Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Raja Ampat is the perfect cruising location according to superyacht captains that have visited the area in the last year. And along with our offices in Bali for the past 10 years, our fully staffed APS branch in Raja Ampat opened in 2017 to provide service to yachts visiting this magical area”.

Raja Ampat translated means “The Four Kings”, a name derived from the four major islands in the group nestled on the tip of Papua’s Birds Head peninsula. It’s an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands, cays, and shoals surrounding the four main islands of Raja Ampat – Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo along with the smaller island of Kofiau.

In the vicinity of the four mountainous main islands are hundreds of small islands to explore. In addition, the karst area is a beautiful and original natural phenomenon, with unique flora and fauna attractions whilst offering many opportunities to trek around the islands to find hidden waterfalls and ancient caves.

Raja Ampat Regency is a new regency, separated from Sorong Regency in 2004 and home of the largest marine national park in Indonesia, Cenderawasih Bay, and a part of the West Papua (province) of Indonesia formerly called “Irian Jaya”.

Renowned for its biodiversity, Raja Ampat encompasses over 40,000 square kilometres in the northeast seas of the Indonesian Archipelago where the Pacific becomes the Indian Ocean. The resulting currents stir up nutrient-rich water in the tropical climate, nurturing magnificent coral reefs and unparalleled marine life.

Each of the islands – from the stark wave-pounded slopes that drop away beneath the karst cliffs of Wayag and Uranie to the deep, nutrient-rich bays of Mayalibit, Kabui and Aljui, to the ‘blue water mangrove’ channels of Kofiau and Gam, to the plankton-rich upwelling areas of Misool and the Dampier Strait – are home to unique assemblages of species that together add up to produce the most impressive species lists ever compiled for a coral reef system of this size.

Yacht visitors will find a culture unique in the world that is home to the planet’s most diverse fish and coral resources. A cruising journey through Raja Ampat takes you through one of the world’s most exceptional marine areas with stunning sea and land scenes.

APS Indonesia was the first company to offer specialist superyacht shore support in the vast archipelago of Indonesia and is now the first to open an office in the amazing Raja Ampat area (in 2017), supported by APS HQ in Bali.