Raja Ampat Guide: Getting there, costs & snorkeling adventures in the “last paradise”
Raja Ampat – or “the last paradise,” as it is often called. This archipelago in eastern Indonesia consists of over 1,800 islands and offers a unique natural spectacle not only for divers, but also for backpackers and South Seas enthusiasts.
Anyone who has seen photos and documentaries about this paradise archipelago is sure to start dreaming. But questions quickly arise: How do I even get there? How much will the trip cost? What time of year should I travel? And which spots are must-sees?
We want to answer all these questions for you in this compact overview to perfectly prepare you for your trip to the beautiful South Seas – of course with the Domemare in your luggage for perfect memories.
1. How do I get to Raja Ampat?
Anyone who has already looked up the archipelago's location on a map will know that the journey isn't the shortest. Is it worth it? You'll find out at the end of our summary (spoiler alert: yes!).
Our experience:
At the end of July 2022, we left Germany for Raja Ampat. Our route took us from Frankfurt via Doha and Jakarta, until we finally reached Sorong after a good 28-hour flight. Sorong is a small tropical coastal town in West Papua, which serves as the gateway to Raja Ampat. Anyone seeking paradise simply must visit Sorong.
Pro tip: Since Sorong doesn't have much to offer besides a busy market without many tourists, we recommend not lingering in the city for long after arrival.
The final step to paradise:
It takes about 10 minutes by taxi from the airport to Sorong Port (cost: approximately 100,000 IDR). From there, the ferry departs daily (usually at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM) to Waisai. The crossing takes about 2 hours.
Waisai is the last town and the hub in Raja Ampat. Tour operators and homestay owners are already waiting at the harbor to take you to your booked accommodation on the islands in small boats. Depending on the location of your homestay, the boat ride will take another 10–40 minutes.
Summary of our journey:
All told, we were on the road for a total of 35 hours before we finally arrived at our homestay.
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Frankfurt ✈️ Doha ✈️ Jakarta ✈️ Sorong
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🚕 Taxi to the port
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⛴️ Ferry to Waisai
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🚤 Boat to the Raja Ampat Archipelago
Note: Those wishing to combine a Raja Ampat trip with Bali will find domestic flights that take between 5 and 10 hours with a layover.
2. What are the costs?
A trip to Raja Ampat is not exactly cheap compared to Bali or Lombok. The flight prices alone, to this remote eastern part of Indonesia, are higher.
Anyone planning a trip to Raja Ampat should research tours in advance. Most tours take you to the most beautiful spots and already include boat trips, accommodation in homestays, meals, and often snorkeling equipment.
Budget vs. Luxury:
Prices vary considerably. Tours typically last between 4 days and 2 weeks.
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Budget (Homestays): Starts at around €400 for 4 days . You'll stay in fairly basic homestays or sometimes in a tent right on the beach. The food is authentic: mainly fresh fish, rice, local fruit and vegetables.
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Luxury (sailboat/liveaboard): Those wishing to explore Raja Ampat by sailboat should expect to pay between €3,000 and €5,000 .
Our cost overview (per person):
To help you plan better, here's a breakdown of the costs you should expect for an approximately 2-week trip:
| Position | Price (approx.) |
| Flight (International + Domestic) | €1,300 |
| Indonesia visa (30 days) | 35 € |
| Taxi (Airport – Port) | 7 € (100,000 IDR) |
| Ferry (Sorong – Waisai) | 13 € (200,000 IDR) |
| Entrance to Raja Ampat National Park | 20 € (300,000 IDR) |
| 7-day tour including accommodation | approximately €1,000 |
| IN TOTAL | approx. €2,375 |
3. When is the best time to travel?
For calm water and perfect snorkeling conditions, the best time to travel is between September and April .
From April to September it is the "windy season". The water can be rough, making boat trips difficult, and some remote islands like Sajang may be inaccessible.
Our experience: Although we were there for two weeks in August (so technically during the windy season), we were lucky. It was only really windy on two days. The advantage of the off-season: You often have the spots all to yourself.
4. Which spots should I have seen?
With its 1,800 islands, Raja Ampat is a unique South Pacific dream, both above and below the water. No matter where you go, it always feels like a newly discovered, unspoiled paradise. All too often, you feel like Robinson Crusoe as you cruise past the countless deserted beaches.
Here's what you can expect:
During the tours, you will constantly encounter incredible underwater spectacles. You will see dolphins, rays (especially the majestic manta rays), and bird species that are only found in this region of the world.
The underwater world here is as pristine as almost nowhere else. Coral gardens in every color often begin right below the surface – perfect for split shots with your Domemare.
Our tip for connoisseurs:
Anyone with extra time should definitely spend an additional 2-5 days in a homestay to fully enjoy Raja Ampat and unwind.
You can hire a private skipper locally for about €100 per day. They will take you to smaller, hidden beaches and dive sites away from the groups, where you can photograph and snorkel in peace.
