When you start looking for Raja Ampat on the map, then you might have a little difficulty locating it, not just because it is in a distant location but since it’s an archipelago composed of roughly 1,500 small islands, and that may be confusing. Step one in getting your bearings is to get accustomed to the three largest islands of Raja Ampat: Misool, Waigeo, and Salawati.

Waigeo: the Biggest of the Raja Ampat Islands

Also Called Amberi or Waigiu, Waigeo is the nearest to Sorong (gateway to the archipelago) of the Raja Ampat Islands. Despite being the very best connected, due to its proximity to West New Guinea, researching this whole island presents a challenge, as it includes distant places that may only be attained by a boat crewed by locals or specialist guides in the region.

One of the outstanding characteristics of the biggest of the Raja Ampat Islands is their lush, wild inside, with inaccessible, unexplored rain forests. This virgin landscape can also be the home to several unique species, like the Crimson Bird, an autochthonous Bird of Paradise. Other species you may find on Waigeo contain giant tortoises and lizards, Indonesian cranes, along with the Honeyeaters or even Meliphagidea, amazing birds just found in Asia.

Misool: A Refuge with Crystal-Clear Waters

Located off the west coast of Papua, Misool is the send biggest island in the archipelago of Raja Ampat. It borders on the Seram Sea, therefore through its waters float the vast majority of marine species inhabiting the Pacific. This makes Misool an underwater paradise, along with the additional Raja Ampat Islands.

Covered with a thick coating of rain forests and mangrove swamps, Misool is among the Raja Ampat Islands using the most breathtaking scenery. Additionally, this second biggest island in the archipelago is surrounded by gigantic limestone rocks that emerge out of the water to control the horizon. A picture you won’t forget! Despite being a massive island, its verdant vegetation covers all its land, not leaving much space for shores. Those it will have are full of white sand and studded with coconut palm trees, which makes them the perfect place for expressing the deep blue of the sea and picturing the dizzying collection of underwater fauna and flora inside it.

Salawati: An Oasis of Peace and Nature

Situated to the northwest of the island of New Guinea, Salawati is the third largest island in the archipelago, with a square footage of 1.623 km2. The only means to reach it is by boat since it’s one of the least developed of the Raja Ampat Islands. In road to Salawati, you can observe the numerous little uninhabited islands or islets, adding to your sense of being in a remote corner of Earth.

The tranquility of Salawati, as in the remaining islands in the archipelago, makes it a perfect destination for both unplugging and twisting back. Additionally, in its waters, very close to the island, you will find authentic submarine treasures, such as sunken ships in the Second World War, which makes for a fascinating trip.

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