Things to expect (or not expect) on your first Raja Ampat trip
Our dive master trainee Josh talks about some of things you can expect (or shouldn't expect) in the remote region of Raja Ampat.
I've lived in Indonesia for 4 years now...so even though I come from Liverpool in the UK, at this point I'm somewhat adjusted. I'll be honest...some things you never get used to. But I'll try to highlight a few key pointers here that can really help make your travel experience in Raja Ampat more enjoyable and relaxed.
Island time
We have a thing called "island time" out here. As westerners (America and Europe), I've realised we're a bit obsessed with time. We are so used to having everything be punctual and run like clockwork. When you first arrive in Indonesia, this aspect is a real culture shock and it can be very difficult to adapt to if you've never experienced it before.
Island time essentially means that there is no time. Not in the way we expect it. In the UK if my train leaves at 12.33, I know it's going to be leaving at 12.33. In Indonesia, if my boat captain says he'll leave at 12.30, I reckon it's probably going to be more like 15.30 by the time we get moving. In fact, if the boat even leaves at all on that same day, it's already a win.
Try to accept that anything and everything will be delayed, and that nothing you do can change that. It's better to just let go and accept that's the way it is out here. When you learn the Indonesian language you realize that actually, time doesn't really exist as a concept - not as we know it, anyway. Speaking of language...
Bisa Bahasa Indonesia?
People's English skills vary wildly and it really depends on where you go. If you're in a well-established tourist hot-spot then the chances are some of the people there will speak perfect English. However, elsewhere it can be tricky. Just because your Papuan homestay owner runs a homestay and caters to international tourists, doesn't mean he speaks English. At all. Learning a bit of basic Indonesian can go a long way in helping smooth out your journey. If all else fails, then there's always Google Translate!
Food
Indonesian food is delicious. It's genuinely one of my favorite cuisines in the world. Yes, there are western options in places like Sorong and wherever else you travel throughout the country...but why travel all this way for a burger?
I will say that when it comes to staying in Kri and Mansuar, you shouldn't expect anything too fancy. There are no restaurants or Warungs here. You'll eat the food served up to you by your homestay and typically this will consist of rice (of course) along with some sort of fish or chicken, veg and fruit, and maybe some tasty snacks like cake. There are no shops out here, so everything is shipped in from Waisai and Sorong. As a result, the menu is fairly limited.
Lower your expectations
It seems like a harsh thing to say, right? I don't mean this in a "Indonesia is awful" type of phrase...it's just the best way to travel, in my opinion! Whether you're coming to Raja Ampat or anywhere else in the world, I find that you'll always have an incredible time when you come with little to no expectations. When we have high expectations, we're setting ourselves up for disappointment. Just go with the flow and relax, let things happen naturally. When you expect nothing, then everything is a beautiful, memorable surprise
In the specific case of expectations for Raja Ampat, I think it's a tough one. This place has a lot of marketing and hype behind it. It is an astonishing place and my favorite region to dive on earth...but if you come expecting to see one thousand sharks and manta rays at Cape Kri on your very first dive, you may feel let down.
Don't obsess over the top 5 dive sites (the names you've seen 1000 times on the internet already) and dive without any expectations. This is mother nature. She is wild, and unpredictable...let's see what she gives us!
High and low seasons
The high season in Raja Ampat runs from the start of November to the end of March. During this time, the visibility is often worse because there are more plankton in the ocean. The benefit of this is we're graced with the presence of manta rays! During the low season (start of April to end of October) the visibility is far better, as there's less plankton. While the manta rays aren't around, you can see a lot more species of shark and ray.
If you're coming to Raja Ampat in the high season, then one thing you should expect is a lot of boats and divers - especially at the most popular dive sites such as Cape Kri, Blue Magic and Sauwandarek. At Soul Scuba we try to operate a bit differently and rotate dive sites to avoid these dives where there's 40 other people in the water.
I'd say that while you'll probably still hit the "top 5" sites, it's better not to get too caught up on them. Honestly, there are better sites that get nowhere near as much recognition...you'll have to ask at our office for that top-secret information ;)
Wrapping up
I hope the above tips prove useful for you on your first trip here! To wrap things up, I’ll just say this – Raja Ampat is astonishing, and you’re incredibly lucky to be visiting what is widely considered the best dive region on earth. With that in mind, bring your best energy and prepare for an unforgettable experience. We don’t yet know what the ocean is going to give us, but we know it’ll be special!
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