Birdwatching, Snorkeling and Sightseeing in Sorong and Raja Ampat

I have just finished running a tour for two visitors who came from the Netherlands. They were Femke and Mathijs. We spent 1 week exploring the rainforest of Sorong and Raja Ampat to watch birds, mammals, insects and reptiles as well as various kinds of unique tropical plants. 

Raja Ampat Marine Tour

In Raja Ampat, we did snorkeling, and sightseeing tour to see Piaynemo, Pasir Timbul (Sand Bank) and Friwen Wall. The sea current in the front waters of Arborek, between Gam and Mansuar island are quite strong.  That's why the coral reef in this area is the natural habitat of a lot of species of fish that like the current. However, we did not do snorkeling in the area where the current was strong. We went to Friwen-wall and enjoyed snorkeling there. After that we had our lunch at its beach which was on the other side of the islet. It was a nice experience because we can see colourful fish, and other marine animals of West Papua. Raja Ampat has got beautiful white sandy beach which is a good place for swimming and sunbathing. Sergeantfish, anemonefish, parrotfish, butterflyfish, are some of the many tropical fishes that Femke and Mathijs saw while snorkeling in Raja Ampat. 

Sightseeing and Birdwatching in West Papua

During the birdwatching tour, we saw Lesser Birds of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Red Bird of Paradise, Wilson's Bird of Paradise as well as a lot of other birds including Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Frilled Monarch, Yellow-faced Myna, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, and etc.

Please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 if you are interested in taking a rainforest wildlife watching, sightseeing and snorkeling tour in West Papua province of Indonesia. 

Coconut Crab in Raja Ampat

Around 2 weeks ago, I guided a Russian tourist on a 2-week birdwatching and wildlife watching trip to Raja Ampat, Klasow valley of Sorong and Arfak mountains. While in Sorong, we went hiking in southern forest of Waigeo to see birds.

We also took an opportunity to nearby islands to enjoy snorkeling and seeing coconut crab. There was an islet where coconut crab lived. Its name was Nyetreiram. We went there by a small speedboat after taking a snorkeling tour in Friwen. We arrived at the islet at around sunset time. The crabs had not come out of their hiding places. The owner of the islet cut open a dried coconut into pieces and spread then on several places on the islet. When it was getting dark, the crabs began to come out. We were invited to see them. 

Coconut Crab in Raja Ampat

They had not reach full sizes but were already bigger than other crab in nature. We took the opportunity to photographs them. 

We were not long at the island. Soon the weather changed. The wind blew fast and the sea surface became rough. We got into the boat and returned quickly to the beach resort where we stayed. Fortunately, we already reach the resort when sea storm hit the beach. 

It was a nice experience to see the Coconut Crab (Birgus largo) in Raja Ampat.

Wildlife Watching in Raja Ampat Archipelago

Most of the islands in Raja Ampat are surrounded by coral reef, they are the natural habitat of marine animals from small Christmas Tree Worm to large humphead wrasse fish. Visitors can enjoy snorkeling over the coral reef to see various kinds of marine creatures or do scubadiving to see more in deeper waters. 

Along the coastal area of Raja Ampat, sea birds can be observed. They include Radjah Shelduck, Eastern Osprey, Beach Kingfisher, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Eclectus Parrot, Great-billed Parrot, and etc.

Marine Life in Raja Ampat

In certain months, turtles land on the beach to lay eggs. The northern coast of Waigeo is a great place for visitors to watch leatherback, green, olive ridley and hawksbill turtles. 

Wobbegong reef shark

The rainforest of Raja Ampat is th destination for visitors who are interested in watching Red Bird of Paradise, Wilson's Bird of Paradise and a lot more.

Wilson's Bird of Paradise

There are karsts in Raja Ampat, visitors who go there can see beautiful marine landscapes that are covered by green vegetation and turquoise blue sea water. With more than 1,500 tropical reef fish living in the waters of Raja Ampat, visitors will have plenty of marine life to see when they travel to the islands. 

Lalelkai Nature Lodge of Misool Island in Raja Ampat

Lalelkai Nature Lodge is about 10 to 15 minutes by motorized boat from Yellu harbor. There are 6 above the water bungalows and 4 on land bungalows which visitors can choose durin their stay in Misool islands.

The house reef is very beautiful and suitable for snorkelers who want to the beautiful underwater world of Raja Ampat.

Lalelkai Ecolodge

Lalelkai Ecolodge in Misool islands

Raja Ampat Coral Reef Snorkeling and Rainforest Wildlife Watching Tour

Raja Ampat has been famous around the world for its pristine coral reef, visitors travel to this archipelago to enjoy snorkeling over the coral reef to see such fish as butterflyfish, angelfish, spadefish, surgeonfish, rabbitfish, damselfish, snappers, coral breams, anthias, parrotfish, wrasse, cardinalfish, dottybacks, goby, blennies, frogfish, triggerfish and etc. Most tourists go to southern part of Waigeo, Gam, Kri, Mansuar, Arborek, and Piaynemo. Those who are more adventurous will explore islands in Kofiau, Weeim that are mostly not known among ordinary mainstream visitors. Misool islands in the south of Raja Ampat are also beautiful both above the water and under the water.

Raja Ampat Adventure

The rainforest that covers the islands are also interesting to explore. Soa-soa monitor lizard, birds of paradise, possum, and wild boar and snakes can be found in the islands of Raja Ampat. The same as the mainland New Guinea, Raja Ampat archipelago does not have big predator such as tiger and lion. But it has colorful birds such as Eclectus Parrot, Lowland Peltop, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-faced Myna and etc.

I used to organize snorkeling and birdwatching tours for German and Indian visitors to eastern region of Waigeo. We went there by boat and enjoyed snorkeling at the beaches of uninhabited islands of Waim and Mamiaef. The north coast eastern coast of Waigeo island is the nesting ground of turtles including Green Sea Turtles, Leatherback, Hawksbill and Olive-ridley Sea turtles. There are a lot of sea birds in Raja Ampat. Some that are noticeable include White-bellied Sea Eagle, Eastern Osprey, Whimbrel, Radjah Shelduck, and Little-pied Cormorant. 

White sandy beach in Kri island of Raja Ampat

Visitors traveling to Raja Ampat need to bring snorkeling set, and binoculars, head lights and camera both for underwater and above the water photography. This will allow them to take pictures of sea and land animals as well as a lot of tropical plants that are unique. 

Sopen village

During the adventure tour in the forest of eastern Waigeo, we did not stay in a guesthouse or beach resort. We stayed in tents by the river. By doing that we were able to see Red Bird of Paradise as well as other birds in the forest. I and the visitors were in Sopen village. Continuing our exploration of the region, we went to Fish lagoon located near Yensner and Yenpapir. We did not do snorkeling, we went hiking in the forest where we watch Lowland Peltop, Eclectus Parrot, Torresian Crow, Olive-backed Sunbird, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Hooded Butcherbird and Brahminy Kite.

Indonesia has allowed foreign visitors to go to Raja Ampat again. It is a great opportunity for visitors to see the beautiful seascape of West Papua. 

Crystal clear water with coral reef in Raja Ampat

Now Lion Air, Sriwijaya Air, Batik Air provide daily flights to Sorong city from major cities in Indonesia such as Makassar, Surabaya, Denpasar and Jakarta. Visitors can book tickets online using popular website or application in Indonesia such as traveloka. 

If you plan to visit Raja Ampat and other areas in West Papua and want me (Charles Roring) to organize your tour and guide you, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.