A Visit to North East Waigeo Island of Raja Ampat

I visited north-east coast of Waigeo island last month. I went there with some friends of mine who were tourist guides. We used a long wooden boat that was driven by two 15 outboard engines. Each had a power of 15 horsepower. We started our trip from the market of Waisai at around 11.00 morning time. The sea was calm. The bright sunlight made the sea atmosphere warm. We traveled a long the coast passing by the sea pass to Mayalibit bay, Yensner and Yenpapir village, Mamiaef island, Sopen and Waim island. It was around 13.00 when we arrived at Yenandau beach. It was a very beautiful white sandy beach. We stopped there for a while to have lunch. 

White Sand Beach in Waigeo island

After lunch we still stayed at the beach for half an hour to enjoy the beauty of the beach and its surrounding forest. When we were about to leave the beach, we saw some hornbills flying over the forest. When our boat reached the Cape Pamali the wave was quite big. Our boat driver skillfully drove the boat among the waves until we arrived at Warebar beach. Some children who were playing and swimming at the beach helped us push our boat to the shore. We landed safely. We walked to a house at the beach. It was a post for turtle conservation project. I said hello to the villagers who were in the house. I talked with them about turtles, plastic wastes that landed on the beach, and the ecotourism potentials which could be developed at the beach. 

Landing at Warebar beach

We continued our trip again to Yenbekaki village and arrived at 15.00. It was a big village. White sand covered its coastal area making it as a favorite destination for tourists who like swimming. We had a walking tour around the village and along its beach until around 19.00. When it was dark, I and some villagers returned to Warebar beach by boat again. We did not land on the beach in front of the turtle conservation post. Instead, we entered the mouth of Warebar river. This was our way to avoid big waves that could capsize our boat if we landed at the front beach. Inside the river, the water was calm. We slowly moved to the inner bank of the river and landed there. 

Release of baby turtles

That night we released hundreds of baby turtles and did some patrols to see if there were mother turtles that landed at the beach to lay eggs that night. Unfortunately, we did not see any. I slept in the post that night and woke up early in the morning to see the beautiful sunrise. It was so peaceful for me. 

Sunrise at Warebar beach - north-east region of Waigeo island

My trip to north-east region of Waigeo island was a nice adventure for me. I returned to Waisai again that morning with hope that I could visit the beach again. - written by Charles Roring
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