Exploring Mios Kon Island in Raja Ampat

Mios Kon Island or Kelelawar Island (that what local resident name it) is one of unique tourist destination in Raja Ampat. The island got the name  kelelawar because there are thousands of bats nesting in this island. Besides the bats, the island also becomes the habitation of birds. Even though the local know it as Kelelawar Island, but for the diver, they more familiar to Mios Kon Raja Ampat. 

Mios Kon Island is a beautiful island in Raja Ampat. Raja Ampat Regency itself has 610 islands, included the biggest island, i.e. Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati, and Misool Island with 35 inhabitants island. And only 400 islands have been explored. The rest are the virgin islands which are still hiding their beauty to the public. 

Picture Travel.kompas

In Mios Kon Island, you can find diving and snorkeling spots with the diversity of marine life, healthy coral, and colorful fishes. Although the location of Mios Kon Island is remote and isolated but the island keep the natural beauty, especially the underwater life. Even, the marine life at Raja Ampat known as one of ten best diving spots in the world. 

Mios Kon Island transportation

To reach Mios Kon Raja Ampat, Sorong City at the West Papua becomes the main gate because currently the direct flight Mios Kon Island transportation is not available, yet, as the new airport has been developing. 

You can keep checking the flight air plane that serve route Jakarta – Sorong, i.e. Garuda Indonesia, Express Air, and Wing Air to Eduard Sorong Airport. During promotion season, the ticket can be IDR3,000k round-trip, but when the vacation season comes, the ticket from Jakarta – Sorong can be IDR5,000k – IDR6,000k round trip.

As you arrive at Eduard Sorong Airport, you need to walk out of the airport to find public transportation with yellow color to Sorong Port. If you doubt, you can ask the people around you to direct you to go to the port. The rate is from IDR3k – IDR5k. After you arrive at Sorong Port, you can take fast ferry to Waisai City Raja Ampat (IDR150k) per person, or speedboat by paying IDR120k per person. Each transportation takes around 2 hours. Usually, the fast ferry depart at 12.00 and 13.00. If you want to go to Mios Kon Island, you can take speedboat from Sorong or Waisai which is take around 2 hours. 

What makes Mios Kon Island transportation expensive is because the cost to rent the speedboat and the fuel is expensive. That is why you are suggested to go there by group, not solo, because you can share the budget for speedboat, or even for spend the night at the hotel in Waisai. 

Exploring Mios Kon Island

Mios Kon Raja Ampat is surrounded by diversity of coral reefs, clean, white and find sand. The marine life around the island is healthy. What makes Mios Kon Island special and attractive is because when you see if from the height, the shape of the island forms ‘heart symbol’. That is why Mios Kon Island has a new name, not only Kelelawar Island but also Love Island Raja Ampat. So there is no doubt when people love to visit and come back again to Raja Ampat Papua. 

Exploring Mios Kon Island will give you chance to do many things. Not only such diving or snorkeling, but by exploring the island, you will have chance to experience how the bats and the birds could live there. A week is not enough to explore snorkeling and diving spots in Raja Ampat. You have to give extra time if you want to peep the island. Thus, you can search homestay, hotel or resort in Raja Ampat, Waisai, and Arborek Island. For practical adventure, you can join travel agent in Raja Ampat by choosing the suitable package tour for you.

Misool Eco Resort, Exploring a Small Paradise at Raja Ampat

Misool Island is look like a small paradise with beautiful beaches and enchanting marine park. As an archipelago, Raja Ampat Indonesia has dozen of island you could visit and at the north of Raja Ampat, you can go to Misool Island which is has direct boarder to Seram Sea. Misool itself is one of biggest island in Raja Ampat. The stretch of cliffs and rocks lining from west to east. 

Misool Island Indonesia is a creation of masterpiece and even you cant express it with the sweetest words. If this is about man’s creation, Misool is the best because from the high, you will see the most incredible seascape on earth. Although the sunset in Misool Island is not the best place in Indonesia, but the beautiful islands with white sands, turquoise color, and formation of rocks are amazing. 

Picture Welcomebeyond

Transportation from Jakarta to Sorong

Travelers, to reach Misool Island, you can go to Domne Eduard Osok Airport at Sorong. If you start your journey from Jakarta, you can take a flight Jakarta – Sorong and transit via Makassar (IDR4,000k round trip). As you arrive at Sorong, you have to catch a speedboat to cross to Misool for about 4 – 5 hours. 

Before you enter to Raja Ampat archipelago, you need to pay entrance ticket at Raja Ampat Tourism Center, for local is IDR500k and foreign is IDR1,000k. The office will give you a pin and identity card as the evidence of payment. Next, you can stay at a homestay at Harapan Jaya Island by paying USD34 – USD43 per person per day. Then you can take a speedboat to Harfat Jaya Dapunlol Hill to enjoy the stretch of karst islands.

To rent a speedboat in Misool is expensive, i.e. around IDR6,000k per 5 days. If you want to run budget trip, you can go there with a group or join travel agent like Wisata Raja Ampat that provide Misool Trip by paying around IDR6,000k included flight tickets. 

Misool Eco Resort Raja Ampat

Misool is a pieces of paradise on earth because you will open your eyes widely and amaze the island. One of place you can choose to stay longer in Raja Ampat is Misool Eco Resort. This resort offers you complete facilities with incredible view. Alhough the Misool Eco Resort prices is expensive but it doesnt make travelers avoid to stay there. 

Here, you have to pay around IDR6,000k per day. For backpacker, this is expensive and they prefer to choose homestay. Dont be surprise knowing Misool Eco Resort prices because the resort is nominated as one of the best resort in the world by CNN. Besides that, there are other resort in Misool with competitive prices. 

Explore Misool Island

Misool is popular for incredible panorama, especially the marine life. One of spot you can try as you come to Misool Island is Magic Mountain. There, you will have chance to swim together with manta rays under 6 meters depth. Thats can be unforgettable moment, especially for one who just already meet manta rays for the first time. 

In Magic Mountain spot, you dont need to dive too deeper to get spectacular underwater view because within 5 – 10 meters, you can meet colorful fishes. The clear and crystal water enable you to see the marine life even when you still on boat. The visibility of the water is around 25 meters and it means you will have opportunity to see gigantic view.

At Misool Island, you also can see turquoise water that will refresh your eyes, even before you jump into the sea. The clear water will enable you to see the seabed as a silhouette of paradise. The picturesque view of the sea with white sands along the seashore look so amazing. The beach is also surrounded by tropical forest and green mangrove.

Misool Island Indonesia has 3 hills. The three hills can be reached by climbing and from the height, the view will be wider and it will ease you to see the group of karst islands. Those islands are Motnikale, Harfat, and Dapunlol Hill. If you never been climbing, you are recommended to try Dafalen Hill because the height is only 60 meters.

If you want to get unforgettable moment and practical, you can take Misool Island Raja Ampat package and stay at Eco Resort start from IDR15.000k, including ticket and stay at Eco Resort. You will experience and visit incredible places as well. The beauty of the island is cannot be expressed by words because only your heart can feel it. Although Misool Island Raja Ampat package offered by travel agents can be different, but you will not mind because each packages has their own offering.

6 Things to do in Misool Island Raja Ampat, Papua

Misool Island Raja Ampat is a paradise for divers from all around the globe. With the diversity of underwater animals, Misool Island Indonesia also get the name ‘Amazon of the Sea’. Well actually, it is not surprising because once you dive or snorkel there, you will find an extraordinary panorama and dont want to come out from the water. Now, lets find out what things to do in Misool Island Indonesia.

1.      Diving at Misool Island

The most activities you can do at Misool Island Indonesia is snorkeling and diving. You will definitely want to feel the freshness of water as you arrive here. Misool Indonesia itself has several diving spots you can explore. One of them is coral reef that look like a round window. Usually, the divers will play around the window, come and out while diving.

If you are lucky, you will have opportunity to meet manta rays flying freely around you. The other diving spot you have to try at Misool Island Raja Ampat is Kaleidoskop. In this area, you will witnes both panorama of surface and underwater are spectacular. There are also napoleon fish and manta ray swimming freely in this pot.

Picture Indonesia.travel

Beside having gigantic underwater, you also can find other interesting spot in Misool Island Indonesia, i.e. underwater cave. You need to dive until 35 meters depth with a torch to explore Forondi Cave. In this cave, you will feel the sensation of diving in a dark zone and the torch you bring is the only one tool to guide you and ease you to see the marine life.

Next, you also can try to explore Wabal Cave at Misool Island Raja Ampat. The entry point to this spot is quite narrow, i.e. only 1 meter with 9 meters depth and 15 meters length. Wabal Cave is more friendly for those people who phobia to the darkness and depth.

2.      Visiting Keramat Cave

There are many places you can explore at Misool Island Indonesia, such as visiting Keramat Cave. There, you can  see the ancient painting on the rock’s wall at Sumbayo and Sumalelen. Next, you can swim and snorkel at Yapap or other snorkeling spot at Banos Island. To visit the cave, you have to take a boat.

3.      Visiting Yapap    

The next trip is Yapap. Some people call this spot as a pieces of heaven. You will directly agree and fall in love to this place. The reason is because Yapap is the area with the formation of rocks and islands with many shapes. When you explore with a boat, you need to go to the higher deck with the view 360⁰. When you see it carefully, it seems the rocks come out from the sea and this is a spectacular panorama you ever been meet in your life.

Travelers, if during this time you dream having a large swimming pool with natural scenery, Yapap is what you are looking for. Having clean and shallow water, surrounded by green trees, white sand in the seabed, no current water, and turquoise color of area make you want to spend the time longer.

4.      Lenmakana Lake with jellyfish

Most of people avoid a lake or beach that full of jellyfish that can sting. But you wont do this when you visit Misool Island Raja Ampat because the island has 5 lakes with jellyfish and they are friendly to you. However, only two lakes are accessible for tourists now, and one of them is Lenmakana Lake.

Although there is no stairs to help you come down to the jellyfish lake, but you can get alternative way. You can climb the rocks to achieve the lakeside. And your struggle is worthed. Swimming at Lenmakana Lake with hundreds of jellyfish that wont sting you and it seems like you are in different dimension. When the jellyfish swim under water, they are so cute and when you touch it, it creates great sensation.

5.      Exploring cone stones in Misool Island

While you exploring Misool Island, the prominent view you will find out are cone stones. Yes, cone stones are one of attraction in this island. The size is very big with a perfect shapes. It seems someone sculpted it with all of the heart and display it in a strategic spot. The cone stones appears from the sea among islands in Raja Ampat. The height of cone stones can reach tens meter among white sand and shallow water.

6.      Visiting sharks in Misool Island Raja Ampat

Jaam Island in Misool has to be one place you have to visit as well because this is the right place to meet sharks. So, if you cant dive and want to enjoy Misool Island from above, Jaam Island is the right choice. Actually, the island itself is the place to hunt sharks because this is the feeding place for them. Moreover, the white sand, coconut trees, and turquoise color of water become your friend in Jaam Island.

Raam Island, One of the Nearest Islands to Sorong, West Papua

Raam Island is one of the islands in Sorong, West Papua. The island can be seen clearly once you have been in Sorong. Sorong is a beautiful city and it is surround the city has comparable beauty to the city itself. The islands even have become the mainstay tourism potential to Sorong. 

Raam is among the island which the greatest potential among all. It has exotic beauty. The sea and its surrounding nature are so incredible that it attracts many tourists to visit. The sea waves are so calm and peaceful. Visitors can play in the beach and feel the fresh of the sea water. You will feel like you are in paradise when you are in this island.   

Location

Raam Island is not too far from Sorong City. It is only about half one kilometer from Sorong. Administratively, Raam lies in Sorong Islands District, Sorong City, West Papua. To reach the island, you must take a speed boat. It takes only about 15 minutes to reach the island from Sorong.

You only need to go to Sorong Port first, like Tanjung Kasuari Beach before you go to Raam. From Tanjung Kasuari, you can then go by speed boat to Raam.  The speed boat can hold some passengers at once, and therefore you can share for the cost with the other passengers.

Usually, a passenger will have to pay for Rp20,000 (US$2.00). Since the island is not too far from Sorong, you can go at any time. You don’t have to worry that you will be late going back to Sorong. You can go at noon, sightseeing for a while in the island and then go back to Sorong. You can do it within half a day.

Activities

Raam Island is a small island with the total area of about 5 hectares. The beaches have fine white sand and clear and clean sea water. The scenery of the entire island can be a n effective reliever for your stress. Especially, you don’t have to spend much money to visit the island. It is free to enter the beaches.

You only need to pay for the boat to the island. Don’t forget to bring enough food and drink since you can’t find any of them in this island. The island is a suitable place to spend the day with your family and friends. You can play or swim in the beautiful beaches and enjoy the fresh unpolluted air.

Accommodations

          Raam Island is an inhabited island. Thus, you can find home stays when you decide to spend the night in this island. The home stays provided by the local people are quite comfortable, though, it is better for you to spend the night in Sorong. Sorong provides more complete facilities to visitors, including hotels and other facilities like restaurants and cafes.

It only takes about 15 minutes to go back from Raam to Sorong. However, it depends on you whether you want to stay in a quiet peaceful island like Raam or Sorong with its complete facilities.

          Raam Island is not too far from Sorong. The access to the island is not difficult either. Hence, it is worth visit the island when you are in West Papua.

Picture taken from www.pnpmsorong.blogspot.com

Miossu Island, an Exotic Inhabited Island in West Papua

Miossu Island is one of the three outer islands in West Papua. The islands are adjacent to islands of Fani and Budd in the north, Waigeo Island in the west, Manokwari Regency in the east and Sausapor Distrct in the south. It is inhabited island, making it so peaceful and quiet. There are only few visitors, and therefore it is the right place to relieve your stress. 

The atmosphere of the island is suitable for you who want to find peace. The island also offers beautiful panorama to visitors. It’s not only the nature that makes the island attractive but also its incredible ecosystem. The sea around the island has crystal clear of water and perfect waves. It’s calm and blows a gentle breeze of wind.

Location

          Administratively, Miossu Island is situated in Sausapor Distrct, Tambrauw Regency, West Papua Province. Tambrauw is a new regency resulted from the expansion of Sorong Regency. To reach the island, you must be in Sorong first. From Sorong, you can continue your journey by boat. The route of the boat passes through Werur, i.e. Sorong-Sausapor-Werur-Wor-Saubeba-Wau-Waiben-Enbuan-Saokorem-Manokwari. Hence, you can get off the boat when it is in Werur. You need to pay for Rp50,000 (US$5.00) for one trip.

The people of the Werur live a traditional way of life in harmony. The traditional culture of the island is obviously seen, especially their respect to elders. Hence, when you arrive at this village, you must first greet and respect the one considered the head of the local custome. While, Miossu is a quite remote islands. It takes about an hour to reach the island from Werur. You can go to the island by traditional boat called kole-kole. 

Activities

Miossu Island is inhabited island, allowing you to do various things. You can explore the island to learn about the flora and the fauna. You will find many trees, such as palm, banana, mango and many more. You can pick up the fruits from the trees if you find any. You can also find many animals such as star-fruit turtle, green turtle, hawk, black hawk and many more. 

Apart from exploring the island, you can go the beach. In the beach, you can do water activities like swimming, diving and snorkeling. To dive and snorkel, you surely have to bring your own equipment. The underwater life of this island is so exotic that you can see various species of fish swimming around you. Also, colorful reefs grow well. It is magnificent scenery. 

Accommodations

          Since Miossu Island is inhabited, you will not find any lodges or hotels. You better visit the island early in the morning and then go back to Werur. You can spend the night in Werur. You can stay in home stays provided by local people. The people of Werur are so friendly, and they will give their best service to guests spending the night in their village. The rate for the home stay is not expensive either, and it is negotiable.

          Miossu Island is one of the most exotic islands in West Papua. It is better for you not to miss the island when you have a trip in West Papua. The island will give you the most challenging adventure.

Pictures taken from www.wisatatambrauw.blogspot.com

Jefman Island, A Calm and Peaceful Island in Sorong

Jefman Island is an island in Sorong with its best scenery. The island attracts many tourists to visit with its beautiful nature. It also has calm atmosphere and the people are not too crowded. Hence, when you visit this island, you can relax and calm yourself. This is the right place to relieve your stress. You can walk around the island and enjoy the beautiful scenery. You can release your stress for a while. You can also visit various places in this island, including some fishing spots. The island has many interesting fishing spots to spend the day. You can bring your own fishing equipment when visiting this island. You will feel fresher and ready to go back to work once you have visited the island.

Picture Bubblews

Location

Jefman Island is one of the biggest islands among the small islands in Sorong District, West Papua, Indonesia. The island is not too far from Sorong. It is only 15 miles to the western of Sorong. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to reach the island from Sorong. To reach the island, you need to cross by ferry boat or motor boat from the port of Sorong Port. You only need to pay for Rp10,000 to Rp15,000 (US$1.00 to US$1.50).

You can choose ferry or motor boat to take you to the island. When you visit the island, it is better for you to go together with your family and friends. There are many interesting places you can visit in this island. Do not forget to take a camera with you. You can perpetuate every moment of your visit in this beautiful island. This will be an interesting moment you have with your family and friend. 

Activities

          Jefman Island has beautiful panorama. The beauty of the island is so stunning that most tourists visiting this island must want to have sightseeing as their main purpose. The people of this island are friendly, allowing you to get closer and ask about many things freely to them. You can walk around the island and the beaches.

Enjoy the sunset and do various activities in the beaches. The beaches offer you many things to you, including crystal clear and clean water. It is safe to swim or dive or snorkel. However, you must bring your own equipment if you want to dive or snorkel. There is no rental equipment in this island. Also, you can fish around the beaches. Playing around and take some pictures in the beach will also become interesting activities.

Accommodations

          You can stay in home stays or bungalows provided by local people. The bungalows and home stays are quite comfortable and affordable. You can negotiate the rate with the local people where you stay. Otherwise, you can set a tent near the beach, and spend the night in this beach. This will become an interesting adventure. Camping in this outdoor area like beautiful beaches in this island is so challenging.

          Plan to visit Jefman Island when you want to come to Sorong.  You will never regret of your visit in this island.