Friwen is a small island that you can hop to from Yenbeser village on Gam Island, a much-favored destination in Raja Ampat. A pristine Friwen island sits just one kilometer offshore from Gam. It is a perfect starting point for explorations of Kabui Bay, and nearby lagoons and mangroves of Gam filled with Red Birds of Paradise. The beaches on Friwen island’s northern shore are gorgeous, with beautiful trees overhanging crystal clear waters. Friwen island is a fantastic place from which to enjoy the sunsets. On Friwen’s southern coast, there is a narrow strait that separates Friwen island from a snorkeling and diving site that gave it much popularity – Friwen Wall (Friwenbonda).
Friwen Wall
Also known as Friwenbonda, Friwen Wall is a sublime spot for diving. Friwen Wall is a tower of limestone that is shaped like an arrowhead and rests 500 meters southeast of Friwen island in Raja Ampat. The northern cliffs of the Friwen Wall plunge into the channel that divides the wall from Friwen island, creating a spectacular underwater display, much like a walled garden of coral. The unusual coral infrastructure is a kaleidoscopic alien underworld. Featuring cosmic gorgonian fans in all imaginable shades of yellow, pink, and red, as well as black and purple pipe coral, and dancing soft corals, hosting millions of strange critters such as boxfish, pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs and crustaceans. Here you may not find as much macro variety, but you are sure to be astounded by the plethora of fish species.
It is, in fact, due to this spectacular diving site, that Friwen island is often referred to as Friwen Bonda island. Located relatively close to Waisai, Friwen island is a popular start of Raja Ampat exploration. Make sure to add it to your visit list!
