Indonesian Papua

The western half of New Guinea, with Raja Ampat, the area of highest marine biodiversity in the world, and highland tribal cultures such as the Baliem Valley.

This region follows Indonesia's official geographic unit of Papua, assigned by whole province: Papua, West Papua, Southwest Papua, Central Papua, Highland Papua and South Papua, covering the western half of New Guinea and nearby islands. Papua New Guinea, in the eastern half, is not part of this region.

Highlights: Raja Ampat in Southwest Papua is renowned as the sea with the highest marine biodiversity in the world. The karst islands of Wayag and Piaynemo are its signature landscapes, with diving and snorkeling among manta rays and soft corals, while Misool Island in the south is even more pristine. In Cenderawasih Bay you can swim with whale sharks. The Baliem Valley in Highland Papua is home to highland tribal cultures such as the Dani, and Lorentz National Park in South Papua is a World Heritage Site with equatorial glaciers.

Classic itineraries: enter Raja Ampat via Sorong and stay at a dive resort or local homestay, or join a liveaboard dive trip, best with 7–10 days; for the Baliem Valley, connect through Jayapura to Wamena, then trek for 3–5 days.

Getting there: Jakarta, Makassar and other cities have flights to Sorong and Jayapura. There is a daily ferry from Sorong to Waisai, while the highland interior is reachable only by small plane.

Good to know: entering Raja Ampat requires buying an environmental fee card. The highlands require a travel permit, and security is unstable in some areas, so check the latest travel advisories before you go.

Destinations

• Northern Raja Ampat
• Misool (South Raja Ampat)
• Jayapura

Itineraries

• Raja Ampat North & South Grand Tour – Stay on Kri Island to explore the Dampier Strait, then return to Sorong to catch the ferry south to Misool.
• Raja Ampat Dampier Strait Highlights – Based on Mansuar Island, take day trips to Piaynemo, Arborek, and Manta Sandy.
• Northern Raja Ampat Homestay Island Hopping – Hop between homestays to connect Arborek, the Fam Islands, Kri Island, and the Blue River.
• Misool Karst Lagoons Homestay – Take the weekly ferry to and from Misool to see Love Lagoon, Balbulol, and the Harfat Peak viewpoint.
• Jayapura & Lake Sentani Short Tour – See the bark painting villages of Lake Sentani, Tablanusu bay, and the Skouw border crossing.