The Populist and So Beautiful Saleo Beach at the Edge of Eastern Indonesia. The evening sky was gloomy. The color of the sun that appears after the rain mixes with the twilight clouds that bring the sun to its bed. In the afternoon the air is getting cooler alternating with the beach wind blowing moderately. We were also driving to a beach which is said to be still very quiet and not widely known by tourists. The beach which can be reached in just 30 minutes from downtown Waisai is called Saleo Beach.
Saleo Beach is a beach located in a row of beaches on the east side of the city of Waisai. Unlike other beaches in Raja Ampat which have been commercialized and privately managed, Saleo Beach is a public beach managed by several local residents. To get to this beach alone, we have to enter a dirt road along 10 meters from the main asphalt road. According to residents, this beach is a favorite location for local people to travel. This is because to enter Saleo is free of charge, besides the price of food in this place is also still relatively cheap.
A stretch of white sand that extends beautifully greeted our arrival. The sky was clear again and at sunset it was possible for us to enjoy. The waves seemed to roll as if racing towards the sloping shoreline. We feel calm in this place, especially when we hear the waves and the melodious chirping of sea birds.
We also found that there are several inns managed by local residents. The price per night is not as expensive as the privately owned resorts that are widely spread in Raja Ampat. Lodging at Saleo Beach is only around IDR 250,000 [$17.24] a night, that includes 3 meals a day. In addition, various water sports facilities are also available in this place and all of them are managed by local residents, so the price is quite friendly for tourists with a limited budget.
For tourists who come to Saleo, the local community has provided several boats to travel around the waters of Raja Ampat. The price is quite affordable, but if you want cheaper, tourists are still possible to bargain. Small boats are also available for those who just want to circle around the beach, usually these boats are boats used by residents to fish. If you are interested in snorkeling or diving, tourists can also rent some equipment from the residents who provide it, the rental price is certainly below the price of other places outside Saleo.
Enjoying the underwater world of Saleo Beach will not disappoint. Various kinds of coral reefs and colorful small fish will be the main sights witnessed at the bottom of the coastal waters. This place is still beautiful and so well-maintained because the residents around the beach are very aware of the importance of respecting the environment.
This is Saleo Beach, a favorite public beach for the people of Raja Ampat. Various interesting activities can be done in this place, from snorkeling to relaxing in a seaside lodge. The beautifully maintained Saleo Beach is an important destination to visit when in Raja Ampat because apart from being cheap, this place is also very beautiful.