A thousand islands, one heartbeat
Raja Ampat, Indonesia
You can glide across it or dive beneath it. You can climb its limestones or drift through its mangroves. You can lose yourself in details or let the vastness overwhelm you. However you choose to experience Raja Ampat: Indonesia’s last paradise.
This archipelago of more than 1,500 islands isn’t just a natural wonder of Indonesia, it’s a sanctuary safeguarded by the Papuan people who call it home. And once you step into its rhythm, you quickly understand why it’s often described as the most extraordinary place on Earth.
Into the blue
At the heart of Raja Ampat lies the Dampier Strait, renowned as home to some of the most iconic dive sites in the world. Here, reefs burst with colour and movement: tiny fish flash like sparks, corals glow in vivid shades of pink, purple and orange, and the shadows of larger creatures drift in and out of view. At Cape Kri, scientists once recorded more species in a single dive than anywhere else on the planet, a record that still feels believable the moment you descend.
Manta Makeover
When a manta ray sweeps past, its sheer size takes your breath away, moving so slowly it seems suspended in time. Then, with a single flick of its vast wings, it surges forward with astonishing power. At Arborek’s cleaning stations, these giants pause mid-current while tiny wrasses and gobies dart across their wings with perfect precision. Soon another manta arrives, then another, until you’re surrounded by a gentle ballet of giants. It’s a front-row seat to one of the ocean’s most mesmerising rituals.
Papuan Island Life
Beyond its reefs and islands, Papuan traditions pulse with the tides. Villages such as Arborek, Sawinggrai, Yenbuba, and Saporkren reveal the warmth of daily island life. Children run to greet, shared smiles with fishermen mending nets or families weaving baskets from pandan leaves. Legend says Raja Ampat means Four Kings, after the mythical rulers of its four main islands: Waigeo, Salawati, Batanta and Misool. These names are more than points on a map – they are living parts of a story that still shapes community and culture today.
Pick up some Bahasa
English
Hello / How are you?
Good morning
Good afternoon
Good evening
Thank you
You’re welcome
Excuse-me
Bahasa
Halo / Apa kabar?
Selamat pagi
Selamat siang
Selamat malam
Terima kasih
Sama-sama
Permisi
Guardians of paradise
Guardians of paradise
Raja Ampat’s beauty survives because it is protected. This remote corner of Indonesia belongs to a vast network of Marine Protected Areas spanning more than two million hectares – one of the largest in the world. Within these waters, No Take Zones allow coral reefs and marine life to recover, while sustainable tourism keeps the balance intact. Every journey here leaves no trace but wonder, proving that travel can help nature heal. This faraway paradise is worth the journey – and worth preserving for generations to come.
By: Nina Bardolia (-Müller) on November 2025
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