Wildlife-rich jungle, fresh and well-kept marine life, beautiful beaches, and unforgettable scenic natural beauty are some of the charms of West Papua. Located in the eastern part of Indonesia, the region has one of the prominent seascape marine biodiversity in the world. And it is easily found in the array of beautiful islands in raja Ampat.
Raja Ampat in particular is known for its spectacular seascapes. Ranges of islands, four of them are the biggest in the areas are the prominent tourist attraction. But, other than the four popular destinations, tourists can also visit Gam Island. It is the next big island that has tons of charms. What are they and what to do on this island? Read further for more information.
About The Island
Being part of the small archipelagos Raja Ampat, the island pose a great number of charm in it. It might not be the biggest island in the area, but Gam has a majestic natural attraction as good as any other location. Gam is famous or known for its lush green forest, beautiful beach, and rich seascape biodiversity. It has been one of the popular west Papua diving destinations.
Gam itself is the next largest island after the four biggest islands known as four kings (Salawati, Waigeo, Batanta, and Misool). That is why Gam has a relatively small population. Aside from the island position, Gam also has a pretty rough terrain including sharp limestone, hilly areas, and thick jungle cover. That is why most of the villages are located on the coast.
Those limited coastline villages allow a small number of accommodations around the island. There is also a low phone signal around the island, which is mostly available in the northern Gam village of Kabui. That is why be prepared for what you will face during the visit. You can go with a tour or guide to ensure everything is safe.
Things To Do In Gam
1. Snorkeling And Diving
One of the famous activities in Gam is snorkeling and diving. It has a scenic seascape and untouched marine biodiversity, but the area tends to have a strong current during the tide. West Papua tourists can arrange a diving trip with the help of a homestay dive center or the help of locals or hosts. Just be sure to stay close to the drop-off to avoid an accident.
2. Visiting Kabui And Gam Bay
Aside from snorkeling, the island has two favorite locations to visit. Kabui Bay is on the east of Gam, which has two different charms from its natural situation. The northern parts have mangroves and karst islands. On the other hand, the southern parts are places with clear water and white sandy beaches.
The second place is Gam bay, the area that split the island into the easter and western halves. It is a shoreline surrounded by karst islands and hills. With that said, the place offers magnificent scenery to witness. Tourists can snorkel in the bay since it is rich in corals fields. The place also offers the opportunity of a hidden lagoon through cave access.
3. Doing Bird Trip
The lust forest cover and untouched natural resources are the home of endemic and exotic animals. In West Papua, the Gam’s jungle is home to many iconic birds such as the Red Cenderawasih (bird of paradise), Palm Cockatoos, Western crowned pigeons, and Maleo. To experience the bird tour, tourists can visit Sawinggrai village.
4. Trekking
While the island comes with a pretty harsh nature that makes a challenging trekking, it is still many people’s favorite. However, trekking in Gam demands a professional guide. So, be sure to ask your host for a guide or accompaniment from the local. You can trek from Kabui Village on the Northern shore. Just be careful in doing so.
5. Exploring The Historic Sites
Similar to other Raja Ampat islands, Gam also has spectacular historic sites. Some locations boast the ancient to colonialization heritage. Tourists can witness hand stencils around the Pef island’s cliff. There is also a forest grove in Yenbeser. Alfred Wallces offer the 1860’s campsite with Red Cenderawasih sighting.
How To get there
Since the island is part of the Raja Ampat, visitors need to pass some west Papua checkpoints. It means tourists need to travel from cities and islands. The first destination is Waisai or the Raja Ampat capital city. After that, visitors need to go by speedboat to Arborek island before continuing to Gam. You can ask the host or tour agency for more info.
Being part of the Raja Ampat area, the island is seascape heaven. Natural beauty splayed across the islands, including the seascape, lands, bay, to the forest area. Tourists should consider diving and snorkeling around the island to see the fantastic array of marine life. There is also tons of natural birds habitat to witness, which offer a unique experience during the trip.
