Who
doesn’t know Raja Ampat? The island is one of favorite tourist destinations in
Papua (Indonesia) for those who love marine adventures. The beauty of marine
parks is one of the most complete spots in the world. The enchantment of Raja
Ampat seems not enough to be enjoyed for two days. Commonly, foreign tourists stay
for many days to explore more islands. Unfortunately, to reach Raja Ampat needs
around 2 hours from Usaha Mina Sorong Port by speedboat. Here are some resorts
you can choose when you visit Raja Ampat.
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| Pictures Rajaampatislands.com |
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Waiwo
Dive Resort
Waiwo Dive Resort lies at the capital of Raja Ampat, Waigeo
Island. The concept of resort is ‘closer to nature’ and it has 12 cottages with
ethnic nuance. Each cottage consists of 2 – 3 beds and a bathroom. The wall and
the floor are made from wood to create peaceful and tranquility moment. The
problem is that the cottages are not equipped by AC. It is one of goal of the
owner because the concept of Waiwo is from jungle get down to the ocean. Waiwo
Dive Resort combines beach atmosphere with harmony of jungle. You will see the
cottage built under the tree but close to the coastline.
If you stay overnight there, you will be spoiled by voice
of birds, insects and wave of water. Apart from that, the resort has restaurant
and bar but it is separated from cottage. To stay in Waiwo Dive Resort, there
is difference rate between local and foreign tourists. For foreign tourists,
they have to pay US$55, besides local tourists, they have to pay US$45 per
person per night. For children, they have to pay half. The rate including milk
and snacks three times. Besides cottages, Waiwo Dive Resort provides you
snorkeling and diving facilities, plus feeding fishes in the Waiwo Pier. There
are two package of diving and the rate is around US$45 – US$55 per diving with
guide and equipment. If you like to snorkel,
you only need to pay US$5 per snorkeling.
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Raja
Ampat Dive Lodge (RADL)
Raja Ampat Dive Lodge or RADL lies at Mansuar Island. It
is well-known lodge in Raja Ampat because it provides you the nuance of Balinese
ethnic in the middle of tropical forest and white sand of beach in Raja Ampat.
To enter RADL, you will have to cross small port that connects wooden bridge
toward the lodges. From the port, you can enjoy the scenery of island which is
covered by green tropical forest combines with clear water. Along the path from
port to RADL, you will be spoiled by underwater life. Colorful reefs and fishes
can be seen from the surface.
The guests in the lodge are dominated by American. It has
27 rooms, including 20 bungalows and 7 standard rooms. For bungalow, the rate
is divided into three types, i.e. single US$165 per night, double US$230 per
night, and triple US$315 per night. For standard rooms, you will have to pay
US$190 per night with double beds. For single bed, you will have to pay US$125
per night. Children from 9 – 12 years will get 40% free, 5 – 9 years will get
50% free, and free charge for baby. Each room in Raja Ampat Dive Lodge is
completed by AC or fan, queen bed or twin bed, mosquito net, bathroom, hot
water, hair drier, and bathroom’s equipment.
Just like other hotels, each room in RADL is also
equipped by closet and storage box to keep your stuffs. The other peculiar
facility in this lodge is that each room is separated by trail so that it will
avoid you from sand. However, if you don’t want to stay overnight, you still
can taste delicious dishes in RADL. There are two packages of dishes, i.e.
lunch package which is charged US$15 and dinner package which is charged US$20.
Most of dishes in this lodge are seafood, such as lobster, shrimp, and fish.
When you stay overnight here, you also can get diving and
snorkeling facilities. There are many snorkeling and diving spots around RADL. For
snorkeling, you have to pay US$0 per day, besides for diving, you have to pay
US$35 per day without dive computer. If you want it, you have to pay US$15
extra.
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Acrophora
Cottage and Restaurant
Acrophora Cottage and Restaurant lies at Waigeo Island
and it was built by local government. This cottage consists of many bungalows
with nuance of local ethnic. The rate to stay here is variety from US$50 –
US$62 per night. Each bungalow is divided into 4 rooms, i.e. two bedrooms,
living room and bathroom. Each bedroom is completed by two beds and AC. The
living room is consists of two chairs, water dispenser, mini bar, closet, and a
television. Beside the bathroom is equipped by bathroom equipment without hot
water.
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Homestay
in the Villages
Besides hotels and cottages, some tourists love to stay
in the home stay. Actually, there are many villages in Raja Ampat that provides
you home stay, i.e. Arborek Village and Sawinggrai Village. Home stay in
Sawinggrai Village is built near port’s village above the sea and it is
supported by wooden foundation. There are two home stay and consists of some
rooms, i.e. living room and bedroom.
Tourists who want to stay in Sawinggrai Village have to
pay US$55 per night. This is including meal three times, bonus of recreation
such as feeding fishes, snorkeling and watching traditional dancing. And when you
decide to stay in Arborek Village, you will have to pay US$36 per person per
night, including snorkeling, meal and exploring the village.
