Located in the heart of Raja Ampat, Gam island is covered by limestone cliffs and emerald jungle. The reefs just offshore teem with life in colors you didn’t know existed. Gam is also the smaller sister of Waigeo. a narrow passage runs between the two islands, a popular dive spot  known as ‘the passage’. The island has a 125 kilomater long coastline, with only 5 villages and 26 homestays. I had a several reasons for wanting to stay on this rugged island, one was spotting the bird of paradise and the second was to snorkel above the colorful reefs.

There’s no phone signal, Wi-Fi is spotty, and electricity runs on a generator for just a few hours each day. But that’s exactly the point. Gam invites you to disconnect from the noise and tune into nature, island rhythms, and quiet moments.

Find my full itinerary for Raja Ampat here

Find the Red bird of paradise

One of Gam’s most unforgettable experiences happens before breakfast. I joined a local guide at 5:00 a.m. for a hike into the jungle, where we waited—quiet and still—for the red bird-of-paradise to appear.  The hike starts in  the village of Sawinggrai and it will take around 30 minutes to the favourite tree of the Red Bird of Paradise. With a bit of luck you will see the male doing his special dance for the female. He jumps up and down and waves his long feathers through the air while making a very characteristic sound. A great experience for the bird watchers among us!

Gam is one of the best places in Raja Ampat to see these rare birds in their natural habitat. Bring sturdy shoes, insect repellent, and a good zoom lens if you’re into photography.

What to do on Gam Island?

Diving and Snorkeling around Gam

The islands of Kri and Gam are both well known dive locations. If you’re staying on Gam and diving is a priority for you, stay near Tarzan Diving or at a resort that offers diving. There are a few home-stays that also offer diving, but I generally don’t find the gear to be as well taken care of. I already planned a lot of dives with Soul Divers on Kri, so I was more focussed on snorkeling while I was staying on Gam. Here are the most well known dive and snorkel spots near Gam Island

Manta point/Manta Sandy Arborek

A 15 to 20 minute boat ride away from Gam there is the island of Arborek, where you’ll find Manta Point. Between the months of October and April seeing Manta’s is almost a sure thing. These gentle giants often gather here to feed and visit cleaning stations, gliding effortlessly through the water just meters below you. If you’re snorkeling it’s a surreal experience to float above them in the current, watching their slow, majestic dance in the blue. Or even better watching them float by from the sandy bottom when you’re diving!

Citrus Reef:

Citrus Reef is a colorful explosion of soft and hard corals, located between Gam and the nearby islands. The name says it all—this site is bursting with vibrant, citrus-hued coral gardens that host clouds of anthias, schools of fusiliers, and curious clownfish darting among the anemones.

The Passage

The Passage is a narrow channel that cuts between Gam and Waigeo islands. One of the most popular and beautiful spots to snorkel or dive. In spots its only 5 meters deeps, so perfect for snorkelers and free divers. There are high chances of seeing sharks, nudibranch, turtles, mandarin fish and even dolphins.

Batu Lima

Right off the shores of Gam Island, Batu Lima (which means “Five Rocks”) is a spectacular snorkeling site known for its coral pinnacles and strong marine biodiversity. The reef here is shallow and lively, making it ideal for long, relaxed snorkel sessions. It’s an ideal spot for macro lovers.

Friwen Wall

Float along the colorful wall of corals and admire the fish and all the small stuff like Nudibranch. The wall is covered in sponges, soft corals, and sea fans, with reef fish darting in and out of crevices. It’s one of the most accessible and rewarding snorkel and dive spots in the area.

Gam Bay /Mandarin Fish

In the sheltered waters of Gam Bay, there’s a special treat for macro lovers—Mandarin fish. At sunset, you can spot these shy, neon-colored fish performing their mating dance among the coral rubble. I found this little fish extremely difficult to photograph as they kept hiding in the coral rubble and I didn’t have a flash with me.  The bay itself also offers calm conditions and beautiful mangrove-lined shallows to explore.