SalawatiSalawati at a Glance
About Salawati
Salawati is an island off the northwest coast of New Guinea in Indonesia’s Southwest Papua province. It forms part of the island groups adjacent to the Vogelkop and Raja Ampat maritime region.
The island is characterised by tropical coastal habitats and marine waters that support coral reefs and fisheries; marine activities such as diving and boat trips in nearby waters draw most visitors. Onshore infrastructure is limited and much of the island remains sparsely developed.
Salawati is administratively part of Southwest Papua and lies off the Bird’s Head (Vogelkop) peninsula of New Guinea, relatively close to the regional transport hub of Sorong. Boat connections are the common way to reach the island.
- Marine access: Marine and reef environments surrounding the island are part of a globally important coral and biodiversity region; access is typically by boat from Sorong or nearby islands.
Best Time to Visit Salawati
Visit during the dry season (May-October) for the most reliable diving conditions and calmer seas.
Weather & Climate near Salawati
Salawati's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 23°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (3014 mm/year), wettest in June.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 24° - 31° | 32° | 185 mm | overcast | 82% | 1.7 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.1h |
| February | Acceptable | 24° - 31° | 31° | 171 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.7 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.1h |
| March | Acceptable | 24° - 31° | 32° | 182 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.7 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Acceptable | 24° - 31° | 32° | 243 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.5 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.0h |
| May | Good | 24° - 31° | 31° | 352 mm | overcast | 82% | 1.6 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.9h |
| June | Good | 24° - 30° | 30° | 386 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.6 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| July | Good | 24° - 30° | 27° | 359 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.2 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.9h |
| August | Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 296 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.2 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.0h |
| September | Good | 24° - 30° | 30° | 257 mm | overcast | 83% | 1.7 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.0h |
| October | Good | 24° - 31° | 31° | 196 mm | overcast | 80% | 1.6 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.0h |
| November | Acceptable | 24° - 31° | 31° | 183 mm | overcast | 80% | 1.3 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.1h |
| December | Acceptable | 24° - 31° | 32° | 204 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.6 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.1h |
How to Get to Salawati
The nearest major gateway to Salawati Island is Sorong (Domine Eduard Osok Airport, SOQ) in West Papua. From Sorong’s harbour take a public ferry or speedboat to Salawati (boat schedules and travel times vary by vessel); arrange transfers in Sorong before departure, and expect to travel on local roads or on foot once on the island.
Tips for Visiting Salawati
- Access to Salawati is normally via Sorong-arrange transport on a liveaboard or local boat and pay the Raja Ampat entry/conservation fees and registration in Sorong before departure.
- Plan trips in the dry season (roughly October-April) for calmer seas and better visibility for diving and snorkeling; liveaboards are the easiest way to reach remote Salawati sites with fewer day-boat crowds.
- Include visits to coastal villages on Salawati to see traditional Papuan culture and shore-based biodiversity-many visitors focus only on dive sites and miss these community experiences.