Raja Ampat Kayak Expedition - Cultural Guesthouse Stay

Destination

Raja Ampat, West Papua

Duration

8 day trip / 7 days kayaking

Price

2400 Euros

Trip Type

Lodging

Difficulty

3 / 5

Raja Ampat Kayaking Guesthouse Experience

Each day on this Raja Ampat kayak expedition, we’ll paddle to a new destination, exploring the breathtaking beauty of the archipelago’s limestone islands, crystal-clear lagoons, and vibrant coral reefs. Along the way, we’ll seize every opportunity to snorkel and discover the wonders of the underwater world that make sea kayaking Raja Ampat so unforgettable.

Our experienced guiding team includes one Western kayak guide and a knowledgeable Papuan guide. Your Papuan guide will share the rich cultural heritage and history of Raja Ampat, offering insights into local traditions and leading you to hidden gems—secret coves, quiet villages, and remote beaches—that make this region one of the most unique paddling destinations in the world.

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.

Saint Augustine

Highlights

The undisputed centre of marine diversity in the world
Paddle among stunning limestone islands and white sand beaches
Snorkel with 1200 different species of fish
View 600 species of reef building coral
Unique cultural experiences
six nights in locally run Guesthouses

Itinerary

DAY 1: Swiss Bel Hotel

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. We will meet at 7.30 pm at the SwissBel Hotel for a trip Briefing.

Accommodation provided. No meals provided.

DAY 2: Waisai

At 7:30am meet your guide and the group in the lobby, be checked out of your room, bags packed and ready to depart. We will make our way to the Sorong Harbour to board the ferry to Waisai. It is possible leave a bag in storage at the hotel. Upon arrival in Waisai, we will take a boat to the village of Sauwendarek where our kayaks await and our guesthouse has been prepared for us. We will snorkel with the incredible schools of fish that surround the reef in front of the village, swimming alongside turtled and reef sharks.

Guesthouse. B-L-D.

DAY 3: Mansuar Island

We’ll pack and launch the kayaks and paddle to our own private Island. We will spend the afternoon snorkeling the reef system close to the nearby village. The variety of fish species will astound us, and we will be able to watch the sun go down over Mansuar Island.

Paddling distance – 10 km

Guesthouse. B-L-D.

DAY 4: Gam Island

This morning we will cross Manta Sandy towards Gam Island. Upon arriving at Gam Island, we will explore secret mangrove passage and enjoy swimming on beautiful white sand beaches. Our guesthouse is located on a beautiful white sand beach.

Paddle Distance 15 km

Guesthouse. B-L-D.

DAY 5: Bird of Paradise

We will have a very early morning wake up and hike to view the Red Bird of Paradise. Every morning at dawn, these birds gather at a specific tree to perform their mating rituals, dancing and calling. After breakfast, we will head west along Gam Island and enjoy different snorkelling sites, white sand beaches, and the gorgeous views of Raja Ampat. We will arrive at our guesthouse where an incredible reef parellels the shore line. We will spend hours marvelling at the incredible coral and fish!

Distance: 15 km

Guesthouse. B-L-D.

DAY 6: Besir Bay

Today we will explore Besir Bay limestone islands, explore a bat cave by kayak, and enjoy the serentiy of Besir Bay.

Distance: 10 km

Guesthouse. B-L-D

DAY 7: Manta Sandy

Today we will cross Manta Sandy, a sandy open channel that boasts Manta Rays feeding. We will take our time during the crossing, hoping to catch a glimpse of these graceful giants. We will round the western tip of Mansuar Island and discover more incredible beaches with work class snorkelling. Our final destination for the day brings us full circle to Sauwendarek village, and our original homestay.

Distance: 18 km

Guesthouse. B-L-D

DAY 8: Transport back to Sorong

We will have the morning to enjoy one final snorkel and the peaceful, pristine setting of the Raja Ampat Islands. Around noon we will depart on the local village boat back to Waisai ferry, and then back to Sorong.

B-L

Accommodations

We’ll spend 1 night in a 4 star hotel in Sorong and six nights of the trip in local guesthouses. These are run by local families who provide the rooms, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner. Most families do not speak English. The guesthouses are very comfortable but basic. Each one is a little different but they are all traditional huts made with materials locally sourced. Many of them are built over or near the ocean providing an incredible atmosphere as well as a cool place to sleep. Some have private bathrooms and some are shared. All have a bed with a comfy mattress and pillows as well as a mosquito net. Participants are expected to bring their own sleeping sheet. Rooms are twin share with one queen bed or two single beds per cabin. All Guesthouses have a flush toilet and fresh water showers.

Meals

The group will enjoy three meals and snacks throughout the day. All meals are provided by the homestays and are generally made up of rice, chicken fish, eggs and greens for lunch and dinner as well as muesli, real coffee and tea for breakfast. The meals are tasty and plentiful.

Dates & Rates

2024

Nov 9 – 16 – 2 Spots lefts
Nov 28 – Dec 5 – Full

2025

Jan 4-11 – Full
Jan 11 – 18 – Full

Prices from

2400 Euros

What's Included

1 nights accommodation in Sorong (Twin Share)
6 nights accommodation in Guesthouses (Twin Share)
Meals for the duration of the trip
Kayaks and all equipment
Western kayak guide and Papuan kayak guide
Ferry transfers to Waisai
Raja Ampat Marine Entry Permit

Not Included

Meals while in Sorong before and after trip
light weight sleeping sheet
light weight towel for beach use
snorkel, mask and fins
Indonesian Visa
Travel insurance
Taxi to and from the airport

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

We’ll paddle in very protected waters, generally we expect light winds and no swell.

Activities

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.

Trip Map

Pictures & Videos

FAQs

What are the meals like on the guesthouse trip?

The meals that are served at the guesthouses are generally traditional Indonesian fare. This includes fish, chicken, rice, noodles, a spinach like vegetable, a variety of fruits and vegetables.

How much rain will we encounter on our trip?

Our Raja Ampat trips occur in the northwest Monsoon season. What this means is its less rainy than any other time of year. One out of every four afternoons there may be a quick downpours during the late afternoon in Raja Ampat. They do not last long but are intense.

What sort of winds will we encounter while paddling?

There is very little wind during the northwest monsoon season. Most of the excursions we go out on there will be calm to light winds. Not very often do winds exceed 15 knots.

Will we encounter Swell during the trip?

The area we will paddle is fairly protected from swell and there may be a day where there is light swell.

What is the average air temperature in Raja Ampat?

Air temperature average is 31C.

What is the average ocean Temperature?

Average ocean temperature is 29C.

What is the average humidity levels?

Average humidity is 83%, and this makes the air temperature feel much hotter than it actually is.

Will the trip be cloudy or sunny?

Cloud cover is rare but welcome.

What sort of kayak will we be paddling?

We have a fleet of Rainbow kayaks. The single kayaks are Lazers 5.15 and the double kayaks are Atlantis boats. The boats are plastic, have forward and rear water-tight hatches, rudders, and padded seats. Type Width Length Cockpit Volume Laser 5.15 59 cm 515cm 84x48 395L Atlantis 64 cm 545cm 84x48 470L

What kind of paddles will be used?

We have two types of paddles depending on your paddling style. We have a low angle touring blade, Werner Skagits and high angle touring blades, the Werner Tybee. Both are fibreglass reinforced nylon blades.

What kind of kayak sprayskirts will we be using?

Skirts are all nylon with an adjustable waist bungee.

What kind of PFDs will we be using?

We have four different sizes of PFDs for guests. Wearing PFDs is a mandatory safety aspect of the trip.

What is a typical day like on the trip?

A typical day is as follows. This will depend on weather conditions:
7:30 am breakfast (option for a snorkel)
9:00 on water paddling and exploring the area
11:30 lunch and snorkel
13:00 afternoon paddle
15:00 pull into beach or homestay and go for a snorkel

What sort of distances will we paddle each day?

The average distance we will paddle each day is 15 km. The first and last day’s paddle are 8 km. We have one day that will be a 20 km paddle between campsites. Every other day will be 15 km.

How many hours will we paddle each day?

We will kayak between 3-6 hours a day with lunch breaks and rest stops during that time.

Should I bring a snorkel?

Yes, a snorkel, mask and fins is a must on this trip! The snorkelling is phenomenal and we often see species endemic to this area on outings, as well as thousands of fish, brightly coloured coral. It is easy to spend hours snorkelling in this amazing place.

What should I expect in terms of water temperature?

The water temperature is an average of 29C.

Should I bring a stinger suit?

Yes, It is nice to have a stinger suit to protect against possible sea lice or stingers. It is possible to get chilly on the snorkel outings, depending on how long you spend in the water.

What type of snorkel outings will we have?

There are a few snorkel sites with some current, so it is nice to have fins. Most of the snorkelling is done from a beach, but sometimes we take the tender to a site and jump from the tender straight into the water. There is a ladder on the side of the tender to re-enter with ease. Sometimes we drift snorkel, but more often we enter and exit from a beach where there is very little current.

Will we visit any traditional villages along the way?

Yes, we will have the opportunity to visit multiple villages on this trip.

Is there a dress code in the villages?

Yes, women should wear shorts past the knee, pants or a sorong and a conservative t-shirt or long sleeve shirt. Men should wear shorts or pants and a t-shirt in the villages.

Are there opportunities to buy anything in the villages?

Some of the villages make coconut oil, hats or carvings for sale to tourists. Most villages will have a small convenience store where guests can buy treats if they want.

Is there anything I can bring to give to the villages and the people?

School supplies are always welcome in the villages. Pens, pencils and notebooks are welcome if you want to help support the villages.

Are there mosquitos on land?

When we go ashore for breaks from kayaking or for short hikes, mosquitos are always a possibility so mosquito spray and optional long pants and shirt are a good idea.

Are there mosquitos?

Yes, in the evenings the mosquitos do come out. It is nice to have a long sleeve shirt and pants to fend them off, as well as mosquito spray. Mosquito populations are surprisingly low in Raja Amapt.

Are there sharks and are they dangerous?

There are sharks in Raja Ampat. The majority of sharks that we will encounter are reef sharks and they are non-aggressive and curious. It would be very uncommon to encounter an aggressive shark in Raja Ampat.

Are there crocodiles?

There are crocodiles in Raja Ampat. Unfortunately for the crocodile species, the local villages and people have hunted most of them out of the area. There are a few sighted every season and these are generally seen in remote mangrove forests or many kilometers up rivers, far from villages and fisherman. As staff in Raja Ampat, we have not seen a single crocodile since we started coming to Raja Ampat in 2010.

Is there malaria in Raja Ampat?

Malaria does exist in the islands of Raja Ampat. The risk is relatively low due to the absence of large numbers of human carriers. There are surprisingly low numbers of mosquito populations. Malaria transmission rates are currently low in Raja Ampat, it is currently recommended to take malarial pills, wear long sleeves and pants when onshore, and use mosquito spray. You need to consult with your doctor about malarial medication for your trip in Raja Ampat.

Webinars

Raja Ampat Webinar: Everything You Need to Know

Planning on traveling to Raja Ampat, but you don’t know how to get there, where to go, what to see? Expert guides Angela Bueckert and…

         Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Claire H 
 
 
 
  BEST TRIP EVER!!
We did this trip with Angela in May of 2024. First off, Angela was an incredible guide. She's kind, knowledgeable, fun and dialed. Her knowledge of the culture, skiing, navigation of best plan/route is all awesome. Greenland is truly amazing and I highly recommend going with these guys who have such a connection to the place and people. The skiing was also perfect spring corn!!! Don't think about it too much, just GO!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Marcelo F 
 
 
 
  Pristine Greenland
Great trip all around! Views were amazing, pristine location, great guides and tailored service. I highly recommend traveling with Expedition Engineering and this specific trip. There was good skiing, some cultural experience, and adaptability to weather and conditions available to us. They are not your regular tour operators, they deliver something unique and real. Thumbs up to this company, I would go again with them at any time!!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Thomas M 
 
 
 
  Expedition Engineering East Greenland Ski tour
Outstanding backcountry ski trip. Our trip was actually went April 2024. Scenery was amazing, ski terrain had everything from easy to as challenging as you could want, conditions for us were mostly corn with some very firm and some powder, getting a 'taste' of local culture was cool and the guides, Angela and Matt were great. I had the feeling of sharing an adventure with them rather than being taken on an adventure by them. For lots of other reasons too, would strongly recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Enrique D 
 
 
 
  Magnificent ski touring experience
We went there May 2023. If you are willing to rough it a bit, there is no better ski touring experience. Every day we would sail to a glacier terminus into the sea, climb up a peak or two, enjoy sublime unspoilt views on the way to the top, then great powder/corn skiing on the way down.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Cristina M 
 
 
 
  East Greenland May 2023
I took this trip with my partner and another couple in May of 2023. Although, due to weather the trip had to be modified, we were well taken care of with many contingencies ready. Food was plentiful and accommodations were very comfortable. I would highly recommend Expedition Engineering. Trip of a life time. We are hoping to travel again with them in the future. Maybe some where warm!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Mark N 
 
 
 
  Trip of a Lifetime - Never using another backcountry ski operation beside them!
Short summary: this is the best ski trip I have ever been on. If you love adventures and love to travel you need to come here it is one of the most raw and beautiful places I have been. I went with my father and it was an experience I will never forget. The guides are incredible.Now I will touch on why this trip is so special. Guides: Matt and Angela are the guides. They are also husband and wife. They are some of the sweetest and fun people we have met. Our main guide for the trip was Matt. He was extremely calm safe and fun. Me being 24 years old is always wanting to do extreme and fun things. My mom is very cautious. Matt was nice enough to speak with my mom for an hour walking through all the safety procedures and the risks and how they mitigate them. At no point did I feel unsafe or not in good hands. On these trips you spend many hours with the guides so you want to be comfortable with them. I left seeing Matt as a good friend. Scenery: I like to think I am well traveled and have been many places. In terms of scenery and the rawness of the trip nothing compares. You are in the middle of nowhere and there are not people let alone skiers miles around you. You are by yourself and there is something peaceful about that. It is some of the most beautiful mountains I have seen. I would eat my lunch and look at the mountains and get teary eye because it was so beautiful. My dad and I finished a run and he said this is the most amazing ski run I have ever done (with the biggest smile on his face). We completed a hike to the top of the mountain and did a run all the way to the water. Pictures don’t speak for themselves. You are literally skiing to the ocean.Safety: These are guides they are professionals. They take every precaution necessary. Avalanches are not the biggest dangers. But there are crevasses. We take necessary precautions spacing ourselves out and putting harnesses on. We are not putting ourselves in harms way. You are in the middle of no where so you are not going to go down a dangerous run. There are polar bears. No we never saw one. We do carry a gun in case but the polar bears stay by the ice (where the food is) and we are much higher than that. Food: not my favorite but you’re not there for the food. It’s normal food and at the hotel surprisingly decent. Conclusion: this is one of my favorite trips I have ever been on. The picture from the trip is my Home Screen. I am now begging my dad to do another trip with me with Matt and Angela. My mom would never let me go anywhere she did not do her research on she was very scared for us to do this but was able to get comfortable because of Matt and Angela. Matt and Angela thank you for being such calm and nice people but more importantly for creating a trip I will for always remember and a memory I created with my dad that brought us closer together. I really do get teary thinking about how amazing the trip was. Note: if you can do a private trip. Definitely recommend! Had the ability to use the helicopter to get to amazing areas!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Paul Lambie 
 
 
 
  East Greenland Ski touring.
We did this trip in April, 2023. Although 2023 was a low snow year we were able to ski from the village every day. We had great weather and the skiing was amazing. Different tours each day were accessed by skinning directly from our accommodation or by snowmobile or dogsled. The trip is based out of Kuummiit, a small and remote village in East Greenland. Matt and Angela are great guides; highly recommended! A very unique ski experience.
  
 
  
  Load more

A paddling adventure that provides an intimate Papuan experience

A paddling adventure that provides an intimate Papuan experience

RAJA AMPAT
HOMESTAY EXPERIENCE

RAJA AMPAT
HOMESTAY EXPERIENCE

Destination

Duration

Price

Trip Type

Difficulty