Sorido Bay and Kri Resorts THE RESORTS Kri Island is located about 75 km northwest of Sorong, which lies at the tip of the Bird’s Head peninsula in West Papua, the island furthest east in the Indonesian archipelago. Kri Island is approximately 2 hours by private boat from Sorong. This is a destination for those interested in the opportunity to experience total escape and truly exceptional diving.  The nearest habitation is at the airfield 75 km away, the resort is limited to 18 guests and you will never in the world find more exhilarating underwater experiences. This is definitely a feeling of leaving the world behind! THE ACCOMMODATION SORIDO BAY RESORT Sorido Bay Resort is the upscale option on Kri Island and offers two kinds of oceanfront bungalows, both very spacious and elegant. The “Sentani” is 65m² and the “Kaimana” is 90 m². The resort has been built combining modern and traditional Papuan building styles and materials. Each bungalow has TV with individual satellite programs, plus air conditioning, large bathroom, and mini bar – and the bungalows are decorated with authentic Papuan artifacts. For the photographer, there is also a 3 meter long camera work table with 220V and 110V power outlets and rinse sink in each bungalow. The resort is limited to 18 guests in total. The main buildings are also very spacious and have wireless internet connection.  There is a dedicated library and a photo/video lounge (with 2 iMac computers) and the kitchen prepares delicious Asian meals. Vegetarian meals or other requirements on request. Fresh fruit juices and snacks are served after the dives.   KRI ECO RESORT Kri Eco is Sorido Bay's less sophisticated little sister.  Here you find water bungalows - for a maximum of 20 guests. Because of the construction, you have a cool sea breeze flowing through and great panoramic views of the surrounding area – so even from your bed you can hear the sound of the sea! Some bungalows are located on the jetty itself, while the others have their own piers from the beach.  All of them are traditionally built with local materials, such as round wood, bamboo, palm trees leaves - all lashed together with vines from the jungle. Each building contains two sleeping rooms and at least one separate sitting area, furnished with locally made bamboo table, benches and hammocks. The guest accommodations are divided by partitions, and each room has sliding doors which can be closed for privacy. Each room has 24 hour electricity, western style bed & mattress, mosquito net, an electric fan, chairs & desk, side tables & reading lamps. There is also a camera table with several sockets where guests can work or charge their camera gear. Housekeeping provides fresh drinking water and towels everyday to the room. Close to the sleeping accommodation, on land, are six very clean & spacious Indonesian style bathrooms (called mandis) for our guests to share.  THE DIVING     Papua Diving offers tailor-made diving with a maximum 6 divers in one boat with at least 2 dive guides for 6 people . The dive itinerary is developed based on the interests & requests of the guests and the dive packages are sold in  5, 10, 15 or any number of dives you may choose.  All divers and non divers visiting Raja Ampat will also need to pay an annual entrance fee for the Marine Park of  500,000 Rupiahs per person (Rp 250,000 for Indonesians). We collect payments from guests and Rp350,000 goes towards Conservation International for conservation purposes and the remaining Rp 150,000 goes to local government.   Raja Ampat's pristine beauty, both above the water and below the water, is truly unrivalled. Diving conditions are good here all year round with visibility averaging 20 metres. Water temperature is a constant 28 or 29 degrees Celsius. There are also currents in this area and we plan the dives according to the tides and least current. During a typical week guests can expect to see manta rays, various species of pygmy seahorse, wobbegongs & endemic ‘Raja Ampat walking sharks’,  large numbers of schooling fish such as bumphead parrot fish, giant trevally & barracuda plus just about every reef fish in the book. This is set against a vibrant backdrop of the world’s healthiest hard and soft corals. The house reef at Cape Kri is where Dr. Gerry Allen recorded 283 different species of fish during ONE dive. This made Cape Kri not only the fish richest dive site known to science, but also the richest house reef anywhere!    The dives included in the package prices are for dive sites within a 10km radius of the resort. Outside of this zone there are fuel surcharges ranging from E20 p/p to E60 p/p for far-away dive sites such as Fam Islands and the Passage, although there is no charge for the first trip to Manta Point to see manta rays. You do not need to go outside of the 10km radius as there are countless local dive sites which are so good that you will want to return to each several times. WHAT'S INCLUDED?   Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, plus tea, coffee, syrups and cold drinking water are free. Transfers from the airport to the dive resort and vice versa on Sundays (see below conditions). All service charges and taxes are included Trip to the Birds of paradise is free of charge every Saturday morning. All dive package prices are for dive sites within a 10 km range of the resorts EXTRAS AVAILABLE Soft drinks and beer are available for a fee   COMMUNICATIONS  There is internet access only at Sorido Bay Resort. Guests staying at Kri Eco Resort are welcome to use the facilities at Sorido – the cost per minute for internet access is Euros 0.25. Kri Eco is a 10 minute walk from Sorido Bay at low tide.   At both resorts you will be able to get a signal on your mobile phone. The local provider for the best signal is Indosat. Telkomsel also works but the signal is better for Indosat. HOW TO GET THERE   The main ports of entry are Jakarta, Bali or Manado and from these cities there are regular flights to Sorong. It is easiest to fly through to Sorong via Jakarta or via Singapore. Merpati, Express Air and Lion Wings operate daily flights from Jakarta to Sorong (with stopovers in Ujung Pandang/Makassar and/or Manado), whereas Silk Air operates regularly from Singapore to Manado.  There are also regular flights to and from Sorong on Merpati and Lion Wings. All bookings are based on Sunday to Sunday arrivals and departures. This is the only day that boat transfers to and from the resort are free. During low season you can arrange non-Sunday transfers upon request at a fee of E250.00 per boat one way. Our free transfers on Sundays can be arranged according to your flight schedule.. On arrival at Sorong airport you will be met by staff who will assist you from that point on. They will also assist on your departure. WHEN TO GO The weather is basically good all year round. The seas are very smooth almost all the time.  Some small waves are encountered from mid July to mid September - but do not interfere with the diving.  There isn't really a rainy season: rather you are likely to have some showers most days year round.  After the showers, you'll find bright sunshine again. NO DIVING ON SATURDAYS Papua Diving has a no diving policy on Saturdays, as this is the day of rest for all staff.  Diving is not offered between 6pm Friday and 6pm on Saturday, however night diving is possible at 7pm on Saturday. We offer a free trip to see the Red Bird of Paradise on neighboring Gam island on Saturday mornings. The transport is free but guests are requested to pay Rp 100,000 each to contribute to conservation of the birds.  Saturdays are for relaxing & guests are invited to explore the island & to enjoy snorkeling or kayaking. Contact us for additional details or to book spaces.