Trip Overview
Length:
11 day trip / 7 days kayaking
Difficulty:
3 / 5
Price:
$4100 CAD / 3100 USD
Location:
Raja Ampat, West Papua
Dates:
2022 - Jan 20th to 31st
What makes this trip special
- The undisputed centre of marine diversity in the world
- Snorkel with 1200 different species of fish
- View 600 species of reef building coral
- Paddle amongst hundreds of stunning limestone islands and white sand beaches
- Unique cultural experiences
- Experience tropical beach camping
- Five nights in locally run homestays
The Tour
We will stay in a variety of accommodations, from 4 star hotels, to locally run guesthouses, to beach camping. Each day we will paddle to a new destination and explore the wonders of Raja Ampat along the way. We’ll snorkel at every opportunity and take in the marvels of the underwater world. Our guiding team is made up of one western guide and one Papuan guide. Our Papuan guide will teach you about the rich culture and history of the area as well as show you some of the hidden pockets that make Raja Ampat so special.
Meals
All meals are prepared by the guides or the local owners of the guesthouses. They feature a nice blend of Asian and Western cooking.
The Place
West Papua is a region in Indonesia. It’s on the northwest tip of West Papua where the approximately 1500 islands that make up Raja Ampat are situated. The area is untouched and unknown, abounding in pristine tropical beaches, sapphire seas and one of the world’s most spectacular marine habitats.
The Weather
October to February is considered the dry season. Rainfall during the dry season consists of short but intense downpours that can occur during the heat of the afternoon. There is very little wind during these months.
Ocean Conditions
Waigeo and Gam Islands are very protected waters. Most of the coastline we will paddle is protected waters, where there is very little swell.
The Sea Kayaking
With so many islands to explore it feels like you are paddling through a maze of stationary icebergs, each rock formation more bizarre and astonishing than the last. Each paddle excursion is unique, and you will never tire of the view. We paddle through mangrove forests with hidden channels and bays. We will explore bays with thousands of mushrooms shaped limestone islands rising straight from the depths. We will explore coastlines with incredible rock formations and see a variety of the bird life that Raja Ampat has to offer.
The Snorkelling
The snorkelling is world class. Thousands of fish and coral can be seen on each snorkel outing and there are thousands of incredible sites to snorkel during our trip. The snorkel types that exist are: snorkel from the tender, snorkel from the beach, and drift snorkels.
Birds of Paradise Tour
This is a moderate to hard hike of a few hours. The hike takes us through steeper, rocky terrain but rewards us with views of Birds of Paradise as the males dance in the canopy overhead attracting females. This is an early morning hike on our last day of the trip.
What's Included
- 2 nights accommodation in Sorong (Twin Share)
- 5 nights accommodation in homestays (Twin Share)
- Meals for the duraction of the trip
- Kayaks and all equipment
- Western kayak guide and Papuan kayak guide
- Ferry transfers to Waisai
- Raja Ampat Marine Entry Permit
- Birds of Paradise tour on day 10
What's Not Included
- Meals while in Sorong before and after trip
- Personal tent for 3 nights of camping
- Sleeping pad and sleeping sheet for 3 nights of camping
- Indonesian Visa
- Travel insurance
- Taxi to and from the airport
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1
You will arrive in Sorong and get a taxi to the Swiss Bel Hotel. This is a four star hotel in the heart of Sorong. Guests may wish to sleep as soon as they arrive.
We will meet at 7pm at the SwissBel Hotel for a trip Briefing.
Accommodation provided. No meals provided.
DAY 2
Your guide will pick you up in the morning from the hotel and we will board a ferry for Waisai. The ferry is a 2 hour boat ride to Waigeo Island, where our trip will begin. Upon arrival in Waisai, we will take taxis to our homestay for the night.
We will have a kayak safety briefing and settle into the rhythm of Raja Ampat. Snorkelling and swimming and watching the sunset from our decks are our evenings activities!
Homestay. B-L-D.
DAY 3
A bright and early breakfast will get us set up for packing our expedition sea kayaks for the first time. We will paddle a distance of 8km today. With an amazing snorkelling lunch stop. Our camp for the night will be on a pristine white sand beach with palm trees above, incredibly snorkelling off the beach, and amazing sunset views.
8 km
Camping. B-L-D.
DAY 4
We will have a 15 km day today paddling along the northern shore of Gam Island. The limestone islands and formations are incredibly beautiful. We will snorkel at “Nemo Island”, a small island with hundreds of anemone and clown fish. Our guesthouse is nestled below tall limestone cliffs, with a massive cave behind the homestay. We will settle into our rooms for the night and go explore the cave before supper.
16 km
Homestay. B-L-D.
DAY 5
An early morning hike to a lookout point will be a photographers dream. We will paddle through a small passage that separate Gam and Waigeo Islands, snorkelling at spots along the way. We will explore hidden bay, and snorkel at the mouth of this hidden gem. Our campsite for the night is another perfect white sand beach with views to the west. We will enjoy a camp meal while we watch the sun set in vibrant red, orange and yellow hues.
Camping. B-L-D.
Distance: 15 km
DAY 6
By now we will be experts at packing our kayaks, and we will head to the Peff Islands, a combination of limestone cliffs and mangrove forests. Peff Island has ancient rock paintings that have been preserved over the centuries which we will have the opportunity to view. We will lunch on another tropical beach, with opportunities to snorkel. We will again camp for the night, with another great snorkelling site off the beach.
Distance: 15km
Camping. B-L-D
DAY 7
Today we will paddle the southern side of Gam Island and possibly experience the only swell of the trip, albeit it will be a light swell. Today’s distance will be 15 km and we will stay at Besir Bay Homestay for the night. There are two snorkel sites near the homestay with a variety of species to see at each site.
Distance: 15 km
Homestay. B-L-D
DAY 8
We will head out for an early morning paddle in Besir Bay proper where we will watch the sun rise on a myriad of limestone islands. We will visit a bat cave and see hundreds of bats sleeping from the ceilings.
After breakfast at the homestay, we will begin our day of mangrove forest paddling. Today is a birders paradise, as we will encounter many different species of birds in the mangrove forests. We will paddle through a system of eel grass lakes where dugongs are said to feed. O
Distance: 20 km
Homestay. B-L-D.
DAY 9
Today is our last day on the water.
We will visit Friwin Islands and snorkel this amazing site. A steep wall drops into the ocean and many fish, sharks, and coral can be seen feeding on the wall. We will arrive at our homestay early afternoon, and unpack and settle into our last night in Raja Ampat.
Distance: 8 km
Homestay. B-L-D.
DAY 10
We will wake up at 4am to go for a guided Birds of Paradise Tour. This is a hike in fairly steep and rocky terrain that will reward us with views of the beautiful and endemic Birds of Paradise in the canopy overhead. We will return to our guesthouse after our tour for a final snorkel and swim in the warm water of Raja Ampat. We will taxi to the ferry for the return trip to Sorong. We will check into the Swiss Bel Hotel for one last night and have a farewell meal to share our stories and photos of the trip.
Accommodation and B-L provided. Dinner Not provided.
DAY 11
Departure day, Breakfast at the Hotel.
Transfer to the airport.
Accommodation
Rooms are twin share with one double bed or two single beds per cabin.
Meals are traditional Indonesian fare with fresh fish or chicken, rice and noodles, and a variety of vegetables and fruits.
All homestays have a toilet and fresh water showers.
MANDOS HOMESTAY – DAY 2 AND 8
Mandos guesthouse is owned and operated by Orgenis and his family. Orgenis speaks English and loves to chat with his guests. Orgenis also offers bird tours to see the Wilson’s Bird of Paradise and the Red Bird of Paradise. This homestay is situated a 2 min walk from Sapkoren village, which is always a highlight for guests to visit. Orgenis is our Birds of Paradise tour guide, and will take us on a hike through the jungle to visit the Birds of Paradise in their natural habitat on our last day of the trip.
WARIKOF HOMESTAY – DAY 4
Warikof is owned and operated by Daud and his family. The highlights of this homestay are a massive cave behind the homestay that we will have the opportunity to explore as well as a hike to a lookout point that Daud was recently constructed.
BESIR BAY HOMESTAY – DAY 7
Besir Bay is owned and operated by ______. This homestay is nestled on a white sand beach below towering limestone cliffs. To either side of this homestay is incredible snorkelling. Besir Bay is a kayakers dream, with many islands and passageways to explore.
CAMPING – DAY 8
Photo Gallery
Route Map
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the meals like on the camping trips?
How much rain will we encounter on our trip?
What sort of winds will we encounter while paddling?
Will we encounter Swell during the trip?
What is the average air temperature in Raja Ampat?
What is the average ocean Temperature?
What is the average humidity levels?
Will the trip be cloudy or sunny?
What sort of kayak will we be paddling?
What kind of paddles will be used?
What kind of kayak sprayskirts will we be using?
What kind of PFDs will we be using?
What is a typical day like on the trip?
What sort of distances will we paddle each day?
How many hours will we paddle each day?
Should I bring a snorkel?
What should I expect in terms of water temperature?
Should I bring a stinger suit?
What type of snorkel outings will we have?
Will we visit any traditional villages along the way?
Is there a dress code in the villages?
Are there opportunities to buy anything in the villages?
Is there anything I can bring to give to the villages and the people?
Are there mosquitos on land?
Are there mosquitos?
Are there sharks and are they dangerous?
Are there crocodiles?
Is there malaria in Raja Ampat?
Trip Reviews
Wendy Arnott
Chris Pavich, AU
Di Hoopert, AUD
In 2 words…….absolutely fabulous ! ! It was everything I could have expected & more. The snorkeling was some of the best I have experienced, esp the number & variety of fish. Compared to the conditions I am use to here the kayaking conditions were idyllic, very little wind, swell, current or chop. Angela, our guide was the ultimate skilled professional & a top person into the bargain, very social & friendly, always helpful, cheery & positive. She went to great lengths to accommodate my dietary requirements & always provided a variety of nutritious meals, despite the remoteness & conditions. I have already recommended this trip to many people.
Marla Moon, US
Our experience paddling Raja Ampat with Angela was beyond amazing, beyond any fantasy imagined.
Application Form
Once you’ve filled out our online application form we will contact you within 24 hours. Our follow up email will include the detailed trip notes.
We’ll also send you a medical form. This helps us make any necessary preparations, it does not exclude you from the trip. To secure the booking we require a 500 Euro deposit for each person. If you’d prefer to contact us directly we can be reached at info@expeditionengineering.com or at +12502662515
We’d be happy to discuss different trip options and help you find the perfect expedition holiday.
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