Raja Ampat
Indonesia · Southeast Asia
An archipelago of more than 1,500 islands at the heart of the Coral Triangle, with some of the richest reefs on earth.
Why visit
Why visit Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat, “Four Kings”, lies off the north-western tip of New Guinea, in Southwest Papua. Four main islands, Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo, anchor an archipelago of more than 1,500 small islands, cays and shoals.
Its reputation is underwater. It forms part of the Coral Triangle, the part of the Southeast Asian seas with the richest marine biodiversity on earth, with more than 600 species of hard coral, about three-quarters of those known, and more than 1,700 species of reef fish. In 2025 the islands became a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Explore
What to see
The main draw is the sea: reefs for diving and snorkelling, sheltered lagoons among limestone islets, and mangrove channels. Misool in the south and Waigeo in the north are the two largest of the main islands. Most visitors explore by boat, either from a land-based stay or on a liveaboard such as a phinisi, the hand-built Sulawesi schooner, whose boatbuilding tradition UNESCO inscribed on its intangible heritage list in 2017.
Experiences
Experiences in Raja Ampat
Before you go
Practical information
Getting around
Visitors usually arrive through Sorong or Waisai, then move between islands by boat. There is little road infrastructure, so itineraries are shaped by sea conditions and the operator.
Practical notes
The currency is the Indonesian rupiah. Entry to the marine protected areas requires a Marine Park Entry Permit; the park authority lists IDR 1,000,000 for international visitors, valid for twelve months, with children under twelve exempt. The fee funds conservation and patrols, and rangers check permits. Confirm current rules before travelling.
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