What to Do on a Sunday in Raja Ampat: Kri Island Guide
- Team Paparisa
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
If you’re planning a trip to Raja Ampat, you may notice something when looking at your itinerary:
At Paparisa, we don’t organize day trips or snorkelling trips on Sundays.
For us, Sunday is a rest day.
That doesn’t mean the homestay closes. We still cook three meals a day, welcome new guests, say goodbye to departing guests, and arrange pick-ups and drop-offs when needed.
But we don’t organize day trips or other snorkelling activities.
And while this may feel unusual when you’re traveling and want to fit as much as possible into your holiday, Sunday is an important part of life here.
So what can you actually do on a Sunday on Kri Island? Quite a lot, actually.
Why Is Sunday a Rest Day in Raja Ampat?
Most people in Yenbuba, the village community we belong to, are Protestant Christians and part of GKI di Tanah Papua, the Evangelical Christian Church in the Land of Papua.
Christianity has a long and important history in Papua.
On 5 February 1855, two German missionaries, Carl Wilhelm Ottow and Johann Gottlob Geissler, arrived on Mansinam Island near Manokwari. Their arrival is often seen as the beginning of the spread of the Christian gospel in Papua.
More than 170 years later, 5 February is still commemorated every year in Papua.
Sunday remains an important day for many Protestant communities. It is a day for church, family, rest, and spending time together.
Whenever work allows, our team also likes to go to church on Sunday. You may see them leaving Paparisa dressed in their Sunday best, with a Bible in hand. It’s a lovely contrast to the shorts and T-shirts of everyday island life, and simply part of the rhythm of Sundays here.
Rio grew up with similar Sunday traditions in Maluku, where his family belongs to the Protestant Church of Maluku. The history and churches are not exactly the same, and traditions around celebrations such as weddings and baptisms can be slightly different, but the importance of Sunday feels very familiar.
For us, respecting Sunday as a rest day is simply part of living and running a homestay within this community.
Not Every Village Has the Same Rest Day
This is also something interesting to know about Raja Ampat.
Different villages may belong to different Christian denominations, which means their traditions can be different too.
For example, Sauwandarek on nearby Mansuar Island is a Seventh-day Adventist community. Seventh-day Adventists observe the Sabbath on Saturday rather than Sunday. Because of this, Saturday is the weekly rest day in Sauwandarek.
Visitors should keep this in mind when planning their Raja Ampat itinerary. At the moment, snorkelling activities around Sauwandarek are also restricted on Saturdays, so it is always worth checking your plans in advance.
Our almost-neighbours at Kri Eco Resort also belong to the Adventist church. Their rest day is Saturday, so you may see their dive boats heading out on Sunday while ours stay at Paparisa.
It’s a nice example of how even on one small island, Sunday can look a little different depending on the community you belong to. And it’s also an important reminder when visiting Raja Ampat:
You are not only visiting beautiful reefs.
You are visiting people’s homes and communities too.
Can I Still Book an Activity Somewhere Else on Sunday?
Of course!
Our Sunday rest day is our choice, and we completely understand that you may want to make the most of every day of your trip. If another homestay or operator is organising an activity on Sunday, you are absolutely free to join them. We don’t mind at all.
But if you’d like to stay close to Paparisa, a slow Sunday on Kri Island can actually be a really lovely part of your trip.
Here are some of our favourite ways to spend it.
Explore Our House Reef
You don’t need a boat to go snorkelling in Raja Ampat.
Our house reef is right in front of Paparisa, so Sunday is the perfect day to explore it without rushing.
Snorkel for a while, come back for lunch, read a book, and go into the water again later.
Sometimes, having nowhere you need to be makes you notice much more.
Hike to the Kri Island Viewpoints
If you feel like moving, Sunday is a great day to explore Kri Island on foot.
There are two viewpoints on the island that you can hike to.
📍 Viewpoint 1: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cud9L9WPDtoDrT628 ("above" Turtle Homestay)
📍 Viewpoint 2: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RysMyBKLLB3ve2U56 ("above" Soul Scuba divers)
From Paparisa, the easiest way to start the hike is near Delvin Homestay, approximately a 20-minute walk from us.
Pictures we took at Viewpoint 2
From there, you can head up into the mountain and jungle towards the viewpoints.
We recommend asking our team about the current trail conditions before you leave, especially after heavy rain.
Bring water, wear suitable shoes, and don’t forget mosquito spray.
Read a Book in Our Restaurant
Our restaurant has a small mini library for guests.
Sunday is the perfect excuse to finally pick up a book and actually finish more than three pages before getting distracted by another boat trip.
Find a comfortable spot, and enjoy having nowhere to be.
Relax. Properly.
This one may sound obvious.
But how often do you travel somewhere beautiful and then create such a busy itinerary that you forget to actually enjoy where you are?
Sleep in. Have a long breakfast. Lie on the beach. Sunbathe. Watch the boats pass. Look for cuscus in the trees around sunset. Do absolutely nothing for a while.
You came a long way to reach Raja Ampat. You’re allowed to simply be here.
Walk Around Kri Island
Kri is small enough that walking is one of the nicest ways to explore your surroundings.
Take a walk along the beach, visit another homestay, or simply see what you find along the way.
Just remember that the tide can affect how easy it is to walk certain parts of the coastline, so ask us before heading out.
A Different Kind of Raja Ampat Day
We understand that when you travel all the way to Raja Ampat, it can feel tempting to fill every single day.
But Sunday at Paparisa is different.
It’s a day to slow down, explore what is already around you, and experience a small part of the rhythm of life here.
You can still snorkel. You can hike. You can read. You can explore. You can join us for a game of volleyball or badminton. Or you can do absolutely nothing. ☺️
And sometimes, that becomes one of the nicest days of the trip.
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