Indonesia’s Fam Islands are bursting with colour, nature, local traditions and life! This hidden paradise needs to be on your bucklet list when visiting Raja Ampat. Make planning your trip as easy and carefree as possible – read our guide for the low-down of how to plan your trip here.
Are you travelling to Raja Ampat? Start here:
What are the Fam Islands?
The Fam Islands of Raja Ampat are a small group of islands in the Southeast of Waigeo. This tiny archipelago is formed by about 15 bigger islands and many more islets. Aside from a few guesthouses, most of these islands are uninhabited as the local population lives in a village on the Pulau Fambemuk island, in the main Fam Island or in Waigeo.
The Fam Islands are quite isolated from other more popular destinations like Kri and Mansuar island, which makes them an ideal destination for those seeking a relaxing stay. Like the rest of Raja Ampat, the Fam Islands are a great destination for diving, snorkelling, and enjoying marine life in general.
These islands also offer a truly authentic experience to their visitors. In fact, there are just a handful of accommodations in the area with few tourists, while there are many locals permanently living here. Most people, in fact, live in Waigeo and only go to homestays when tourists come.
The main landmark of the Fam Islands is undoubtedly Piaynemo, a fabulous karst seascape you may have seen in many photos of Raja Ampat. This is a must-visit place in the archipelago, and it can be visited on a day trip also if you’re not sleeping at the Fam Islands.
The Fam Island, also sometimes referred to as Pulau Fam, is the biggest island in this archipelago. Here you will find a few homestays and a small settlement. A bigger village is located on the island of Pulau Fambenunk island, which is close by.
How to get to the Fam Islands
Getting to the Fam Islands won’t be the easiest journey of your life. First, you need to get to Sorong, which is the gateway to Raja Ampat. Sorong is West Papua’s biggest city and it’s also where most flights to Raja Ampat land.
Then, you need to take a ferry to Waisai, where you’ll need to pay the environmental service fee to obtain access to the last paradise of Raja Ampat. This fee is mandatory for everyone visiting the archipelago of Raja Ampat, regardless of where you are going. You can read more about it in our full guide to Raja Ampat.
At the small harbour near the tourism office, you’ll be able to embark on your boat to the Fam Islands.
How to book this boat?
There is no public transport on the islands of Raja Ampat, with the exception of the ferry that connects Sorong to Waisai. This means you need to rely on private transport for the rest of the trip.
The easiest way to secure your boat transfer is by booking it in advance on stayrajaampat.com. Here you’ll be able to get in touch with your hosts and organize your pick-up. Don’t expect a fast boat or anything fancy. A good, small, old-school wooden boat serves the purpose here!
On a good day, the first part of the trip will be relatively smooth, since you’ll be navigating a part of the ocean protected by islands on two sides. When it opens up, however, things change.
Get ready for a fun ride! Even on a sunny and non-windy day, the ocean waves that might look tiny on a cruise ship feel huge on a little boat. Remember to check weather forecasts to make sure you’ll be able to go. Your trip might be cancelled if the sea is rough.
Where to stay at the Fam Islands
There are several accommodations around the Fam islands, all of which are homestays. Luxury resorts are present in Raja Ampat, but there are none here. Homestays are very basic accommodations run by local families, who also provide guests with 3 meals per day, included in the price of the room.
Expect a very simple, modest stay, with bucket showers and rudimental structures. At the same time, you should also expect to be surrounded by palm trees and by some of the most stunning, raw landscapes you will ever see.
Most accommodations have the same fixed price per night. In fact, in most places, a double room costs 411,775 IDR, which is just over $27 USD per day for two people and it includes 3 meals. Some homestays, however, have higher prices so make sure to check them out before booking.
OVERWATER BUNGALOWS: How about sleeping in an overwater room? Piaynemo Homestay, Lagoon Homestay and Meos Ambower Homestay have bungalows built on Raja Ampat’s crystal clear water. This unique stay will add some flair to your trip!
Activities are also very important since you won’t be able to do things without the help of your local hosts and their boat. Check out the activities offered by each accommodation before making a reservation.
You can compare all the homestays in Fam Islands on stayrajaampat.com, by selecting the “Pam (Fam) Islands” filter.
What to do at the Fam Islands
Visit Piaynemo
The Fam Islands are the perfect place to relax, but also to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Raja Ampat. In fact, Fam islands are home to Piaynemo, one of the highlights of the entire archipelago of Raja Ampat which greatly contributed to its popularity.
Piaynemo is a gorgeous turquoise seascape with karst islets and lush vegetation. You can admire it from a viewpoint, which you can reach after a short climb on wooden stairs.
Planning a visit? Read our full guide to Piaynemo to learn everything you need to know before going!
Hike to the Star Lagoon viewpoint
Near Piaynemo you’ll find another popular location: the Star Lagoon. This iconic spot is relatively easy to reach from the Fam Islands. There’s a short hike to the top of the hill, which isn’t particularly difficult.
Once you reach the summit, you will be welcomed by a gorgeous view over the Star Lagoon! This lagoon isn’t actually a star, but it looks like a six-pointed star thanks to a matter of perspective.
Diving and Snorkeling
Diving and snorkeling are very popular activities in Raja Ampat, and around the Fam Islands, there are several diving spots. What’s cool about diving here is that fish and other sea creatures aren’t used to humans, which says a lot about how untouristy these islands are. Some great diving spots include Keruo Channel and Barracuda Reef at Groot Fam.
The only diving center in the Pam (Fam) Islands is Divemarine Homestay, which unfortunately is closed for renovation works since July 2021, and it’s still closed as of August 2022. Divemarine Homestay has an on-site dive center with equipment for up to 5 divers at a time. The best diving spots in the Fam Islands include Melissa’s Garden, Batu Rufas, Anita’s Garden and Fam Slope. Read more about these spots here.
Check out Rufas Island
Rufas Island is a stunning island with a lagoon right in the middle. It’s located near the renowned Piaynemo and you can stay here by booking a few nights at Rufas Homestay or Lagoon Homestay.
At Rufas island you can sleep on overwater bungalows and enjoy staying at one of Raja Ampat’s coolest spots.
Swim in the turquoise lagoon
Also located in Piaynemo, the turquoise lagoon is a stunning place to see and swim in. The lagoon is surrounded by karst rocks with lush vegetation, and it’s accessible by boat. Ask your local host to take you here when visiting Piaynemo.
Pulau Fambemuk & neighbouring islands
Exploring the little island around main Fam island can be done as a day trip. Most of these islands are uninhabited or just have homestays, are covered in palm trees and usually have stunning beaches with vibrant marine life. On the other hand, in Pulau Fambemuk you will find a local village that offers a glimpse of the Papuan lifestyle, with its people and its traditions.
The village occupies about a third of the island, and it’s one of the few places out of Sorong and Waigeo where you can find a few very basic shops with local products and generic items and drinks.
Not many visitors make it this far, so locals are generally quite curious to see what’s going on. Most people don’t speak English here, so smiles and hand gestures are the only ways to interact unless you know the local language.
The nearby islands are just a few minutes away by longboat. Here you will find a raw, wild tropical landscape whose beauty is second to none!
For instance, if you kindly ask your hosts for a fresh coconut, chances are you’ll see them climbing a palm tree to pick one fresh for you in a split second.
Trust your hosts also for what concerns swimming and snorkelling spots, you won’t regret it! Locals are so knowledgeable about the marine life of Raja Ampat, and they’ll take you to the best spots!
Best tips for visiting the Fam Islands
- Don’t underestimate the sun. Getting sunburnt while swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Fam Islands is so easy. Wear reef-friendly sunscreen or, even better, just use a T-shirt during the central hours of the day. You won’t regret it, especially if it’s the first Sun in a while.
- Beware of sandflies. Remote places mean authentic experiences and few tourists, but it also means untouched beaches and – possibly – sandflies. Sandflies are particularly painful and may cause red bumps which last up to 2-4 weeks, much longer and much more annoying than regular mosquitoes. If you feel you’re getting bitten by sandflies, avoid spending a lot of time on the sand.
Note: You may not even be aware that you have been bitten as the itching usually doesn’t commence for several hours after the bites. - Bring cash! There is no way to pay anything with a card, so make sure to have enough money with you. While accommodations are generally affordable, transportation is usually not and you’ll need quite a bit of cash to travel around. We’d suggest changing or withdrawing enough IDR for your entire stay in Raja Ampat.
- Pay attention to sea currents and don’t go swimming alone. You’re in the middle of the ocean and sea currents may be strong without you even realizing it. Never go swimming alone in the open ocean, and be careful when you do it even with someone else.
- Bring a mask for snorkeling! You’ll be able to find masks and fins here and there in Raja Ampat, but having your own mask is ideal to enjoy Raja Ampat’s beauty at its best.
- Do your research and save the day trips and rates proposed by your accommodations before travelling to Raja Ampat. There is a good chance you won’t have data at all while there.
How long should you stay?
The perfect length of stay on the Fam Islands depends on many factors ranging from the total duration of your trip to Raja Ampat, your interests and what kind of experience you’re looking for. However, we’d recommend staying at least 3-4 nights to have enough time to explore the island you’re staying in and its surrounding. A couple of day trips (one to Piaynemo and one to the nearby islands) are a must, so keep that in mind when planning.
If you’re considering staying longer, make sure to change accommodations every 3 nights to have a better and richer experience. We personally think 2 nights is too short of a stay and 4 nights might feel too long to stay in the same place. This feeling obviously varies a lot and it’s just our personal opinion, but take it into account.
[…] Read also: Fam Islands, a hidden paradise in Raja Ampat […]
[…] First off, where is Piaynemo? Piaynemo is located in Pulau Penem, in the Fam (technically Pam) Islands, a remote yet stunning archipelago in Raja Ampat with some of the best beaches in Indonesia. You can read more about the archipelago in our full guide to the Fam Islands. […]