Part of the Raja Ampat, an archipelago of over 1,500 tiny islands situated off the coast of West Papua, Indonesia, Batanta is nothing short of an isolated paradise.
BANTANA – 0.8647° S, 130.6494° W
Part of the Raja Ampat, an archipelago of over 1,500 tiny islands situated off the coast of West Papua, Indonesia, Batanta is nothing short of an isolated paradise.
With a population of less than 2,000 local people, and spanning only 450 square kilometres (sqkm), the island is the smallest and most inaccessible of the main Raja Ampat islands, which translates as “four kings” in the local dialect.
Owing to its remote location and relative lack of western development, Batanta boasts pristine, untouched beaches, lush Papuan rainforests, magnificent waterfalls, and technicolour coral reefs teeming with marine life.
There are only a handful of villages on Batanta, and many are located on a series of deeply convoluted, unreachable bays. Of note is the village of Marandan Weser, or Yennyar, as it is known locally. As one of the few accessible villages on the islands, Marandan Weser uses traditional materials to construct its houses. Inhabited by friendly locals and featuring a private, reef-front accommodation at Marwes homestay, this village is well worth a visit.
Remarkably, the seagrass beds in the protected bay of Batanta’s north coast attract dugongs, a rare species of sea manatee. The pure waters of the bay also enable pearl farming due to an abundance of giant sea clams, whilst a host of other marine life can be spotted just metres from the shore, including manta rays, sea turtles, batfish, and even barracudas.
In fact, according to The Nature Conservancy (NC) and Conservation International (CI), Batanta’s waters are home to around 75 percent of the world’s marine species, making it a considerable snorkelling haven.
Additionally, within the island’s dense foliage, visitors may journey from Batanta’s sandy shores to magnificent waterfalls in a matter of hours.
Trek through lush mangrove forests whilst on the lookout for some amazing and rare creatures. Batanta is the only place in Raja Ampat where cassowaries can be seen, and scores of other uncommon species can be encountered, including the blue-spotted monitor lizard, three types of cuscuses, Wilson’s Bird of Paradise, and an amazing variety of bats.
Ascend the face of steep hills before arriving at the majestic, 10 metre-tall main Batanta waterfall site. You will not only enjoy the fresh, cool waters in a tranquil setting, but also explore hidden caves behind the falls.
Access to Batanta may be limited, with irregular private long boats and ferries from Wasai servicing the island, whilst some backpackers opt to hop onto infrequent cargo boats to keep costs low. However, whether seeking a luxury snorkelling staycation, or a budget-friendly waterfall trekking exploration, Banata Island is not to be missed.
