Raja Ampat Karst

Raja Ampat is a very beautiful destination for tourists who like sightseeing because it has got a lot of karst. There are a number of karst formations in this archipelago that attract visitors. The famous ones are Wayag in Northwest of Waigeo and Piaynemo in the southwest of Arborek island.

Fish Lagoon in Eastern Shore of Waigeo

As a matter of fact there are still karst formations that tourists can see when visiting Raja Ampat. There are karst in the passage area between Waigeo and Gam, as well as Wawiayai, karst in Kabui bay. In the eastern shore of Waigeo island, there is Insou Duwer (also called Fish Lagoon) karst. It is located near Yen-Papir village. If visitors explore karst in Misool island, they will be able to see more formations. Yapap and Harfat Peak are now visited by tourists. But there are more that haven't been surveyed for their beautiful view.
Batanta has got a lot of karst formations that have not been explored for their landscape views.

Silhouette of Misool Karst during sunrise time

Wawiyai Karst

As a tourist guide, I organize tour for visitors who are interested in seeing karsts of Raja Ampat. However, I like to combine other activities in the tour including swimming and snorkeling as well as rainforest hiking and birdwatching tour. By doing so, visitors will be able to see more of Raja Ampat, not only its wonderful landscape but also its flora and fauna, its people and their culture.

Piaynemo Karst

There are several two species of paradise birds in Waigeo, i.e. Red Bird of Paradise and Wilson Bird of Paradise. Visitors who want to take the burdwatching tour need to bring at least a pair of binoculars, and camera with superzoom lens such as Nikon P1000, Canon SX60HS or D-SLR Camera with 600 mm lens.
Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp: +6281332245180 or email: peace4wp@gmail.com if you want to take a tour in Raja Ampat.

Wawiyai Viewpoint in Raja Ampat

There is a place in Raja Ampat which tourists can visit to see the beautiful panoramic view of karst islets. Its name is Wawiyai. It is relatively a new viewpoint that was opened in late 2018. Two other viewpoints that have been famous in the same region are Wayag and Piaynemo. Last week, I went to Wawiyai with four tourists from Australia, Germany and France. We climbed its steep stairs and slopes to see the surrounding landscape.

Wawiyai Karst

When we were at the top of Wawiyai karst, we could see a lot of small islets that were surrounded by the greenish-blue sea. The weather was sunny and hot. Some birds were flying and hopping among the branches of small trees in the lower slopes of the karst. They were Olive-backed Sunbird. From a distant, I heard the call of a Beach Kingfisher. I tried to find where it was. Suddenly I saw it flying across the sea and landed on the branch of a small tree at a big limestone karst across from us. It was far from us. I immediately lengthened the legs of my tripod and then aimed the scope to the bird. After adjusting its scale of magnification, position, and sharpness, I could see the kingfisher through the spotting scope. Everyone got the opportunity to see the bird.
Taking pictures of the Beach Kingfisher was impossible because I did not bring my camera. Actually, my camera could not reach it. My spotting scope could reach it but it still looked so small in the scope. I used to take picture of this beautiful bird during my previous trip.

Beach Kingfisher

Wawiyai Karst in Raja Ampat

Suddenly, the weather changed. More clouds formed in the sky. We decided to walk down the slope and returned to the jetty at the foot of the limestone karst. As soon as we arrived the rain started to fall. We stayed at the shelter for a while. We bought some coconuts and drank their water. It was very delicious.
When the rain stopped, we got into our boat and returned to our guesthouse.
This trip to Wawiyai viewpoint is part of a 3-day/ 2-night hiking, birding, snorkeling and sightseeing tour to Raja Ampat.
If you are interested in visiting Wawiyai karst and explore the natural beauty of Raja Ampat and want me to be your guide, please, contact me (Charles Roring)
by e-mail.com : peace4wp@gmail.com
by whatsapp: +6281332245180