Travelling Indonesia, with natural destinations in mind? Consider Raja Ampat. This is a 4.6 million hectare of beautiful sea scenery close to the Kepala Burung part of the great Papua Island. Even the naming of the region stirs one imagination. “Ampat” means four and there are indeed four main islands in the region, namely Waigeo, Misool, Salawati and Batanta. Hence the name in English Four Kings.

Within such a massive seascape, live submarine life we frequently see on magazines and movies on natural attractions. Giant manta ray, dugong, carpet shark, webbegongs and tiny seahorse inhabit the clear water of Raja Ampat. Travelers may enjoy the scenery from the boat but usually they will get to their snorkel gears and plunge in. Of course this biodiversity also lures many underwater photographers.

The sea and its native life comprise eighty percent of the region. There are 610 islands in Raja Ampat with only 35 occupied of them settled by a population of 60,000. Far away from the buzzing of culture, one easily attracted to the primordial nature of Raja Ampat. Scuba diving is possible at the best level here – good alternative to Bali’s Tulamben shipwreck diving.

Other water sports in Raja Ampat include kayak, exploring the islands on boat, and watching karst islands. Attractions are also abundant on the soil: red peacock endemic of Papua, bat caves, and one can always try to carve their own statue like the locals. But the best time to visit Raja Ampat is at year’s end.

There is a “sea ghost” that can be seen from the villages Urbanisopen and Yesner. This ghost appears as shining rays of light coming from an underwater spot and circles the surface. It only lasts 8 to 10 minutes. This is actually an illusion of the sunset light. Amazed travellers usually wait for the moment the “ghost” appears and record it from their boats.

While Raja Ampat is an underwater near-heaven attraction, it is not that easy to reach. There are two ways – long ones – to get there. First, travelers fly from Jakarta to Sorong that can take 16 hours with transits and so on. The second method is by joining the scuba divers group that leaves Bali to Sorong. But Sorong is not the final destination.

From Sorong, you should take the ferry to Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat. There is only one ferry on that route and it starts on 1 p.m. The home route starts from Waisai at 11 a.m. You will need 1.5 to 2 hours. Travelers usually come here using tour packages. For more information, please refer here and here.