Features
- English speaking
- Seagrass
- Good phone signal
- Coral
- Calm beach
- Sandy Beach
- Western style toilet
- IDR 500,000 to 600,000
- Has ensuite bathroom/toilet
- Diving available
Details
Yendebabo Homestay offers four VIP bungalows on the beach.
All bungalow bedrooms are equipped with mattresses with covers, pillows and mosquito nets. Bungalow verandahs have panoramic ocean views. Seating and a small table are provided.
Meals are served for all guests at Yendebabo’s beachside dining shelter. Drinking water, tea and coffee are always available there.
In addition to the dining shelter and bungalow verandahs, Yendebabo has shady beachside seating and a hammock for relaxation.
Yendebabo has good cell phone reception and lighting and electricity is supplied at night by a generator.
Basic supplies are available at Friwen village, which is about ten minutes away by boat.
English is spoken at Yendebabo and the owners live on site.
Transport / Getting there
Waisai - Yendebabo transfers cost IDR 700,000 each way. The transfer price is shared by passengers. The boat used can carry up to 6 people.
Read more about Raja Ampat boat transport prices here.
Activities
Yendebabo occupies a marvellous stretch of sandy beach which is sheltered and perfect for children. The sand gives way to seagrass and then to reef as you move away from the shore and there’s a wide variety of marine life to be observed.
Yendebabo can organise snorkelling and sightseeing tours to anywhere you want to go. (See the pricelist linked below for boat prices for visits to some popular destinations.)
Diving at Yendebabo Homestay (Bring everything except tanks.)
Yendebabo is not a fully equipped dive center.
But if you have all your own gear, and are looking for somewhere you can rent filled tanks and a boat and guide, then Yendebabo is the place for you.
Alternatively, Tarzan Diving is neaby and can be reached on foot from Yendababo.
See this January 2025 price list (PDF 45KB) for prices.
Pulau Gam
See our Gam Island page for an overview of Gam and its attractions.
Yendebabo Homestay Location Map
Yendebabo Homestay Reviews
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54 Reviews
It was an amazing time here. Mathias and his family were so nice. The Bungalow was clean, no rats here.
The food was always very delicious.
Mathis did a boatride with me to the mangroves and he has a great eye for birds.
Every day I saw many cockatoos and parrots around and many other birds. There is also a short trail to a viewpoint.m
I really recommend staying here.
Clean homestay, own toilette, no rats (like in other homestays on the island), lovely dogs, food with a view! Matias and his family were really kind. We felt really welcomed and enjoyed our two weeks! Thank you again 🙂
Wir waren 4 Tage im Yendebabo. Matias und sein Schwiegersohn Roy waren sehr hilfsbereit. Da wir anschliessend wegen eines Fotos für die Visaverlängerung zurück nach Sorong mussten, konnten wir unser grosses Gepäck bei Roy zwischenlagern. Danke nochmals dafür!
Wir waren 4 Tage im Yendebabo. Matias und sein Schwiegersohn Roy waren sehr hilfsbereit. Da wir anschliessend wegen eines Fotos für die Visaverlängerung zurück nach Sorong mussten, konnten wir unser grosses Gepäck bei Roy zwischenlagern. Danke nochmals dafür!
I’d like to share my experience so that anyone considering staying here knows what they’re getting into.
First of all, it’s important to clarify that there’s no difference between an on-beach/on-land VIP bungalow or a private bungalow, as mentioned above! There are currently five bungalows available, and they’re all identical, right on the beach. In my specific case, despite having booked an on-beach VIP bungalow well in advance, I found myself in a room on a stilt house that was very different from the bungalow I’d booked and paid dearly for. The manager apologized, saying that since I was alone, they couldn’t give me a bungalow on the beach, and they were all already booked. I could have left if I wanted, and they’d refund me.
And like me, during my stay, other guests also found themselves without a bungalow or faced similar organizational issues.
They promised to take me to visit villages and other islands, but when it was time to leave, they were always busy. They said they’d cook papeda, and I don’t even know what it tastes like. In short, they’re truly unreliable and poorly organized. The food is also quite monotonous.
In my opinion, there are far better places.
Do your research carefully before booking.
I’d like to share my experience so that anyone considering staying here knows what they’re getting into.
First of all, it’s important to clarify that there’s no difference between an on-beach/on-land VIP bungalow or a private bungalow, as mentioned above! There are currently five bungalows available, and they’re all identical, right on the beach. In my specific case, despite having booked an on-beach VIP bungalow well in advance, I found myself in a room on a stilt house that was very different from the bungalow I’d booked and paid dearly for. The manager apologized, saying that since I was alone, they couldn’t give me a bungalow on the beach, and they were all already booked. I could have left if I wanted, and they’d refund me.
And like me, during my stay, other guests also found themselves without a bungalow or faced similar organizational issues.
They promised to take me to visit villages and other islands, but when it was time to leave, they were always busy. They said they’d cook papeda, and I don’t even know what it tastes like. In short, they’re truly unreliable and poorly organized. The food is also quite monotonous.
In my opinion, there are far better places.
Do your research carefully before booking.
Reservamos 3 cabañas y al llegar nos pusieron sólo 2 y una habitación antigua y llena de humedad, sin ducha y luz pocas horas. No era lo que habíamos contratado.
El restaurante hermoso sobre el agua. La comida pese a la sencillez y poca cantidad, era buena.
Contratamos con el chico un trip pero a las 12h la barca aún no había aparecido… y perdimos todo el día. Menos mal que cerca está Tarzán dive Center y pudimos ir con ellos.
Cuidado porque hay ratas por la noche, debeis tapar la comida con una caja o ponerla atada con un hilo.
Sorry to only just be hearing of this Eva.
If you had contacted us about this at the time, as requested in your booking confirmation email, then we could have refunded you for every night you did not have the rooms that you paid for.
Reservamos 3 cabañas y al llegar nos pusieron sólo 2 y una habitación antigua y llena de humedad, sin ducha y luz pocas horas. No era lo que habíamos contratado.
El restaurante hermoso sobre el agua. La comida pese a la sencillez y poca cantidad, era buena.
Contratamos con el chico un trip pero a las 12h la barca aún no había aparecido… y perdimos todo el día. Menos mal que cerca está Tarzán dive Center y pudimos ir con ellos.
Cuidado porque hay ratas por la noche, debeis tapar la comida con una caja o ponerla atada con un hilo.
Sorry to only just be hearing of this Eva.
If you had contacted us about this at the time, as requested in your booking confirmation email, then we could have refunded you for every night you did not have the rooms that you paid for.
I had a wonderful stay at Matias’ homestay. The view is absolutely stunning and the snorkeling right in front of the place is amazing. Matias is always smiling, helpful, and really went out of his way to make me feel comfortable — even preparing a room for me when the homestay was already full.
The food could be a little more varied, but everything was good and generous. I also had the chance to see birds of paradise for 150k, which was an unforgettable experience.
Overall, I really recommend Matias’ place for anyone looking for a beautiful and authentic stay in Raja Ampat.
I had a wonderful stay at Matias’ homestay. The view is absolutely stunning and the snorkeling right in front of the place is amazing. Matias is always smiling, helpful, and really went out of his way to make me feel comfortable — even preparing a room for me when the homestay was already full.
The food could be a little more varied, but everything was good and generous. I also had the chance to see birds of paradise for 150k, which was an unforgettable experience.
Overall, I really recommend Matias’ place for anyone looking for a beautiful and authentic stay in Raja Ampat.
We stayed with Matias for a week. He was very nice, his wife cooked tasty meals and was friendly. She even brought fresh fruits to the room almost every day!
The room was clean and had its own bathroom, 10/10. Also by far the cleanest and nicest part of the beach in the bay! While other guests on the island hat rat problems yendebabo seems to be not affected and far enough away – 10 week, no rat nothing! If you go to this bay stay with Matias!
We stayed with Matias for a week. He was very nice, his wife cooked tasty meals and was friendly. She even brought fresh fruits to the room almost every day!
The room was clean and had its own bathroom, 10/10. Also by far the cleanest and nicest part of the beach in the bay! While other guests on the island hat rat problems yendebabo seems to be not affected and far enough away – 10 week, no rat nothing! If you go to this bay stay with Matias!
The owner picked me up and was already available for keeping in touch, because of my one day delay.
The food was the best. As a vegan she wife of him cooked delicious dishes made out of rice, vegetable (eggplant, spinach, carrot, baked banana etc.) and tempeh.
They also offer egg, fish and chicken. There is always water for free and tea and hot water for coffee.
The bungalow by itself is big enough and got a bed, hangmat, towel and mosquiito net. It is kept simple with a toilet which you flush by hand and bucket.
Unfortunately when there is heavy rain it drops on the bed.
And there is a rat problem on the Island (but in every homstay!) – so I was able to put my own food like nuts in a box from the owner.
You just should be aware, that you are far away from civilisation and this wonderful paradies got two sides of the medal.
Nevertheless I enjoyed my stay very much and appreciate this beautiful place on earth, because the view, the nature, the sound and the experience invaluanble!
I would definitely come again!
The owner picked me up and was already available for keeping in touch, because of my one day delay.
The food was the best. As a vegan she wife of him cooked delicious dishes made out of rice, vegetable (eggplant, spinach, carrot, baked banana etc.) and tempeh.
They also offer egg, fish and chicken. There is always water for free and tea and hot water for coffee.
The bungalow by itself is big enough and got a bed, hangmat, towel and mosquiito net. It is kept simple with a toilet which you flush by hand and bucket.
Unfortunately when there is heavy rain it drops on the bed.
And there is a rat problem on the Island (but in every homstay!) – so I was able to put my own food like nuts in a box from the owner.
You just should be aware, that you are far away from civilisation and this wonderful paradies got two sides of the medal.
Nevertheless I enjoyed my stay very much and appreciate this beautiful place on earth, because the view, the nature, the sound and the experience invaluanble!
I would definitely come again!
Wer an diesen wunderschönen Ort fährt, darf keinen Luxus erwarten. In den Hütten gibt es keine Schränke. Manche Hütten haben zumindest einen Tisch. Ein Bett gibt es nicht. Man schläft auf der Matratze, die auf dem Boden liegt.
Die kompletten Hütten sind aus Brettern zusammengezimmert, d.h. nicht dicht, auch nicht für Insekten.
Daher hängt über der Matratze ein Insektengitter. Von unten wird mit einer Strohmatte verhindert, daß diese ins Bett krabbeln. Viele Mücken gab es zu unserer Zeit nicht, jedoch jede Menge Ameisen, Käfer und auch Kakerlaken.
Wasser und Strom ist nur sporadisch da. Wenn Wasser da ist, ist der Wasserdruck sehr gering, so daß von einer ordentlichen Dusche nicht gesprochen werden kann. Da empfiehlt sich eher eine Dusche an die Tauchbasis zu nehmen.
Eine Wasserspülung gibt es nicht. Dafür steht ein Faß mit Wasser bereit. Dieses muß man regelmäßig füllen, wenn Wasser da ist.
Strom wird durch einen Generator erzeugt und ist daher zumeist nur Abends verfügbar, wenn es dunkel wird, um die kleine Lampe in der Hütte zu speisen.
Reis muß man mögen um hier zu verweilen, denn es gibt zu jeder Mahlzeit und jeden Tag Reis, Ei, Gemüse (meist Bohnen) und manchmal auch Fisch oder ein Stück Fleisch.
Wasser, schwarzer Tee und türkischer Kaffee steht zu jeder Zeit bereit. Bier kann man sich von Mathias besorgen lassen, ist aber recht teuer.
Die Hütten liegen direkt am Sandstrand und bei Flut kommt das Wasser schon fast bis an die Hütte ran. Ansonsten sehr flaches Wasser, bevor es tief wird.
Wer an diesen wunderschönen Ort fährt, darf keinen Luxus erwarten. In den Hütten gibt es keine Schränke. Manche Hütten haben zumindest einen Tisch. Ein Bett gibt es nicht. Man schläft auf der Matratze, die auf dem Boden liegt.
Die kompletten Hütten sind aus Brettern zusammengezimmert, d.h. nicht dicht, auch nicht für Insekten.
Daher hängt über der Matratze ein Insektengitter. Von unten wird mit einer Strohmatte verhindert, daß diese ins Bett krabbeln. Viele Mücken gab es zu unserer Zeit nicht, jedoch jede Menge Ameisen, Käfer und auch Kakerlaken.
Wasser und Strom ist nur sporadisch da. Wenn Wasser da ist, ist der Wasserdruck sehr gering, so daß von einer ordentlichen Dusche nicht gesprochen werden kann. Da empfiehlt sich eher eine Dusche an die Tauchbasis zu nehmen.
Eine Wasserspülung gibt es nicht. Dafür steht ein Faß mit Wasser bereit. Dieses muß man regelmäßig füllen, wenn Wasser da ist.
Strom wird durch einen Generator erzeugt und ist daher zumeist nur Abends verfügbar, wenn es dunkel wird, um die kleine Lampe in der Hütte zu speisen.
Reis muß man mögen um hier zu verweilen, denn es gibt zu jeder Mahlzeit und jeden Tag Reis, Ei, Gemüse (meist Bohnen) und manchmal auch Fisch oder ein Stück Fleisch.
Wasser, schwarzer Tee und türkischer Kaffee steht zu jeder Zeit bereit. Bier kann man sich von Mathias besorgen lassen, ist aber recht teuer.
Die Hütten liegen direkt am Sandstrand und bei Flut kommt das Wasser schon fast bis an die Hütte ran. Ansonsten sehr flaches Wasser, bevor es tief wird.
Very good stay in this homestay. The meals are plentiful and varied (rice, omelette, chicken, fish, soup…) The host family is very friendly and was able to respond to our requests. We recommend
Very good stay in this homestay. The meals are plentiful and varied (rice, omelette, chicken, fish, soup…) The host family is very friendly and was able to respond to our requests. We recommend
Unfortunately our feeling is that Matias doesn’t have much enthusiasm for his homestay. In what could be a lovely location, you get the feeling it’s uncared for and that he doesn’t spend much time there. He didn’t offer snorkel equipment or any advice on things to see. Unfortunately the bay is very shallow for swimming.
There are small sharks around the jetty and plenty of bird life in the trees behind.
The food provided was very much the same the three days we stayed, eggs, spinach and rice every time.
Whilst Matias and his family are pleasant they don’t really offer value for money at their homestay.
Unfortunately our feeling is that Matias doesn’t have much enthusiasm for his homestay. In what could be a lovely location, you get the feeling it’s uncared for and that he doesn’t spend much time there. He didn’t offer snorkel equipment or any advice on things to see. Unfortunately the bay is very shallow for swimming.
There are small sharks around the jetty and plenty of bird life in the trees behind.
The food provided was very much the same the three days we stayed, eggs, spinach and rice every time.
Whilst Matias and his family are pleasant they don’t really offer value for money at their homestay.
I stayed in the VIP bungalow for 5 nights and went diving with the next door Corepen homestay. Yendebabo itself has no dive shop (anymore).
The bungalows are pretty run down now and only some have mosquito nets. I had the impression that the owner doesn‘t put much effort anymore into the place. Food was quite basic in comparison with other homestays (note: I don‘t eat seafood).
Hammocks and a small table would be nice. No rats were seen.
I asked the owner for some trips or program but unfortunately he didn‘t have anything to offer.
Snorkeling in the bay is really good, so is the beach. (Baby) sharks show up near the jetty at dusk. Matias also showed me a Cuscus in a tree behind the homestay.
August 2019 update:
Yendebabo advise that the dive and tour problems Ben reported were due to their boat being unserviceable.
Yendebabo’s dive center is still operating and the issues with their boat have been resolved.
I stayed in the VIP bungalow for 5 nights and went diving with the next door Corepen homestay. Yendebabo itself has no dive shop (anymore).
The bungalows are pretty run down now and only some have mosquito nets. I had the impression that the owner doesn‘t put much effort anymore into the place. Food was quite basic in comparison with other homestays (note: I don‘t eat seafood).
Hammocks and a small table would be nice. No rats were seen.
I asked the owner for some trips or program but unfortunately he didn‘t have anything to offer.
Snorkeling in the bay is really good, so is the beach. (Baby) sharks show up near the jetty at dusk. Matias also showed me a Cuscus in a tree behind the homestay.
August 2019 update:
Yendebabo advise that the dive and tour problems Ben reported were due to their boat being unserviceable.
Yendebabo’s dive center is still operating and the issues with their boat have been resolved.
diving preps and brief limited feel cautiosly unsafe. I had plan to do 10 dives but decide three dives enough. Food is okay, very little not very good at least its properly cooked. Bathroom are dirty. Its a shame. They clearly invested a lot of money to built but no skills to run this place.
diving preps and brief limited feel cautiosly unsafe. I had plan to do 10 dives but decide three dives enough. Food is okay, very little not very good at least its properly cooked. Bathroom are dirty. Its a shame. They clearly invested a lot of money to built but no skills to run this place.
Stayed there for twelve nights in December 2015. Good bungalows, good hammocks too. I liked the place, especially the jungle setting with the sounds of birds after dawn and in the late afternoons, of insects at night. I liked Mathias, the owner, with whom I went out snorkelling several times. (boat charter) House reef, nice at places close to the drop off. Big advantage, a sandy lagoon near by, from which you can enter the water even at low tide. (A problem at quite a few places without a jetty.) Food got decent after a poor start. A quiet place, what I liked: Incoming guests mostly kajakers staying for one or max. two nights. The Mandi/kamar kecil could be a little bit cleaner. Pollution of the beaches by garbage coming in with high tides was a general problem in the whole area at the time. Poor visibility due to plancton blossoming/jellyfish plaque another. Apart from that, Raja Ampat according to my opinion the true underwater capital of the world at this time.
Stayed there for twelve nights in December 2015. Good bungalows, good hammocks too. I liked the place, especially the jungle setting with the sounds of birds after dawn and in the late afternoons, of insects at night. I liked Mathias, the owner, with whom I went out snorkelling several times. (boat charter) House reef, nice at places close to the drop off. Big advantage, a sandy lagoon near by, from which you can enter the water even at low tide. (A problem at quite a few places without a jetty.) Food got decent after a poor start. A quiet place, what I liked: Incoming guests mostly kajakers staying for one or max. two nights. The Mandi/kamar kecil could be a little bit cleaner. Pollution of the beaches by garbage coming in with high tides was a general problem in the whole area at the time. Poor visibility due to plancton blossoming/jellyfish plaque another. Apart from that, Raja Ampat according to my opinion the true underwater capital of the world at this time.
Nice place. Stayed in the VIP bungalow, which are really new and maybe the best “homestay” accomodation you can get in Raja Ampat. Also not too hot at night as one might think. Their blue roof is quite an eyesore though.
Out of the 11 rooms, only 2-3 were taken beginning of Dec 2015, so it was very quiet. Nice beach and decent snorkelling from the shore though not special by Raja Ampat standard. Do a trip to Misokon / Cape Kri / Yenbuba jetty for that. You can ask Mathias, the owner, to take you up the hill for a great sunset view overlooking a lagoon (20 minute walking uphill). He wants to build a bungalow there, I think would be quite special for a secluded spot.
Internet via mobile connection works well. Food was decent. If beer is important to you, at low tide you can walk to Kordiris homestay (on flipflops because of rocks) and buy it there.
Nice place. Stayed in the VIP bungalow, which are really new and maybe the best “homestay” accomodation you can get in Raja Ampat. Also not too hot at night as one might think. Their blue roof is quite an eyesore though.
Out of the 11 rooms, only 2-3 were taken beginning of Dec 2015, so it was very quiet. Nice beach and decent snorkelling from the shore though not special by Raja Ampat standard. Do a trip to Misokon / Cape Kri / Yenbuba jetty for that. You can ask Mathias, the owner, to take you up the hill for a great sunset view overlooking a lagoon (20 minute walking uphill). He wants to build a bungalow there, I think would be quite special for a secluded spot.
Internet via mobile connection works well. Food was decent. If beer is important to you, at low tide you can walk to Kordiris homestay (on flipflops because of rocks) and buy it there.
Was here in November 2015 for 3 nights (after 5 nights on Kri Island). Was a nice stay with very friendly people. I stayed in the simple bungalows, basically huts on stilts with a mattress and mosquito net. But it’s right on the beach and the view is just amazing! Waking up every day with jungle bird noises and the swell of the ocean is the best alarm clock ever. Food is simple but nice and sufficient. The diving equipment is brand new and good, also the dive instructor is great although he doesn’t speak really any English. Mr Mathias himself speaks a bit of English, but shouldn’t be a problem. Red birds of paradise on the backyard too. Overall a lovely stay 🙂
Was here in November 2015 for 3 nights (after 5 nights on Kri Island). Was a nice stay with very friendly people. I stayed in the simple bungalows, basically huts on stilts with a mattress and mosquito net. But it’s right on the beach and the view is just amazing! Waking up every day with jungle bird noises and the swell of the ocean is the best alarm clock ever. Food is simple but nice and sufficient. The diving equipment is brand new and good, also the dive instructor is great although he doesn’t speak really any English. Mr Mathias himself speaks a bit of English, but shouldn’t be a problem. Red birds of paradise on the backyard too. Overall a lovely stay 🙂
The owner, Mr Mathias and his family was soooooo awesome!!! They are friendly, helping, and most importantly great cooks!! The place was comfortable. I chose to stay at the modern room with the bathroom inside of my room, so I didn’t have to use the shared bathrooms. The beauty of Raja Ampat underwater was just a swim away in front of my room. It was a nice warm up before the actual diving. I stayed for 3 nights there and apparently it wasn’t enough. Well no one will ever get enough of Raja Ampat!
The owner, Mr Mathias and his family was soooooo awesome!!! They are friendly, helping, and most importantly great cooks!! The place was comfortable. I chose to stay at the modern room with the bathroom inside of my room, so I didn’t have to use the shared bathrooms. The beauty of Raja Ampat underwater was just a swim away in front of my room. It was a nice warm up before the actual diving. I stayed for 3 nights there and apparently it wasn’t enough. Well no one will ever get enough of Raja Ampat!
The beautiful film “Journey to the South Pacific” was the inspiration for our visit to Raja. At first we had planned to stay in a resort, but after discovering this amazing website, we decided to try the homestays, and we’re thrilled we did. This site did a really good job of presenting a realistic picture of what to expect from the homestay experience. We were in Raja for 9 days and we stayed at three homestays. They were very different and equally wonderful in their own way. At all three homestays, we were the only guests.
Here is our review/comparison:
KORYAU KAYEM/Mansuar
Freddy, the owner was waiting for us as we disembarked from the Sorong Ferry and whisked us right to Mansuar. This homestay is in a great location because it is so central, yet feels remote.
Pros- the homestay bungalow was huge, with a wonderful terrace from which to view the sunrise peeking over nearby Kri. Bathroom (separate toilet and shower!) was in a lovely grove of coconut palms and was very clean, and private. Over water location kept us relatively cool. Freddy runs the generator well past midnight, so charging your devices is not an issue. Meals were served on our own terrace, and the food, while very basic, was varied enough and there was plenty. Reef, reef, reef- snorkeling was excellent right off the homestay. It’s just a short, beautiful walk to nearby Yenbuba village where snorkeling was also amazing off the pier. Freddy was very social.
Cons- Freddy could use a touch of maintenance on his place. We found some torn roofing so if it rained, you might get some wet belongings. Also three of the four chairs were broken, so we used the broken chairs as side tables for our electronics and toiletries (there was a large dining table on the verandah, however).
YENDABABO/Southern Gam (Kordiris)
Yendababo Homestay is on one end of a breathtaking sweep of beach. Mathias, the owner lives on site with his family. When we approached the Homestay by boat, we were a bit nonplussed to see four large modern bungalows with bright blue plastic roofs next to several traditional Papuan style huts. We were offered a choice to stay in the newer bungalows (private ensuite baths in each) but opted for the traditional hut. Mathias lives onsite with his family.
Pros- the beach location with soft, white sand, palm trees, and emerald water is unsurpassed. The house reef had the most amazing variety of coral we saw anywhere. It was spectacular and we snorkeled several times a day during out stay. Our bungalow was not huge, but it was very well maintained, comfy mattress, and just steps away from the water. There was a very large table on our covered verandah for storing toiletries, electronics and whatnot. Mathias and family were ultra-accommodating…when he saw the one plug was not quite enough for our rechargeable camera batteries and phone, he instantly installed a power strip. Meals, served in the dining pavilion, were fantastic- wonderful fish, fried rice and eggs for breakfast, fresh vegetables, and plenty to eat. Excursion to Kubui Bay and The Passage would have been wonderful on its own, but Mathias also took us to Hidden Bay, a jaw-dropping inlet with turquoise and emerald green water, dotted with small islands. He also took us to several special snorkeling spots away from the homestay.
Cons – although the bath hut contained a western-style toilet and western-style hand shower, both were in the same room- would’ve preferred separate spaces.
Mathias is in the process of modernizing his homestay into a dive-oriented enterprise which he hopes to debut this summer. Although we realized the dive business is more lucrative, we fear the traditional spirit of Yendababo may be lost.
WARIMPUREM/Waisai (Waigeo)
This homestay felt very different from the others in that it is on the main island, and not so remote. Yet, Warimpurem was full of wonderful surprises that made it very special. The owner (did not remember his name) and his wife, the legendary Mama Engge, live on site with various relatives.
Pros-the family at Warimpurem was probably the most friendly and inviting of all we came in contact with. And Mama Engge’s reputation as a fantastic cook is not overstated. The food we had here was incredible. One of our favorite memories, was daily tea around 430/5p when we were served fried plantains, which were the best we had ever tasted. The homestay property features a wonderful natural spring, which is exposed at low tide. The water is refreshing, and it is lovely to sit in it and watch the kids at play. We even joined some local women and did a bit of laundry there. There is something called the Firefly Tree, and it is magical. At night, thousands of fireflies light up a tree by the entrance to the homestay, and flash their lights on and off as if on the same circuit. It was breathtaking. Also, this homestay is close to more birdlife than most others, including the famed Bird of Paradise, although when we saw him, he did not display .
Cons- Snorkeling was just ok here. Because our bungalow was away from the beach, and a bit more in the jungle, this was the only place where we experienced some mosquitoes, but there weren’t very many. The squat toilet (which actually wasn’t so bad) and the dip shower were in the same space when a separation would have been better. However, we spotted three nearly completed brand new buildings with western-style toilet and separate showers nearby so this won’t be an issue moving forward.
The beautiful film “Journey to the South Pacific” was the inspiration for our visit to Raja. At first we had planned to stay in a resort, but after discovering this amazing website, we decided to try the homestays, and we’re thrilled we did. This site did a really good job of presenting a realistic picture of what to expect from the homestay experience. We were in Raja for 9 days and we stayed at three homestays. They were very different and equally wonderful in their own way. At all three homestays, we were the only guests.
Here is our review/comparison:
KORYAU KAYEM/Mansuar
Freddy, the owner was waiting for us as we disembarked from the Sorong Ferry and whisked us right to Mansuar. This homestay is in a great location because it is so central, yet feels remote.
Pros- the homestay bungalow was huge, with a wonderful terrace from which to view the sunrise peeking over nearby Kri. Bathroom (separate toilet and shower!) was in a lovely grove of coconut palms and was very clean, and private. Over water location kept us relatively cool. Freddy runs the generator well past midnight, so charging your devices is not an issue. Meals were served on our own terrace, and the food, while very basic, was varied enough and there was plenty. Reef, reef, reef- snorkeling was excellent right off the homestay. It’s just a short, beautiful walk to nearby Yenbuba village where snorkeling was also amazing off the pier. Freddy was very social.
Cons- Freddy could use a touch of maintenance on his place. We found some torn roofing so if it rained, you might get some wet belongings. Also three of the four chairs were broken, so we used the broken chairs as side tables for our electronics and toiletries (there was a large dining table on the verandah, however).
YENDABABO/Southern Gam (Kordiris)
Yendababo Homestay is on one end of a breathtaking sweep of beach. Mathias, the owner lives on site with his family. When we approached the Homestay by boat, we were a bit nonplussed to see four large modern bungalows with bright blue plastic roofs next to several traditional Papuan style huts. We were offered a choice to stay in the newer bungalows (private ensuite baths in each) but opted for the traditional hut. Mathias lives onsite with his family.
Pros- the beach location with soft, white sand, palm trees, and emerald water is unsurpassed. The house reef had the most amazing variety of coral we saw anywhere. It was spectacular and we snorkeled several times a day during out stay. Our bungalow was not huge, but it was very well maintained, comfy mattress, and just steps away from the water. There was a very large table on our covered verandah for storing toiletries, electronics and whatnot. Mathias and family were ultra-accommodating…when he saw the one plug was not quite enough for our rechargeable camera batteries and phone, he instantly installed a power strip. Meals, served in the dining pavilion, were fantastic- wonderful fish, fried rice and eggs for breakfast, fresh vegetables, and plenty to eat. Excursion to Kubui Bay and The Passage would have been wonderful on its own, but Mathias also took us to Hidden Bay, a jaw-dropping inlet with turquoise and emerald green water, dotted with small islands. He also took us to several special snorkeling spots away from the homestay.
Cons – although the bath hut contained a western-style toilet and western-style hand shower, both were in the same room- would’ve preferred separate spaces.
Mathias is in the process of modernizing his homestay into a dive-oriented enterprise which he hopes to debut this summer. Although we realized the dive business is more lucrative, we fear the traditional spirit of Yendababo may be lost.
WARIMPUREM/Waisai (Waigeo)
This homestay felt very different from the others in that it is on the main island, and not so remote. Yet, Warimpurem was full of wonderful surprises that made it very special. The owner (did not remember his name) and his wife, the legendary Mama Engge, live on site with various relatives.
Pros-the family at Warimpurem was probably the most friendly and inviting of all we came in contact with. And Mama Engge’s reputation as a fantastic cook is not overstated. The food we had here was incredible. One of our favorite memories, was daily tea around 430/5p when we were served fried plantains, which were the best we had ever tasted. The homestay property features a wonderful natural spring, which is exposed at low tide. The water is refreshing, and it is lovely to sit in it and watch the kids at play. We even joined some local women and did a bit of laundry there. There is something called the Firefly Tree, and it is magical. At night, thousands of fireflies light up a tree by the entrance to the homestay, and flash their lights on and off as if on the same circuit. It was breathtaking. Also, this homestay is close to more birdlife than most others, including the famed Bird of Paradise, although when we saw him, he did not display .
Cons- Snorkeling was just ok here. Because our bungalow was away from the beach, and a bit more in the jungle, this was the only place where we experienced some mosquitoes, but there weren’t very many. The squat toilet (which actually wasn’t so bad) and the dip shower were in the same space when a separation would have been better. However, we spotted three nearly completed brand new buildings with western-style toilet and separate showers nearby so this won’t be an issue moving forward.
Hello,
We stayed with Mathias and his family in July 2014 and had a wonderful time.
The bungalows are simple but comfortable, with clean mattresses and mosquito nets. We also had a lovely porch with a view on the ocean which was steps away. They have a western style toilet and water to shower with.
We had three delicious and large meals per day- rice, fish, veggies, eggs. Mathias’ wife always made sure everything was perfect and we never went hungry, especially after hours of snorkeling.
The location is very good and not too far from Waisai (around 45 minutes). There is beautiful reef right in front of the bungalowsn with abundant marine life. Not much else to do around other than snorkel and relax all day, which was exactly what we wanted.
We also booked a few excursions with Mathias and he took us to see Mantas and mangroves. He was always accommodating and showed us a few great snorkeling spots as well.
On our last day we were surprised by finding baby turtles beside our bungalow, already out of their shells and ready to start their journey. It was the perfect end to our unforgettable trip and I wouldn’t hesitate to return.
Hello,
We stayed with Mathias and his family in July 2014 and had a wonderful time.
The bungalows are simple but comfortable, with clean mattresses and mosquito nets. We also had a lovely porch with a view on the ocean which was steps away. They have a western style toilet and water to shower with.
We had three delicious and large meals per day- rice, fish, veggies, eggs. Mathias’ wife always made sure everything was perfect and we never went hungry, especially after hours of snorkeling.
The location is very good and not too far from Waisai (around 45 minutes). There is beautiful reef right in front of the bungalowsn with abundant marine life. Not much else to do around other than snorkel and relax all day, which was exactly what we wanted.
We also booked a few excursions with Mathias and he took us to see Mantas and mangroves. He was always accommodating and showed us a few great snorkeling spots as well.
On our last day we were surprised by finding baby turtles beside our bungalow, already out of their shells and ready to start their journey. It was the perfect end to our unforgettable trip and I wouldn’t hesitate to return.
We stayed in Yendebabo homestay during a week in beginning January 2014 year. It is a more beautiful and lovely place than you can imagine looking at the pictures. My first impression from this place – it is a quiet and beautiful place hidden in the bay round the rock. There you can find a fantastic beautiful beach with white sand and coconut tree. This beach looks like a picture from advertisement. Near the guest house you can find a really nice coral reef with rich underwater live. If you are looking for a privacy place – Yendebabo is a good variant. There you can fill yourself a really alone, far from civilization and other people. At this moment (January 2014 year) in Yendebabo has only two guests houses and only one of this inhabited (as a rule), and one house for local family. I hope, this family will keep this tradition and will not be like others homestays – big tourist village. Ask Matias to show the beautiful places in Raja Ampat. He was born there and knows all corners and was been a good guide for as! He has own big speedboat, so it easier to get to some interesting places. The food is very simple, but if you ask and pay extra you can get some fruits and more fresh fishes. We have a wonderful week in Yendebabo guest house. We want to say thanks Matias Mayor, his sister and Ina for the cooking, Max for night snorkeling, Lina is my good friend and all this family. Terima kasih, injonabo … Nadya and Max from Moscow (Russia)
We stayed in Yendebabo homestay during a week in beginning January 2014 year. It is a more beautiful and lovely place than you can imagine looking at the pictures. My first impression from this place – it is a quiet and beautiful place hidden in the bay round the rock. There you can find a fantastic beautiful beach with white sand and coconut tree. This beach looks like a picture from advertisement. Near the guest house you can find a really nice coral reef with rich underwater live. If you are looking for a privacy place – Yendebabo is a good variant. There you can fill yourself a really alone, far from civilization and other people. At this moment (January 2014 year) in Yendebabo has only two guests houses and only one of this inhabited (as a rule), and one house for local family. I hope, this family will keep this tradition and will not be like others homestays – big tourist village. Ask Matias to show the beautiful places in Raja Ampat. He was born there and knows all corners and was been a good guide for as! He has own big speedboat, so it easier to get to some interesting places. The food is very simple, but if you ask and pay extra you can get some fruits and more fresh fishes. We have a wonderful week in Yendebabo guest house. We want to say thanks Matias Mayor, his sister and Ina for the cooking, Max for night snorkeling, Lina is my good friend and all this family. Terima kasih, injonabo … Nadya and Max from Moscow (Russia)
We stayed in Yendebabo homestay during a week in beginning January 2014 year. It is a more beautiful and lovely place than you can imagine looking at the pictures. My first impression from this place – it is a quiet and beautiful place hidden in the bay round the rock. There you can find a fantastic beautiful beach with white sand and coconut tree. This beach looks like a picture from advertisement. Near the guest house you can find a really nice coral reef with rich underwater live. If you are looking for a privacy place – Yendebabo is a good variant. There you can fill yourself a really alone, far from civilization and other people. At this moment (January 2014 year) in Yendebabo has only two guests houses and only one of this inhabited (as a rule), and one house for local family. I hope, this family will keep this tradition and will not be like others homestays – big tourist village. Ask Matias to show the beautiful places in Raja Ampat. He was born there and knows all corners and was been a good guide for as! He has own big speedboat, so it easier to get to some interesting places. The food is very simple, but if you ask and pay extra you can get some fruits and more fresh fishes. We have a wonderful week in Yendebabo guest house. We want to say thanks Matias Mayor, his sister and Ina for the cooking, Max for night snorkeling, Lina is my good friend and all this family. Terima kasih, injonabo … Nadya and Max from Moscow (Russia)
We stayed in Yendebabo homestay during a week in beginning January 2014 year. It is a more beautiful and lovely place than you can imagine looking at the pictures. My first impression from this place – it is a quiet and beautiful place hidden in the bay round the rock. There you can find a fantastic beautiful beach with white sand and coconut tree. This beach looks like a picture from advertisement. Near the guest house you can find a really nice coral reef with rich underwater live. If you are looking for a privacy place – Yendebabo is a good variant. There you can fill yourself a really alone, far from civilization and other people. At this moment (January 2014 year) in Yendebabo has only two guests houses and only one of this inhabited (as a rule), and one house for local family. I hope, this family will keep this tradition and will not be like others homestays – big tourist village. Ask Matias to show the beautiful places in Raja Ampat. He was born there and knows all corners and was been a good guide for as! He has own big speedboat, so it easier to get to some interesting places. The food is very simple, but if you ask and pay extra you can get some fruits and more fresh fishes. We have a wonderful week in Yendebabo guest house. We want to say thanks Matias Mayor, his sister and Ina for the cooking, Max for night snorkeling, Lina is my good friend and all this family. Terima kasih, injonabo … Nadya and Max from Moscow (Russia)
any chance of getting in touch via email? i’m currently not able to make international calls!
Hi Laura – You can try booking at Yendebabo via Ranny. See her guide page. Prices for accommodation and transport should be the same as shown on this page.
any chance of getting in touch via email? i’m currently not able to make international calls!
Hi Laura – You can try booking at Yendebabo via Ranny. See her guide page. Prices for accommodation and transport should be the same as shown on this page.
Your custom Google Map is getting better and more useful all the time! Can you add roads or paths and village locations? That would help us understand how to get around as well as where to stay.
Hi Steve – happy to hear you’re finding the map useful – thanks! With the exception of the four kings themselves, there aren’t any roads (and precious few paths) out in the islands. We’re more than happy to take a GPS back to RA and map whatever anybody wants though, if you can organise some crowdsourced funds to cover the expenses! 😛
I’ll send you my .GPX files when I get back!
Your custom Google Map is getting better and more useful all the time! Can you add roads or paths and village locations? That would help us understand how to get around as well as where to stay.
Hi Steve – happy to hear you’re finding the map useful – thanks! With the exception of the four kings themselves, there aren’t any roads (and precious few paths) out in the islands. We’re more than happy to take a GPS back to RA and map whatever anybody wants though, if you can organise some crowdsourced funds to cover the expenses! 😛
I’ll send you my .GPX files when I get back!