Wayag Islands, the Icon of Raja Ampat
Most of Raja Ampat’s advertising shows the picture of Wayag Islands. This area is without doubt an excellence choice to be the icon of Raja Ampat (West Papua, Indonesia). Wayag is a cluster of uninhabited small islands. They are stunningly scattered like a maze above the crystal blue seawater. Magnificent view! Wayag is definitely the most beautiful area that we visited during our diving holiday in Raja Ampat.
We spent two nights in Wayag, arriving in late afternoon after heavy storm and waves to reach the islands. Our liveaboard boat had problem with its generator and we did not have electricity and fresh water for half day. It was terrible, however the splendid view of Wayag islands made up for it.
We climbed to the peak of Wayag to see the archipelago up of the hill. It was not easy since the hill formed of rocks inclining almost 90 degree. Oh well, I was exaggerating but I felt that way when climbing its rocky hill :D. It took us around 20 to 30 minutes to reach the peak to see the amazing view of Wayag islands. Our liveaboard boat was the only boat in the area back then, yup, only seven scuba divers and the boat crews in the stunning archipelago! What a luxury!
Its underwater beauty is as stunning as its above landscape: colorful corals with numerous of fishes. I also spotted numerous groupers, nudibranch, flatworm, orangutan crab and barracuda. We did five dives in the archipelago and had a tour around Wayag with our liveaboard’s zodiac boat. At night, the boat crew prepared a barbeque party at the beach in one of the islands.
Wayag is also prefect for snorkelers. After climbing the peak, you might want to jump into the sea! If you wish to visit Wayag (and you must if you were in Raja Ampat), the first option is taking a liveaboard diving holiday that cover a scuba-diving journey to the Central and Northern part of Raja Ampat like we did.
Another option to reach Wayag islands could be:
- Staying in Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat in Waigeo Island. Waigeo Island can be reached from Sorong Port in the mainland West Papua by public ferries. The ferries operates daily with cost around 14-15 USD (price is subject to change). Other option is renting a private speedboat from Sorong Port, but the cost could be very expensive.
- When you are in Waisai, you can rent speedboat to reach Wayag Islands. The speedboat trip will take around three hours one way. The cost could be very expensive. What I have heard the price is around 700-1,000 USD. It is advised to visit Wayag in a group to share the cost. Mostly Indonesians do so when visiting Wayag. Some even asked other tourists whom they just met in Waisai to join the trip.
Of course the post of Wayag’s beauty is incomplete without showing what lays beneath. For photos of various marine species spotted in Wayag as you may find in the photo-slide. I use a “fish bible book“, to identify the species I took picture of. Hope you enjoy the photos 🙂
indahs: dive, travel & photography 
That spot anthias is so cute! I just love your underwater shots! Wish I could come along 🙂
I like her too! She was bit too shy though and could swim very fast.. I guess fishes have a sixth sense when a scuba diver watching them 😀
You must become the fish and turtle whisperer then 🙂
I wish I could..sometimes they swam away when I get closer.. 😀
What a beautiful post with amazing pictures you are giving us. Thank you so much for that Indah. This islands are just beautiful. The land and underwater of this part of the world is amazing and your travel description so helpful I hope only I can use it once. Thank you for sharing Indah. I love you posts 🙂
Thank you so much Erwin! Hope you will visit it someday – it is so close to Australia! – make it as trip to visit the West Papua jungles and their valley.. 😉
We had a look once and wanted go to New Papua but traveling there from WA was so complicated, long and expensive that we went to Bali. Who knows maybe an other year it can happen.
Oh, I know the feeling! it was not an easy trip to get there from Europe either – the flight time was not really friendly..and not to mentioned lateness etc.. Indonesian govt is planning to build an international airport in West Papua, so maybe in the future there will be flight connection from West Papua to Australia..who knows it will be faster than expected 🙂
Ahh, this would be great and shorten the travel time. We had to stay for one night in Sydney and the total travel time was close the same as going to Europe. We will see what the future brings.
Paradise found! It seems that whenever I’m convinced that you can’t possibly visit someplace more beautiful, you do. 🙂 The Coral, or Miniatus Grouper is my favorite grouper. What it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty.
🙂 too many beautiful places are waiting to be found!! I like the coral grouper too..she is so beautiful. Actually I wish the groupers in the Caribbean were as colorful as the groupers in Indo-Pacific :)) would be nice to see the goliath grouper in such color, making it less scary :))
Ooh you lucky girl! I’ve heard of Raja Ampat islands before and saw the pictures, but yours are even more beautiful. It’s supposed to be one of the top diving destinations in the world! I hope to visit the Wayang islands someday…
Thank you so much! we went there to celebrate our anniversary, every cent is worth :)) Raja Ampat is truly a special place, and it is deserved to be in the top ten diving destination in the world. I have never had experience seeing so many fishes and colorful corals scattered around the area. Simply stunning. I recommend to visit Raja Ampat. I will post more on how to get there and tips of affordable visit to Raja Ampat 🙂
Fabulous Landscapes. Well done.
Thank you so much!!
This is just fabulous- did you take the photos yourself? What a breathtaking experience – thank you so much for sharing this
Hi Diana, thank you! The place is truly special, I love it and wish to visit it again. Yes, all the photos in this post was taken by myself. My photo gear info is available in this page – https://indahs.com/about/photo-gear/
Photos great – worthy of a book but great to share with fellow bloggers
Thank you so much Diana! I am more than happy to sharing my photos to be enjoyed by many 🙂 Have a great weekend..
So beautiful!
Thank you so much!!