5-7 Days of Snorkelling in January 2017 - Raja Ampat

Cheap Travel to Raja Ampat Papua

It's highly possible that I'll come solo to Sorong in the second half of January 2017. Do I love to snorkel and wonder, where should I go after arrival to Sorong, to find the best snorkelling spots of Raja Ampat? I'm aware that all this area is well known for its excellent marine life but I also think that not every place is suitable for snorkeller. Considering short time, I'll have to spend there; I'd like to pick the right spot. The ideal location would have excellent house reef or at least places with such beach close by, accessible without going for long boat trips. Of course, the cost also plays the important role. I've already found a couple of resorts which might be the right choice, but unfortunately, they charge much more than I'd like to spend. From this point of view, I think that local homestays would be better for me, but still, there's question, which island should I choose? Alternatively, I could join a cruise, but such trips seem to be quite pricey, don't they? Finally, I'd like to ask, if there's the considerable difference (from snorkeller's point of view) between Raja Ampat and Komodo region? I'll spend ten nights on Subayur island (Komodo Resort) in August 2016 and I wonder if the visit to Raja Ampat 6 months later will give me a chance to see something exceptional, not available in Komodo region

It is one of the questions from the account on Tripadvisor named Bartek. And the answer to the question is

Firstly, you need to decide which part of Raja Ampat you would like to visit. Southern or Northern part. Southern, which is Misool, gives you amazing limestone karsts, lagoons everywhere, swimming with stingless jellyfish, or swim in nature private pool in a cave.

The northern part is Wayag, Arborek, Kabui bay, Pianemo, Kri, etc. I believe you already saw this part of RA everywhere on the internet.

If you already in Komodo, to give you the different experience, then try Misool. Take a public boat directly to Misool from Sorong, it's not available every day, only once per week. Every Friday, at 11 pm-midnight, there is Fajar Indah public boat going to Misool from Sorong ( there are two harbours in Sorong, however going to Raja Ampat either south or north departs from what local called "Pelabuhan Rakyat"), it takes 7-8 hours to Misool. Try to look up in www.stayrajaampat.com for Harfat Jaya Homestay in Yapale island. Ask them to pick you up in the harbour the next morning. Then start from Yapale island to visit Balbulol, Defalen, Lenmakana lake, etc.

For the northern part, go to Pelabuhan Rakyat. Take the fast ferry to Waisai. Available every day at 2 pm, it takes 2 hours journey. Every Monday and Friday (if I do not mistakenly remember, it's Friday), this ferry has twice departure time. At 9 am and 2 pm from Sorong to Waisai. When you arrive in Waisai, you will be picked up by your homestay which you already arranged in advance. Try to look up homestays in www.stayrajaampat.com for homestays in Kri island, or Arborek Island, or Gam Island. Fam island is also suitable for snorkelers but its quite far away from Waisai, but it's closer to Wayag.

You will do the island hop arranged by your homestay and share costs with another guest for the boat fuel. It's best always to snorkel with someone or guide who knows the area. Recently one Russian tourist died by the saltwater crocodile near Fam Islands (Manyaifun) because he ignored the warning from the guide and go snorkel around nearby mangrove forest. Hope it helps.