Silvy Riana Putri TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Raja Ampat in West Papua has been recognized among must-visit destinations in 2025 by the New York Times Included in their list of "52 Places to Go in 2025" Raja Ampat shares the spotlight with renowned global destinations such as Milan the New York Times describes Raja Ampat which is nestled within the Coral Triangle as the most diverse marine ecosystem on Earth offers breathtaking natural beauty both above and below the water's surface “Snorkel among spotted yellow boxfish and dive amid purple gorgonian sea fans explore secluded beaches fringed by coconut palms or trek into the jungle to spot the striking and rare Wilson’s bird of paradise,” said the review by the American media Raja Ampat is a rare conservation success story Amid declining stingray and shark populations worldwide the number of reef manta rays in this region continues to grow The area also has an abundance of terrestrial flora and fauna Raja Ampat is a popular choice for many foreign tourists seeking solitude amid natural beauty. Tourists departing from Bali can opt for a direct flight to Sorong with a travel time of around four hours they can continue their journey to Waisai City Waisai is accessible by air from Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong to Marinda Airport travelers can take a ferry from Sorong Port to Raja Ampat Ferries are available daily with two departures Upon arrival in Raja Ampat, tourists can access overwater bungalows by boat Accommodation can be booked through the Raja Ampat Homestay Association Here is a complete list of "52 Places to Go in 2025" by the New York Times: Editor’s Choice: Top 10 Japan's Winter Festivals for 2025: A True Magical Experience Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News 6 Birth Control Methods Covered by BPJS Health: Injections, Vasectomy, IUDs, and More Jennie, Lisa, and Rose BLACKPINK Gather at the Met Gala 2025 List of Baeksang Arts Awards 2025 Winners KOSTCON 2025, the First Largest K-Drama OST Concert in Jakarta, to Take Place on August 2nd 10 Best Cities to Visit in Japan Besides Tokyo to Add to Your Bucket List 10 Recommended Budget-Friendly Tourist Destinations in the United States What Are the Cheapest Businesses to Start from Home? 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Cyber Law Expert Warns of Worldcoin's Biometric Dangers Samsung to Open Galaxy AI-Driven Pop-Up Restaurant in Portugal BMKG Reports M5.4 Earthquake Striking Tomini Bay; No Tsunami Threats and birds find a home deep under the clear blue waters in the quiet lagoon between the karst constellations and up in the picturesque hills and jungles Discover the top things to see and do in Raja Ampat @sutirtab / Unsplash Small islands scattered in clear blue ocean is what most likely comes to mind when avid travelers hear the name Raja Ampat Pianemo Island has a viewing deck on a hilltop granting unrestricted views over the sea and islands Although the scenery is enough reason to visit Pianemo Island cliff jumping into the turquoise lagoon between the small islands and swimming in its crystal clear water are other awesome activities you can enjoy here import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_1"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(window.canRunAmazon) { const amazonService = new AmazonBidService(); promises.push(amazonService.fetchBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Take a Dive Course Natural Feature Shawn Hung / Shutterstock Whether you’re an advanced diver or an absolute beginner, taking diving courses in Raja Ampat is an opportunity not to be missed You’ll have Raja Ampat’s staggering underwater landscape as your training ground and go home with a legit certificate the two largest scuba diver certification companies in the world taking a course will help you appreciate Raja Ampat’s unparalleled underwater beauty better Observe wildlife in the forest Natural Feature Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy Wayag Archipelago / Shutterstock The islands of Wayag Many consider Wayag the most beautiful place in Raja Ampat It’s dense with picturesque karst formations including some big protrusions that can be hiked up for sweeping views of the stunning islands The green of the islands meets the tranquil blue and emerald water underneath the surface of which colorful fish swim through beautiful coral reefs import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_3"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Swim with marine creatures Wisnu Gareng/Shutterstock Indonesia Trips and Tours Planning a trip to the stunning and incredible Indonesia Indonesia is full of beautiful wonders and unforgettable adventures to embark on If you want to see as many of the locations on this list as possible you’re best off booking onto a multi-day trip to this incredible destination See & Do Top 10 Cultural Experiences in Jakarta See & Do The Top 10 Cultural Sites In Indonesia See & Do Top 10 Things to See and Do in Art The Best Private Museums to Visit in the USA See & Do The Best Places to Visit in the Pacific Northwest Guides & Tips The Coolest Neighborhoods to Visit in Surabaya Guides & Tips The Best Destinations for Ecotourism in the US See & Do 37 Must-Visit Attractions in the United States Guides & Tips The 7 Best Hikes Around Bandung Guides & Tips From Denver to Moab on the Rocky Mountaineer History The USA's 10 Best History Museums See & Do 15 Stunning Natural Wonders in Central America That Will Take Your Breath Away US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment University of Birmingham provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation UK View all partners people walking past Times Square in New York City will see a large billboard with a picture of Indonesia’s Raja Ampat islands accompanied with the tagline “escape to a magical place” But the appeal of the image hides the abject poverty of the people living on the islands A cluster of islands in the Bird’s Head peninsula of West Papua in Indonesia, Raja Ampat is one of the best diving spots in the world It’s a pristine and biodiverse marine environment where you can see colourful tropical fish with the naked eye from above the water the western half of the island of Papua was claimed by Indonesia in 1961 The people of West Papua voted to become a part of Indonesia in a widely disputed plebiscite in 1969 and in 2003 the territory was divided into two provinces – West Papua and Papua But they are generally referred to together as West Papua There is a pro-independence movement across Papua and the police and military frequently crack down on separatists The islands have abundant natural beauty that make them look like an earthly paradise. But of the more than 45,000 residents, around 20% live below the poverty line with poor access to education Data shows that in 2015, a household of four to five people in Raja Ampat spent an average of US$65 a month on food and other consumables. That’s 10% higher than the national average because the cost of living on the islands is so high It takes around eight hours to reach Raja Ampat from Indonesia’s capital Jakarta on the island of Sulawesi between Java and Papua Then you get on a ferry to Waigeo island (also known as Amberi, or Waigiu), one of the four main islands of the 1,800 that make up Raja Ampat Most of Raja Ampat’s government and administration activities are centred in Waisai But the population is scattered across many islands with each family having between nine and 12 members Mainyafun doesn’t have a water treatment facility Clean drinking water is transported from Waisai either twice a month or once every two months depending on the season Villagers also collect rainwater for drinking Water from the mountain is piped into the village centre There’s no electricity and no phone signal Most people refer to education as “prestigious goods” and only study to the end of elementary school – the highest level available on the island To continue schooling beyond elementary level students in Manyaifun have to go to Waisai The journey costs US$100 one way and takes four hours by fibreglass boat most people on the island earn their living as fishers But a lot of them still live in extreme poverty Most families are indebted to the local mini store owner who sells staple goods The price for the fish they sell is so low that even if they catch ten kilograms of fish every day Fishers need five litres of fuel a day to operate their small boats The fishers sell to a collector in Mainyafun who processes them into salted fish The maximum selling price in Mainyafun is US$0.20 for a kilogram The price of fish in Waisai is ten times higher But fishers in Mainyafun have to sell their fish right away because there’s no electricity to power cold storage cheaper fuel and access to Waisai or Sorong markets to get a better price for their fish But a decent boat with an engine that can carry a larger volume of fish costs more than US$10,000 There’s a small public community clinic in Manyaifun The one doctor and four nurses who work there serve seven sub-districts scattered on neighbouring islands Many of their patients are the fishers who leave their house at five in the morning and return at five in the afternoon Health workers have to be on standby all the time Only basic and generic medicines are available in the clinic Living on an isolated island with no phone signal jeopardises both health workers and the people they serve The only hospital with decent equipment is located in the mainland city Sorong The health workers sometimes have to go to neighbouring islands for health emergencies on small boats They have to ignore the fact that sometimes the waves reach up to three metres It’s worse if they have to go at night time because there are no modern navigation tools or any information about the expected weather Health workers are only able to meet their families once or twice a year. Most of them come from Sorong and South Sulawesi, which is 1,532 kilometres away. The basic salary of health workers as civil servants or contract workers is US$150 a month. This is the same all over Indonesia, but that’s very small compared to the demands on the health workers on Manyaifun, who are also sometimes paid late. While Indonesia promotes Raja Ampat to the world, local people and health workers feel abandoned. They rarely see government officials in their district. According to my interviews with the local doctor and nurses, bureaucrats in Waisai, especially from the health agency, don’t care about their lives, safety or emotional needs. The local government officials I interviewed told me they tried to improve welfare by teaching people how to build homestays for tourists and how to promote them online. But locals and health workers said they had never met any official who’d visited their district. The poverty in Raja Ampat is a reflection of the vital role of the state in the development process. Only through proper attention from the elites in Raja Ampat, and supervision from the central government, can change come to the impoverished people in the area. Until then, Indonesia may want to think twice about advertising Raja Ampat as paradise on Earth. ABC News News HomeMagnitude-6.6 earthquake strikes off Indonesia's Papua provinces injuring more than 60Share Magnitude-6.6 earthquake strikes off Indonesia's Papua provinces injuring more than 60Topic:Earthquakes A damaged house is left abandoned following a powerful earthquake in the city of Sorong in West Papua province. (AFP) Link copiedShareShare articleA powerful earthquake in remote eastern Indonesia has injured more than 60 people, left hundreds of houses damaged and rattled an idyllic island chain popular with foreign tourists and divers. People were woken and ran from their homes when the magnitude-6.6 undersea quake struck in the Papua region at about 1:00am local time on Friday, not far from the coastal city of Sorong. The US Geological Survey said the earthquake's epicentre was at a depth of 24 kilometres. Disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said 17 people were so far known to have sustained serious injuries and 45 suffered minor injuries, while 200 houses were damaged. No deaths have been reported. The quake also caused blackouts in Sorong where patients were evacuated from a hospital. "We are still collecting data, and we expect the number of victims and damage to increase," Mr Nugroho said in a statement. The quake was also felt strongly in Raja Ampat, north-west of the epicentre, an archipelago popular with tourists and divers due to its palm-fringed islands that are surrounded by an underwater kaleidoscope of coral and fish. Yona Niki, a receptionist at Waisai Beach Hotel on Waigeo island, said staff and four guests staying at the hotel ran outside when the quake hit and waited until the intense shaking had stopped. The manager of another hotel said the quake left cracks in the walls. However there were no reports of injuries in the area, with hotel operators saying it was the low season so there were few tourists. Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity. In July, a teenage boy fell into a river and died, and several buildings were damaged when a magnitude-7.0 quake rocked Papua. A huge undersea quake in 2004 triggered a tsunami that engulfed Aceh province on western Sumatra island, killing more than 170,000 people in Indonesia and tens of thousands more in other countries with coasts on the Indian Ocean. The epic centre of the magnitude-6.6 earthquake was about 30 kilometres from the coastal city of Sorong, in West Papua province. (Supplied: US Geological Survey) Disasters, Accidents and Emergency Incidents AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Second-class tickets cost between $30-$50 and boats leave from many ports in Indonesia The trip can take from days to over a week Indonesia | © Sarawut Kundej / Shutterstock Staying While liveaboard dive boats and western-owned resorts were once the only options for staying in Raja Ampat, thanks to community-based tourism initiatives a series of homestays have cropped up on some of Raja Ampat’s most pristine islands these homestays are far more affordable than their competition while offering more of a glimpse into the Papuan culture Rooms are basic and mirror the simplicity of island life but as many are stilted bungalows atop crystal clear water the setting compensates for the lack of amenities Floating village and canoe on the sun rise – Indonesia – West Papoua – Raja Ampat | © Yohann MORIN / Shutterstock Getting Around With petrol prices artificially inflated inter-island boat travel is one of the most expensive parts of visiting Raja Ampat choosing an island to stay based on their proximity to your preferred activities is important when looking to save The islands located in the Dampier Strait are easily accessible from Waisai and close to fantastic dive and snorkel spots Arborek hosts a small Papuan village and is close to manta ray dive and snorkel sites Kri offers pristine white sand beaches and one of the region’s best dive sites just offshore Diving Homestays offer a chance to experience the underwater wonders of Raja Ampat for a fraction of the cost of resorts and liveaboard boats. Yekoranu Homestay on Kri offers a seven night diving and staying package for $600 compared to the $1,800 for a week at nearby Kri Eco Resort If your homestay does not offer diving they can usually arrange it with one that does Diving with homestays requires extra vigilance to ensure that guides are properly certified and equipment is well maintained but with challenging conditions Raja Ampat should only be attempted by experienced divers A free diver explores a coral reef slope adorned by a beautiful gorgonian in Raja Ampat Indonesia | © Ethan Daniels / Shutterstock The Penamu islands offer a hike to a viewpoint atop a lagoon that rivals the famous one at Wayag but is more centrally located Splitting the Costs Traveling with others is one of the best ways to make Raja Ampat affordable Boat transfers to home-stays or charters for activities are expensive but made to be shared between five to six people bringing the cost as low as $5 a person at times Ask your homestay when other guests are arriving and plan your trip around the same time if possible the marine park office where everyone must purchase a permit or the ferry ride to Waisai offer opportunities to find travel partners once you’ve arrived If you click on a link in this story All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip Read Next Art The Best Private Museums to Visit in the USA