Raja Ampat Regency

West Papua, Indonesia

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Raja Ampat, meaning “Four Kings,” is a breathtaking archipelago off the northwest tip of West Papua, Indonesia, and one of the most biologically diverse marine regions on Earth. Comprising over 1,500 islands, cays, and shoals—including the four main islands of Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati, and Misool—this remote paradise sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle, often hailed as the global epicenter of marine biodiversity.

The underwater world here is nothing short of magical: more than 600 species of hard coral (about 75% of the world’s total) and over 1,700 species of reef fish thrive in its nutrient-rich waters. Divers and snorkelers are drawn to its vibrant coral walls, manta ray cleaning stations, and encounters with rare creatures like pygmy seahorses, wobbegong sharks, and even dugongs and whale sharks.

Above the surface, Raja Ampat’s karst islets, hidden lagoons, and dense rainforests are home to endemic birds like Wilson’s and red birds-of-paradise. The islands also hold cultural significance, with local myths telling of a woman who found seven magical eggs—four of which hatched into kings who ruled the main islands.