The landscapes resemble something out of Jurassic Park with dense tropical jungle giving way to hidden waterfalls and jutting limestone cliffs. Prehistoric wall paintings can be found in Raja Ampat alongside cave bunkers and seabed wreckage from WW2. Birdsong from parrots, hornbills and birds-of-paradise are your soundtrack as you paddle through mangroves on a kayak, stroll on beaches fringed by thick tropical jungle or meet the indigenous tribes.
The romance of this far-flung region is embodied by the history of its fairy-tale name which literally translates as ‘four kings’. Local mythology tells of a woman who finds seven mysterious eggs. Immediately after that, four of these hatch and become kings who reign over Raja Ampat’s biggest islands – Waigeo, Salawati, Batanta, and Misool. The other three are not so lucky and become a ghost, a woman, and a stone.
A charter with Yacht Sourcing gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore even the most remote corners of the archipelago while customizing your voyage to cater for your preferred activities and sights. More than 1,500 wild islands, cays, and shoals make up Raja Ampat’s 40,000 square kilometer area, which lies on the northwest tip of the Bird’s Head Peninsula in Papua New Guinea. Underwater, the marine habitats are among the most biodiverse in the world with 1,200 species of fish and 550 species of hard and soft coral. Giant manta rays, black and white-tipped reef sharks, wobbegong sharks, sea turtles, pygmy seahorses, and schools of barracuda and grouper are just a few of the creatures you can encounter here.
With so much to see and do it can be overwhelming trying to decide how best to use your time. That’s where we come is. With years of cruising the region under our belt, we can take you to the right spot at the right time. You don’t want to miss the whale shark encounter, do you?
From the Penemu Islands to the famous Passage dive site between Gam and Waigeo and Misool to Triton Bay and the whale shark hotspot of Cendrawasih Bay here are a few highlights to get you excited for the trip of a lifetime.
Sunsets and sunrises are truly incredible from any one of the islands’ many vantage points or immaculate beach spots, or from your private deck with a beverage in hand.
Dive in over 200 of the world’s best diving sites and experience the vibrant underwater world full of all sorts of marine life including manta rays, giant clams, parrot fish and more.
Dampier Strait will lead you to the mainland city of Sorong, blessed with beautiful beaches, stunning waterfalls, and breath-taking scenery. Keep an eye out for pods of dolphins and migrating whales along the way.
Kabui Bay is an extraordinary natural beauty of calm, clear green water and surrounding cliffs.
Piyanemo features a gorgeous forest walk leading to the very top of the island, for a breath-taking view.
Wayag Islands must be explored for their raw natural beauty, dense karst formations and breath-taking views.
Waigeo, the largest of the four main islands is famous for birdwatching (fingers crossed for the crimson bird-of-paradise), diving, forest trekking and local culture.
Local cuisine should be sampled such as fresh seafood, papeda and yellow fish soup in anyone of the charming island towns.
Kayak through Raja Ampat’s maze of islets, peninsulas, bays and inlets to its most secluded corners.
Well, that’s Raja Ampat in brief and words will never do it justice. When will you come and witness it for yourself? Some people wait a lifetime, some people don’t. Which are you?
