Located in the Raja Ampat archipelago, this tiny island is quickly becoming an essential stop while cruising in the area thanks to its beautiful natural landscape and lively village culture.
Arborek Island is so small that you can walk the pristine white beaches all the way around it in just 30 minutes. While the island is small, it should by no means be forgotten while chartering in the Raja Ampat: what sets this island apart from the others in the region like Pianemo or Waigeo is its low and flat terrain which replaces the jungle-covered karsts that characterize the rest of the archipelago. Instead, visitors to the island can enjoy the white sand cays and fresh coconuts from the myriad coconut palm trees that line the shorelines.
While the absence of jungle means that Arborek lacks the famous animals associated with Raja Ampat like the bird-of-paradise and cuscus, its crystal-clear waters are replete with marine species. The Arborek jetty is a popular dive site owing to the huge schools of fish that take shelter beneath it in the brightly-colored soft coral that cover the jetty’s piles. Be sure to charter a luxury yacht with plenty of diving and snorkeling gear and see these wonderful sea creatures for yourself. We recommend diving at the eastern end of the island as this is where the concentration of sealife is highest.
After a morning of diving into the tropical waters, dry off under the warm Indonesian sun on the white shores, drink in hand and a gentle breeze in your hair.
Once you’ve spent the morning exploring nearby dive sites, Arborek is the perfect place to travel to the famed Manta Point. It is the closest village to this snorkeling spot which is said to be the best place to encounter the majestic manta rays.
Before leaving the island, however, we strongly recommend heading to Arborek Village to experience the charming local culture. As part of the Indonesian government’s tourist village program, it has better than average amenities compared to other villages in Raja Ampat.
Pick up a souvenir to remember your charter vacation from one of the women in the village who make traditional Papuan and Indonesian crafts such as noken (woven sling bags), bayay (woven baskets), or woven manta ray-shaped hats made from 100% natural dyed pandanus. Alternatively, you can even book a class to make your own! If you feel like getting involved in local culture but fancy something a little more active, then the village also offers traditional dance classes where they break down the dances featured in the performances that are frequently staged in the village.
With such a broad array of different things to see and do on Arborek Island, it guarantees to have something for everyone in your Indonesian yacht charter party. Be sure to speak with your chosen charter broker to incorporate a visit into your itinerary.
