gateway city to Raja Ampat.

The view from the main lookout point at Piaynemo

Many people also consider Piaynemo as the miniature version of Wayag. The view from the main lookout point at Piaynemo indeed resembles Wayag at a glance, with scattered mini karst islands in turquoise waters. While both are equally beautiful, their formations are clearly different! MyTrip really recommends checking out both Wayag and Piaynemo.

Must read: "Your Smart Travel Guide for Exploring Raja Ampat 2024 Edition (Part 2)"

3. STAR LAGOON

Telaga Bintang or Star Lagoon is located within the Piaynemo cluster as well. It’s only a swift 10-minute speedboat ride from the main lookout point at Piaynemo. To get a good view of the star-shaped lagoon, Trippers need to do a short, less than 10-minute hike up the karst hill.

Star Lagoon

4. KABUI BAY

The name Kabui Bay (or Teluk Kabui as is commonly heard) is also often mentioned when discussing Raja Ampat. The bay area is vast, stretching between Waigeo Island (one of the main islands in Raja Ampat) and Gam Island.

Pencil Rock in Kabui Bay

Now, You might wonder, what’s there to see in Kabui Bay? Well, there's actually a lot. But the more popular attraction for the typical Raja Ampat trip groups is definitely the Pencil-shaped rock. Additionally, there’s also a unique Face-shaped rock just across from it. And of course, there are plenty more islands or uniquely shaped rocks scattered along Kabui Bay, which Trippers can enjoy from atop a slowly moving speedboat.

5. PASIR TIMBUL

Imagine a small sand island or sandbank that emerges during low tide and disappears during high tide—that’s called Pasir Timbul! The Pasir Timbul often visited by Raja Ampat trip groups is located in the Dampier Strait, near Kri Island and the tiny Koh Island. If you arrive when the tide is exceptionally low, the sand island expands, and vice versa.

Enjoying the Water at Pasir Timbul

So, what's the deal here? Well, it's all about snapping some photos... With a backdrop of white sand and calm seawater all around. When the sky is especially bright, the result is just stunning. And because the water is shallow, it’s perfect for swimming leisurely and just floating around. But don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your face, arms, and legs before getting here because the sun will be intense, and there’s no shade to take cover.

Just floating around

6. ARBOREK ISLAND

Arborek is a small, inhabited island often visited on the way back from Piaynemo. The island itself is not what most people would consider exceptionally special, but it just feels incomplete to make a trip to Raja Ampat without stopping by Arborek Island.

As you approach the island by speedboat, you'll be greeted by rows of coconut trees gently swaying over the homestays lining up the beach. Alongside, you'll spot a modest dive centre, residential homes, and quaint shops. It's no surprise that Arborek Island is often selected as a home base by solo travellers seeking a more independent experience away from tour groups.

The swaying of coconut trees on Arborek Island

You can swim around or snorkel beneath the pier, or if you prefer, take a leisurely stroll across half the island and chat with the local children. Alternatively, you can just find a nice spot under the lush coconut trees, relax, and watch the children play in the water to their heart’s content.

You can swim around or snorkel beneath the pier

Apart from the 6 places mentioned above, there are definitely plenty of other interesting spots in Raja Ampat. Especially if we also consider Misool, the southern part of Raja Ampat.

Must read: "Your Smart Travel Guide for Exploring Raja Ampat 2024 Edition (Part 3-End)"

If you’re looking to make a trip or join a tour to Raja Ampat, reach out to us at 0811821006.

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