A hidden lagoon shaped like a five-point star, seen from a short, sharp rock scramble.
Telaga Bintang, the star lagoon, is a small enclosed pool of still green water ringed by karst rock in the Fam islands, close to Piaynemo. Seen from above, the lagoon and its inlets form the rough shape of a five-pointed star, which is the whole reason people climb up.
The viewpoint is reached by a brief but steep scramble up a sharp limestone outcrop, using rock edges and tree roots for grip. It is only a few minutes, but the rock is jagged and there are no proper steps, so footing and hands both matter.
Most people combine it with Piaynemo in the same boat outing, climbing one then the other while the boat waits in the channel below.
Getting there
Reach Raja Ampat by flying to Sorong, then ferrying to Waisai on Waigeo. Telaga Bintang sits in the Fam group near Piaynemo and is reached by speedboat day trip, typically as a paired stop with Piaynemo, a couple of hours from the Waisai area. The marine-park entry tags apply.
Best time
The calmer months of roughly October to April smooth the boat ride and brighten the lagoon's color. Midday sun overhead makes the star shape and the green water show best from the top.
Good to know
Wear shoes with grip and use the rock and roots carefully, because the short climb is steep and the limestone is sharp with no railings. Pair it with Piaynemo to make the boat trip worthwhile, and carry water for the heat.
Viewed from the rocky outcrop above, the enclosed lagoon and its arms form the rough outline of a five-pointed star. That shape, set in green water, is the reason for the short climb.
Short but steep and sharp. It is only a few minutes up jagged limestone using rocks and roots for grip, with no railings, so grippy shoes and careful footing are important.
Yes, and most people do. The two sit close together in the Fam islands and are usually visited on the same boat outing, climbing one then the other.
Add it to a route across Indonesia and we will work out the travel time and cost between every stop.
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