Epic Raja Ampat part I: Misool Eco Resort Snorkel Adventure April 3-12, 2023

Misool Eco Resort (MER) is a fabulous, remote resort and conservation center located in southern Raja Ampat, Indonesia, surrounded by a1220 sq. km. marine reserve. This unique resort island is located in the epi-center of marine biodiversity with over 700 species of mollusks and 1,200 species of fish. The pristine ocean conditions surrounding the resort mean that the coral reef grows right up to the surface of the water, making the stunning house reef ideal for snorkeling.

Just on the house reef alone, schools of horse-eyed jacks, bumphead parrotfish, gentle green turtles and hunting octopus, are frequently seen. Bring an underwater flashlight and we’ll slip in the ocean just before sunset when we’ll have a good chance of seeing the stunning Mandarin Fish. If we are lucky we may be rewarded with a display of their wildly psychedelic courtship ritual. They are joined by the spectacular displays of several species of Flasher Wrasse. The ‘walking’ Epaulette Shark in also found in the shallows, scooting along with their pectoral fins and hunting for their next meal.

Besides the prolific house reef there are over 60 snorkel sites within a one-hour boat ride of the resort and over 25 world-class snorkel sites within a 15 minute ride from the resort. We’ll be sure to check out a number of the best sites for snorkeling during our stay.

Misool Eco Resort is a gorgeous resort and has sublime snorkeling at its’ doorstep.  But it’s much more than a pretty face in the line-up of eco-resorts. MER has been at the forefront in conservation efforts over the last 10 years. Thanks to their diligence and stewardship of Misool Foundation’s local Ranger Patrol, biomass has increased on the reefs by 250% over six years! MER is strongly committed to a policy of environmental responsibility. In 2005, the resort reached an agreement with the local village and secured the rights to 400+ sq km of sea surrounding the resort island. Inside this No-Take Zone, all fishing, cyanide fishing, bombing, shark finning, harvesting of turtle eggs and shellfish are prohibited. They have successfully worked with the government and local villages to teach that sustainable tourism and protecting the environment can provide a better life than logging, mining, or overfishing. Misool Eco Resort is dedicated to safeguarding the local community in which it operates. Their labor force is drawn largely from Yellu, the closest village. The resort is proud to offer them favorable working conditions, health benefits, job training, and English lessons. It’s awesome to enjoy ourselves in a resort environment that operates with so much heart and integrity!

ITINERARY:
April 3 Arrival in Sorong.
The recommended flight is Garuda #682 from Jakarta to Sorong. The flight leaves Jakarta just after midnight at 12:20am and arrives Sorong at 6:25am on April 3rd. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the Swiss-Belhotel. April 3rd is a free day to relax and rest up after the overnight flight.
If you are short on time (or young) you may choose to arrive Sorong the morning of April 4th but that means you’ll fly overnight for 4 hours and then get on a 4 hour boat ride without a break. It makes me want to cry just to think about it!

April 4-11 at MISOOL ECO RESORT.  At 9am on April 4th Misool Eco Resort will transfer us from the Swiss-Belhotel to the harbor for our speedboat transfer to Misool Eco Resort. The scenic trip takes about four hours in a comfortable and stable 20 meter boat with air conditioned seating inside as well as outdoor seating. Lovely Misool Eco resort is fringed with powder-white beaches and pristine coral reefs. The resort has a maximum capacity of 40 guests and a staff-to-guest ratio of 4 to 1.

You have the option of staying in one of the Water Cottages or in a South Beach Villa. All the cottages and villas are spacious and feature Balinese-style open air bathrooms, wall fans, independent air-conditioning units, fresh hot and cold showers and mini-bars stocked with treats!
Power at the resort is 220 volts, 24 hours a day, 110 V transformers are available in the dive center.

The Water Cottages are built on stilts over the North Lagoon. Each one with a set of steps that lead you into the water and the house reef which is just a few fin strokes away.

The elegant villas on the south side of the lagoon are set on a powder-white beach, tucked under the trees of an untouched jungle. The dive center, restaurant, and water cottages are reached by a short but steep walk over the hill, with exceptional 270 degree views along the way. Alternatively, a Water Taxi is reachable by radio and available at all times except for low tides. At the end of a day’s snorkeling, you can kick back in a built-in hammock for sunset and stargazing.

MEALS: All meals at Misool Eco Resort are included and served in an attractive indoor/outdoor beachfront restaurant. Meals are varied, with a focus on healthy locally sourced organic fare. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style.  We won’t go hungry. There is also afternoon teatime with homemade treats and snacks! Sit down dinners are prepared to order. There is also an all-day a la carte menu available. All the fish is locally sourced, line-caught blue water fish. Pork is not served out of respect for the Muslim culture. Vegetarians and vegans are easily accommodated. Clean drinking water, Papuan coffee, tea, and soft drinks are provided free of charge. Beer, imported wine, and imported sparkling wine are available as well.

SNORKELING: During our seven days at Misool Eco Resort our group will be led on 10 guided snorkel sessions by boat to nearby reefs. We’ll explore a variety of marine environments, bright, shallow reefs teeming with fish, dramatic walls with soft corals swaying in the current. For sure we’ll be checking out the nearby manta cleaning station! During my past snorkels in the Misool area I’ve swum in a swirl of schooling barracuda, hung out with a parade of friendly batfish, been dazzled by majestic mantas, and swam over some of the most beautiful soft corals reefs I’ve ever seen. It’s truly a phenomenal area to snorkel. On our boat excursions to one of many spectacular sites we’ll have one guide for each four snorkelers. We’ll have at least one guided night snorkel.

There will also be unlimited access to explore the house reef. We’ll have the freedom to roam at our own pace on the amazing reef at our doorstep. Isn’t it great to have camera in hand and time to geek out on a particular fish for as long as you want! The reef is easily accessed at any time from either the end of the jetty, the dive center, or the steps leading down from our water cottages. Under the pier is a great spot to find schools of jacks, fusiliers and shoals of passing anchovies. Several very large groupers make their home in the depths under the jetty. Black tip reef sharks patrol the deeper areas, as well as the occasional grey reef shark. Other goodies included for our group available are free use of kayaks and Stand Up Paddle Boards a free 15-minute massage after first snorkel and a series of evening educational lectures in the Dive Centre. For an additional cost there are many other ways to spend your free time. You may choose to indulge in a spa treatment, take a cooking class or visit a nearby village. You can even spend an afternoon with the marine park rangers responsible for protecting the reefs. You’ll visit their Ranger Stations, climb to a spectacular viewpoint, participate in beach clean-ups, check on turtle nests, and tour parts of the 300,000 acre Misool Marine Reserve.
April 11. We will be transferred back to Sorong and arrive back at he Swiss-Belhotel hotel around 5pm. We’ll spend our final night in Sorong.
April 12  Don’t go home yet, you’ve just started!  Join Epic Raja Ampat Part II,  April 12-22 on the gorgeous White Manta Liveaboard.
Combining a land-based Raja Ampat snorkeling with a liveaboard trip is the best of both worlds.  While land-based you can enjoy the awesome Misool Eco Resort house reef at your leisure as well as multiple snorkel sites in the immediate area. From a liveaboard you will experience a large variety of ecosystems and marine life while enjoying the camaraderie of being at sea.

Okay, okay, if you have to leave today you are free to fly to your onward destination at any time on the 12th.

Misool Snorkel Trip Pricing:
$4200.00 per person based on double occupancy in a Water Cottage or South Beach Villa.
$5500.00 single occupancy in a Water Cottage or South Beach Villa.
Upgraded villa options and extended stay pricing available upon request.

The Misool trip is currently sold out. To be waitlisted, please contact Wendy@SnorkelingEtc.com

  Prices Includes:

• Airport pick-up and drop-off service in Sorong, porter fees, transport between the airport and the harbor.
• April 3 and 12, two nights in Sorong at the Swiss-Belhotel including tax and breakfast.
• April 4-11, 2023, seven nights’ accommodation in a Water Cottage or South Beach villa.
• Four meals per day plus afternoon tea time, most non-alcoholic beverages while at Misool Eco Resort.
• Ten snorkel excursions by boat.
• Unlimited snorkeling on house reef at Misool.
• Raja Ampat Marine Park Fee.
• Government tax.

Price does not Include:

• Airfare
• Internet usage (available for a charge)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Gratuities
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, spa services

I look forward to snorkeling with you in Misool! Get in touch any time with questions or to request an application. Happy Snorkeling!

 

 

 

 

Wendy Simon/Snorkeling Etc. Inc.
CEO and fellow snorkel addict
Santa Cruz, CA
831 254-5001
Wendy@SnorkelingEtc.com

“Misool represents one of the most pristine reef systems left on earth — one of only a handful of places in the universe where biodiversity is improving rather than declining.” -Dr. Mark Erdmann, Vice President of Conservation International’s Asia-Pacific marine programs