Is this destination the new Galapagos Islands?
Most Australians will tell you that they want to visit the Galapagos Islands one day.
Who wouldn’t want to hang out with rare animals and explore paradisiacal volcanic islands?
Unfortunately, the 40+ hours of travel time and big budget required to get there can deter even the most die-hard wildlife enthusiasts.
Luckily for them, there is another cluster of idyllic islands that possess many of the treasures that have made the Galapagos Islands famous, only much closer to home and with a fraction of the crowds and cost attached.
Introducing Raja Ampat! Here’s why travellers should consider swapping out the Galapagos for something closer to home.
Location, Location, Location:
Raja Ampat’s position in relation to the equator and isolation from the mainland has enabled rare wildlife to flourish like no other place on earth- well, maybe a bit like the Galapagos.
If you follow the equator about 15,000 kilometres west of the Galapagos Islands you’ll stumble across Raja Ampat, a wildlife-rich archipelago of tropical islands lying practically undiscovered in comparison to its famous cousin.
Just like the Galapagos, Raja Ampat straddles the equator where the perfect amount of heat and energy acts as a natural incubator for unique flora and fauna.
Biodiversity underwater:
Just like the Galapagos, Raja Ampat’s marine environment is one of the most diverse and abundant in the world
If you hadn’t heard of Raja Ampat before, you might be surprised to learn that the region boasts the highest recorded diversity of marine life on earth according to Conservation International.
This immense, protected marine park encompasses over 12,000 square kilometres of reef (ahem, larger than the Galapagos).
Its clear turquoise waters are home to over 75 per cent of the world’s known coral species, more than 1,300 species of reef fish, five species of rare and endangered sea turtles, and 13 marine mammal species.
If you visit between February and March, you could see up to six different types of dolphins and 10 species of whales. Oh and we almost forgot to mention, you can even swim with Whale Sharks, the docile giants of the sea.
Biodiversity on land:
There is an abundance of completely unique wildlife found on Raja Ampat’s shores which cannot be found anywhere else- not even in the Galapagos
These densely forested islands are home to a plethora of exotic, strange and colourful creatures, many of which are endemic to the region.
You’ll find Waigeo Cuscus (a curious looking marsupial with black spots), reptiles and a variety of birds so mesmerising that they will turn anyone into a binocular-clutching aficionado.
You’ll likely come across not one but two endemic types of the aptly named Birds of Paradise.
Do Red-footed boobies, Frigatebirds and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters sound familiar?
These intriguing bird species are famous inhabitants of the Galapagos Islands but they can also be found in Raja Ampat.
The Theory of Evolution:
Just like the Galapagos, the islands of Raja Ampat also inspired the Theory of Evolution
Aside from its alluring wildlife, the Galapagos Islands are famously known as the birthplace of Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. While Darwin has become a household name since publishing his famous work, you might be surprised to learn that there was another accomplished naturalist who independently conceived the same theory while studying in a different part of the world.
Just as the Galapagos Islands inspired Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection, the islands of Raja Ampat inspired an identical revelation by Alfred Russel Wallace. The final research paper was actually published under both names but Wallace and the islands of Raja Ampat have been somewhat forgotten in comparison.
Raja Ampat is still largely undiscovered, earning the title of “the last remaining paradise”.
Not unlike the Galapagos, the best way to explore this archipelago is by boat, allowing you to travel by night and reach isolated coves and abundant reefs by day.
SeaTrek Sailing Adventures has been taking small groups on off the beaten track journeys through the secluded islands of eastern Indonesia for over 30 years.
Aboard one of their traditional UNESCO heritage style pinisi boats, you can snorkel, hike, SUP or kayak your way through crystal waters and rich forests, while an all-Indonesian crew ensure that you experience the warmth of Indonesian hospitality. Raja Ampat cruises are available from October to February in 2019/2020.
Latest News
Collette goes off the beaten track with Canyon Country tour
To be clear TW is not advocating actually walking off the beaten track. Avoid the coyotes. Stay on the beaten track.
Intrepid & Korean Tourism Organisation team up to give agents a cooking masterclass
These guys learnt that Korean cooking is more than just putting kimchi on 2-minute noodles (as we once thought).
Winner, winner! Intrepid reveals the 9 lucky agents that won $2k
Who won the incentive? Which Intrepid trip will they spend it on? What day of the week is it again? Where am I? Huh?
Corporate Traveller reports 42% increase in Easter traffic this year
Business travellers just love Easter! Expect plenty of chocolate stained documents returning to the office on Tuesday.
Turbulent year wiped $384m off Qantas brand value: Report
Meanwhile, eating tuna at your desk can damage your own personal office brand value by several thousand dollars.
FAMIL: Room-Res & Singapore Tourism Board shows agents the Lion City’s roar
Click this article to see a man very impressed by a 20-layer chocolate cake. We're not kidding, he loved it!
Oceania Cruises offers sailors free pre-cruise hotel stay
Looking for ways to make your holidays as long as possible? Look no further.
Bonza launches new website to compliment app, agent portal
Does news about an airline's website fill you with ecstasy, glee and joy? Get your hit of the good stuff here.
MTA agents attends ‘Lunch ‘n’ Learn’ with AMA Waterways
When organising the event, Lunch 'n' Learn beat out Dinner 'n' Divulge and Breakfast 'n' Banter. Understandably so.
Travelmarvel reveals 2025 South America tours
If you spot any typos in the newsletter today it is because TW became distracted Googling images of Machu Picchu.
Tourists from 5 countries could be BANNED from visiting Australia
Anthony Albanese's immigration laws could impact tourism from certain countries.
Just how many passengers will Qantas & Jetstar hop around this Easter?
Airline workers are ready for gleeful Easter travellers! Also prepared for sticky children with chocolate on their face.
Air New Zealand gets ready for bumper Easter weekend
Air NZ gears up for travelling passengers this Easter, while TW looks to beat our egg eating record. 117 here we come!
Four Seasons Yachts reveals first itineraries to the Caribbean & Mediterranean
These trips look so good we wish there were five seasons! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
FAMIL: Travellers Choice treats top agents to the wonders of Rotorua
This one's got plenty of famil pics and no one looks shockingly hungover in them! Clearly no TW staffers were there.
European Waterways celebrates 50th anniversary with week-long founders cruise
Plan on celebrating your 50th anniversary with a bottle of Moët and fairy bread? European Waterways has better ideas.
100th route! Jetstar celebrates the launch of Brisbane-Avalon with 12 hour sale
Jetstar knocks a ton and celebrates with a sale while TW once scored a ton and celebrated with about 17 beers.
Record-breaking year for NSW as visitor expenditure soars past $50 billion
Enjoy running round the Opera House? Be prepared to elbow even more tourists out the way.
Norwegian Cruise Line makes play for solo travellers
NCL ensuring you don't have to go trawling Tinder to find a cruise partner. Thank goodness, we were sick of catfishing.
Entire Travel Group’s Canada and Europe 2024/25 brochures are out now
Entire's new brochure is bittersweet; it both informs your clients and makes you envious of the holiday they'll take.
Malaysia Airlines adds 3 new destinations & A330neo seats
More seats means cheaper airfares and more money to spend on overpriced airport sandwiches. Woohoo!
Two divine days onboard Crystal Serenity
It's only pure serenity onboard this ship. Anxiety, agitation and anguish have been rejected by the bouncer.
How the Globus Family of Brands elevates coach touring: Travel Weekly TV with Chris Fundell
Chris' here so you don't think coaches mean peeling your thighs off a sticky leather seat every time you stand up!
The Flight Centre Foundation gears up for massive 2024 with 3 new board members
The foundation looks to invest $200k this year, spurring the TW journos to figure out how to qualify as a charity.
Barking Owl Communications to head up Anantara & Avani in ANZ
Fellow PR competitors had been barking up the wrong tree even thinking of bidding for this job!
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
1000MTG’s second global conference reminds agents to ‘strive and thrive’
Alongside messages to 'strive' and 'thrive' were those to 'survive', 'drive', 'arrive' and 'jive' (when appropriate).
Qantas A330 makes “loud bang”, pilots forced to shut down one engine
Qantas refusing to let Boeing have all the headlines in aviation world today!
GX Community Tourism Summit 2024 location revealed!
The new location has arrived and it'll blow your socks off! Time for another trip to Target for more socks then.
Visiting the destination my Mum didn’t want me to
Yet again, this journo has been a stress to his mother. Discover how this trip spurred his mother's anxiety here.
Agents come out of their shells at P&O’s turtle hatchery event
For some, it's a few glasses of bubbles to lure them out of their shell. For these agents, it was a bit more literal.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Virgin looks to swap MAX 10 order for MAX 8s amid Boeing delays: Reports
Virgin has changed its order for something smaller. Much like we have to at Maccas following a worrying doctor's visit.
Club Med unveils newest luxury yacht for 2024/25 early bird sale
This yacht is preserved for the early birds! Night Owls may also get onboard depending how late they stay up.
Abercrombie & Kent 2024 Asia Portfolio is here
Round up the family and get planning an Asia jaunt. Or, if they're hard to handle, brush them all and go it alone!
Elevate your earnings: Final days to secure double commission with Inspiring Vacations’ March offer
What could inspire you to sell more Inspiring Vacations? Double commission of course! That's all the inspiration needed.