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Daytrip to the Wayag Islands in Raja Ampat
Departure time from the resort: 6:00am
Arrival time back at the resort: 6:00pm
Time to first dive site: approx 1 hr 30 min.
Included: Snacks, drinks, island tour, guided climb, entry fee, picnic lunch.
What to bring: Sun cream, good footwear, a hat and camera.
Minimum pax: 5 people
Uninhabited and incredibly picturesque, Wayag Island is certainly an icon of Raja Ampat. Covering a total area of 155,000 hectares it is known for its beautiful atolls as well as extraordinary underwater life.
The Wayag islands are breathtaking at every turn. You will find pristine beaches and the unique Karst islands that resemble mushrooms sprouting from the sea.
“Lush vegetation clung to all but the steepest slopes of the towering islands. Their near-vertical walls hung over the sea, which had undercut the razor-sharp honeycombs of eroding rock. It was as if the spectacular bullet-shaped islands had erupted out of the bay and frozen in time, hovering just above the surface. The landscape eluded words”. Shawn Heinrichs, Emmy Award winning cinematographer, photographer, scuba diver, and marine conservationist.
A fairy tale panorama will captivate visitors with it’s crystal clear waters and abundance of marine flora and fauna. This special location never ceases to amaze. Visitors will be overwhelmed by not only by the rich underwater displays, but the panoramic beauty of the island. By climbing to the lookout, you can take in one of the most extraordinary views in Raja Ampat.
Our Wayag trip begins early in the morning. We set out by boat heading North in the direction of our first dive/snorkel site. “Eagle Rock” at Kawe, is approximately half way to the Wayag Islands. It is named for the majestic eagles circling above the small, rocky islands. Underwater, divers and snorkelers can encounter many beautiful creatures. For example: Wobbegong Sharks, Sweetlips, Sardines, Barracudas, Tuna, Bumphead Parrotfish and Reef Sharks, even the occasional manta ray!
After the first dive/snorkeling session, our boat continues further North. We cross the Equator and continue to travel until arriving at the iconic landscape of Wayag’s mushroom islands.
Then, after cruising slowly and taking in the landscape, we take our morning coffee break at a picturesque beach. After that, we travel a small distance by boat to climb to the lookout. A challenging climb up steep limestone cliffs, however the effort is worth it. Upon reaching the summit you can take in magnificent 360* view of Wayag. Certainly a must-see, as pictures and words can not describe this extraordinary view.
*Please note, we do not recommend this climb for young children, as well as people with restrictive physical limitations.
Lunch follows, at the beach near the Wayag Ranger Station. Wayag is one of Raja Ampat’s 12 Marine Protected areas. Consequently it is manned by community rangers tasked with patrolling the area to monitor for illegal fishing and visitor behavior. Every man in the villages of Salio and Selpepe serves as a ranger for two weeks each year. This is a remarkable testament to the incredible community commitment to conserve the stunning natural riches of the area.
We find one of the (many!) highlights of the trip in the shallows at the front of the ranger station. Black tip reef sharks are circling in the shallows. Stand in knee deep water in order to get a close up look at reef sharks who are complete undisturbed by your presence!
After lunch and some rest, we head to our second dive sight, Black Rock. Soft corals bloom in a variety of colours from the rocky outcrops. Here again, Raja Ampat’s full abundance comes to life in a most vibrant display.
At the end of this dive, we journey back to the resort. Travelling back past the distance and remote islands, back to the familiar islands of the Dampier Strait.
