Raja Ampat, or the “Four Kings”, sits off the west of Papua and is one of Indonesia’s most extraordinary yacht charter destinations. The main islands of Waigeo, Salawati, Batanta and Misool are home to ancient rock paintings and some of the richest marine biodiversity on the planet. The area is a diver’s paradise with spectacular underwater life. According to The Nature Conservancy, seventy per cent of the world’s underwater species can be found in this vast region, making it an exceptional location for luxury yacht charter guests who want world-class snorkelling and diving directly from the yacht.
The archipelago has changed very little since spice traders frequented its waters in the eighteenth century, and even today, many of the passing boats are traditional phinisi vessels. Visitors who choose to charter here tend to be the intrepid kind, those wishing to escape modern life for a while and experience a cruising ground that still feels untouched.
Take the tender ashore to Yenbeser, Gam, a small village in a shallow cove surrounded by jungled cliffs, where children play in the waves and love to greet visitors. The bird calls at sunrise and sunset are extraordinary, and this is the only place in the world where the Red Bird of Paradise can be seen.
Why not visit Mios Kon, a castaway island straight out of The Blue Lagoon, enjoy a round at the Lombok Golf Kosaido Country Club or go hiking in the nearby UNESCO World Heritage area where lizards, wild horses, buffalos and monkeys can be spotted.