Marwes Homestay, established in 2017 by the Herman Pariri family in Marandanweser Village, North Batanta District, Raja Ampat, offers accommodation and nature and marine tourism packages.
The homestay is built on karst with a local structure concept, offering beautiful sea views and white sand beach access. Managed by Herman Pariri with four employees (two longboat crew, one cook, one housekeeper), it caters to international tourists (including from Germany, France, America, Russia, India, China, Malaysia, and the Netherlands) and domestic visitors. Guests are categorized as Twin, Family, and Group, with ages ranging from 7 to under 65.
The homestay offers various day trip packages to sites like Pyainemo, Wayag, Kabui, Batanta Waterfall, Mansuar, Arborek, Yenbuba, Sawandarek, and Gam-Lagon.
Rooms
1 x On land – Private bungalow
A single room bungalow (no ensuite bathroom/toilet) Sleeps max. 3 persons / room.
2 x On beach – Private bungalow
A single room bungalow (no ensuite bathroom/toilet) Sleeps max. 3 persons / room.
1 x Over water – Private bungalow
A single room bungalow (no ensuite bathroom/toilet) Sleeps max. 3 persons / room.
Rates
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Twin share from IDR 647,059 per person / night including 3 meals daily
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Single occupancy from IDR 647,059 per person / night including 3 meals daily
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Discount for children under 12
Features
- Has email contact
- English speaking
- Mangroves
- Quiet hideaway
- Good phone signal
- Sandy Beach
- Western style toilet
- Near village
- Sorong transfers available
- Good house reef
- Child discount
- Coral
- Calm beach
- Has private bungalows
- IDR 600,000 to 700,000
Details
Marwes Homestay is located on its own small, private beach near the village of Marandan Weser. Marandan Weser is commonly called Yennyar, and it is one of the last villages in Raja Ampat in which all the homes are of traditional construction.
Marwes Homestay offers four bungalows.
There are two private bungalows on the beach and one which is over water at high tide. A fourth bungalow sits on a headland above the beach.
All bungalows sleep two on mattresses on the floor. Bedding for a third guest can be provided if needed. Bedding supplied includes includes sheets, pillows, bolsters and mosquito nets. All bungalows have covered verandahs with ocean views. Chairs and a small table are provided.
Meals are served on the bungalow verandahs, and free drinking water and tea and coffee making supplies are provided for guests.
Marwes guests share a two-room bathroom building.
Electricity at Marwes Homestay is supplied by a generator and is available from around sunset to midnight. A variable 4G signal is available.
English is spoken at Marwes Homestay.
Yennyar village is a ten minute walk away. You will need to come fully stocked with all the consumeables you consider essential, as only very basic supplies can be purchased in Yennyar’s small home kiosks.
As everywhere else in Raja Ampat, safe waste disposal and recycling is unavailable, so please take your inorganic trash away with you when you leave. Lack of effective waste disposal and recycling means that trash left in the islands will end up polluting paradise.
Coconut crabs: This protected species is unfortunately hunted and sold at some places in Raja Ampat. Please don’t buy any. Marwes Homestay will refuse to cook them for you and will insist you release them instead.
Activities
You probably won’t find another village like Yennyar anywhere in Raja Ampat. All of the village houses are traditionally constructed from local timber and natural materials. There are no phone or internet services and the pace of life is one which is fast disappearing from the world.
The village was founded by members of the Seventh Day Adventist faith, so their day of rest is Saturday, not Sunday as elsewhere in the islands. Note that (excepting Waisai transfers) boat trips and other activities dependent on your hosts may not be available on Saturdays. There’s plenty to do though: Long walks along a fine sandy beach, birdwatching, jungle etrekking or simply relaxing in the shade and enjoying a quiet escape from online life.
Snorkelling
Be sure to bring snorkelling gear, as the reefs that extend out from Marwes Homestay are excellent. Marine life is vibrant and dolphins, mantas and dugongs can all be seen if you are lucky. Marwes Homestay can organise any snorkelling or sightseeing trip that you’d like to do.
Waterfall visits and jungle trekking
Batanta’s central highlands create a lot of rain, hence the island’s lush rainforest and many waterfalls. The dense forests behind Yennyar are home to huge numbers of birds, including Wilson’s Bird of Paradise and Cassowaries. Marwes Homestay is a great base if you are a birder, and/or want to do some serious tropical forest trekking. Just tell your hosts your interests, or show them a picture of any particular species you’d like to see. Always go with a guide, and be sure to wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and to carry plenty of drinking water – it truly is a jungle out there!