| PULAU MANSUAR | VITAL STATISTICS |
|---|---|
Attractions
| |
| Size | 14 square kilometres |
| Coastline length | ~28 kilometres |
| Number of villages | 4 |
| Number of Homestay Association homestays | 8 |
| Average cost of 1 way transfer from Waisai to Mansuar homestays IDR [USD] | 1,000,000 [$67.00] |
| Average one way travel time | ~1.25 hours |
| Other nearby islands with homestays | Kri, Gam, Arborek |
Mansuar location map
Quick links
Waisai Homestay Information Center
Mansuar homestays
High resolution Raja Ampat map (PDF 3.59MB)
Step by step trip planning guide
Pulau Mansuar is a long, high ridge of jungled limestone, fringed with the same rich coral reefs that divers and snorkellers enthuse about at Kri. Which is no surprise, because Kri’s real name is Pulau Mansuar Kecil (Little Mansuar) and that island is really just an extension of Mansuar, and remains joined to it by sandbanks you can easily walk across at low tide.
Mansuar has reserves of fresh water that Kri lacks, though, and so has settlements that are unable to be supported on Kri. Three of Mansuar’s villages are strung along its northern coastline and a fourth sits midway along the island’s southern shores. Basic provisions can be bought in village shops, but don’t expect to find any supplies that aren’t in demand in local communities.
Just like at Kri, the main attractions at Mansuar are its rich reefs. Long hikes are also possible, and Mansuar’s jungles are home to a rich array of birds and other wildlife.
A fairly good phone signal that usually supports a data connection is available at most places on Mansuar’s north shore. The signal is particularly strong (4G/3G capable) around the tower near Yenbuba village on Mansuar’s eastern end.
Snorkelling and diving
None of the homestays on Mansuar have onsite dive centers, but diving can be easily arranged at the nearby dive centers on Kri.
Excellent snorkelling is available at all Mansuar homestays. If not right at the door, then a short walk away. The marine life below Yenbuba jetty is remarkable, and the reef between the jetty and the island’s southeastern tip is usually swarming with fish.
If you’re a competent swimmer, you can easily cross the channel between Yenbuba and Ransiwor, the rocky islet that lies between Mansuar and Kri. The reefs around Ransiwor are fabulous, and from there you can cross again to Kri if you want.
Beware of tidal currents though. As elsewhere in Raja Ampat, they can be extremely strong when the tide is in full flow, especially when confined in narrow channels like that between Mansuar and Kri.
Sauwandarek village on the island’s south coast also has great snorkelling beneath and around its jetty.
Hiking
There’s a well defined path that runs between Yenbuba and the village of Yenbekwan on Mansuar’s north coast. It’s about 3km from Yenbuba to Yenbekwan, and from there you can push on another 4km westward to a jungle lake. (We recommend going with a guide when attempting that for the first time.) From the lake, it’s less than a kilometre across the island to the south coast village of Sauwandarek, where there is more good snorkelling available.
If you just want to visit the lake, it can be more easily done by walking from Sauwandarek, or by getting a boat from your homestay to the northern shore nearest it.
At low tide, you can easily cross the extensive sandbanks that join Mansuar to Kri, then continue down that island’s north coast, or climb to the panoramic lookout above Kri’s western end.
How to choose accommodation at Pulau Mansuar
Individual homestay pages provide photos and more detail about the specific attractions and tours, services and facilities available at each place.
Note that all homestays can organise almost any trip you want to do: With the exception of Wayag visits, if the trip you want isn’t mentioned on the homestay’s page, it may well still be available. Especially if it’s to a location not too distant from the homestay.
Use the accommodation page search filters to quickly find all homestays offering the features and facilities that are important to you.
Here is how to book. Please note that booking in advance is recommended at popular homestays, especially during peak season (October to March). Popular homestays include any with an on-site dive center, and can easily be identified by the number of reviews they have received.
How to get to Mansuar
All Mansuar homestays can provide pickups from Waisai and transfers to/from anywhere else. Average cost and travel time from Waisai is shown in the table above. Individual homestay transport prices are provided on their pages.
If you’re staying somewhere else first, it’s usually quicker to have your current host transfer you to your next place, rather than to ask your next host to come and pick you up. See this page for more information about the high cost of boat travel in Raja Ampat.
Mansuar phone signal & internet access
Phone reception and data connections at the homestays near Yenbuba are excellent, receiving a strong 3G/4G signal. The signal is weaker at homestays further to the west. Refer to individual homestay pages for location specific reception information.
Note that free WiFi connections are extremely rare in Raja Ampat. You will need a local SIM for your phone. See this page for details.