Where is Misool Eco Resort?

• We are located on our own private island in Southern Raja Ampat, West Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia.

How do I get to Misool Eco Resort?

• We'll collect you in Sorong for a transfer via our private jet boat. Please click here for more details on how to reach Sorong.

How long does it take to reach the island?

• The speedboat transfer from Sorong to Batbitim, our resort island, is 4-5 hours, depending upon conditions. The first third is a scenic passage between the Papuan mainland and small islands of the Salawati group. The second third of the journey is an open crossing over generally calm seas. During the final leg of the journey, we enter the breathtakingly beautiful island chain to which Batbitim belongs. We'll cruise between sheer karst cliffs and innumerable small island, often escorted by dolphins.

What sort of boat will we travel on?

• Our jetboat, Lumba-Lumba, is a refurbished Austrian-built rescue boat. She's a 9.5 meter heavy displacement fiberglass beauty with dual 265 hp jet drive Styer engines. The cabin holds 14 guests, with space for four more outside.

What if I have to spend the night in Sorong?

• If you like, we can arrange a Sorong Arrival Package for you. We will collect you at the airport, take you to your hotel and check you in. We'll collect you again the following morning and bring you to the dock for departure.
• If you are transiting through Manado, you will most likely arrive the same morning as departure. In that case we'll meet you at the airport and bring you to our departure point.

How do I book my internal flights?

• We can arrange that for you, as well as hotel bookings in Manado, Bali, and Sorong. Just let us know what you need at the time of booking.

When can I visit?

• Misool Eco Resort offer all-inclusive 11-night holiday packages according the the following schedule. If you are unable to visit during these dates, we can arrange a special pick-up in Sorong with our jet boat. The transport fee is 600 Euros one way, with up to 6 passengers. Each additional passenger must pay a 50 Euro fuel surcharge.

What's included in the price?

• Package prices include accommodation, meals and afternoon snacks, drinking water, coffee and tea, transfer to and from the resort on scheduled transfter dates, and all government taxes. There are no surcharges for boat dives.
• Packages quoted are per person. You can view our rates here.
• Unlimited dive packages include all optional excursions like Lagoon Tours and JellyFish Lake trips.

What's not included in the price?

• Alcoholic beverages, items from our bar menu, specialty coffee drinks.
• Each guest (whether diving or not) must purchase a Raja Ampat Marine Park Entry permit. This is available for 500,000 IDR (about 36 Euros) and is valid for one calendar year. We'll arrange this for you if you need it.
• Excursions such as visits to the Jelly Fish Lake, Ancient Petroglyphs, and Lagoon Tours are available for 20 Euros per person, except for those who have purchased unlimited dive packages, for whom it's free.
• Longer excursions, such as Misool river tours and bird watching expeditions can be arranged with prior notice.
• Gratuities are not included. If you are pleased with the service you've received, we'll be happy to divide any tips equally among our local staff.

What sort of payment do you accept for incidentals incurred during my stay?

• Extra charges (internet, bar tabs, souvenirs, service tips, etc) can be paid in Rupiah, USD, or Euros before your departure. Please note that foreign notes must be in perfect condition - otherwise Indonesian banks will not accept them for exchange. USD 100 notes receive the best exchange rate if dated 2000 or later.

What should I bring with me?

• everything you'll need for the duration of your stay - we're very far from the nearest dive shop, supermarket, or pharmacy. Bring plenty of sunscreen, razors, tampons, toothpaste, medications, etc.
• Please bring proof of dive insurance as well as your dive card.
• Aside from your personal needs, please be sure to bring 3 passport photos for your travel permit (which we'll arrange for you).
• You'll also need a passport valid from 6 months from the time of entry. Nationals of most countries will be granted a 30-day Visa on Arrival for 25 USD. You will be asked by Indonesian Immigration officials to show a copy of your ticket out of Indonesia within the 30-day period. Click here for a complete list of nationalities granted a Visa on Arrival.

What should I not bring with me?

• When packing, please bear in mind that we are operating in a pristine environment, and we'd like to keep it that way. We will provide you with high-quality natural soaps and shampoos, as our waste-water gardens rue the introduction of harsh chemical detergents to our system.
• Please plan carefully to minimise your rubbish. When possible, choose rechargeable batteries and void bringing things like disposable razors, excessive plastic bags, plastic water bottles, etc.

What sort of power do you have?

• 220 Volt

What is the baggage allowance for flights between Manado and Sorong?

• Domestic airlines Merpati and Lion allow 20 kgs per person. Excess baggage fees are between 12,000 and 22,000 IDR per kilo.

When is the best time of year for diving?

• The weather is rough in July, August and September. That's when we close for maintenance. Aside from this yearly occurence, diving in Raja Ampat is not particularly seasonal. October and November bring schools of bait fish, which attract bigger fish and Mobula rays. The south winds in May and June bring more sharks.

How many divers per guide?

• Maximum six, but four is more likely.

How many dives can I do per day?

• There will be three scheduled boat dives per day. Depending upon the dive package you choose, you may also do House Reef dives and night dives.

Is nitrox available?

• Yes

What can I do if I don't feel like diving?

• There's plenty of snorkelling around Misool Eco Resort. We also can arrange visits to a nearby jellyfish lake, ancient rock paintings, kayaking tours, lagoon tours, river excursions, and bird-watching tours. We can also organise visits to the local village. Click here to see photos of non-diving activities. Otherwise, it's lovely just to lounge in a hammock and enjoy the balmy tropical breezes...

What sort of food can we expect?

• Meals are served in our beach-front restaurant. Our internationally-trained chef has designed a tasty, nutritious, and whenever possible, organic menu for your enjoyment. We serve both Western and Asian food. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, while evening meal service will be offered a menu. There will also be afternoon snacks available for tasty surface intervals.
• Out of respect for our Muslim hosts, we do not serve pork products. We can easily accommodate vegetarians and vegans. Please let us know about any other dietary restrictions well in advance of your arrival.
• We will offer an ala-carte bar menu, with alcoholic beverages and snacks available for purchase. Specialty coffee drinks are available for purchase as well.
• Clean drinking water is provided free of charge.

What if I get sick or hurt while I'm there?

• We're a long way away from the nearest hospital, clinic, or recompression chamber. Your safety and health are of paramount importance, and we recommend that you take all safety precautions.
• Several members of staff are certified PADI Emergency First Aid Responders
• Oxygen is available
• In the event of a general medical emergency, you will be immediately evacuated to the nearest hospital.
• In the event of a dive emergency, your dive insurance provider will advise us on the appropriate course of action.
• You must have health insurance as well as dive insurance if you plan on diving. We recommend DAN or PADI insurance which covers emergency evacuation. You can learn more about them here.

Should I take precautions against malaria?

• Absolutely. We recommend that you always sleep under a mosquito net, wear light-coloured clothing, cover up during evening and early morning hours and use a repellent if you need to. As for malarial prophylactics, we suggest you consult with your doctor or look here for more information.

How can I stay in touch with my family while I'm at MER?

• We have a satellite internet connection which you may use for a small fee. Skype is a handy and economical way to stay in touch.

Why do you call yourself an 'eco-resort?'

• Misool Eco Resort is deeply committed to a policy of environmental and social responsibility. We seek to provide exceptional and enriching experiences in a sustainable environment. We aim to protect and revitalize both our natural surroundings and the community in which we operate. We are committed to demonstrating to our hosts, our guests, and the local government that tourism can support a local economy with much more favourable terms than mining, logging, overfishing, or shark finning. You can read our mission statement here.