Guides & lodging in Raja Ampat
Robben has a lodge which can be rented for 300.000 Rp/room/night, excluding meals. One room can take 2 to 3 people.
To get from Sorong to the Waïsai costs 130.000Rp. Ferries depart every day from Sorong to Waïsaï. A 40 pK longboat with crew can be rented for 300 rupiah per day, not including gasoline. Gasoline costs about 8000 Rp/liter.
On the way from Waïsaï to the lodge you will stop on Pulau Saonek Besar to register your surat jalan (??? Rp) with the local police office. Don't forget to pay your fee to visit the Raja Ampat reservation (500.000 Rp) in the airport office. It saves you the trip to the government administration in Waisaï.
For meals it is best to buy your groceries in the supermarket in Sorong before making the trip to the islands. Robben can assist you with that. On the islands it is easy to get fresh fish, coconuts, grapefruit and vegetables. Robben and his team will prepare your meals.
From the lodge to Manta Point takes about 4 miles by boat.Red Bird of Paradise can be seen 3 miles away in a specially made hide for 75.000 Rp/person, to be paid to the owner of the hide. Any other trip to other islands in Raja Ampat can be arranged for by Robben.
In case you make a long trip, you can camp on the beaches or stay in the houses of Robben's family or relatives. A small fee for food and lodging is expected. Other items at interest are the Beth Birds on Meospun island before sunset, snorkeling around Mansuar, trecking on Yenbuba Mountain to see any kind of bird in the early morning.
If you do all this, you should count for about 150 liters of gasoline.