Sauwandarek Guest House

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Eren's guesthouse located right in front of the beach in Sauwandarek village, offering breathtaking views of the sea and the jetty. The room and the common areas were very clean and tidy and the bed was comfortable. There is a nice toilet inside the room. The food was the best we had in Raja Ampat by far and quantities were always more than enough to satisfy our hungry stomachs after snorkeling.What made our stay truly special was the fact that my father and I were the only tourists in the entire village during our stay (the bliss of low season) giving us a unique and authentic experience. However, the highlight of our stay was undoubtedly the manager, Defi. She was incredibly attentive, always going above and beyond to ensure that we had everything we needed. She is very sweet and her English is perfect.We highly recommend this hidden gem to anyone looking for a peaceful retreat by the sea near a great snorkeling / diving spot.

The room in from of the seashore, with with sand and seashore view and sometimes we can watch little sharks swim in front of the terrace

Erens still served delicious food on my first day when I was the only guest. Gio the owner is friendly and very helpful. There are two spacious, relatively new, spotlessly clean bungalows with a table suitable for computer use, shelving for your belongings and a nice private bathdoom. I stayed in one of those but otber bungalows are available and more under construction. The beach in front was almost private with only one non guest sighted in two days. I just loved sitting on the veranda looking out at the ocean and the lush tree clad hills. Snorkeling from jetty can be amazing at times. Set a record for me, of the most fish in close proximity. There sre always lots of fish up to about 5 kg in size. There are also some turtles and sharks. Why take a boat for a day trip when you can stay at one of the best snorkeling spots in Raja Ampat? You can also observe village life in Sauwandarek. The people are really laid back. To me it seemed like a big village resort for the locals. They have quite a variety of structures to sit on by the beach and by the jetty. The children have all sorts of simple amusements in and out of the water and are entertaining to watch. Every one is polite and respectful of tourists and each other. The whole setup made me think of it as a tropical paradise.

I had the pleasure of staying at this amazing guesthouse and it truly exceeded my expectations. Firstly, the location is unbeatable - right on the beach with crystal clear water and an abundance of fish for snorkeling and diving. The town is also perfect for a quiet getaway with friendly locals that made me feel right at home.The best part of my stay, however, was the exceptional service provided by the owner (Gio) and the staff. They went above and beyond to ensure that I had everything I needed. They truly made me feel like family, and I'm already looking forward to my return.Overall, if you're looking for a peaceful and relaxing beach getaway with excellent service and friendly staff, then I highly recommend this guesthouse.