National park · Indonesia
Raja AmpatKepulauan Raja Ampat
Go for the reefs, not the trails: pay the Rp1,000,000 marine entry fee at Waisai, base yourself on Kri, Arborek or Mansuar for 5–7 nights, and treat the Pianemo and Wayag viewpoints as day-trip boat rides, not hikes.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
4,600 km²1,776 sq mi
approximate
Established
2007
Best months
Apr, Oct–Dec
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
At a glance
- Country
- Indonesia
- Area
- 4,600 km²1,776 sq mi
- Marine protected area figures vary by source and by which zones are counted: roughly 4,600 km² of sea across the four main islands (check).
- Established
- 2007
- Best months
- Apr, Oct–Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
Raja Ampat is an archipelago of 600-plus islands off the western tip of Papua, and the reason to come is underwater: the reefs here hold the highest coral and fish diversity recorded anywhere. Above the water the draws are karst viewpoints at Pianemo and Wayag, reached by speedboat, plus village walks and birdwatching. There is no single gate, no trail network and no park-run campground; you pay a marine park fee, sleep in a homestay or resort, and move by boat. Costs are high and logistics are slow, so this is a 5–7 night commitment, not a stopover.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2013Not listed as a World Heritage site; part of the Coral Triangle priority seascape (check).
Size and age
4,600 km²1,776 sq mi · national park since 2007
Marine protected area figures vary by source and by which zones are counted: roughly 4,600 km² of sea across the four main islands (check).
Why go
- The most biodiverse reefs on record: more coral species than the whole Caribbean.
- Karst viewpoints at Pianemo and Wayag that you reach by boat, not by trail.
- Village homestays on Arborek, Mansuar and Sawandarek where the money stays local.
- Manta, reef shark and wobbegong sightings on ordinary snorkel trips, not specialist dives.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanWet season but often clear; calm seas
- FebWarm, occasional squalls
- MarGood visibility; fewer boats
- AprDry, calm, excellent visibility
- MayTransition; some wind
- JunWind picks up; rougher crossings
- JulWindy; southern sites choppy
- AugWindiest month; boat cancellations
- SepWind easing; still unsettled
- OctDry season starts; flat seas
- NovCalm and clear; peak season begins
- DecDry, busy, book ahead
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manta rays (Dampier Strait)Oct–Apr · Present year-round; clearest water in the dry season. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Reef sharks and wobbegongAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds of paradise (display season)Oct–Feb · Dawn displays; a guide is required in practice. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Cuscus and forest birdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Sorong
Fly to Sorong (SOQ), then the express ferry from Sorong harbour to Waisai, about 2 hours; slow ferry takes about 4.
2–4 h
From Jakarta
Direct flights to Sorong via Makassar or Manado, then the ferry.
6–9 h total
From Waisai
No public boats to the islands; your homestay or resort arranges a speedboat for a fee.
30 min–3 h
From Misool
Overnight boat from Sorong on set days, or a liveaboard that starts or ends there.
8–12 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Waisai (Waigeo) | District capital, ferry port, tourism office and most dive shops. | Open; where you pay the entry fee. |
| Dampier Strait (Kri, Arborek, Mansuar, Sawandarek) | The classic reef and manta area with the densest homestay and resort cluster. | Open; boat access only. |
| Pianemo and Fam | Karst islets and the best-known viewpoint, 1.5–2 hours by speedboat from Waisai. | Open with a local fee. |
| Wayag | The far northern karst group, the postcard image of Raja Ampat. | Ranger post; 3.5–4 hours by speedboat from Waisai. |
| Misool | Southern reefs, rock art and caves; reached by overnight boat or liveaboard. | Open; long transfer. |
Sketch map
- 1Sorong (SOQ airport and ferry) · Ranger station≈-0.894, 131.290Map ↗
- 2Waisai harbour and tourism office · Gate≈-0.433, 130.803Map ↗
- 3Arborek village · Village≈-0.565, 130.518Map ↗
- 4Kri Island · Sleep≈-0.557, 130.685Map ↗
- 5Pianemo viewpoint · Viewpoint≈-0.565, 130.273Map ↗
- 6Wayag · Viewpoint≈0.166, 130.039Map ↗
- 7Misool (Fatiga harbour) · Town≈-1.771, 130.413Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine park entry (Raja Ampat Marine Protected Area) | IDR 1,000,000 (≈ US$65) | person | Paid once at the Waisai tourism office or on arrival; covers the calendar year (check). |
| Pianemo viewpoint | IDR 100,000–300,000 (≈ US$7–19) | person | Collected locally at the site or by your boat operator (check). |
| Wayag entrance | IDR 300,000–1,000,000 (≈ US$19–65) | person | Varies by operator and whether a ranger is present; confirm before booking (check). |
| Sorong–Waisai express ferry | IDR 120,000–240,000 (≈ US$8–15) | person | Economy to VIP; about 2 hours. |
| Speedboat charter, Waisai to Arborek | IDR 2,000,000–4,000,000 (≈ US$130–250) | boat | Fuel supply drives the price; confirm a day ahead (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Marine park entry fee permit or guide
Wayag ranger registration permit or guide
Diving certification permit or guide
Park rules
- Marine park fee
- Every visitor pays the Raja Ampat entry fee; keep the receipt, it is checked at some sites.
- Anchoring and fins
- Do not anchor on coral or stand on reef; boats use moorings where they exist.
- Wildlife handling
- No touching, feeding or chasing mantas, sharks, turtles or cuscus.
- Village etiquette
- Ask before entering a village, photographing people or filming ceremonies; dress modestly away from the beach.
- Drones
- Not allowed at Pianemo, Wayag or over villages without permission from local authorities (check).check
- Litter
- Carry out everything; waste disposal on the islands is limited.
Where to stay
In the park
Arborek and Mansuar homestays
Simple rooms with three meals included; the cheapest way to sleep near the reefs.
In the park
Kri and Pef dive resorts
Dive-focused resorts with house reefs; a week can run from Rp20 million upward.
Near the park
Waisai
Town hotels near the ferry and dive shops; useful for one night before or after a boat.
In the park
Liveaboard
A week or two on a pinisi boat covering Misool to Wayag; book months ahead.
Safety
Boat crossings in wind medium
Currents and depth on dives high
Sun and dehydration medium
Limited medical care high
Cash shortage medium
Accessibility
- Boat transfers are the main constraint: boarding is by small boat and jetty, often with a step down and no ramp.
- Homestays and resorts are generally not built for wheelchair access; ask specifically before booking.
- Pianemo and Wayag viewpoints involve steep stairs and rough rock; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Pay the marine park fee and keep the receipt; it funds ranger patrols.
- Choose homestays and village-run boats so tourism income stays on the islands.
- Do not buy or accept coral, shells or shark fin products.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid single-use plastic; waste leaves the islands by boat.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Raja Ampat?
The marine park entry fee is Rp1,000,000 per person, paid at the Waisai tourism office or through your accommodation, and it covers the calendar year (check). On top of that, some sites charge locally: Pianemo and Wayag collect small fees that vary by operator and whether a ranger is on duty.
What are the best hikes in Raja Ampat?
There is no trail network. The two walks people mean are the stair-and-rock climb to the Pianemo viewpoint, a short but steep 15–20 minute ascent, and the rougher limestone scramble at Wayag, which needs a guide and a boat waiting. Village walks on Arborek and Sawandarek are flat and easy.
When is the best time to visit Raja Ampat?
October to April is the dry season, with calmer seas and clearer water; November to April is the sweet spot. June to September is windier, southern crossings get choppy and boats are more likely to be cancelled. Rain can fall in any month.
Do I need a guide or a liveaboard?
No permit requires a guide, but in practice you need a boat and a captain for every island move, and village guides for bird-of-paradise walks. Liveaboards suit divers covering Misool to Wayag; land-based stays suit snorkellers and anyone who prefers a fixed bed.
How do I get to Raja Ampat?
Fly to Sorong (SOQ) via Jakarta, Makassar or Manado, then take the express ferry from Sorong harbour to Waisai in about two hours. From Waisai there are no public boats to the islands; your homestay or resort arranges a speedboat.
How much does a week in Raja Ampat cost?
Homestays with three meals included are the cheapest base; dive resorts run from roughly Rp20 million per week upward, and liveaboards cost more again. Everything is expensive because of the isolation, so budget for boat charters and the entry fee on top of your room.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go