PRELUDE
Raja Ampat is on everyone's diving bucket list and rightly so. But let's face it: prices are steep and not everyone can afford to splurge. Fortunately local homestays offer budget options catering to divers/travelers such as myself.
This is a report from my recent trip to R4 in May 2017. I hope it is helpful.
GENERAL
# Stayed and dived with: Daroyen Village Homestay
# Length of trip: 10D9N (7 days x 3 dives per day)
# Room booked: Standard (full board)
# Purpose of visit: Diving, diving, diving
HIGHLIGHTS
[Diving]
+ The underwater biodiversity is top class.
+ Dive rental equipment are in good conditions. Air is good. Guide/crew is good.
+ Daily dive briefing is good and dives are planned out carefully for your entire stay.
+ Emergency O2 is available on boat.
+ Clean water is provided to rinse your cameras when you return at end of day.
[Homestay]
+ Yohanes replies emails diligently prior to trip. Always reassuring when you travel to remote places like R4.
+ Haja and Herman are hospitable hosts and they always try to accommodate to your needs as much as they can.
+ Electricity runs for 10-12 hours starting from 6/7pm. Generator is away from the rooms and did not disturb my stay.
+ Water/coffee/tea is available for free.
+ Meals (B/L/D) are very simple but taste good.
+ Airport pickup at Sorong is included. Had no problems.
+ Budget price.
COULD BE BETTER
- The underwater visibility. May sits within the off-peak season.
- No clean water on the boat to rinse your cameras after each dive.
- Room lacks air circulation and is very warm even at nights. Sleeping in hammock outside room is much cooler.
- Lack of fresh water for shower. I was their second guest since they moved. They have not found any fresh water source yet at new location.
- The new location is subpar. Their old location seems to be nicer with white sandy beach and is much closer to the dive spots.
- The small beach is located behind some mangroves. Sea view from room is somewhat obstructed.
- Toilet cleanliness can be improved.
EXTRAS
* Daroyen has moved location since April 2017! They are now located on Gam island, south of Waigeo. Previous location was on Kri island.
* Everything is very basic including service. Helps to set your expectation right.
* Sunday is sabbath for the family. No activities/trips.
* Meals mainly include fish. Do not expect any other meat and they serve whatever they cook. No menu to pick from.
* The closest village next door offers birds of paradise tour. Very convenient if you are interested.
CONCLUSION
Whatever good reviews of diving in Raja Ampat you've read out there are true. The biodiversity is amazing and so full of life. The reefs and corals are some of the most pristine. You just have to see it for yourself.
Based on my trip,
Blue Magic, Sauandarek, Mioskun, Cape Kri, Ot Di Ma, Mike's Point
Daroyen offers genuine hospitable services and will try their best to make your stay enjoyable. Herman is one of the first pioneers in the local homestay business in R4. He is kind and approachable when you need anything. Haja, his brother, runs the daily dive operations. He knows the dive sites around Dampier Strait very well and thoughtfully plans your dives. He will ensure you will get to dive the popular spots during your stay.
However it is quite unfortunate that they have to move location to Gam island. Despite the new quiet sanctuary, there are other local homestays with better locations around the area. Prices are competitive in general but I certainly cannot comment on the quality of service.
Hopefully Herman and family will fix the fresh water supply soon. I am sure their guests will appreciate it.
In summary, if you are simply there to enjoy the underwater paradise and you are on a budget (like myself), check this place out. You get what you pay for, but with a service that is close to heart.
Raja Ampat is on everyone's diving bucket list and rightly so. But let's face it: prices are steep and not everyone can afford to splurge. Fortunately local homestays offer budget options catering to divers/travelers such as myself.
This is a report from my recent trip to R4 in May 2017. I hope it is helpful.
GENERAL
# Stayed and dived with: Daroyen Village Homestay
# Length of trip: 10D9N (7 days x 3 dives per day)
# Room booked: Standard (full board)
# Purpose of visit: Diving, diving, diving
HIGHLIGHTS
[Diving]
+ The underwater biodiversity is top class.
+ Dive rental equipment are in good conditions. Air is good. Guide/crew is good.
+ Daily dive briefing is good and dives are planned out carefully for your entire stay.
+ Emergency O2 is available on boat.
+ Clean water is provided to rinse your cameras when you return at end of day.
[Homestay]
+ Yohanes replies emails diligently prior to trip. Always reassuring when you travel to remote places like R4.
+ Haja and Herman are hospitable hosts and they always try to accommodate to your needs as much as they can.
+ Electricity runs for 10-12 hours starting from 6/7pm. Generator is away from the rooms and did not disturb my stay.
+ Water/coffee/tea is available for free.
+ Meals (B/L/D) are very simple but taste good.
+ Airport pickup at Sorong is included. Had no problems.
+ Budget price.
COULD BE BETTER
- The underwater visibility. May sits within the off-peak season.
- No clean water on the boat to rinse your cameras after each dive.
- Room lacks air circulation and is very warm even at nights. Sleeping in hammock outside room is much cooler.
- Lack of fresh water for shower. I was their second guest since they moved. They have not found any fresh water source yet at new location.
- The new location is subpar. Their old location seems to be nicer with white sandy beach and is much closer to the dive spots.
- The small beach is located behind some mangroves. Sea view from room is somewhat obstructed.
- Toilet cleanliness can be improved.
EXTRAS
* Daroyen has moved location since April 2017! They are now located on Gam island, south of Waigeo. Previous location was on Kri island.
* Everything is very basic including service. Helps to set your expectation right.
* Sunday is sabbath for the family. No activities/trips.
* Meals mainly include fish. Do not expect any other meat and they serve whatever they cook. No menu to pick from.
* The closest village next door offers birds of paradise tour. Very convenient if you are interested.
CONCLUSION
Whatever good reviews of diving in Raja Ampat you've read out there are true. The biodiversity is amazing and so full of life. The reefs and corals are some of the most pristine. You just have to see it for yourself.
Based on my trip,
- R4 is not very shark-y.
- R4 has plenty of currents. Especially during full moon.
- Mantas are around but hard to spot in May. Best chance to see them: Sep-Mar.
Blue Magic, Sauandarek, Mioskun, Cape Kri, Ot Di Ma, Mike's Point
Daroyen offers genuine hospitable services and will try their best to make your stay enjoyable. Herman is one of the first pioneers in the local homestay business in R4. He is kind and approachable when you need anything. Haja, his brother, runs the daily dive operations. He knows the dive sites around Dampier Strait very well and thoughtfully plans your dives. He will ensure you will get to dive the popular spots during your stay.
However it is quite unfortunate that they have to move location to Gam island. Despite the new quiet sanctuary, there are other local homestays with better locations around the area. Prices are competitive in general but I certainly cannot comment on the quality of service.
Hopefully Herman and family will fix the fresh water supply soon. I am sure their guests will appreciate it.
In summary, if you are simply there to enjoy the underwater paradise and you are on a budget (like myself), check this place out. You get what you pay for, but with a service that is close to heart.