Um Island : Gateway to Raja Ampat

**Traveller** · 24-04-2012, 11:05

Um Island sits right across the Malaumkarta village in Makbon, a short distance away from Sorong in West Papua. Makbon is an inland lagoon, located north of the Bird Head Peninsula. Um Island is known as the habitat for bats and seagulls. Bats on this island look for food during daylight, while seagulls fly out at night. Quite the opposite of what we are familiar with.

Um Island is a unique getaway if you are staying for a couple of days in Sorong, gateway to Raja Ampat. The town of Sorong was once a bustling town for oil companies, but most have left since oil supply here has depleted. Therefore, the town is more cosmopolitan compared to other towns in Papua.

To be on Um Island is most relaxing if you have the whole day to drift into an environment filled with living creatures, above and below the glittering sea. Within a couple of hours you will find new friends among the Moi tribe, find new sensations swimming close to a sea cow (or dugong), dive by an underwater World War II wreck, or be plain exhilarated to catch your own lobster.

Source: indonesia.travel

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