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Papua Travel Information - Wayag & Quoy |
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| Wayag & Quoy: Raja Ampat's Most Photographed Corner |
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| If you've seen breath-taking panoramic shots of Raja Ampat showing crazily-shaped limestone islands blanketed in green vegetation surrounding a beautiful blue lagoon, chances are they were taken in Wayag. This tight cluster of uninhabited limestone islands in the far northwest of Raja Ampat has been used to represent the region much more often than any other, and it's often no small disappointment to those who book themselves into resorts in the central part of Raja Ampat when they realize that they won't get anywhere near it. Most cruises lasting a week or longer duely make it an obligatory port of call, often spending a couple of days here, and everyone who has had the fortune to visit Wayag rates it as a major highlight - more often THE highlight - of their trip. |
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Mount Pindato
This group of 3 peaks is where all those panoramic shots are taken. From the sea, it seems unlikely one can get to the top at all - and sure enough, it is a tough climb. Those suffering from vertigo had better forget reaching the highest peak, and all but the most confident and fittest should forget about reaching the easternmost one that requires crossing over a deep, sharp-sided gorge!
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Rock Islands of the Inner Lagoon
A boat-ride amidst the sugarloaf-shaped, almost bare rock islands in Wayag's inner lagoon is another highlight of a visit here. It is actually quite easy to get lost in the maze of small islands, which can of course be much fun if you have the time to explore!
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Beaches & Reefs
Beneath all those rocks and peaks, Wayag also has some beautiful white sand beaches, with great coral reefs right in front of them perfect for snorkeling.
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Quoy
Overlooked by most cruises, the Quoy group of islands just east of Wayag has more rock islands of a different type - not sugar-loaf shaped, but often elongated with vertical white cliff walls. The beaches and reefs here are every bit as good as those at Wayag, but see far fewer visitors.
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Climbing
There are now actually two peaks to climb at Wayag - the second one offering a more intimate view of the rock islands in the inner lagoon. Though climbing at least Pindato is an almost obligatory program for visitors to Wayag, it shouldn't be taken too lightly. Everyone setting out for the climbs should wear sturdy shoes and carry drinking water with them.
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By Sea
Basically, the only way to reach these uninhabited islands is either joining a cruise that includes them, or chartering your own boat to do so. Neither option will come cheap, though the cost of a charter should be more rerasonable if splitting it among a larger group. To give you an idea of costs, the tourist office in Waisai charges ca 9 million Rp to take a group of people to Wayag by one of its speedboats for a daytrip. You may be able to find a slower vessel for less than that - or you may not.
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There's no formal accommodation in these uninhabited islands, but friends of mine who went there with a chartered boat managed to rent rooms at the Conservation International guard post. |
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