Most people are more familiar with Raja Ampat as the best destination for diving. In fact, there are many islands in Raja Ampat that are not as famous as Raja Ampat itself. One of them is Waigeo, which is the largest of the four islands in Raja Ampat. Waigeo Island is the easiest island that can be reached by public transportation.
Diving in Waigeo Island
Waigeo Island offers biodiversity that has invited many researchers. In 1980, Alfred Russel Wallace came and researched this island. Thomas Barbour in 1906-1907 had collected amphibians and reptiles on Waigeo Island. Waigeo Island not only offers panoramic views of coral islands, beautiful bays surrounded by towering cliffs.
Waigeo is the perfect location for divers. To be able to enjoy the beauty of the underwater scenery in the waters around this island, you have to travel 65km from Papua using 3 modes of transportation, planes, cars, and ships. You can choose a flight to Sorong city and continue your journey by taxi to the pier. Arriving at the pier, you can rent a boat to Waigeo Island. The sea trip to this island takes 2-3 hours by renting a fast boat.
Waigeo has a fairly large area of wild forest that is largely unexplored and inaccessible. You will find amazing animal species such as birds of paradise, opossums, snakes, turtles, giant lizards, and hairy storks. Raja Ampat’s marine life is unbeatable. You can dive and swim among a group of colorful fish along the coral reefs. At a depth of about 30 meters, you can find white reef sharks and black reef sharks.
Kofiau Island
Besides Waigeo, there are other islands that you can visit for snorkeling and diving. Kofiau Island, the smallest and least visited island. This island offers the charm of the most beautiful coral diversity. The island is made up of limestone boulders, coral reefs, and several volcanic hills covered in dense rainforests. On this island, you can sunbathe on the beach, snorkel, and dive.
Misool Island
Misool Island is a remote tropical retreat located off the western coast of the island of Papua. Raja Ampat marine park holds 75% of the world’s famous coral and ornamental fish species.
Exploring Waigeo Island does take a little longer, considering the distance from the location and it takes hours to reach the island. The right way to enjoy a vacation and explore the island of Waigeo is by sailing or live on board. Stay on the boat for days or even weeks to reach many tourist destinations in Raja Ampat.
Liveaboard To Waigeo Island
The liveaboard provider provides all the facilities during your trip. Luxurious facilities ranging from private cabins, WIFI, sundecks, diving equipment, and several other water activities such as wakeboards. A liveaboard budget does look more expensive, but worth what you will enjoy. Your trip to Waigeo island on a cruise offers a unique and memorable experience by exploring the many islands and enjoying the spectacular underwater scenery.
