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Raja Ampat homestay facilities: Are they for you?

One of the things I was most anxious about before our trip to Raja Ampat were the living conditions. I had never even been camping before! The concept of staying in a very basic bungalow and sharing my personal space with the local wildlife left me doubting I could go through with it.

Raja Ampat homestay facilities are like nothing we had ever experienced before. Our living conditions were stripped back to basics and we had no choice but to learn how to survive with the bare minimum. For us, it took the concept of being ‘at one’ with nature to a whole new level!

Traditional Papuan Bungalows

Homestays in Raja Ampat consist of traditional Papuan bungalows, each assembled by hand using locally sourced materials from the surrounding jungle.

They are constructed from a very basic timber frame, floored with sawn wood planks and have palm thatched walls and a roof with no ceiling. Despite their natural form, they are designed to withstand wind and rain.

Palm thatched roof Raja Ampat homestay bungalow
A traditional palm-thatched roof: We have experienced the odd leak here and there during heavy downpours!

Bungalows are either built on the beach under shady palms, or on stilts over water usually accommodating a maximum of 2 people.

There is a small sleeping area and a verandah outside. Windows are pieces of thatched palm on a hinge held open by a piece of wood, and doors are sliding panels that can’t be locked.

Beser bay overwater thatched Palm bungalow Raja Ampat
A simple construction using all natural materials

Sleeping Arrangements

The bedroom area consists of a mattress, bedding, a mosquito net and a bamboo sheet on the floor for the mattress to sit on top of.

When staying in an overwater bungalow, sometimes the waves splash up through the floor boards. The bamboo sheet helps keep your bed from getting a soggy bottom! Be careful where you place your personal belongings during stormy spells.

The comfort and cleanliness of the bed situation varies widely for homestay to homestay. We’ve experienced anything from lovely thick mattresses, to mouldy old pillows. It’s often questionable as to whether the sheets have been changed from one guest to the next.

Raja Ampat homestay bungalow bedroom mattress sleeping area Marko
We had brand new bedding and a cute mosquito net here at Marko Homestay

There is next to no furniture in Papuan bungalows. In most cases you’ll find no more than a small wooden bench or table. We were always grateful for any extra shelving or storage space provided, such as a rope to hang clothes from.

This approach to ‘interior design’ was a thought-provoking experience. It made us appreciate the smallest of things such as a well positioned plug socket or a single plastic chair. We were surprised at how easy it was to function with a lot less clutter, as Raja Ampat homestay facilities are so limited.

Electricity, phone and internet

The term ‘off-grid’ couldn’t be more true, as electricity supplies do not exist outside of Sorong and Waisai. Instead, homestays and local villages rely on electricity supplied by a generator which is usually available from sunset till around 10pm.

This means no electricity inside your bungalow or around the homestay throughout the day, so be sure to charge up all gadgets in the evenings whilst you can. Sockets are provided inside most bungalows, but you will need an Indonesian 2-pin adaptor.

As for telephone and internet, be prepared for a digital detox. Raja Ampat homestay facilities do not include WiFi.

Whilst some areas do support both telephone and data coverage, the service is very unpredictable and slow at the best of times. Telkomsel is the only provider that will work, so be sure to get a local SIM card before entering the islands if you wish to have some contact to the outside world.

Our first impressions of bungalow life

Our first experience of staying in a traditional Papuan bungalow was at Beser Bay Homestay on Gam. Nick and I had always dreamt of staying in an overwater bungalow. We’d never been able to afford one on our previous holidays to the Maldives, but all of Beser Bay’s bungalows are on stilts over the lagoon, so we were finally about to taste what it was like living over water.

Raja Ampat homestay Beser bay overwater bungalow gam island sunset
Our dream home at Besar Bay: An overwater bungalow

Although our new home was ridiculously basic compared to Western standards, we had everything needed for a comfortable stay. Our bungalow even came with a hammock and an extra mattress to chill out on. Bliss!

Surprisingly, the best bit about bungalow life for us was being so close to nature. Our large open deck looked out over the lagoon. At dusk, we watched in awe as a pod of dolphins swam gracefully past on the house reef as the sun set in shades of pinky purple in the distance. On first impressions, I already had an inclination that we wouldn’t be missing the internet. Nature would be providing our entertainment for the next 35 days!

Raja Ampat sunset view Dampier Strait overwater bungalow deck beser bay homestay
Enjoying a cuppa while watching the sunrise: Who needs TV and internet with views like this?

Once the generator was turned off, the homestay was shrouded in darkness and we had to rely on our headtorch and phones for light. Many nights were spent shining these into the water under our bungalow, as we sat mesmerised by strange sea creatures that only made an appearance after dark.

The lack of electricity means there is no light intrusion in Raja Ampat and so the night sky is a thing of wonder. I have never seen so many shooting stars, and the milky way in such clarity.

Although Raja Ampat suffers from around 80% humidity, once the sun goes down the temperature drops. Most homestays provide blankets which I often used.

In the mornings, we were woken by mystical sounds of the jungle. As the sun rises over Raja Ampat, tropical birds break into song and their sound echoes across the waters. How could you beat being this close to nature? It was unreal.

Bathrooms

Showers and toilets are shared amongst the family and homestay guests and are basic cubicles set back from the main living quarters. They are constructed in the same manner as the bungalows and have a sand, pebble, or concrete floor.

There isn’t much natural light in the bathrooms, so they do become very inviting hang-outs for the local wildlife.

Big Scary spider Raja Ampat bathroom
This guy gave me a bit of a fright before my shower at Kayafyof Homestay on Arborek (yup, he was huge!)

Toilets are either a western or eastern style squat with a simple scoop system involving a small bucket, and a large container of water. The small bucket is used to scoop up water from the container and pour down the toilet to flush.

Raja Ampat homestay facilities bathroom toilet
The toilet situation: General Raja Ampat homestay facilities

The shower cubicles consist of 1-2 large containers of water, and another small scoop bucket which is used to pour the water over yourself. In Indonesia, this style of shower is described as a “Dip Mandi”.

At most homestays we were surprised to find freshwater on tap drawn up from the ground. Meaning it was easy to refill the containers after your shower, and rarely be short of water. 

My first attempt at a Dip Mandi shower

Our first experience of a Raja Ampat homestay bathroom was at Beser Bay and my first attempt was a memorable!

The woven palm door of the bathroom cubicle swung precariously from a large branch threaded through a piece of plastic tubing. It’s positioning must be ‘just right’ to avoid embarrassing moments or peeping toms.

Closing as best I could, I hung my towel over a string of rope and slid out of my Birkenstocks. Feeling very self-conscious standing in the jungle in my undies, I did a quick reccy for spiders and peered into the dark container of water. Scooping reluctantly, I took a deep breath and hoped for the best!

The water you pour over yourself gets deposited onto the floor, either draining away in the sand under your toes, or drying up in a matter of minutes.

To point out the obvious you must never to contaminate the large container of clean water with any soap suds or dirty water – That is the unwritten Dip Mandi rule!

Despite my initial reluctantance, as soon as I tipped the cool water over my shoulders I was in heaven. A wave of liberation flowed through me. The entire bathing process was so raw and basic, yet so natural in this environment.

I thought about the family living here. They had utilised their primal surroundings and provided everything we needed. I loved how uncomplicated it was. It was a truly humbling experience.

Food & Drink 

There is a communal dining area in each Raja Ampat homestay usually in the form of a beach shack, a great space for socialising with the family and other guests.

Long wooden tables and benches are made from driftwood, and a ‘help yourself’ drinks area including water and unlimited tea and coffee.

Meals are served at set times. Breakfast in Papua is sugary and small, which initially took some getting used to for us. Expect fried bananas on most days, a small portion of cake, doughnuts or traditional green pancakes with chocolate filling.

Raja Ampat homestay breakfast fried bananas
Breakfast bananas sharing platter: Three for me, four for you!

Lunch and dinner are much the same. The standard serving is a huge bowl of white rice, mixed green vegetables, and protein of fish, egg or occasionally chicken. Some homestays offer side dishes such as tempe, noodles and fruit.

Everything we ate was always tasty, freshly cooked and freshly caught. Despite its simplicity we really love the balance of the Raja Ampat diet. Processed or fatty foods are firmly off the menu!

Dishes are shared between guests so there isn’t much portion control. If you arrive late for a meal, don’t expect your portion to be waiting for you.

Raja Ampat homestay meal food dinner fresh fish
Catch of the day: A standard meal in Raja Ampat

We often struggled with strikes of hunger between meals, especially at the start of our trip. I always joke about the ‘Raja Ampat Diet’ because if you did want to get fit and lose weight, this is the place to do it!

We strongly advise bringing along some snacks, as there are no shops around. Nuts are a great option for a boost of protein, we also took sweets for the children and biscuits which were a welcome treat.

If you do bring food, be aware of attracting rats to your bungalow. Unfortunately while staying on Kri, a cheeky jungle rat nibbled a hole through Nicks Osprey backpack, so ask your homestay family if they can store food for you.

Apart from the all-inclusive tea, black coffee and water there are no other drinks available. Occasionally homestays may have a couple of warm Bintangs hanging around, but this is not guaranteed!

Ask your homestay owner to cut down a couple of fresh coconuts for you instead! They are hydrating, help support your immune system, plus they are a natural source of quick energy. Also, Papuan coconuts taste amazing.

 

It’s a small price for a slice of paradise

The current average homestay price is 350,000 IDR per person per night and we highly recommend booking your stay through stayrajaampat.com.

All the prices quoted on their website are full board, include 3 meals a day plus unlimited drinking water, tea and coffee.

We do stress that the price does not reflect consistent standards of Raja Ampat homestay facilities, and things like food, bedding and bungalow size vary from one place to the next.

Are Raja Ampat homestay facilities for you?

After exploring a few different homestays you will soon discover which aspects are most important to you. Is it a comfy mattress, big portions of food, an amazing house reef or maybe a hammock? And like us, you will find your favourites. Read our detailed reviews about the homestays we have been to.

Raja Ampat sunset Beser bay homestay gam island Dampier Strait
Sunset over the Dampier Strait: A breathtaking view from our bungalow at Beser Bay

Staying in a traditional Papuan homestay is a unique and wonderful experience. It is true that Raja Ampat homestay facilities are very rustic, but we believe this is a small price to pay for discovering one of the worlds last wild places.

If you are considering a trip to Raja Ampat, check out our complete Raja Ampat Travel Guide.

Subscribe & Comment

Let us know if you found our guide to Raja Ampat homestay facilities useful. If you have any questions or experiences you would like to share please leave us a comment below!

15 comments

  1. Love this blog guys! Is there anything you took with you that in hindsight you wouldn’t have brought next time? Or anything you really wished you had with you extra?

    1. Hi Kelly! Thank you so much 🙂 So pleased to hear you like the blog! I was really paranoid about not having everything to survive in such a remote place, but actually, we went pretty well equipped. In hindsight I wish we had taken more snacks, and extra treats for the local kids. We also should have bought a better camera…and a drone would have been amazing! Other than that, a hammock would have come in handy. Luckily we’ve just invested in a new camera and a travel hammock, so I’m trying to convince Nick to go back again soon 😉
      Claire x

  2. You mentioned private guides.
    We have a guide called Alberth from Sorong organised.
    Do you know him or of him and what can you tell us ?
    Is he reliable ?
    We’re arriving the 16 September in Sorong and A;berth is organising our 10 days trip around 4 different islands with homestays

    Any other advices you can give ?

    Marie

    1. Hi Marie,

      Thank you so much for your comment! Your trip sounds wonderful, you must be very excited.

      We haven’t heard of your guide Alberth I’m afraid. Our guide was strictly based in the city of Sorong, not for exploring the islands. Would love to know how you get on, it would be great to hear about your adventure!

      Is there anything specific you’d like advice on?

      Thanks!
      Claire.

  3. I’m curious if solo travellers always end up getting put into the shared bungalow rooms instead of a private cabin, do most places do this do you know?

    1. Hi John – No, this is very rare. You will be allocated your own private bungalow, however for single occupancy the price is approx 500k IDR per night. From our experience, not many homestays offer shared rooms. We’ve only ever seen this happen once where two friends travelling together were allocated a shared room instead of a bungalow each, as the homestay was at full capacity. You might find our homestay recommendations post helpful to your trip. Hope this helps & thank you for your comment – Claire.

  4. Hi Claire & Nick,
    Great blog! My wife’s dream for her 60th is to snorkel in Raja Ampat. Do you have any comments on homestay vs. live a board experience in Raja for snorkeling?

    1. Hi Thomas, thanks for your comment and glad to hear you are planning a future trip to Raja Ampat, despite the current situation!

      If money is no option, then a snorkel liveaboard would be a great way of exploring Raja Ampat, especially more hard to reach regions such as Misool or Wayag. The main Dampier Strait (the most easily accessible area in Raja Ampat) is home to some incredible snorkeling around the islands of Gam, Kri, Mansuar and Arborek, all of which offer great homestay options so you don’t necessarily need to do a liveaboard to explore these sites.

      For us, since we travel on a budget and stay for a long time, we really enjoy the homestay experience. We like having our own space and bungalow and prefer not to stick to a given itinerary. It’s also incredible spending time with the local people, experiencing a more stripped back way of life and of course soaking up all that beauty on land as well.

      Hope this helps with your decision, but if you have any further questions please feel free to drop us a line anytime! Take care, Claire & Nick

  5. Thanks. Both sound like great experiences. We really enjoy getting to know the locals. If you were going to try to do both a Live Aboard and Homestay would you recommend the Homestay first and then taking a Live Aboard or vise versa?
    Any recommendations for Live Aboard outfits for snorkeling?
    Do you think it’s worth trying to squeeze in a short visit to Bali too since we are already half way around the world?

    1. Hi Thomas, our recommendation would probably be to do the liveaboard first and then relax in a homestay afterwards. It depends on your budget, there are luxury options and also more rustic local run snorkeling livaboards available. We’d suggest looking at Raja Ampat Adventures, which is run by a local Papuan guide named Deni. His tours come highly recommended especially as he knows the region well and will take you really off the beaten track!

      Bali is a great island, but I guess it depends how much time you have to play with. Quite often people transit through Bali and will stop there for a few nights after their trip to Raja Ampat just to ‘freshen up’ a little before heading home.

      In our opinion, we suggest spending as much time as possible in Raja, because there is so much ground to cover (to put in perspective our trips are not normally any less than 6 weeks and that still doesn’t feel long enough!). Also do bare in mind the amount of time, effort and cost implications involved in getting to West Papua, so it is worth staying for as long as you can to make the most of it. Thanks again for commenting 🙂

  6. Hi there, I’ve been dreaming about a trip to Raja ever since that one hung over sunday afternoon 8 years ago, when I watched a documentary about it. If things go according to plan, we might finally attempt it next year!
    I know it sounds silly and I’m embarrassed to ask but: how bad are the spiders? I’m pretty creeped out by spiders in general. That pic up there gave me goose bumps. I know it’s in the jungle, and there will be “wildlife”… I’m just trying to come to terms with how bad/frequent spiders are. Especially in the bungalows and toilets.

    1. Hi Jule, No need to be embarrassed, it’s hard to imagine anyone with a bigger fear of spiders than myself. I have probably only encountered 6, of what I would call “horrific spiders”, in the 300 or so days I’ve spent in Raja. Sadly these were all found lurking in the toilet. They were only seen whilst staying in certain homestays, normally the ones which have toilets located very close to mangroves, bushes or trees. I would always give the toilets a quick check first and was never too embarrassed to ask a local to remove them pronto when I saw one.

      Thankfully I’ve yet to encounter a large arachnid inside my bungalow, only the occasional black and yellow tropical spider, which are quite common in R4 and mostly hang out in a web underneath the bungalow rafters. They help keep mosquito numbers down and don’t really move much, so I can tolerate these ones.

      Please don’t let any of this put you off though. The chance you will encounter one is very small and Raja is a place that makes up for it in many ways.

      1. Honestly, thank you so much for your reply! That’s quite reassuring. I don’t want to miss out in finally hopefully being able to travel to my dream destination. But I was also starting to doubt if I would be able to enjoy it if I was constantly worried about spider encounters. ^^
        Everyone else vlogging or blogging about Raja Ampat seems to always be so easy going with “wildlife”.. So thank you for keeping it real!

  7. Hello Nick and Claire, compliments for the blog and web site.
    Hello Nick and Claire,
    compliments for the blog and website.
    We are a retired couple and in November we would like to take a holiday of 3-4 weeks in Raja Ampat mainly to snorkel and see the birds of paradise.
    I ask you for suggestions of how to distribute the days on the various islands.
    I had thought to stay in Wigeo and Gam (snorkeling and birdwatching), and then Kri and/or Mansuar, Arborek and Batanta (snorkeling).
    For the island of Gam it is better to stay some days in Friwen and others in Sawinggrai, so as to snorkel directly from the beach in two different areas, or better to stay in one and take trips with the boat ?
    About the island of Arborek, is it better to take day trips from Gam or Kri, or stay 2-3 days on the island ?
    Same question for Mansuar: to see with a day trip from Gam or Kri or is it worth staying 2-3 days ?
    We would like to stay a few days in Batanta. Since we always have to go through Waisai for the ferry with Sorong, better to plan it as the first island to visit or as the last ?
    To make a day trip to Pyainemo, and find other tourists to share the boat with, from which place is better to leave ?
    So the trip could be: 4-5 days in Wigeo, 6-7 days in Gam, 3 days in Aborek, 3 days in Mansuar, 3 days in Kri, and 4-5 days in Batanta.
    What do you think? What do you suggest ?
    Thank you in advance.

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