Features
- Quiet hideaway
- Coral
- Child discount
- Birds of Paradise
- Has family bungalows
- Western style toilet
- IDR 500,000 to 600,000
- IDR 400,000 to 500,000
Details
Mandum Stay is built above a tiny sliver of beach at the mouth of a jungled ravine in the entrance to Waigeo’s Kabui Bay.
“Mandum” means “bird’s nest”: The homestay is named for the huge variety of birds to be found in the local forest. Mandum is a great place from which to see both Wilson’s and Red Birds of Paradise.
A two-room, over-water family bungalow and two private over-water bungalows are available. (The family bungalow rooms can be separately booked. If you want the whole family bungalow, then request 2 x “Room in a bungalow” on the booking form above.)
All bungalow bedrooms sleep two. All except one has raised beds. Bedding provided includes sheets, blanket, pillows, bolsters and mosquito nets. Towels are also supplied, and all rooms are fitted with light switches and power outlets.
Both bungalows have covered verandahs equipped with a table and chairs, as well as a sun deck with recliners and panoramic sunset ocean views.
A boardwalk connects Mandum’s bungalows to a dining room, where meals are served above the beach. The dining room also has lovely views, and free drinking water, tea and coffee are always available to guests there.
Bathroom facilities are shared by all guests, and are located on land behind the dining room. Be sure to bring torches/flashlights to negotiate the boardwalk at night. There are two bathrooms. One contains a western style toilet and dip mandi / tub bathing. The other has a raised squat toilet and dip mandi bathing.
Mandum Stay only receives a weak 4G phone signal, so don’t expect a reliable internet connection while at the homestay.
Electricity for lighting and charging devices is supplied by generator, and is available from sunset to around midnight.
Basic supplies can be purchased at Saporkren village, which is only a few minutes away by boat. Saporkren also receives a stronger phone signal, which will usually support a data connection.
Like everywhere else in Raja Ampat, there’s no safe way to dispose of inorganic waste at Mandum Stay: To avoid the possibility of further rubbishing paradise, please do take all yours away with you when you leave.
Only a little English is spoken at Mandum Stay, so it would be a good idea to bring a phrasebook or translation app if you don’t speak Bahasa Indonesia.
Transport / Getting there
Transfers between Waisai and Mandum Stay cost IDR 500,000.
Transfers are by longboat, and can carry up to four passengers. Cost is shared by passengers.
Read more about Raja Ampat boat transport prices here.
Activities
Mandum Stay can provide snorkelling and sightseeing tours to anywhere you want to go, but Deki's specialty is taking guests to see the many local birds and reptiles.
Deki has established a great path into the forest from Mandum, and his tours are highly regarded.
Wilson's Bird of Paradise Tour
Tours to see Wilson's Bird of Paradise cost IDR 300,000 per person. There will never be more than four participants per guide, and there is no extra costs if more than one guide is needed. Tours start before dawn. Bringing enclosed footwear and a light for each person in your group is recommended.
Red Bird of Paradise Tour
Tours to see the Red Bird of Paradise cost IDR 200,000 per person. There will never be no more than four participants per guide, and there is no extra costs if more than one guide is needed. Tours start before dawn. Bringing enclosed footwear and a light for each person in your group is recommended.
Snorkelling
Bring snorkelling gear, as there is good snorkelling available at the door. Mandum Stay can of course provide snorkelling and sightseeing tours to anywhere you might want to go.
Pulau Waigeo
See our Waigeo Island page for an overview of the island and its attractions.
Mandum Stay Location Map
Mandum Stay Reviews
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51 Reviews
My stay in march 2026 was just perfect from start to finish.
The place is beautiful, and the bungalows are simple but clean and have everything you need.
The food was delicious, and the portions were more than generous.
Plus, you can go snorkeling right in front of the homestay and take walks in the jungle.
I can’t wait to go back. A big thank you for your hospitality, which made these few days wonderful.
Terima Kasih
Really lovely Homestay! Kind owners, quiet.
We saw both birds of paradise, 500 for both birds pp.
We also did a nightwalk, was 200pp, possibly snakes and bats hiding under leaves.
Food was really good !
The stay at Mandum Homestay was very enjoyable. The location is beautiful, the coral is stunning, and the communication is clear and smooth. The jungle walk is definitely worth it, and the guide was very nice.
The only slight downside was that there were hardly any birds to be seen, which I had been hoping for. But overall, it was a really beautiful experience.
Lovely secluded homestay. I did 2 night jungle treks and 2 bird of paradise treks. I came away with some great photos.
Also in easy reach of great snorkeling reefs like frewin wall and Batu Lima. The house reef is not large but is interesting and we saw dolphins most days.
We also did a visit to Sapokren Village which was great, especially the school where the kids performed a traditional song.
Deki had some help from Ratih while his wife was giving birth to their second child and Ratih was very helpful and prepared great food.
single traveler 25 Feb- 4 March
Had a WONDERFUL stay in the secluded, quiet, peaceful Homestay. Deki is everything the reviews brag about- has great tours to see Wilson’s Birds of Paradise and the Red Birds of Paradise…. saw both on two tours. He also took me on great tours to Caves and snorkeling. Homestay is exceptionally clean- cleanest bathrooms of my 5 homestay visits. It was fantastic and I would definitely recommend and return.
Additionally, during my visit, Deki was blessed with child #3. He hired Ratih to help with hosting while his wife was away and this lady was EXCEPTIONAL. She was very attentive to the guests’ individual needs, coordinating tours and transportation as well as accommodating diets. She is a fantastic cook. She went above and beyond including offering (and getting) my 2:00 ferry ticket morning of departure to ensure I had a seat. This put my mind at ease as it was mandatory for me to get to Sorong that day. I can’t recommend her enough…very thoughtful lady.
Homestay tranquille et paisible, le paradis du bout du monde. Snorkeling splendide et varié juste devant les bungalows. Les dauphins passent tous les jours devant les bungalows. Multitude d’oiseaux à observer.
Nous avons apprécié la marche dans la jungle à l’aube pour observer les oiseaux du paradis. Attention cependant, une bonne condition physique est requise (1h de marche, dénivelé, et surtout une chaleur étouffante abec gros taux d’humidité).
La nourriture etait excellente et en quantité suffisante. Poisson frais pour les repas du midi et du soir.
Confort du bungalow spartiate mais correct pour 2 personnes, attention les moustiquaires sont trouées, pensez à amener des pinces. Pas de ventilateur.
Merci à Deki pour sa disponibilité et les belles excursions qu’il nous a proposées. Nous regrettons juste le manque de transparence sur le prix des excursions.
DE
Das Mandum Homestay liegt an einem wahrhaft traumhaften Ort. Die liebevoll gestalteten Bungalows ragen direkt über das türkisblaue Wasser und bieten einen atemberaubenden Blick auf das Meer. Mit Schnorchel und Flossen kann man unmittelbar vom Steg aus in die faszinierende Unterwasserwelt eintauchen und ein wundervolles Korallenriff entdecken.
Ein besonderes Highlight war unsere Entdeckungstour mit Deki nach Teluk Sumlamanyoko. Dieser Ausflug fühlte sich an wie eine Reise in eine andere Welt – unberührte Natur, kristallklares Wasser und eine beeindruckende Ruhe machten diesen Tag unvergesslich.
Wir können das Homestay von Herzen empfehlen und würden jederzeit wiederkommen.
EN
The Mandum Homestay is located in a truly breathtaking setting. The beautifully designed bungalows rise directly above the turquoise water and offer a stunning view of the sea. With a snorkel and fins, you can dive straight in from the pier and explore the magnificent coral reef just steps away.
A special highlight was our discovery tour with Deki to Teluk Sumlamanyoko. It felt like entering another world – untouched nature, crystal-clear water, and an incredible sense of peace made this excursion unforgettable.
We highly recommend this homestay and would return anytime.
We were a family of 4 and we stayed here for New Year. It is wonderfully quiet and lovely coral and fish just below the cabins. Really comfortable and nicely designed, Deki is a craftsman. He also has a brother who is a fisherman so we had the best fish on the whole holiday. I did the really good walk to see the birds, which was great. There is something quite magical about this place and I would really recommend it. After we left my daughter had left her teeth retainers there and Deki went out of his way to boat it back to us on Kri which was so kind.
We were a family of 4 and we stayed here for New Year. It is wonderfully quiet and lovely coral and fish just below the cabins. Really comfortable and nicely designed, Deki is a craftsman. He also has a brother who is a fisherman so we had the best fish on the whole holiday. I did the really good walk to see the birds, which was great. There is something quite magical about this place and I would really recommend it. After we left my daughter had left her teeth retainers there and Deki went out of his way to boat it back to us on Kri which was so kind.
Wir haben eine Nacht im Mandum homestay verbracht, bevor wir nach Sorong zurück kehrten und haben es geliebt. Der Host war mega nett und extrem bemüht auch die kurzfristigste Anfrage und auch das unmögliche im Bezug auf Transport und Ausflüge möglich zu machen. Darüber hinaus gab es im Mandum homestay im vergleich zu allen anderen homestays in denen wir zuvor waren das beste Essen und die saubersten Sanitäranlagen. 10/10 can recommend!!!
We spent one night at Mandum Homestay before returning to Sorong and absolutely loved it. The host was incredibly kind and went above and beyond to make even the most last-minute requests or seemingly impossible transport and trip plans happen. On top of that, Mandum Homestay had by far the best food and the cleanest bathrooms compared to all the other homestays we stayed at before. 10/10 can recommend!!!
Wir haben eine Nacht im Mandum homestay verbracht, bevor wir nach Sorong zurück kehrten und haben es geliebt. Der Host war mega nett und extrem bemüht auch die kurzfristigste Anfrage und auch das unmögliche im Bezug auf Transport und Ausflüge möglich zu machen. Darüber hinaus gab es im Mandum homestay im vergleich zu allen anderen homestays in denen wir zuvor waren das beste Essen und die saubersten Sanitäranlagen. 10/10 can recommend!!!
We spent one night at Mandum Homestay before returning to Sorong and absolutely loved it. The host was incredibly kind and went above and beyond to make even the most last-minute requests or seemingly impossible transport and trip plans happen. On top of that, Mandum Homestay had by far the best food and the cleanest bathrooms compared to all the other homestays we stayed at before. 10/10 can recommend!!!
Nous avons passé 2 jours chez Deki. L’endroit est trés calme et agréable (juste 3 logements). Deki nous a amené voir les oiseaux : il faut environ 45 mn de marche sur un sentier qu’il a très bien aménagé pour arriver au point d’observation le plus haut. Nous avons fait ensuite un deuxième point. Deki a été très patient pour nous permettre d’en voir (la pluie le matin n’étant pas très propice). Comme dit par d’autres, les bungalows sont confortables, et propres. Il y a une “vraie” douche. On a très bien mangé (copieux). Deki est timide mais se débrouille en anglais. Il ne faut pas hésiter à le solliciter ! Nous n’avons pas eu le temps de faire du snorkeling. Il nous a ramené sur Wasai pour un prix très correct. Bref on recommande !
Nous avons passé 2 jours chez Deki. L’endroit est trés calme et agréable (juste 3 logements). Deki nous a amené voir les oiseaux : il faut environ 45 mn de marche sur un sentier qu’il a très bien aménagé pour arriver au point d’observation le plus haut. Nous avons fait ensuite un deuxième point. Deki a été très patient pour nous permettre d’en voir (la pluie le matin n’étant pas très propice). Comme dit par d’autres, les bungalows sont confortables, et propres. Il y a une “vraie” douche. On a très bien mangé (copieux). Deki est timide mais se débrouille en anglais. Il ne faut pas hésiter à le solliciter ! Nous n’avons pas eu le temps de faire du snorkeling. Il nous a ramené sur Wasai pour un prix très correct. Bref on recommande !
We spent 4 days at Mandum in July.
The homestay is located in a beautiful small bay, and the reef is also nice and accessible directly from the homestays.
The facilities were the best we had in homestays in Raja (shower, toilets, wood infrastructure…) and the beds were good. Deki is a great craftsman and it shows in a lot of little détails around the structure.
The food was in the standards at Raja, but we had some fresh fruits.
Deki is an excellent guide and this is probably one of the best place to see the birds of paradise, as he built a bird hide with a precise view on them. After 1h, they appeared exactly were Deki told us.
The sunset view is beautiful.
We just struggled a bit to organize the trips and communicate, as Deki was a bit busy during our stay.
Our stay here really was great
We spent 4 days at Mandum in July.
The homestay is located in a beautiful small bay, and the reef is also nice and accessible directly from the homestays.
The facilities were the best we had in homestays in Raja (shower, toilets, wood infrastructure…) and the beds were good. Deki is a great craftsman and it shows in a lot of little détails around the structure.
The food was in the standards at Raja, but we had some fresh fruits.
Deki is an excellent guide and this is probably one of the best place to see the birds of paradise, as he built a bird hide with a precise view on them. After 1h, they appeared exactly were Deki told us.
The sunset view is beautiful.
We just struggled a bit to organize the trips and communicate, as Deki was a bit busy during our stay.
Our stay here really was great
We chose to stay here because we wanted to see Wilson’s Bird of Paradise, and we wanted somewhere a bit more remote away from the other homestays that plan trips to see this bird around Sapokreng. Out of 5 homestays we visited, this was the simplest and I guess most ‘authentic’ as a ‘homestay’ – you are just a guest of Deki the owner and his family, who kept to themselves during our 2 night stay in early June (and speak limited English – speaking a bit of Indonesian was definitely useful). Although we were there Saturday and Sunday mornings, Deki agreed to take us birding both mornings (he charged 300K each person) – we left around 5 am for just over an hour’s walk to the Wilson BoP lek site. It’s a rather continuous but not extremely steep climb, a nice dry trail entirely through forest, where we saw a green boa at the start and several bird and butterfly species on the descent. The lek site has a hide on a steep slope about 10m above the display area. A male Wilson’s turned up around 6.45 am, hopped around briefly, tossed a leaf off it’s display area, and disappeared. Views were fleeting but good. Evidently the males stay around longer when the forest is dry, after 3 days or so of dry weather, but it had rained heavily the previous few days – luckily the morning we went out it didn’t rain. Two of the three bungalows are rather small, at least the interiors, rather run-down, little space to put anything, a few holes in the roof, and with gecko droppings on the floor. The furthest bungalow from the land is new and in good condition. ‘Double’ beds in each room are quite narrow. Lots of outside covered space around the rooms. The bungalows/walkways are high off the ground/water, it’s possible to jump into the sea at high tide but not at low given the corals, there was a tidal range of about 1.5m, and the nearest ladder back up to the boardwalk was a bit skewed. Bathroom on land was OK, food was OK, bit monotonous. Highlights of this homestay are the peace and remoteness (nobody but Deki and his family anywhere nearby), gorgeous views of sunset across Kabui Bay, small scenic bay and beautiful forest right outside the back of the homestay, Wilson’s BoP obviously (we didn’t try to see Red BoP but evidently it is a short distance down a final fork in the trail from Wilson’s lek site), and the shallow reef heading north of the bungalows had some of the most pristine hard corals of anywhere we visited in Raja Ampat (including Pef, Mansuar, Kri and Gam). Deki organized a boat to take the five of us to our next homestay on Gam, about 1 hr, for 800K INR, very reasonable.
We chose to stay here because we wanted to see Wilson’s Bird of Paradise, and we wanted somewhere a bit more remote away from the other homestays that plan trips to see this bird around Sapokreng. Out of 5 homestays we visited, this was the simplest and I guess most ‘authentic’ as a ‘homestay’ – you are just a guest of Deki the owner and his family, who kept to themselves during our 2 night stay in early June (and speak limited English – speaking a bit of Indonesian was definitely useful). Although we were there Saturday and Sunday mornings, Deki agreed to take us birding both mornings (he charged 300K each person) – we left around 5 am for just over an hour’s walk to the Wilson BoP lek site. It’s a rather continuous but not extremely steep climb, a nice dry trail entirely through forest, where we saw a green boa at the start and several bird and butterfly species on the descent. The lek site has a hide on a steep slope about 10m above the display area. A male Wilson’s turned up around 6.45 am, hopped around briefly, tossed a leaf off it’s display area, and disappeared. Views were fleeting but good. Evidently the males stay around longer when the forest is dry, after 3 days or so of dry weather, but it had rained heavily the previous few days – luckily the morning we went out it didn’t rain. Two of the three bungalows are rather small, at least the interiors, rather run-down, little space to put anything, a few holes in the roof, and with gecko droppings on the floor. The furthest bungalow from the land is new and in good condition. ‘Double’ beds in each room are quite narrow. Lots of outside covered space around the rooms. The bungalows/walkways are high off the ground/water, it’s possible to jump into the sea at high tide but not at low given the corals, there was a tidal range of about 1.5m, and the nearest ladder back up to the boardwalk was a bit skewed. Bathroom on land was OK, food was OK, bit monotonous. Highlights of this homestay are the peace and remoteness (nobody but Deki and his family anywhere nearby), gorgeous views of sunset across Kabui Bay, small scenic bay and beautiful forest right outside the back of the homestay, Wilson’s BoP obviously (we didn’t try to see Red BoP but evidently it is a short distance down a final fork in the trail from Wilson’s lek site), and the shallow reef heading north of the bungalows had some of the most pristine hard corals of anywhere we visited in Raja Ampat (including Pef, Mansuar, Kri and Gam). Deki organized a boat to take the five of us to our next homestay on Gam, about 1 hr, for 800K INR, very reasonable.
We just stayed 8 nights end of April and we liked it. Mattress was ok and food was not “horrid” as written previously but good and plentiful. Jungle walks were nice but we missed the famous bird.
If we speak about fishes and reef, it was not fabulous as it was in other islands.
Last point, the proximity of Waisai (we came by Gojek) means electricity and good internet connection contrary to other islands.
Nice homestay in a wunderful setting. Food was great and the people were nice. All facilitys were simple but functional and so this homestay feels like a part of paradise. Normally we were there to meet the red bird of paradise but I had problems with my knee because of too much snorkeling before, walkinmg was immpossible ;-). As the result we just did snorkel arround the bay which was nice but not breathtaking. So we asked for a snorkeltrip to Batu Lima and Friwen which could not be arranged. And a little bit more communication would be great.
Nice homestay in a wunderful setting. Food was great and the people were nice. All facilitys were simple but functional and so this homestay feels like a part of paradise. Normally we were there to meet the red bird of paradise but I had problems with my knee because of too much snorkeling before, walkinmg was immpossible ;-). As the result we just did snorkel arround the bay which was nice but not breathtaking. So we asked for a snorkeltrip to Batu Lima and Friwen which could not be arranged. And a little bit more communication would be great.
We stayed 6 nights at Myosmkum homestay. The bungalow was very tiny. The very thin mattress on the floor is very uncomfortable, we had no fan either although we asked for. The food was just horrid and tasteless. Typical meal would be boiled sardines type fish, rice, local vegetables and bananas.
When it rained, the roof would leak on the bed. Rats come and visit you at night.
Locals hunt for the cuscus, an endangered species.
Definitely not recommended
Deki is a good host, he doesn’t communicate other than what’s necessary but is friendly, considerate and do his best to accommodate. He is punctual one Wilson bird trip and departing day to catch Sorong ferry. He has the best Wilson bird spot he built up with special arrangement for the best chance of seeing bird, I had been to other bird watching trips, saw none, once I been on his, I knew why. His wife is a very good cook, and his brother is the best fisherman, I had fresh delicious fish every day, at least for dinner. His homestay is situated in a beautiful cove, corals are not breaching, like other shallow reefs and there is no garbage flow in and out with daily tide like some other homestay. Deki is a great carpenter, he built a solid long deck leading to the bungalows. You can also walk out from his beach, there are tens of thousands of small fish under the bungalows, baby sharks, other beautiful fish and corals you have to see for yourself. I would have given 5 stars if I got the private bungalow I reserved, instead I was given one of the two room in a large bungalow, the private bungalow (mine) was given to a couple, because I am solo, while the bungalow is for two persons. Small glitch, I still would highly recommend this homestay.
Deki is a good host, he doesn’t communicate other than what’s necessary but is friendly, considerate and do his best to accommodate. He is punctual one Wilson bird trip and departing day to catch Sorong ferry. He has the best Wilson bird spot he built up with special arrangement for the best chance of seeing bird, I had been to other bird watching trips, saw none, once I been on his, I knew why. His wife is a very good cook, and his brother is the best fisherman, I had fresh delicious fish every day, at least for dinner. His homestay is situated in a beautiful cove, corals are not breaching, like other shallow reefs and there is no garbage flow in and out with daily tide like some other homestay. Deki is a great carpenter, he built a solid long deck leading to the bungalows. You can also walk out from his beach, there are tens of thousands of small fish under the bungalows, baby sharks, other beautiful fish and corals you have to see for yourself. I would have given 5 stars if I got the private bungalow I reserved, instead I was given one of the two room in a large bungalow, the private bungalow (mine) was given to a couple, because I am solo, while the bungalow is for two persons. Small glitch, I still would highly recommend this homestay.
My stay there was perfect.
Deky and his family are very sweet and welcoming, giving good service.
The bungalow is confortable and beautiful over the water. It’s just frustrating not to have a fan in the room.
Food is good, even if it’s often thé same thing.
And the environnement is very beautiful, between the jungle and the ocean.
My stay there was perfect.
Deky and his family are very sweet and welcoming, giving good service.
The bungalow is confortable and beautiful over the water. It’s just frustrating not to have a fan in the room.
Food is good, even if it’s often thé same thing.
And the environnement is very beautiful, between the jungle and the ocean.
I stayed at this homestay for two nights. The bungalow was good, but the single mattress was too thin and uncomfortable, as was the pillow. What surprised me the most was that there were no hammocks. They could easily put one in each bungalow. One morning it rained, and I had to sit in the chair the whole time. No one in the family speaks English, which makes it really hard to communicate with them. On the last morning, I tried to explain with Google Translate that I was taking the boat to the ferry at 12:30, so lunch needed to be ready by 12. But she was still cooking at 12:20, so I had to leave without having lunch. Not very friendly with guests.
As everyone else has mentioned, Deki’s homestay provides everything it promises – a wonderful trail through the forest, a gorgeous coral garden, the friendly and gracious family, and a scenic, remote setting.
My only suggestion for improvement would be to have something more comfortable for sitting – either hammocks or plastic chairs. The wooden stumps are hard on the butt! Also, as has been mentioned, the mattresses are quite thin. I slept OK, but not everyone does.
I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in Raja Ampat nature…it felt much wilder than other homestays.
As everyone else has mentioned, Deki’s homestay provides everything it promises – a wonderful trail through the forest, a gorgeous coral garden, the friendly and gracious family, and a scenic, remote setting.
My only suggestion for improvement would be to have something more comfortable for sitting – either hammocks or plastic chairs. The wooden stumps are hard on the butt! Also, as has been mentioned, the mattresses are quite thin. I slept OK, but not everyone does.
I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in Raja Ampat nature…it felt much wilder than other homestays.
We had a super lovely time here, and stayed for 3 days. We loved the home reef and Deki took us to see the Wilsons bird of paradise, and what a treat it was to see him cleaning his dancing stage up. The hike is not too bad but strenuous enough and needs a torch in the early morning darkness. You reach a well made hide and the stage is just on the other side. The hike is beautiful in itself.
The food was lovely and the rooms are comfortable with raised bases however the mattress was quite thin, but we managed with it all the same. If you’re used to a thicker mattress I’d suggest to bring an ultra thin blow up to use too. There did not seem to be any mosquitoes while we were there (January).
We had a super lovely time here, and stayed for 3 days. We loved the home reef and Deki took us to see the Wilsons bird of paradise, and what a treat it was to see him cleaning his dancing stage up. The hike is not too bad but strenuous enough and needs a torch in the early morning darkness. You reach a well made hide and the stage is just on the other side. The hike is beautiful in itself.
The food was lovely and the rooms are comfortable with raised bases however the mattress was quite thin, but we managed with it all the same. If you’re used to a thicker mattress I’d suggest to bring an ultra thin blow up to use too. There did not seem to be any mosquitoes while we were there (January).
Very friendly people, the pickup from Waisai with Deki was effortless and he knows so much about the animals around his homestay! The birds of paradise trek is a hilly hike but absolutely worth it. Most beautiful place we have been to in Raja Ampat, amazing corals right in front of your terrace. You feel welcome and it’s super peaceful. The food was simple but delicious – best fish we had so far in Indonesia! Thank you so much for the warm hospitality!
Very friendly people, the pickup from Waisai with Deki was effortless and he knows so much about the animals around his homestay! The birds of paradise trek is a hilly hike but absolutely worth it. Most beautiful place we have been to in Raja Ampat, amazing corals right in front of your terrace. You feel welcome and it’s super peaceful. The food was simple but delicious – best fish we had so far in Indonesia! Thank you so much for the warm hospitality!
We stayed here in december 2024 and liked it a lot. The whole family is very nice although nobody can speak english. the hut and bathroom are simple but totally enough and clean. we liked the food and there are small surprises every now and then. there was always hot and cold drinking water. we were taken on a tour through the jungle, snorkeling to a very nice reef and on a river with mangroves for reasonable prices. the house reef is just awesome: there were even reef-sharks (nothing to be afraid of) close to the reefs edge. the village is nice to dive into the local culture and say hi to all the kids that are happy to meet you.
all in all it was a very good place for us to arrive in raja ampat and relax. the snorkeling and friendly family we liked the most.
note: there was no mobile connection with our european and e-sim during our stay. a physical indonesian sim card should work though. make sure to have your translator-app available offline.
We stayed in three different places on our recent trip and each had their special points. Mandum was our favourite ‘complete getaway’ place that gave us the space to clear our minds and refresh physically. It’s very quiet and secluded in a small bay that is not connected to a village or other guesthouses. We felt very comfortable there immediately and enjoyed lazy hours on a large jetty/deck at the front of our hut which is set away from the kitchen and owner’s house.
Deki was a great guide and his 5am birdwatching tour where I saw both the Red and Wilson’s Bird of Paradise as well as large green python was a highlight. Together with his partner they are caring and conscientious hosts who keep very clean huts, kitchen and bathroom, and serve delicious meals. (Also no rats spotted and the breezes seemed to keep mosquitos away).
We thoroughly recommend Mandum if you are looking for serenity and a chance to disconnect.
We stayed in three different places on our recent trip and each had their special points. Mandum was our favourite ‘complete getaway’ place that gave us the space to clear our minds and refresh physically. It’s very quiet and secluded in a small bay that is not connected to a village or other guesthouses. We felt very comfortable there immediately and enjoyed lazy hours on a large jetty/deck at the front of our hut which is set away from the kitchen and owner’s house.
Deki was a great guide and his 5am birdwatching tour where I saw both the Red and Wilson’s Bird of Paradise as well as large green python was a highlight. Together with his partner they are caring and conscientious hosts who keep very clean huts, kitchen and bathroom, and serve delicious meals. (Also no rats spotted and the breezes seemed to keep mosquitos away).
We thoroughly recommend Mandum if you are looking for serenity and a chance to disconnect.
We stayed for 2 nights. The location is very nice, the huts simple, but clean with very comfortable beds. The food was simple, but good. We loved the pretty village and the locals and it was nice to see a bit more than just huts and beautiful ocean.
A suggestion to improve for the hosts: there was almost no communication and we think that the family is very new to this kimd of business. But with a translator communication is always possible and it would be nice to get basic information about when food will be served and also tipps for viewpoints, snorcellung and nearby bays and walks.
We lived the authentic village experience and found it clean and colorful.
For 2 nights the right place close to Waisai.
P.S. they wanted to charge 500.000 for the boat transfer, when we mentioned, that on stayrajaampat.com the price is 400.000, it was ok also.
I stayed at the same time as Jen and Mike and agree totally with their review, I was charged 700,000 for the transfer. I agree too about the rubbish in the sea and the beach. It should be kept pristeen and plastic free. I collected as much as I could. The host and people in the village were all lovely, especially the kids. I loved playing in the water with them. The food was good, I am vegan and they made delicous meals for me. Plus they kindly lent me a charger. The sunsets and snorkelling in the next bay were lovely. If you dive, do a muck dive just a bit further out. I did one there as part of a liveaboad and it was stunning for baby critters, flamboyent cuttlefish, baby Scorpian Fish, baby octopus and a couple of big sea horses. I think a manual in a few languages would help in all homestays, telling us useful info such as meal times, trips available etc. I used Google translate, which helped a lot.
5 Stars…I was in another lovely homestay nearby and wanted to try somewhere else that was also beautiful and peaceful. A couple I met recommeded Mandum. It was exactly as the other reviews described, ideal for chilling out. I love snorkelling and birdlife and both were fantasic. Not many mozzies either in the room. I am vegan and the family prepared lovely tasty food. Great homestay, thank you.
5 Stars…I was in another lovely homestay nearby and wanted to try somewhere else that was also beautiful and peaceful. A couple I met recommeded Mandum. It was exactly as the other reviews described, ideal for chilling out. I love snorkelling and birdlife and both were fantasic. Not many mozzies either in the room. I am vegan and the family prepared lovely tasty food. Great homestay, thank you.
We stayed for here for only 2 nights and looking back this was our favourite place to stay. It’s very secluded, and we saw lots of birds from our hut (hornbill, cuckatoo, kingfishers, and couple of cheeky mocking birds, parrots, and some jungle crows)
Deki is very friendly and took us on a walk in the jungle twice to see the reptiles (python, monitors, big geckos) and some very nice birds as well. We saw the Wilson’s and the red birds of paradise in the morning. It’s a bit of a climb, but very manageable. Takes about an hour, but you have to leave at 0500 in the morning when it’s still dark.
We highly recommend Mandum stay if you value very nice jungle trekking, bird and reptile life, and just chilling on a very relaxed and (what feels like) remote place.
We stayed for here for only 2 nights and looking back this was our favourite place to stay. It’s very secluded, and we saw lots of birds from our hut (hornbill, cuckatoo, kingfishers, and couple of cheeky mocking birds, parrots, and some jungle crows)
Deki is very friendly and took us on a walk in the jungle twice to see the reptiles (python, monitors, big geckos) and some very nice birds as well. We saw the Wilson’s and the red birds of paradise in the morning. It’s a bit of a climb, but very manageable. Takes about an hour, but you have to leave at 0500 in the morning when it’s still dark.
We highly recommend Mandum stay if you value very nice jungle trekking, bird and reptile life, and just chilling on a very relaxed and (what feels like) remote place.
I love the natural huts.. the place is nice..the beach nice.. just clean around a bit the garbage..plastic everywhere.
The owner is kind but bring with you a translator..noone speaks there english.
Now you have also a secret place close to the proprety with a beautiful view and to enjoy sunsets.
The food is good and i had also a lobster..what a surprise!
I loved the kids from the village!
If you’re looking for an authentic village life experience, Myosmkun is a great choice. Saporkren is nice little kampung with friendly locals and lots of happy, curious kids to interact with. Some practical advantages of staying in this pleasant homestay include: relatively quick transfer to Waisai, 24 hour electricity, plenty of freshwater on tap (although conserving water is always necessary), a few kiosks for cold drinks/snacks (not sure about beer) and excellent mobile signal. As with anywhere near a village, there’s smoke in the evenings, dogs and mosquitoes. Didn’t see any rats. The bungalows are basic but comfortable with nice sea view porches and sheltered clothes drying racks which was a nice touch. The rumah makan is over the beach and the water dispenser produces hot and chilled water which was appreciated. Food was very good and there was also daily snacks and fresh fruit available. The best part of our stay at Myosmkun was playing with the kids in the water. There’s a group of happy little kids playing nearby and they are fun to interact with. The snorkeling was ok out front but nothing spectacular. Small section of healthy soft corals but not many fish. Dolphins can be spotted from the nearby peninsula platforms where you can watch the sunset over the mouth of Kabui Bay.
Unfortunately, there were some inconsistencies regarding boat prices. They list 400,000 for Waisai transfer (which is fair) but they charged 500,000. They charged another guest 700,000! They wanted 800,000 to snorkel at Mioskon which is only 6km from the homestay. If they want to have positive reviews and generate more business, I suggest they have fair and consistent boat prices.
We’ve visited nearly every island in R4 and stayed in many homestays over the years but always overlooked Waigeo. We decided to give Mandum a try even though there were no reviews. Wonderful place! We stayed in the separate overwater bungalow (another one is being built). Huge private veranda with lots of space to hang clothes, snorkel gear, etc. Very peaceful and quiet location in a hidden little cove. There’re cliffs on either side of the approximately 50 meter wide bay. Another 40 meters down the boardwalk is the rumah makan built over the beach and behind that, a tidy, nicely built toilet/mandy- one squat, one western- with cement floors. There’s a lovely well maintained trail for the bird watchers. I walked about 3km up the trail and looks like it goes farther but not sure how far. Great exercise anyway! The snorkeling is excellent especially just north of the homestay. Healthy soft and hard corals with all the usual inhabitants. Spotted several stingrays, small blacktips and a few sea kraits. Dolphins swim by too! Little if any current observed at all tides. There’s no drop off, just a fairly large, shallow coral garden for leisurely snorkeling. Deki and his family are lovely. A bit shy and not much English but very kind and helpful. Food was very good. No rats seen and surprisingly no mosquitoes. Evenings are pleasant for sleeping as a cool breeze descends down to the cove from the forest. This is a place we’ll definitely return and can highly recommend!
We’ve visited nearly every island in R4 and stayed in many homestays over the years but always overlooked Waigeo. We decided to give Mandum a try even though there were no reviews. Wonderful place! We stayed in the separate overwater bungalow (another one is being built). Huge private veranda with lots of space to hang clothes, snorkel gear, etc. Very peaceful and quiet location in a hidden little cove. There’re cliffs on either side of the approximately 50 meter wide bay. Another 40 meters down the boardwalk is the rumah makan built over the beach and behind that, a tidy, nicely built toilet/mandy- one squat, one western- with cement floors. There’s a lovely well maintained trail for the bird watchers. I walked about 3km up the trail and looks like it goes farther but not sure how far. Great exercise anyway! The snorkeling is excellent especially just north of the homestay. Healthy soft and hard corals with all the usual inhabitants. Spotted several stingrays, small blacktips and a few sea kraits. Dolphins swim by too! Little if any current observed at all tides. There’s no drop off, just a fairly large, shallow coral garden for leisurely snorkeling. Deki and his family are lovely. A bit shy and not much English but very kind and helpful. Food was very good. No rats seen and surprisingly no mosquitoes. Evenings are pleasant for sleeping as a cool breeze descends down to the cove from the forest. This is a place we’ll definitely return and can highly recommend!
Woaw I loved my stay there !!!!
The family is nice friendly and discreet they were on time to pick me up at the harbour in Wasai 🙏🏽☺️ food was very good loved the sauce with the fish so fresh !!! Snorkeling was good the sound of the waves from the bed Woaw the water of the colour so nice I felt in a little heaven there and was hard to leave. Termikasi. They also came with me to the harbour on the way back helping with bags . 100% recommend this place
Woaw I loved my stay there !!!!
The family is nice friendly and discreet they were on time to pick me up at the harbour in Wasai 🙏🏽☺️ food was very good loved the sauce with the fish so fresh !!! Snorkeling was good the sound of the waves from the bed Woaw the water of the colour so nice I felt in a little heaven there and was hard to leave. Termikasi. They also came with me to the harbour on the way back helping with bags . 100% recommend this place
I loved this place as my first introduction to Raja Ampat! I chose to stay here the night of my arrival as I knew it was going to be a long haul to get there and I am glad I did. My hosts were so kind and friendly and prepared the most delicious food for me. The house reef was full of fish! Not the most colourful coral but so many different types and the water was beautiful to swim around in. The hut was so comfortable and it had a desk on the deck and plenty of places to hang wet clothes. The dining hut had wonderful views and the cute little decorations they put around were a thoughtful touch. I felt like I was on a deserted island and had the whole place to myself. The internet was perfect and there was electricity the entire time. I could have stayed one more night to explore the village and jungle surrounds – maybe next time!
Myosmkun only joined us recently, so there are no reviews yet.
Hopefully someone will book and leave one soon! 🙏😊
No reviews yet, because Mandum Stay has only just been listed on the website.
Hopefully a kind guest will fix this soon! 🙏😊
No reviews yet, because Mandum Stay has only just been listed on the website.
Hopefully a kind guest will fix this soon! 🙏😊