Looking for recommendation in Raja Ampat land based

[gwiazda79]

Hello there folks,

Maybe someone could help me with planning my trip.
We are going to spend 2 weeks in RA this coming Xmas. But it turned out it’s not as easy as I thought would be. I want to do diving as much as possible but my wife is looking forward to birdwatching and do some dives. So we agreed on staying on Kri for 5-6 days diving only, the other 8-9 days is question mark. This is why I am here looking for help.
So far I have in mind 3 islands: Gam, Batanta and Waigeo. All have amazing birdwatching spots. And diving available on all too. Did any of ye was on those islands and did some diving? Any suggestions where diving is better? Would staying 4 days in Gam and 4 days in Batanta make sense? Thank you for any help or info! Much appreciated

 

[cozcharlie]

I can’t really help with your specific question , but it would probably help others if you specified what type of accommodation you are looking for. If you are looking for a nicer place with air conditioning , that will shrink the list dramatically (or even a nicer place without air conditioning ). If you are looking for a budget homestay, there are probably a lot of those.

I would try to line something up quickly. Some of the more desirable places can book years in advance. Christmas is not that far away at this point . I hope you have a great trip !

 

[gwiazda79]

I can’t really help with your specific question , but it would probably help others if you specified what type of accommodation you are looking for. If you are looking for a nicer place with air conditioning , that will shrink the list dramatically (or even a nicer place without air conditioning ). If you are looking for a budget homestay, there are probably a lot of those.

I would try to line something up quickly. Some of the more desirable places can book years in advance. Christmas is not that far away at this point . I hope you have a great trip !

Oh thank you for your reply Charlie!

We never went to South Asia before, only Africa, and around Indian Ocean but we would be happy with a Homestay, budget friendly I presume. There are a good few options on bookings/stayRA com so far

 

[cozcharlie]

Oh thank you for your reply Charlie!

We never went to South Asia before, only Africa, and around Indian Ocean but we would be happy with a Homestay, budget friendly I presume. There are a good few options on bookings/stayRA com so far

Your post made me realize I hadn’t booked a hotel in Sorong before/between a couple of liveaboard trips I am doing in February . The Aston (the best hotel in Sorong and convenient to the airport ) is already sold out for much of February 2026

 

[also_anon_dc]

If you're not too concerned about diving the other 8-9 days why stay in Raja Ampat? You could head back to Bali and do land tours, birdwatching etc. There really isn't much to do in RA other than dive.

 

[JustinJRL]

Have you checked out stayrajaampat.com? Before my first raja trip I obsessively read the write-ups and guest reviews. Birding is generally covered in the write ups. I can't help much on the birding end, but I can say the diving is amazing throughout raja ampat, though there are differences - big fish action in the central sites, amazing reefs further west (Fam). Southern Gam and Kri dive centres will dive the same sites, west waigo would be a good option as it opens up new sites. Batanta is further off the beaten path, diving is less established (I've never been!)

 

[outofofficebrb]

I have been to Papua Explorers 2 times. It’s non-diver friendly. They are very snorkel friendly, sometimes on same boats as the divers. There are snorkel options direct from your bungalow or end of the jetty if you’d like. There are tours you can take to waterfalls, viewpoints, and even some birds of paradise.

No AC which I thought would be an issue but it’s not. I sleep with the sliding door to my balcony and swim platform open. I put the fan inside the netting aimed at me. It gets cold enough for me to pull the sheet over at night. Being over the water, there are minimal to no mosquitos that I could see and I’m also highly allergic and attractive. I suffer from skeeter syndrome.

 

[gwiazda79]

If you're not too concerned about diving the other 8-9 days why stay in Raja Ampat? You could head back to Bali and do land tours, birdwatching etc. There really isn't much to do in RA other than dive.

Thanks for the reply,
Interested only in RA, thanks

 

[gwiazda79]

Have you checked out stayrajaampat.com? Before my first raja trip I obsessively read the write-ups and guest reviews. Birding is generally covered in the write ups. I can't help much on the birding end, but I can say the diving is amazing throughout raja ampat, though there are differences - big fish action in the central sites, amazing reefs further west (Fam). Southern Gam and Kri dive centres will dive the same sites, west waigo would be a good option as it opens up new sites. Batanta is further off the beaten path, diving is less established (I've never been!)

This is very helpful, yes I am going through stay RA, and no, wasn’t looking through reviews, just checking in general what they offer. Does it mean I don’t really have to stay in Kri to dive Cape Kri etc, I can stay in southern Gam and can do same things?
Would it be doable from 4 islands I mention to dive Melissa’s garden or is it way too far? Sorry I have no idea how far are those islands in between since I have never been. Any other must dive spots I have to keep in mind? Please and thank you!

 

[gwiazda79]

I have been to Papua Explorers 2 times. It’s non-diver friendly. They are very snorkel friendly, sometimes on same boats as the divers. There are snorkel options direct from your bungalow or end of the jetty if you’d like. There are tours you can take to waterfalls, viewpoints, and even some birds of paradise.

No AC which I thought would be an issue but it’s not. I sleep with the sliding door to my balcony and swim platform open. I put the fan inside the netting aimed at me. It gets cold enough for me to pull the sheet over at night. Being over the water, there are minimal to no mosquitos that I could see and I’m also highly allergic and attractive. I suffer from skeeter syndrome.

Ah sweet, thank you! We both are divers with over 100 and 200 dives each, is just one likes birds too, and Gam is the only place for Red Birds of Paradise. So trying to kill two birds at once. So this homestay do same dives as I would’ve done in Kri: Cape Kri, Mike’s Point, etc etc?! No need to be based on Kri? Trying to figure this all out, sorry to annoy with simple questions and thanks all!