What to Bring to Raja Ampat (Things You’ll Thank Yourself for Later)
- Team Paparisa
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Packing for Raja Ampat is a little different from packing for Bali.
Why?
Because Raja Ampat is remote. Really remote.
Once you leave Sorong and arrive on the islands, you’ll quickly notice that convenience stores, pharmacies, dive shops and supermarkets are very limited, and on smaller islands like Kri, almost non-existent.
Over the years, we’ve seen guests forget all kinds of things 😅So here’s our honest list of what we really recommend bringing to Raja Ampat.
Not to overpack; but to avoid small frustrations once you’re here.
Reef-Safe Sunscreen 🌿
Probably the number one thing people underestimate.
The sun in Raja Ampat is strong, especially when you spend hours on the water snorkeling, diving or island hopping. Even on cloudy days, people get sunburned surprisingly fast.
But there’s another reason we care about this:
What goes on your skin ends up in the ocean.
Please choose a reef-safe sunscreen whenever possible. Not only is it much harder to find here, but it also helps protect the coral reefs that make Raja Ampat so special in the first place. And trust us: after-sun is not a luxury here 😄
Protective Clothing & UV Shirts ☀️
Not every boat in Raja Ampat has a roof (ours luckily does 😄), and spending hours on the water can be intense.
Things we highly recommend:
a hat or cap
long sleeves
UV shirts / rash guards
lightweight protective clothing
Especially UV shirts from stores like Decathlon can honestly make a huge difference during longer boat days.
Mosquito Spray 🦟
Especially important around sunrise and sunset.
Raja Ampat is officially considered a malaria zone, although cases around tourism areas are uncommon. Still, prevention is always better than treatment.
Mosquito spray is not something you’ll easily find on the islands, so bring your preferred brand from home.
Your future self will thank you later. 😉
A Reusable Water Bottle 💧
One of the easiest ways to travel a little more sustainably here.
Most accommodations in Raja Ampat (including us at Paparisa) provide filtered drinking water where you can refill your bottle.
Because waste management on remote islands is complicated, reducing single-use plastic actually makes a real difference here. Small effort, big impact.
Cash (More Than You Think) 💸
Yes, digital payments are becoming more common in Raja Ampat.
Many homestays, dive centers, and tour operators (including us at Paparisa Homestay) now accept bank transfers, which makes paying deposits or larger expenses much easier than it used to be.
That said, cash is still king.
Ferry tickets, local shops, smaller homestays, boat rides, village markets, and many day-to-day expenses still require cash payments. Once you leave Sorong and Waisai, ATMs become extremely limited, and even when you find one, it isn't always working or stocked with cash.
Our advice? Bring enough Indonesian Rupiah before heading to the islands. It's always better to have a little too much cash than not enough.
Need Indonesian Rupiah before your trip?
We've been using Wise for several years to manage transfers between Europe and Indonesia and have found it to be one of the easiest ways to exchange currencies at competitive rates.
If you're traveling to Raja Ampat, it can be useful to set up an account before your trip. Depending on the current promotion available in your country, you may receive a free international Wise card or your first transfer without transfer fees.
We also use and accept Wise payments here at Paparisa Homestay, and many of our guests find it a convenient way to pay deposits or transfer money while traveling.
In the interest of full transparency: if three people sign up through our link and complete a qualifying transfer, we receive a small commission from Wise. There is no additional cost to you.
A Travel Adapter 🔌
Indonesia uses Type C & F sockets (European style).
And no… there isn’t a little airport electronics store once you arrive on Kri Island 😅
Bring your adapter beforehand if your country uses different plugs.
Internet, SIM Cards & Offline Entertainment 📶
Kri Island actually has surprisingly decent reception with Telkomsel, and at Paparisa we also have Starlink WiFi. But this is definitely not the case everywhere in Raja Ampat.
Some areas, especially around Fam Islands or Rufas, can have very limited connection or no signal at all.
That’s why we recommend:
downloading offline maps
bringing books or an e-reader
downloading movies, music or podcasts beforehand
bringing offline games or hobbies
Honestly, disconnecting a little is part of the beauty of Raja Ampat anyway 🌴
If you buy a local SIM card anywhere outside Papua, make sure you specifically ask for:“data nasional” and clearly mention you will travel to Raja Ampat.
Unfortunately scams around SIM cards happen quite often in Indonesia, which is why eSIMs are honestly becoming one of the safest and easiest options for many travelers. Read our in-depth blog about SIM's & eSIM's in Raja Ampat here.
Basic Medication 💊
Healthcare facilities in Raja Ampat are limited.
We’re not doctors, and everyone has different preferences when it comes to medication, but useful things to bring could include:
plasters / band aids
disinfectant
allergy medication
Imodium or activated charcoal
ear drops
seasickness tablets
malaria emergency kit
Especially if you’re staying on the islands for longer periods.
Snacks (Especially for Picky Eaters) 🍫
If you have a very specific diet, food allergies, or simply love certain snacks, bring them with you.
Shopping options on the islands are extremely limited, and healthy snacks are honestly almost impossible to find here.
Most accommodations are happy to help store things in a fridge if needed.
One small tip:be mindful of animals 😄 At Paparisa we provide large plastic storage boxes in every room, but not every accommodation does. Bringing your own tupperware or sealed containers is never a bad idea.
Your Own Snorkel Gear (Optional) 🐠
Most places can arrange masks and fins.
But if you have uncommon sizes (very small or very large feet), it can honestly be easier to bring your own gear. Especially sizes around EU 35 or EU 45+ can sometimes be difficult to find.
A Dry Bag (Highly Recommended)
Something many travelers only realize once they arrive.
You’ll spend a lot of time on boats:
transfers
snorkel trips
island hopping
diving
A dry bag is extremely useful for protecting phones, cameras and passports from saltwater and sudden tropical rain. And yes… both happen regularly 😄
A Little Flexibility 🌴
Okay, technically not something you pack in your suitcase.
But maybe the most important thing to bring to Raja Ampat.
Schedules can change.Weather can change.The sea decides a lot around here.
And honestly? The travelers who enjoy Raja Ampat the most are usually the ones who embrace that slower island rhythm instead of fighting it.
Final Thoughts
You really don’t need luxury suitcases or complicated gear to enjoy Raja Ampat.
Most people end up wearing the same few clothes anyway 😄
But bringing the right essentials will make your trip much smoother, more comfortable, and honestly just more enjoyable overall.
Pack light. Pack smart.And let the ocean do the rest 🌊🐚
xo Team Paparisa
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