South-East Asia
RAJA AMPAT, WEST PAPUA
The richest reefs on Earth, from very big fish to very tiny creatures
Season: October to June
Visibility: 10-30 metres
Water Temperature: 23-28°C
Special Offer: Paradise Dancer Bring your buddy for half price on selected cruises: 14-25 June 2009 and 12-23 December 2009. Single travelers take a 25% discount.
Misool Reef (Alex Mustard)
“When underwater photographers close their eyes and dream about the ultimate coral reef, most likely the stunning underwater panoramas surrounding Misool Eco Resort are the images running through their minds” Burt Jones and Maurine Shimlock
Increasingly well-known as the world epicentre of marine biodiversity, the islands of Raja Ampat offer a world of thrilling big animal encounters, the chance to see new species, pristine reefs of hard and soft corals and some of the world’s most intriguing macro creatures.
The remote Raja Ampat archipelago lies off the northeastern coast of West Papua, Indonesia’s most easterly province (formerly known as Irian Jaya), which occupies the western part of the huge island of New Guinea. Exotic? Mysterious? This fascinating, vast and rugged province is both. Indeed it was perhaps the last of planet Earth’s regions to remain untouched by civilization. In 1770 Captain Cook and his landing party set foot on the western shores of the island and a volley of arrows sent them packing from a territory then inhabited by headhunters. Fortunately, a more welcome reception awaits visitors these days!
All the major islands of the Raja Ampat archipelago, Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo, and also over 1,500 islets and cays, are formed from limestone and those who have travelled to Palau will find these green-capped, limestone outcrops looking very similar to the latter’s Rock Islands. No two islands or islets are alike, and no two dive sites the same. The steep-sided walls of the rocks are shaped by wind and water. Soft, vanilla-coloured, sandy bays are ideal for spending time exploring between dives. But it is under the water where one finds the most amazing creatures in abundance. Raja Ampat is, almost incredibly, home to over 1,000 fish species, 537 coral species and 699 mollusc species! This is very probably the richest, diving area in the world! Above the waves is worth exploring too, as there are some wonderful birds to be seen. The forests of Waigeo and Batanta harbour both the beautiful Wilson’s Bird of Paradise and the gorgeous Red Bird of Paradise, both endemic to the area, as well as spectacularly coloured parrots and lorikeets.
There are currently just a few liveaboards sailing the Raja Ampat archipelago and less than a handful of resorts on the islands, but it may not be long before this mecca of biodiversity is discovered by more and more operators. We have selected two of the finest liveaboard boats, Paradise Dancer and Pindito, along with a fabulous new resort. October 2008 saw the opening of the luxury Misool Eco Resort, built by hand entirely out of drift wood and local materials and with a very large emphasis on conservation! Imagine the wonder of staying in comfort, literally on top of what is probably the finest house reef in the world (a few steps down from the veranda of the bungalows and you are there in the ocean – a few fin-kicks and you are on the house reef)! This stunning resort is built right in the world epicentre of marine diversity. Miss this at your peril!
Take the opportunity to visit Raja Ampat now and be amongst the first to dive these varied sites (which may include several ship and plane wrecks from the second World War). See the amazing sharks of the region and experience the vast array of fish and corals. Marvel at the beautiful scenery and enjoy the thrill of remoteness in this spectacularly wonderful area.
One of the larger islands, Misool, is surrounded by many, many tiny islands and islets, almost all of which are potential dives sites. The water is so calm and still in the many maze-like channels between the islets and limestone outcrops. This is a stunningly beautiful area. The colourful dive sites of Misool are in exceptional condition, with little environmental impact and so few visiting divers that there is no diver damage. The volcanic nature of the islands is clearly seen under the water, with large rocks like giant church spires, dramatic overhangs and caves. Some of the caves are said to hold human remains, reflecting periods of lowered sea-level. This is the place to find those pygmy seahorses, Mandarinfish, and invertebrates of every type, ranging from giant clams, cuttlefish and octopus to mantis shrimps, nudibranchs and tiny shell dwellers. Hard and soft corals abound, and enormous sea fans bloom from the reef. For those who want a rest from the fabulous macro photo-opportunities, search for Tasselled Wobbegongs and Epaulette Sharks. Since you are unlikely to see a Tasselled Wobbegong outside Far-eastern Indonesia, New Guinea or Australia, it is essential to put this very unusual shark at the top of your ‘must see’ list for Raja Ampat. This small shark (up to 1.3 metres in length) has a very broad head with numerous skin flaps along its lips. Its unlikely that you will misidentify this creature which can often be found under ledges or curled under cabbage corals during the day, emerging into the open at night. Since they can lock their mouth onto anything they can fit into it, it is a good idea not to touch or handle them! There will be opportunity to enter some of the larger caves and marvel at the fantastic patterns of stalactites and stalagmites.
BATBITIM ISLAND, SOUTHEAST MISOOL
For security reasons aimed at protecting the reefs, most dive site information cannot be revealed. Suffice it to say that the number of dive sites in the area around Misool Eco Resort is incredible. Situated off the southeast coast of Misool lies a tiny island known as Batbitim – one of the most remote locations for a dive centre on this planet! In 2006 Misool Eco Resort reached an agreement with the local village and secured the rights to 200 square kms of sea surrounding their resort island. Inside this protected area all fishing, cyanide fishing, bombing, shark finning, harvesting of turtle eggs and shellfish are prohibited. Thanks to their extremely remote location, Misool Eco Resort is able to offer the variety and quality of liveaboard diving with all the creature comforts of a land-based location. Over 60 dive sites have been explored within a one-hour boat ride from the resort and there are more waiting to be discovered. There are 20 world-class dive sites within a 10 minute ride from the resort! Visibility is around 25 metres plus and the clear waters surrounding the island are patrolled by massive schools of hunting fish and many large marine specialities including Manta Rays, Wobbegong Sharks, Tawny Nurse Sharks, Guitar Sharks, dolphins, whales, Whale Sharks and turtles. Blue-ringed Octopus, Bumphead Parrotfish, Napoleon Wrasse, giant clams, Mandarinfish, ghost pipefish, frogfish, a host of nudibranchs and several species of elusive pygmy seahorses are all here. The recently discovered ‘walking’ Epaulette Shark and mobula rays are waiting for you. For some reason it seems that the reefs of the Raja Ampat are more resistant than others to coral bleaching and disease. Powerful underwater currents from the Pacific Ocean force their way through the Raja Ampat, washing coral larvae westward and repopulating reefs throughout South East Asia. As the world’s reefs are further degraded by pollution and over-fishing it is becomes paramount that these important reefs are conserved. Misool Eco Resort is committed to demonstrating that tourism can support the local economy more favourably than mining, logging, overfishing and shark finning.
The following description is intended to give a flavour of the diving. You will see for yourself the wonderment of the reefs when you get there. Equally as beautiful as Palau’s Jellyfish Lake (and some say more beautiful!), Batbitim Jellyfish Lake was an incredible find. Steep cliffs covered with vines and sweet-smelling flowers surround the lake and you will be able to see the small pink and orange blobs of the jellyfish well before you arrive. These vibrating, pulsating blobs of living jelly are everywhere, following the sun remorselessly. Large ones move slowly and the smaller ones seem to be powered by an unseen source of energy as they throb through the water. Smooth as silk and fragile as a spider’s web, take care that your movements do not harm their bodies. Fin gently!
Misool Eco Resort House Reef is going to blow your fins off! Words on paper cannot do justice to this natural treasure where highlights include Mandarinfish, the newly discovered ‘walking shark’, frogfish, ghost pipefish and pygmy seahorses. Here you will find walls that drop to 50 metres or more, gentle slopes with coral bommies, rocky outcrops and huge barrel sponges. The coral gardens in the shallows are, perhaps, the jewel in the crown. The house wall is a great place to admire large hunting fish patrolling the waters. Thousands (millions?) of baitfish attract barracuda, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefin Trevally and tuna which hunt in groups amidst the colourful schools of triggerfish and fusiliers. Grey Reef and Black-tipped Reef Sharks regularly scout the area.
The recently discovered ‘walking shark’ is a nocturnal predator and is a frequent visitor to the shallows around Batbitim (there is probably one under your cottage as you sleep!). The corals and sponges of the reef are here in unrivalled quantity, colour and variety. The colours are amazing: pink, yellow, green and orange with huge purple Muricella fans. Feather stars are host to a menagerie. Look carefully for colour-co-ordinated clingfish and crinoid shrimps. A large school of Bumphead Parrotfish graze the reef, chomping lumps with their noisy feeding habits and poor table manners.
In the patches of Halimeda algae there is a chance to see the rare Halimeda Ghost Pipefish. In the stony areas of the reef look out for Crocodilefish and scorpionfish or even the Giant Shovelnose Ray that can grow to almost a metre in length.
We could continue with the list: jawfish, shrimp gobies, dartfish, nudibranchs in rainbow dress, mantis shrimps … but best go for yourself and join this marine treasure hunt that thoroughly deserves its world-class reputation.
NORTHERN MISOOL, SALAWATI, BATANTA AND WAIGEO
This area is explored by the liveaboards Pindito and Paradise Dancer.
Mansuar offers regular sightings of Tasselled Wobbegongs, Manta Rays and turtles. Dolphin pods move through this area and it may be possible to don snorkel gear and get in to the water to experience the thrill of swimming along with them. Strong currents attract feeding Manta Rays, so it can be a good idea to take along a reef hook and enjoy this remarkable show. One unique feature of some of these mantas is that, unlike most Manta Rays, which are dark on the upper surface and pale below, the ‘Mansur mantas’ can be dark all over. Raja Ampat must be one of the most spectacular dive destinations in which to witness this most impressive of nature’s displays.
West of Batanta Island is the Jef Fam group of islands and islets. There are about twelve limestone islets and islands where the wind, rain and sea have formed channels, bays and quiet lagoons. The conditions here are usually calm and offer divers the opportunity to see some superb hard corals and more of those amazing, rare and weirdly beautiful Tasselled Wobbegongs. The list of fish is just too large to list, but look out for a superb selection of those gorgeous angelfish. The Keyhole Angelfish is a dusky blue but with a keyhole patch of bright white on the side. The Lemonpeel Angelfish should be easy to spot. Quite large groups of these bright lemon-yellow, blue-margined fish can be found on the coral-rich reefs.
The large cave at Uranie provides a spectacular light show. Search the bottom of the cave and you should find sleeping White-tipped Reef Sharks. The mystical and serene atmosphere of the cave just adds to the ambiance of the dive. Kri is already famous amongst underwater photographers and fish watchers for this is the area where world records in counting fish have been broken. From pygmy seahorses (all three species: H. barbiganti, H. denise and H. pontohi) to Manta Rays, the reefs on Kri are sure to amaze. Visibility is usually good in the mornings and fast currents mean that most dives are done as drifts. Down at 25 metres, Wafak has a superb black coral garden to explore. When the sun is just setting is the time to look out for Mandarinfish and Mimic Octopus. As the sun fades it is time to work on some night photography. Look out for feeding squid popping their long ‘tongues’ out to capture some small, tasty creature.
MISOOL ECO RESORT, BATBITIM ISLAND
The island of Batbitim is fringed with powdery white sandy beaches and the twelve guest cottages are built to European standards of comfort and safety, so far as possible from indigenous natural materials. Every piece of lumber used to build the cottages has been collected from driftwood in the Raja Ampat! There are currently eight deluxe Water Cottages just steps away from the dive centre and restaurant and four standard Reef View Cottages that overlook the South Beach. Reef View Cottages are simple in style, featuring views over the deep water swimming ‘hole’. They are constructed with planked wooden flooring and traditional ‘alang-alang’ grass roofs. The walls are formed from traditional woven bamboo. Each room is equipped with a mosquito net and an in-room electronic safe. Bathrooms are half-covered, with hot water showers and western-style flush toilets. Steps have been carved in to the rock to form a pathway between the cottages, the restaurant and the dive centre. The walk is a short one (about 5 minutes) and the path has been lined with local plants including beautiful orchids. The view from the top is stunning, but the path, though short, is steep (there will never be the need to carry any equipment). Water Cottages are built on stilts over the water and feature a private veranda with steps leading down into the sea. The house reef is just a few fin-kicks away. The spacious, air-conditioned Water Cottages are elegant and luxuriously comfortable with natural stone flooring and traditional ‘alang-alang’ roofs. Their amazing and wonderful verandas have a day bed and a unique hammock built in to the floor of the veranda, so you can relax with the feeling of hovering above the water! There is an in-room electronic safe, mosquito net and glass doors at the front to enable you to see the view, even from your bed! Bathrooms are large and luxurious, half-covered in Balinese-style, and have a hot water shower and a western-style flush toilet.
Meals are served in the beach-front restaurant and feature both Western and Asian dishes. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style. Evening meal choices are selected from the menu. Afternoon snacks are provided during the surface intervals. Vegetarians and vegans can be catered for. Out of respect for the Muslim island inhabitants, no pork products are served. The bar offers soft and alcoholic beverages and snacks for purchase, and there is also a range of speciality coffee.
The construction and operation of the resort have been meticulously engineered to minimise environmental impact. In addition to salvaging driftwood and milling the lumber, energy efficiency is uppermost in the ethos of the resort. Waste water gardens have been installed and experiments are on-going with solar and wind power. Most importantly the resort is dedicated to safeguarding the local community. The labour force is drawn from Yellu, the local village and they are offered excellent working conditions with health benefits, job training and education. A conservation centre is being built on a small beach on the north side of the island. This will be a base for research and conservation projects as well as accommodation for visiting researchers and scientists. One of the first projects will be the assembly of a local team to patrol and enforce the Marine Protected Area.
The dive centre is located in the North Bay and is built in modern style with local materials just like the cottages. The wet area is furnished with plenty of camera tables and work stations. The dry area is where you can kit up and you will also find computer stations, comfortable lounge chairs and a monitor to enjoy images of the day’s diving. There is a sunny veranda for drying out between dives and enjoying the glorious views. Three boat dives are offered each day and shore diving, by day and by night is available from 0700-2100. There will be a maximum of 6 divers to each guide, but the usual number is four. Nitrox is available.
There are 2-3 boat dives available daily. Some days will consist of full day safaris and will include 2 or 3 dives, depending on weather and local conditions. Those on the ‘unlimited diving’ package can take all available boat dives and have unlimited shore diving tanks between the hours of 0700-2100.
Misool Eco Resort is closed from the beginning of July to the end of September for maintenance and because this is the wettest and windiest season in Raja Ampat. For the rest of the year, the resort offers 11 nights packages from Sunday to Thursday. However, as flights into Sorong arrive too late in the day, and depart too early in the day, for same-day transfers to and from the resort, it is necessary to spend a night in an hotel in Sorong before and after the stay at Batbitim. From Sorong, after a Saturday arrival and overnight in an hotel, a private speedboat takes you out to Batbitim Island, departing on Sunday morning. The journey takes between four and five hours. The boat, which is a re-fitted Austrian-built rescue vessel is fully enclosed and has 12 comfortable reclining seats. There is also fore and aft seating outside. The first part of the journey is through a mangrove-lined strait with dense jungle on either side. The second part of the trip crosses open water. This is your chance to see dolphins and big schools of bonito feeding at the surface. Keep your eyes open for whales too. The last leg of your journey takes you through breath-taking scenery with myriads of tiny karst islets and lagoons, and the final forty five minutes is through the Marine Protected Area. The usual arrival time on the island is 1300. Return on Thursday departing the resort at 1000 and arriving in Sorong at 1530 having enjoyed a lagoon tour and lunch on a deserted white sandy beach en route. Overnight in a Sorong hotel before departure on Friday morning.
Price: from about £1468 with 10 boat dives; from about £1711 with 20 boat dives; from about £1898 with ‘unlimited diving’ (from about £1176 without diving). Includes: Transfers to and from Sorong; 11 nights in a Reef View Cottage on a twin/share basis with full board (tea, coffee, water and some soft drinks are included); chosen dive package. Nitrox supplement: from about £61 for 10 dives; from about £126 for 20 dives; from about £187 for ‘unlimited diving’. In addition, there is a fuel surcharge of about £41, a Raja Ampat Marine Park entry permit of about £30 and a Sorong arrival and departure package (which includes 2 nights hotel accommodation on a twin/share, transfers, dinner and breakfast) of about £61 (subject to change) which have to be prepaid. Reductions are available for June and October-December 2009 in return for early payment. Deposit: £800.
Single Occupancy Supplement: from about £377.
PINDITO
There is only one liveaboard boat with over fifteen years experience operating in the Raja Ampat area and that is MV Pindito. Back in 1992, master and owner of Pindito, Edi Frommenwiler, along with 60 local workers, built the Pindito by hand. Edi had a hunch that the area now known as Raja Ampat would have some pretty fabulous diving . What he discovered was that this was the most biodiverse coral reef ecosystem in the world. Pindito offers top-class diving travel with high standards of reliability and safety to some of the most spectacular areas of Indonesia.
The 37-metre MV Pindito is a wooden ‘phinisi’ style motor sailing vessel which takes up to 16 divers in eight teakwood-panelled cabins. There are six double and two twin cabins. All the cabins have individually controlled air-conditioning and en suite bathroom with shower, washbasin and toilet. An additional upper bunk can be added to these cabins if a couple would like an extra surface for gear storage. Twin bedded cabins have one lower bed and one upper bed and have a little more floor space than the double cabins.
Meals are always a feature on Pindito, starting with an early continental breakfast before the first dive, followed by a full buffet breakfast after the dive. Lunch and dinner are served with an Asian flair, with meat, fish and salads featuring on the menu most days. Deserts are always a highlight. Between meals, cakes and cookies are on offer as well as an endless supply of tea, coffee, juices and sodas. Once the diving day is over relax with a glass of cool beer. Cocktails and wine are available for purchase at the bar.
The dedicated camera room is located aft of the lounge area on the main deck. Built with the needs of the modern digital underwater photographer in mind, you will find plenty of storage space and professional-grade work areas with both 220 and 110 volts charging stations. In the salon is a large flat-screen TV and computer centre which can be used for DVD watching and also working on your images.
A range of relaxing massages is offered by Pindito’s ‘floating spa’. A specially trained masseur travels aboard Pindito to make sure that each diver gets the opportunity to enjoy reflexology, aromatherapy or perhaps a traditional Balinese massage.
Pindito dive instructors and dive guides are focused on delivering the highest quality of safety and comfort on your dives. Dive guides accompany divers on all the dives. You may dive with the guide but you are under no obligation to follow them. They are artists of marine life spotting and will certainly be able to show you many species that you may have overlooked. There is definitely no need to haul your gear around when travelling on Pindito. Just pop down in to the zodiac and your gear will be waiting for you. Usually four dives are offered each day with the first starting at around 0730, followed by a late morning dive before lunch. The afternoon’s dives will be scheduled for about 1430 and a dusk or night dive will be offered. When the boat is anchored over a calm reef or moored in a calm sea more dives can be scheduled. Most dives are drifts with the experienced crew waiting for you when you surface. Nitrox is included in the cruise price.
Between October and May Pindito offers a series of exciting 11 nights cruises in the Raja Ampat region, departing from, and returning to, Sorong in West Papua. April-May and December cruises include sites in the Banda Sea as well as Raja Ampat.
Raja Ampat Cruise Itinerary: Day 1: Arrive in Sorong and transfer to Pindito. Set sail as soon as all guests are aboard. Day 2: Head for Misool for a day of fish and coral gardens. Day 3: Travel east to the Fiabatjet group of islands. Day 4 and 5: Dive Wajil Batan before making an overnight crossing to Misool once more. Day 6 offers a choice of a full day zodiac trip to the island labyrinth with the exploration of channels, caves and shore walks (or stay on board and take 4 dives). Day 7: Waigeo, and the chance to visit a pearl farm or take a day’s diving searching out pygmy seahorses, pipefish and nudibranchs. Day 8: Eagle Rock, east of Waigeo, offers chance to visit some rays and a return visit to Sel Pele. Day 9: Dive your way around Jef Fam and tick off Tasselled Wobbegong and Epaulette Sharks. Day 10: Check out the Manta Rays in the channel between Waigeo and Batanta Island then over to Mansuar Island for the night dive. Day 11: Dive Kri and visit the Sardine Reef before returning to Sorong and enjoying a Captain’s party. Day 12: Disembark Pindito and transfer to the airport.
Band Sea & Raja Ampat Cruise Itinerary: Day 1: Arrive in Sorong and transfer to Pindito. Set sail as soon as all guests are aboard. Day 2: Arrive at Nusa Laut, south of the large island of Seram in the Banda Sea, and enjoy spectacular reefs and plenty of fish. At night, cruise further south deeper in to the Banda Sea to Banda Neira. Day 3: Dive the sites at Banda Neira and cruise right into the harbour for a Mandarinfish dive at dusk. Day 4: Test out your fitness with a climb to the top of the Volcano at Gunung Api. In the afternoon enjoy some larva flow dives and vast table corals. In the evening, set sail for Koon at the southeast point of the island of Seram. Day 5: Enjoy dive sites in Koon, and try out the dive site “Too Many Fish”. After 3 dives leave the Banda Sea behind and head towards Raja Ampat. Day 6: Explore the many small islands and reefs in the spectacular area of Wajil Batan. Day 7: After a short sail to Fiabatjet, enjoy the gigantic seafans and swarms of small fish hunted by mobulas and Spanish Mackerel. Day 8: Dive the islands of Boo and Jilliet, soft coral dive sites with loads of colour. Day 9: Cruise back to Misool and enjoy a half day excursion to the caves and burial remains. In the afternoon enjoy diving in a quiet bay before setting sail for Jef Fam . Day 10: Tasselled Wobbegongs are the highlight of the day here but keep an eye out for sea snakes and huge Tricadna clams in the shallows. The night dive here is on Red Wall, famous for frogfish and nudibranchs. Day 11: Check out the Manta Rays in the channel between Waigeo and Batanta Island before returning to Sorong and enjoying a Captain’s party. Day 12: Disembark Pindito and transfer to the airport.
There is also usually one Molucca Sea cruise each year, in May, which covers 650 nautical miles through the Molucca Sea from Sorong to Bitung on Sulawesi, not far from Manado. Take in the beautiful corals of the Raja Akmpa, then head south along the coast of Halmahera where you will dive walls and enjoy some big fish action. The small islands to the west of Halmahera are home to some remote and pristine coral reefs. The trip continues by sailing through the islands off north Sulawesi and ends with the spectacular creature diving in the famous black sands of the Lembeh Strait. This is a very diverse trip that will suit all divers.
Price: from about £2125. Includes: airport transfers; 11 nights cruise on Pindito on a twin/share basis with full board, plus all soft drinks and some alcoholic drinks, but not wine; 9 days of diving (up to 3 dives per day plus one dawn or night dive, totalling 36 dives); escorted shore excursions where appropriate. Nitrox supplement: from about £97. There is currently a fuel surcharge of about £108 (subject to change), not included in the package price, which must be prepaid. In addition, there is a Raja Ampat national park fee of $70 (subject to change) which has to be paid on board. (The park fee is $40 for Banda Sea cruises.) Deposit: £400.
Single Occupancy Supplement: 50% of the cruise cost (but you can avoid paying the supplement if you are willing to share a cabin).
PARADISE DANCER
For full details of Paradise Dancer, please see our Gangga, Bangka and Sangihe holiday description.
Paradise Dancer operates out of the harbour at Sorong in West Papua for 11 nights cruises in the Raja Ampat Archipelago between October and March.
Cruise Itinerary: Day 1: Arrive at Sorong airport and transfer to Paradise Dancer. As soon as all divers have arrived on board Paradise Dancer sets out for Misool. Days 2-3: These two days are spent diving the Misool area and exploring the island’s labyrinths. There will be opportunities to enjoy a walk to some native tombstones and some spectacular caves (look out for bats!). Day 4: Paradise Dancer then heads north towards Mansuar then northwest to Jef Fam for another spectacular day of diving. Days 5-6: The following two days are spent exploring Kawe and Wajag. Days 7-11: Return to Sorong via Uranie, Waigeo, Wafak and Kri, with many dives en route. Day 12: After disembarking in Sorong you will be transferred to the airport.
Price: from about £2039. Includes: airport transfers, if arriving/departing on cruise start/finish days; 11 nights cruise on Paradise Dancer on a twin/share basis with full board, including soft drinks, wine, beer and spirits; 9 full days of diving (3 or 4 dives per day, including night dives) plus one or two dives on the last day. Reductions for divers 65 or over, non-divers and extra cruises. In addition, there is a port tax and National Park Fee of about £43 and a fuel surcharge of about £108 (subject to change) which have to be prepaid. Deposit: £700.
Single Occupancy Supplement: 65% of the cruise cost (but you can avoid paying the supplement if you are willing to share a cabin).
FLIGHTS: Prices from about £1001 to Sorong via Manado or from about £1246 to Sorong via Jakarta. There are daily flight connections to Sorong via Jakarta and less frequent, but less expensive, connections via Manado. We will quote you the airfare applicable, based on routing, season, current fare levels and booking class availability. Our quote will include all taxes and fuel supplements applicable at the time of quotation, as well as our service charge. The usual airfare deposit is £300.
STOP-OVERS: These are available in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta or Manado, depending on flight routing.
COMBINATIONS: It is straightforward to combine a visit to Raja Ampat with another of Indonesia’s fabulous dive destinations. Talk to us about the possibilities.
Epaulette Shark (Misool Eco Resort)
