A Cabaña on the Beach in Raja Ampat
Overall Rating
We had a very good stay at this Resort. We wanted to adapt our body to the change in schedule and tropical temperatures before leaving on our cruise. The bungalow was beautiful with sea view and private beach. Very comfortable and clean room. Good bedding. No mosquitoes. Meals are taken “as a family”, that is to say all together at two large tables, which encourages meetings and exchanges. The food is local, fresh, excellent. My gluten intolerance was factored into the problem. I recommend this resort without hesitation.
We had an incredible stay at Raja Ampat Biodiversity Resort. The resort itself is paradise, located on a stunning beach and so thoughtfully done, designed to be completely in harmony with the surroundings. The wooden bungalows were simple but very comfortable with thoughtful touches and great outdoor bathrooms.. we went for the Deluxe version so had lots of space and also had our own beach cabana. The food in the resort was yummy, a great choice for breakfast (I highly recommend the french toast topped with fresh fruits and their homemade pineapple jam!) and lunches and dinners were also very tasty and varied, Indonesian in style and including lots of fresh vegetables. The customer service throughout our stay was top notch and everyone was always so happy to help and did it with a smile on their face. Now onto the diving.... the dives we did in Raja Ampat were some of the best I’ve ever done and Edmond, our guide from Biodiversity, was incredible. He had great eyes and spotted the tiniest of sea horses and other small stuff that I’d never seen before. Not only that but he has a great knowledge of the area and took us to a much quieter spot than the usual Manta Sandy and Manta Ridge as he noticed lots of boats around those sites. Instead we dived a little further away and spent an amazing hour diving with just our small group and mantas all around us. We also got to see a Giant Oceanic Manta whilst diving in Blue Magic... again due to Edmond’s expertise (and perhaps some luck!) as many other groups doing the same dive that morning missed it. At Raja Ampat Biodiversity you’re perfectly located for all of the main sites on the Dampier Strait and the house reef is also amazing... we did a fantastic night dive which I would highly recommend. We also did the longer trips to Manta Sandy and the Fam Islands and I’d also recommend these... although it’s a bit further by boat it’s well worth it and Melissa’s Garden (on the Fam Islands trip) was spectacular. Aside from diving there were also lots of opportunities to explore the area around the resort... bird watching walks, a sunset boat trip to The Passage (don’t miss it!), visits to local villages and kayaking to hidden beaches. I also loved the fact that we spent the surface intervals in-between dives on deserted islands or sandbanks in the middle of the ocean so it felt we were really exploring the area both above and underwater. A very memorable few days (I only wish we’d had longer than a week!) and I’d highly recommend it to anyone considering Raja Ampat and Biodiversity Resort.... get it booked, you won’t regret it! :-)
Why We Love It
Founded by two well-traveled dive instructors, this eco-resort is a gem for travelers: simple bungalows with nature all around and "à la carte" diving that will suit all budgets. If you're looking for a friendly place, cozy, with a great atmosphere, you're in the right place!
Conservation
The layout of the resort is arranged to promote the conservation of the local flora and fauna. Sustainable building techniques, the employment of the local community, 24-hour solar electricity, and recycling bins are all employed.
Who Is It For?
For divers passionate about marine life and advanced divers who enjoy strong currents, non-diving partners can do many activities such as kayaking, bird-watching, photography, excursions on other islands, free-diving and snorkeling, and relaxing on the beach.
Prices and Dates
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Dive Briefing!
Marine Life
- At the heart of the Coral Triangle
- 1427 reef fish, over 600 coral species, 75% of the world’s coral species
- Abundant pelagic life: many species of reef sharks, white and black tips, wobbegong sharks, bamboo sharks, reef mantas at nearby cleaning stations, and majestic oceanic manta in open water.
- Large schools of tuna, trevally, mackerel. Batfish, surgeonfish, angel and butterflyfish, Napoleon wrasse, bumphead parrotfish, giant sweetlips, damsels, fusiliers, anthias etc. and also magnificent macro with the rare pygmy seahorses.
Dive Conditions
- Season: high season from October to April, when plankton blooms reduce visibility but bring greater numbers of manta rays
- Currents: strong and changing - some dive sites are not suitable for beginners or anyone that doesn’t feel comfortable in currents.
- Visibility: 15 to 20 m (50 to 66 ft) nutrient rich water can sometimes mean reduced visibility
- Water Temperature: 28° to 29°C (82° to 84°F)
- Depth: deep and shallow dives
Dive Sites
- Located in the Dampier Strait, with about 50 famous dive sites nearby
- Some of the dive sites frequently visited are: Batu Lima (or Five Rocks), Friwen Garden, Friwen Wall, Mike’s Point, Mioskun, Koh Island, Cross Over, Cape Kri, Sardine’s Reef, Chicken Reef, Blue Magic, Saporkren
The Team
- Operation created in 2013
- Number of boats: 3
- Courses up to Divemaster
- Maximum number of people per dive guide: 4
Safety Information
- Equipment Recommended: dive computer, surface marker buoy (SMB), whistle, 'reef hook' (to use on rocks only!)
- Insurance: Both dive insurance and travel insurance are mandatory. We recommend DAN Europe that has plans to cover both - ask us for a quote.
- Nearest Hyperbaric Chamber: Darwin, Australia or Manado, Sulawesi - note that there is a chamber in Raja Ampat, but it is not certified or compliant with international standards
Visas, Flights, and More!
Visa Requirements
- Many nationalities are eligible to enter and remain in Indonesia without a visa for 30 days. Others need to obtain a Visa on Arrival for 30 days at the major entry points to Indonesia. Visa on Arrival costs $37 (about ... EUR) and usually can be extended for another 30 days.
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival and have one full blank page
- Must be able to show an onward ticket that departs before your visa expires
- For official entry requirements for your nationality, consult Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration
How to Get There
- Take an international flight to Jakarta (CGK) and then a direct flight to Sorong (SOQ).
- If coming from Bali (DPS), you'll have to make a stop at Ujung Padang (UPG) or Manado (MDC) on your way to Sorong (SOQ).
- The eco-resort team will pick you up for a small fee - ask us.
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- Raja Ampat is subject to malaria. Take necessary precautions to avoid it (cover yourself, have mosquito repellent consult your doctor about malarone tablets - Lariam is not recommended).
- Bring sunscreen, a hat, a rash guard, a sweater or a light-weight jacket, and some walking shoes.
Destinations
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Dive Operators
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