It’s difficult to narrow down the most beautiful places of the world, isn’t it? After all, we’re all at least a little bit biased towards the places where we live and the experience of what we’ve seen. It’s unlikely that any two people would choose exactly the same places as the most beautiful places in the world that surrounds them. But the world is filled with so many beautiful places, and there’s room for all of them.
In this post we examine just a small selection of some of the world’s most beautiful places. We hope to give you a broader perspective on what beauty is to different people in different parts of the world. And we hope to perhaps inspire you to explore more of the world that surrounds you. That’s one of the perks of living in such a connected world these days. We’re able to see and experience new things, even from home. Hopefully you’ll find something here that you like.
Before we get to our five new additions to our list of the most beautiful places in the world, here’s a small taste of what you’ll find in our original list (which you can find toward the end of this article).
Shangrila Resort, Pakistan — Credit: norbakshi world (via Flickr)
And now, here are five new additions to our list of some of the world’s most beautiful places, all suggested by our readers in the comments.
Mt. Everest, Bordering Tibet and Nepal
Mount Everest is the world’s highest mountain, with a peak that reaches more than 8800 meters above sea level. It is a part of the Himalayas, and is located on the border between Nepal and Tibet. More than 3000 people have climbed to the summit of Mt.Everest, and over 200 people are known to have died on the mountain.
Credit: Joe Hastings (via Flickr)
Credit: Gunther Hagleitner (via Flickr)
Credit: watchsmart (via Flickr)
Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
Lake Louise is a Canadian lake in the province of Alberta. It was formed by a glacier and is known for its blue-green color that results from mineral deposits that enter the lake from melting glaciers above.
Credit: Samantha Marx (via Flickr)
Credit: Marilyn Peddle (via Flickr)
Credit: Harvey Barrison (via Flickr)
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, United States
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a protected area in the state of Alaska in the United States. It includes the bay itself as well as mountains and glaciers surrounding the bay. According to Wikipedia, it is “the largest protected water area park in the world.” Glacier Bay is a popular cruise ship destination for the area.
Credit: Kimberly Vardeman (via Flickr)
Credit: Kimberly Vardeman (via Flickr)
Credit: Glenn (via Flickr)
Sentani Lake, Indonesia
Sentani Lake is another beautiful location suggested by our readers. Lake Sentani is located near Jayapura, which is the capital of the Papua Province in Indonesia. The volcanic lake is surrounded by beautiful and lush greenery and contains several small islands.
Credit: Kiko Turteliny (via Flickr)
Credit: Edwin Yepese (via Flickr)
Credit: Edwin Yepese (via Flickr)
Killarney, Ireland
Killarney is a beautiful town in County Kerry, Ireland. In addition to the lovely historic buildings in town, you’ll find amazing natural views in the Killarney National Park. From the historic churches and castles to Killarney Lake and the rolling green hills Ireland is famous for, you’re bound to find something here that strikes your fancy.
Credit: mozzercork (via Flickr)
Credit: Meg Lessard (via Flickr)
Credit: Jack Newton (via Flickr)
Update: Please check part 2 of the The Most Beautiful Places of the World series to see even more amazing and beautiful places. And don’t forget to share your ideas for the most beautiful places in the world with us in our comments. But for now, let’s get back to our original article with our original top ten picks for some of the most beautiful places in the world.
We live in a world blessed with sights that are beautiful beyond words. Every human being probably dreams of visiting at least one of those places in their lifetime. Living in modern cities with high-rise buildings, we tend to miss out on what Mother Nature has to offer as well as some of the most incredible man-made structures built throughout the course of history.
Look at the places below, and you will see beauty that fills the eye and warms the heart. It wouldn’t be appropriate or humanly possible to just pick a few places from the huge collection of amazing sights around the world and call them the “best.”
They say that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” and there are perhaps other places that have touched your heart. For this reason, we do not claim the places included in our list are the best, but rather among the vast collection of the most beautiful places of the world.
Skardu Valley – Pakistan
Skardu Valley is part of the Baltistan. Baltistan is spread over an area of 26,000 square kilometres – just right below the jagged and glaciated ramparts of the Karakoram. Once part of Laddakh, it was known as Tibet-i-Khurd – Little Tibet. Archaeological exploration has proven that it was encompassed by the Silk Trade Route.
Shangrila – Pakistan
Shangrila Resort Skardu, also known as “Heaven on Earth”, is nestled amongst some of the world’s highest peaks. It encircles the heart shaped “Kachura Lake” and is surrounded by fruit laden orchards and flower filled gardens.
Lake Saiful Muluk – Pakistan
Photo by Fahd Murtaza
Lake Saiful Muluk is a lake located at the northern end of the Kaghan Valley near Naran. A fairy tale called Saiful Muluk, written by the famous sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, is associated with the lake. It is the story of prince of Persia who fell in love with a fairy princess at the lake. The impact of the lake beauty is of such extent that people believe that fairies come down to lake in full moon.
The Grand Canyon, United States
A steep gorge by the Colorado River, Arizona in the United States, the Grand Canyon has some truly enjoyable scenery. It is 277 miles in length, 4 to 18 miles in width, and about a mile deep. Scientists believe that the canyon was created by the Colorado River over a six million year period.
Native Americans built settlements in the caves within the canyon before the emigration of Europeans. It was also considered to be a site of pilgrimage by the Pueblo people. The first recorded visit to the Grand Canyon by the Europeans was in 1869. Although it is not the deepest canyon in the world, it is known for its extremely large size and beautifully intricate landscape. The Grand Canyon National Park is said to be one of the first national parks in the United States and it attracts more than five million visitors a year. Weather conditions in the Grand Canyon vary greatly between seasons as well as varying at different elevations. While winter snow is experienced by the higher forested rims, the inner gorge has a desert temperature because of the low elevation.
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
One of the natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef off the east coast of Australia is the world’s largest coral reef. It has the distinction of being placed in the World Heritage as well as the National Heritage lists.
With more than 600 islands and coral cays, the reef covers more than 300,000 sq. km. Corals make up the reefs and cays and are responsible for a huge variety of sea life in the reef — green turtles, several varieties of whales and dolphins, the dugong, about 4000 types of mollusks, 1500 different species of fish, as well as beautifully colored bird life encompassing at least 200 species. The Great Reef Marine Park is a huge tourist attraction with millions of tourists visiting the area each year. Sporting activities include reef sailing, scuba diving, and snorkeling, amongst others.
Cape Town, South Africa
Aptly called “Heaven on earth,” this beautiful town at the tip of the African continent, with small roads surrounded by huge mountains, makes a person feel small; showing how marvelous and dominating nature can actually be.
The Cape Dutch style buildings depict the architectural heritage of the place. Beauty abounds in the black clouds that seem to pay homage to Table Mountain at all times. Cape Point, Signal Hill, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Robben Island, Rhodes Memorial, and the beaches are some of the famous tourist attractions. Located on the shore of Table Bay, Cape Town is famous for its natural floral kingdom as well as its harbor. This town is one of the most popular tourist attractions of South Africa with its wine tasting day trips, whale watching, and dolphin watching.
Taj Mahal, India
The Taj Mahal in India is one of the wonders of the world and is one of the most beautiful mausoleums constructed by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, in memory of his favorite queen, Mumtaz Mahal. Located in Agra, white marble was used in the construction of this symbol of love, and the Taj Mahal is considered to be the pinnacle of Mughal architecture.
As the story goes, the emperor was grief-stricken when he lost his beloved third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It took thousands of craftsmen and artisans, and about twenty years to construct it. The masons, stone cutters, carvers, inlayers, calligraphers, painters, and others were brought from throughout the entire empire as well as from Iran and Central Asia. Semi-precious stones were used for inlay ornamentation. It later became the mausoleum of Shah Jahan too. This is a huge tourist attraction with one to two million tourists visiting it every year.
Canadian Rockies, Canada
The majestic Canadian Rockies are the Canadian segment of the North American Rocky Mountains. They are a visitor’s wonderland and the playground for western Canada. They are older than the American Rockies and are formed from over thrusting.
The Canadian Rockies house five national parks, and four of those national parks (along with other provincial parks) combine to form a single UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of beautiful mountain landscapes, lakes, canyons, waterfalls, glaciers, peaks, limestone caves, and fossils. Mount Robson is the highest peak of the Canadian Rockies and climbing it is considered a challenge. These beautiful mountains are a haven for hikers and walkers alike.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu in Peru, which means ‘Old Peak,” is one of the most enigmatic ancient sites in the world. According to legend, Machu Picchu was long ago considered to be a sacred place. The credit for the creation of the extraordinary city goes to the Inca people who have erected many stone structures and turned the place into a work of art.
Two thousand feet above the Urubamba river, these ruins consist of baths, temples, palaces, and about 150 houses, all very well preserved. These gray granite structures, some of which weigh more than 50 tons, are so perfectly sculpted that they are nothing less than works of architectural genius. They were rediscovered by a Yale archaeologist in 1911. The ethereal beauty, workmanship, and history of the place attracts millions of tourists each year.
The Pyramids, Egypt
The Egyptian pyramids are massive monuments with a square base and four triangular sides rising up to a point. There is still a lot of curiosity (and many theories) as to how the pyramids were actually constructed.
It is generally believed that the Egyptians began constructing them after 2700 B.C. and that they were built as tombs for the pharaohs. The most well-known (and the largest) pyramids of Egypt are the Pyramids at Giza which are said to be the largest ever built. It’s said that the Great Pyramid at Giza took 23 years to complete, using a work force of around 30,000 people. About 118 pyramids have been identified, and they are popular and intriguing to tourists and home researchers alike.
Petra, Jordan
Described by the UNESCO as “one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage”, Petra is an archeological site on the slope of Mount Hor. It is one of the new wonders of the world and is famous for its rock-cut architecture.
This site was kept hidden until 1812 when it was discovered by a Swiss explorer. It was said to have been prepared by God for the Jewish people. Petra once flourished under the Roman empire but a rapid decline began with the Arabian trade being taken elsewhere. Then an earthquake caused a great deal of destruction. Tourists frequent the place to get a glimpse of the ruins of this beautiful city.
Great Wall of China, China
One of the seven wonders of the world, the Great Wall of China is a man-made structure that was constructed over two thousand years ago and took about 100 years to complete. The vastness of this project brings to light the immense capabilities of man.
The constructions started in the 5th Century B.C. It is actually not a single wall, but rather many walls put together, and it stretches over 4,000 miles. It was constructed to protect the Chinese Empire from the Xiongnu people in the north. The wall was initially built of stone, grass, earth, and wood, but bricks were used once the production started. It is believed that about 2-3 million Chinese died during the construction project.
The Iguazu Waterfalls, Argentina-Brazil Border
Heralded as the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, the Iguazu Waterfalls are a true wonder of nature. They are located at the border of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. While the Argentinean side allows visitors to walk right around the water or explore the National Park, the Brazilian side is known for its panoramic views and splendor.
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt is believed to have exclaimed upon seeing these falls, “poor Niagara.” The area surrounding the falls provides ample opportunities for rock climbing as well as water sports. Iguazu has the distinction of having a greater annual flow than any other waterfall in the world.
With all of these, and many more beautiful places that exist in our world, we surrounded by choices. The only way to decide on the places to visit is to follow your heart. While some may love the tranquility of water, others may bury themselves deep in architectural miracles, ancient sites, or the serenity of a small town.
What is Batik?
The
word "batik" is Indonesian in origin, even if the concept was known by
Egyptians and Indians. It is known to be more than a millenium old, and
there are evidences that cloth decorated through some form of resist
technique was in use in the early centuries AD in several West African,
Middle-Eastern and Asian communities.
The
word Batik is originally an Idonesian-Malay word and means to dot .This
art of textile is spread in the hindu and malay world, but Indonesia is
certainly the heart of the Batik.This way of painting and coloring
textile has reached its higher degree of excellence in the Island of
Java , in cities like Solo, Yogyakarta, Pekalongan or Cirebon. From Java
this 'batik' cloth was exported to other islands of the archipelago and
to the Malay peninsula.
On
the 17th century, the Javanese sultanate of Mataram accorded important
ceremonial functions to the Batik clothes. Sultan Agung of Mataram is
known to have dressed in white cotton decorated with Indigo blue, and
his court dancers wore kain kembangan colored with a red organic dye.
Traditional
batik in Java was made with a copper stamp or drawn on cloth by hand
using a tool called a chanting. A chanting is a little copper bowl with a
spout attached to a wood or bamboo handle. The chanting is dipped into
hot wax. The artist draws with the chanting by using the law of gravity.
The wax to pours out of the spout and penetrates the fabric.
The Process of Batik Making
Traditional
batik, either tulis (hand drawn) or stamped, requires many application
of wax and dye, but in modern times the process has been simplified.
Joanie and Barbara do some work which they call double process; the
fabric is pre colored. But mostly they work directly on white rayon.
When the wax is removed, the lines are white. The art lies in the
skillful drawing and the unique painting technique, which is best
considered as watercolor on fabric.
Draw with washable markers so the original lines will disappear once the piece is waxed.
After wax has been applied to our line drawings, the
fabric is stretched flat on a frame. The dyes we use to paint spread easily, too easily. The art is in controlling
where they go, and how each color interacts with others, when to use a lot of water and when to use none at all.
The final product is a beautiful, durable and washable painting of fabric. These batiks will not fade, shrink or bleed.
Works of a famous Batik artist
This is John Tinger. A famous Batik Artist. And these are some of his batik works.
One Famous Batik Artist
One of a Famous Batik Artist we have research on is David Kibuuka.David
Kibuuka started painting at an early age in Uganda. His talent became
quickly apparent at the age of 11 as he was able to sell his paintings
in art galleries, such as Nomo Gallery in Kampala. At that time, David’s
strength was pencil drawing and water color.
Weh Island in Sabang. (JP/ Sita W. Dewi)Here is where Indonesia officially starts. This small island is the northernmost point of the country and offers everything you need for adventure.
One cannot ignore the tsunami when talking about Aceh province. The province was devastated by a magnitude-8.9 quake and tsunami in December 2004. Hundreds of thousands were killed in one of the worst disasters in history. Most coastal parts of the province were destroyed.
When I visited Banda Aceh for the first time in August, I was stunned by how the city had been rebuilt over the past few years. I still got a sense of misery from the loss of family, friends and homes, and of the struggle to put the ruins behind and rebuild everything that was destroyed.
On my second visit to the province in December, I went straight to Weh Island in Sabang.
Sabang, a city of islands including Weh Island — the largest island — and other islets, including Rubiah, Seulako, Klah and Rondo, was much less affected by the tsunami than other parts of the province, such as Meulaboh and Banda Aceh.
Kilometer 0 Monument, Weh island. (JP/ Sita W.
A fisherman unloads his catch, netted in Sabang waters off Aceh, early morning. (JP/Hotli Simanjuntak)Dewi)Visitors
can still spot many colonial buildings and huge trees brought from
Suriname by the Dutch, as well as enjoying Weh’s pristine beaches, which
were barely developed as tourist areas before the tsunami.Sabang has several beaches popular for diving and snorkeling that offer emerald-green waters and breathtaking underwater landscapes, including Gapang, Iboih and Sumur Tiga. Rubiah Islet is also among the best-known world-class diving spots in the country.
Sumur Tiga Beach, which has white sands stretching along 3 kilometers — is relatively close to the Balohan ferry terminal. It takes only about 15 minutes by car to reach the beach from the terminal, while it needs about an hour to reach Iboih and Gapang by car. At Sumur Tiga Beach you can find accommodations that provide beach-view bungalows.
Iboih and Gapang Beaches, where there are a lot of fine lodging options, are closer to the statue that was built to mark the country’s kilometer zero point, called the Kilometer Nol (KM 0) monument. The monument was inaugurated in 1997 by then research and technology minister, and later president, B.J. Habibie.
Setting foot on kilometer zero is one experience you should have when visiting Weh Island. It was built right at the point where the country starts, geographically speaking.
Besides taking pictures, you might ask for a certificate as a memento. The certificate, signed by the Sabang mayor on behalf of the Republic of Indonesia, recognizes your visit to the northernmost point of the country. I was listed as the 60,372nd visitor.
Sumur Tiga Beach, Weh island. (JP/ Sita W. Dewi)The journey to the monument is another story. While meandering, you better watch your surroundings. Mesmerizing sea views from the cliffs, caves from the colonial era, a lake, islets, and beautiful beaches are among the objects you will find along the way.
Approaching the monument you will pass through a protected forest, north of Iboih. Colorful butterflies, birds and wild monkeys will welcome you as you get nearer to KM 0. You may even run into a wild boar inside the monument compound, but don’t worry, it should be harmless. Sunset is said to be the best time to visit KM 0.
On the way back (or probably on the way, if you choose to enjoy sunset at the KM 0), take your time and visit the beaches nearby. Hang out in a local coffee shop and take a sip of Aceh’s famous coffee, popularly known as kopi gayo. Snacks and cakes will be served as complementary.
If you are lucky, you will probably run into the legendary Mama Donut in Gapang beach.
Mama Donut is a brand established by Nilawati, a lady in her 60s, who sells donuts and fried snacks favored by divers and beachgoers. If you have a chance to meet her, don’t think twice before buying. Those small boxes of donuts sell out fast.
Tourists return with speed boats to Ulee Lheue Port, Banda Aceh, from Sabang. (Antara)How to get there
Take a night bus from Medan, North Sumatra, or a flight from Jakarta, Medan, Penang or Kuala Lumpur to Banda Aceh. From Banda Aceh you can take a fast or a slow ferry from Ulee Lheu port to Balohan ferry terminal in Sabang. The trip with slow ferry will take up to three hours while the fast ferry only needs 45 minutes.
Ferry schedule
Banda Aceh – Sabang
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 1 p.m.
Friday at 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Sabang – Banda Aceh
Monday, Tuesday Thursday and Friday at 8 a.m.
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Express ferries (Express Bahari and Rondo)
Banda Aceh – Sabang at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., except Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Sabang – Banda Aceh at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Notes:
Aceh is a province with special autonomy that upholds sharia laws. Local residents will tolerate the behavior of tourists, but it is always better to respect their way of life, by, for instance, wearing appropriate outfit while getting around the city and talking with local residents. There are, however, tourist areas where you can freely put on your swimsuits and sunbathe. While rarely available in Sabang, alcoholic beverages can be found in western restaurants and resorts.
Raja Ampat is in Papua in Indonesia.
The name given to these islands comes from a local myth. The four
major islands found here are Waigeo, Misool (which is home to ancient
rock paintings), Salawati, and Batanta.
From Sorong, there are two type of boats available; Speed Boat (40 minutes - 1 hour boat trip, carries 15 passengers and costs Rp2 million/US$208.55); Long Boat (2-3 hour boat trip and could carry 10 passengers for the cost of Rp1,2 million/ US$126). Please note that all rates are subject to change without notice
However with Raja Ampat’s natural conditions, high endemic level of land, sea biodiversity, coastal ecology, and local culture & tradition the islands offer more than just amazing landscapes to photograph.
So you may also consider:
In East Waigeo, particularly in front of Urbinasopen and Yesner villages, there is a very interesting and unique natural phenomenon, which can only be seen every year-end. A light comes out from the ocean and wanders around on its surface for about 10 – 18 minutes. After that, it disappears and can only be seen again at the following years-end. Local inhabitants in both villages call this phenomenon the “Sea Ghost”. This is more than just a sunset view, overlooking from your liveaboard.
In Tomolol, you'll be amazed by the caves in the area, where you can see paintings of huge human palms and animals which were painted by ancient cave dwellers. While on North Waigeo, you can also take in some history with a visit to the World War II caves where the Dutch and the Japanese army built bunkers. The locals will sometimes perform a war dance. There is also the ever-flowing waterfall of Salawati, which is a sight you should not miss.
You may rent a small boat if you wish to stop and make personal discoveries along the line of the beaches. As the Raja Ampat Islands have four mountainous main islands and hundreds of small islands in their vicinity, you may want to take this opportunity to explore. In addition, the Karst area is a beautiful and original natural phenomenon, as it has various unique flora and fauna as its attractions e.g., Bird of Paradise (Cenderawasih) Botak, Red Cenderawasih, Maleo Waigeo, Kus-kus, orchids, palm etc. You can also trek around the islands to find hidden beauties, like waterfalls and ancient caves.
In addition, there are also exotic locations such as the Ayau islands consisting of small islands on a very large atoll. Many islands in this archipelago have white sands with a large seabed connecting one island to another. But there are also islands with unique sands that the local community calls “zandplaat”, which are a unique habitat for local vegetation. On these islands, mothers and children of local tribes collectively catch sea-worms (insonem).
For diving enthusiasts the favorite destination is usually South Waigeo. But while you are here, why not take the chance to visit Kabui Bay with many karst islands, goa tengkorak (cave of skulls), and the historical sites of Raja Ampat in Kali Raja. You can see a variety of birds in Yenwaupnor and Sawinggrai village, the Salay dance in Saonek, and plaited handicrafts in Arborek. In Arborek, visitors can dive and watch groups of stingrays. In Sawandarek, there's a white sand beach with sea ducks and beautiful corals. In addition, there is a traditional village where you can walk around in and enjoy the unique slow paced atmosphere.
You can also dive in West Waigeo, Batanta, and Kofiau. These potential destinations are great places to visit by houseboats. The Karst islands in Wayag, especially, have very interesting natural attractions to enjoy.
Picture
Get around
Commonly, divers will join a tour and live in a diving resort during their stay in the Raja Ampat Islands. To access diving spots, please contact and use the professional diving organizers, who can be conveniently found in Sorong. Several tour operators also offer the option of liveboard tours:- Raja Ampat Liveaboard
- Dive Raja Ampat
- Raja Ampat
From Sorong, there are two type of boats available; Speed Boat (40 minutes - 1 hour boat trip, carries 15 passengers and costs Rp2 million/US$208.55); Long Boat (2-3 hour boat trip and could carry 10 passengers for the cost of Rp1,2 million/ US$126). Please note that all rates are subject to change without notice
See
In Raja Ampat, you can see different types of fish and corals. Raja Ampat is the place where coral species reach 75% of all known species and fish nearly 1,300 species.Do
The Raja Ampat islands are a truly natural phenomenon with enormous biological diversity. The amazing marine landscape means that underwater photography should be on the top your list during your stay.However with Raja Ampat’s natural conditions, high endemic level of land, sea biodiversity, coastal ecology, and local culture & tradition the islands offer more than just amazing landscapes to photograph.
So you may also consider:
- Wreck diving
- Sailing
- Kayaking
- Exploring the islands by boat
- Visiting the Red Bird of Paradise
- Enjoying the Karst islands around Wayag Island
- Exploring the bat caves (literally, not the Dark Knight variety)
- Make your own wood sculpture guided by an Asmat artisan
- Fishing using traditional Papuan techniques
- Trekking to discover waterfalls
- Feeding couscous
- Snorkeling
- Watching The Sea Ghost
In East Waigeo, particularly in front of Urbinasopen and Yesner villages, there is a very interesting and unique natural phenomenon, which can only be seen every year-end. A light comes out from the ocean and wanders around on its surface for about 10 – 18 minutes. After that, it disappears and can only be seen again at the following years-end. Local inhabitants in both villages call this phenomenon the “Sea Ghost”. This is more than just a sunset view, overlooking from your liveaboard.
In Tomolol, you'll be amazed by the caves in the area, where you can see paintings of huge human palms and animals which were painted by ancient cave dwellers. While on North Waigeo, you can also take in some history with a visit to the World War II caves where the Dutch and the Japanese army built bunkers. The locals will sometimes perform a war dance. There is also the ever-flowing waterfall of Salawati, which is a sight you should not miss.
You may rent a small boat if you wish to stop and make personal discoveries along the line of the beaches. As the Raja Ampat Islands have four mountainous main islands and hundreds of small islands in their vicinity, you may want to take this opportunity to explore. In addition, the Karst area is a beautiful and original natural phenomenon, as it has various unique flora and fauna as its attractions e.g., Bird of Paradise (Cenderawasih) Botak, Red Cenderawasih, Maleo Waigeo, Kus-kus, orchids, palm etc. You can also trek around the islands to find hidden beauties, like waterfalls and ancient caves.
In addition, there are also exotic locations such as the Ayau islands consisting of small islands on a very large atoll. Many islands in this archipelago have white sands with a large seabed connecting one island to another. But there are also islands with unique sands that the local community calls “zandplaat”, which are a unique habitat for local vegetation. On these islands, mothers and children of local tribes collectively catch sea-worms (insonem).
For diving enthusiasts the favorite destination is usually South Waigeo. But while you are here, why not take the chance to visit Kabui Bay with many karst islands, goa tengkorak (cave of skulls), and the historical sites of Raja Ampat in Kali Raja. You can see a variety of birds in Yenwaupnor and Sawinggrai village, the Salay dance in Saonek, and plaited handicrafts in Arborek. In Arborek, visitors can dive and watch groups of stingrays. In Sawandarek, there's a white sand beach with sea ducks and beautiful corals. In addition, there is a traditional village where you can walk around in and enjoy the unique slow paced atmosphere.
You can also dive in West Waigeo, Batanta, and Kofiau. These potential destinations are great places to visit by houseboats. The Karst islands in Wayag, especially, have very interesting natural attractions to enjoy.
Eat
Dining services are provided by the diving organizer, and range from an international menu to fresh traditional food made by the local people. Naturally, there will be a variety of seafood dishes. Do try the fish soup. There's a local specialty called Sup Ikan Kuning (Yellow Fish Soup), served with local spices.Sleep
Presently on Saonek Monde, a Tourist Center and harbor are being constructed. In the near future there are plans for three resorts to be built on Nyandebabo, and Batbitiem, Waiwo, and Waigeo Selatan Islands. But in the meantime, you can choose from the alternatives below:- Sorido Bay Resort, which is famous for the house reef
- Kri Eco Resort, a traditional resort built over the water
- Island camp
- Boathouse (most diving agents provide this service)
- Raja4Divers (Dive Resort Raja Ampat), Pulau Pef, (info@raja4divers.com), Raja4Divers dive resort has opened to the public in June 2011 and is located on the remot island Pef. The 7 spacious guest bungalows are built in authentic Papuan style and are situated directly on the west facing beach. There are three dive boats to bring the guest to the several dive spots around the island. The famous dive site 'The Passage' is only 15 minutes from the resort.
- Doberai eco resort, Urai island, ☎ 0811192237
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