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West Papua

The province of West Papua chiefly comprises two large peninsulas – the Vogelkop (also known as Bird’s Head, Kepala Burung and Semdoberai) and the more southerly Bomberai Peninsula – and several hundred offshore islands. The attractions here are primarily natural – above all the world-class diving and gorgeous island scenery of the Raja Ampat Islands. Sorong and Manokwari are well-provided urban bases from which to launch your explorations.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout West Papua.

  • See

    Wayag

    These small, uninhabited and incredibly picturesque islands, 30km beyond Waigeo, feature heavily in Raja Ampat promotional material. It’s mainly liveaboards that dive here, but Wayag also attracts nondivers for its scenery, snorkelling and the challenge of scaling its highest peak, Pindito, also known as Wayag I. A second, slightly lower peak (referred to as Wayag II) offers equally breathtaking views. The most popular dive site in Wayag is Eagle Rock, an advanced endeavor with considerable current and frequent sightings of wobbegong sharks, sweetlips, barracudas, reef sharks and manta rays. Wayag's Gate, a less challenging site with little to no current, features awe-inspiring coral and the occasional manta ray. An all-day speedboat round-trip from Waisai for six to 10 people usually costs between 15,000,000Rp and 20,000,000Rp.

  • See

    Pianynemo

    Often referred to as Little Wayag, this scenic overlook offers the famous striking views of the jagged Fam Islands poking out of calm, turquoise waters. Getting here is relatively cheap, fast and simple compared to Wayag, as many of the region's accommodation is within an hour or two of the site by speedboat. Also, the hike is a breeze thanks to stairs and a viewing platform. Nearby, a second, slightly more challenging climb offers views of the lovely Star Lagoon. The hikes are just a few minutes from some top-notch undersea experiences, so visitors often dive, snorkel and scale Pianynemo all in one trip. There are also some local residents selling coconut water and oil, along with coconut crabs, which are thought to be endangered. Do not buy the crabs.