Piaynemo & the Fam Islands: Viewpoints and Coral gardens

The Fam Islands (pronounced Pam Islands) on Raja Ampat are a small group of islands in the southeast of Waigeo .The Fam Islands are usually divided into three parts (clusters), namely the Piaynemo islands, the Fam islands and their surroundings, and the Bambu islands. Around Fam you will find some of the most beautiful diving spots in Raja Ampat, including Melissa’s Garden. It is also the gateway to the well known Piaynemo Viewpoint. Piaynemo view point is so iconic, it can be found on Indonesia’s 100,000 rupiah banknote. In this travel guide everything you need to know about the Fam Islands and it’s most beautiful spots!

Find my full travel route for Raja Ampat here.

Places to visit in Piaynemo and the Fam Islands

Piaynemo viewpoint

No trip to Raja Ampat is complete without standing atop the iconic Piaynemo Viewpoint. After a short but sweaty hike up a wooden staircase, visitors are rewarded with a jaw-dropping vista of turquoise lagoons scattered with limestone islets like emeralds dropped into the sea. At the top you’ll have a panoramic view of the bay. It’s the perfect spot to really take in the surroundings and grab some incredible photos.

Melissa’s garden

Located just offshore from Piaynemo, Melissa’s Garden is often hailed as one of Raja Ampat’s most breathtaking dive sites—and with good reason. This shallow reef system is absolutely bursting with life, from delicate soft corals and hard coral gardens to clouds of anthias and schools of fusiliers weaving through the water. The corals reach as far as you can see. Diving or snorkeling here feels like stepping into a living kaleidoscope. The biodiversity is staggering, and the reef appears to be in pristine condition, making it a favorite among divers.

Fam Wall

Just around the corner from Melissa’s Garden lies the dramatic Fam Wall, a vertical drop-off that goes down deep into the blue. This site offers a completely different dive experience—hovering along a sheer underwater cliff that’s full of life. On the wall you can find sponges, sea fans, and corals, while reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, and the occasional turtle glide effortlessly in the currents.

Batu Rufas/Rufas island

Rufas island is the island famous for its enclosed lagoon inside. Batu Rufas is a lesser-known dive site that offers an incredible underwater experience. The dive site has an impressive swim through that opens into a sea-fan lined shallow fish bowl. The site is especially Beautiful on a sunny day. Once down on to the main wall of the dive site, it’s a fun challenge to find the different pigmy seahorses that are hidden in the corals at this dive site.

Visit by daytrip or stay on one of the islands?

If you’d like to stay in this area, you can you can stay on the Fam Islands, or Rufas Island. However, many travelers choose to visit these locations on a day trip from nearby islands such as Gam, Kri, or Mansuar. The boat ride typically takes around two to three hours one way, depending on weather conditions. The trip can be organized by your resort, homestay or dive center. Personally, I choose to take the trip with Soul Divers on Kri. This is also a great way to reduce costs, because the boat trips are usually quite pricey. By sharing with other travelers or joining an organized trip from a dive center you can save quite a bit of money.

The biggest advantage of staying on one of the islands is arriving at the sites before the crowds. If you have the time, this part of Raja Ampat is worth more of a stop than just a day trip.