The world‘s finest diving
Pristine & dazzling Misool is in a deliciously remote corner of Raja Ampat on a small private island, Batbitim. Not easy to reach but worth the effort as both resort & diving are other-worldly!
A half day’s journey from the nearest resort, Misool is one of the last true Paradise Islands.
Fringed by powder-white beaches and protected by stunning clear lagoons and abundant reefs, you’ll find just eleven guest cottages, plus a restaurant – and some of the world’s richest & most awesome reefs to dive.
The cottages are built of native materials & salvaged driftwood with western comforts in mind.
“Miles and miles and miles from anywhere … this idyllic resort just does everything right … the accommodation, the setting that was chosen, and the proximity to some of the planet’s most exhilarating diving. Plus, it really is an eco-resort. Every effort is put into doing no harm! Our time here is etched permanently into our memories. It’s a never-to-be-forgotten paradise ….. Dominick Macan
There are 8 Water Cottages, which are built on stilts over the lagoon and from which you can slip directly into the water to explore the house reef. Each cottage is equipped with air conditioning, a mini-bar, a massive veranda with a built in hammock, and a Balinese-style en suite bathroom.
Seven Reef View Villas are located on the South Beach with views over the deep water swimming hole, just steps away from the beach. This beach is reached by a short but steep walk over the hill from the Water Cottages and resort center. Alternatively, a water taxi is reachable by radio and available at all times except very low tide.
Four more villas are located at North Lagoon – 2 of them overlooking the fabulous house reef.
The restaurant is at the beach and overlooks a shallow turquoise lagoon. The cuisine is designed to delight. An internationally-trained chef will prepare lovely meals using organic, locally grown produce as much as possible.
A note directly from the resort owners: “The construction and operation of the resort have been meticulously engineered to minimize our environmental impact. In addition to salvaging driftwood and milling our own lumber, we’ve engineered our buildings with energy efficiency in mind. We’ve installed waste water gardens to minimize our consumption, and we’re experimenting with solar and wind power to augment our generators. Our labor force is drawn largely from Yellu, the closest village. We’re proud to offer them favorable working conditions, health benefits, job training, and English lessons.”
For each guest booked, Misool donates $100 USD to their registered Indonesian charity, Misool Foundation. This helps protect the world’s richest reefs by funding their ranger patrols, paying school teachers’ wages, and intercepting ocean-bound plastics. Misool Foundation operates the Ranger Patrol protecting the 300,000 acre Misool Marine Reserve as well as Misool Community Recycling Project and the Misool Manta Project.
This is one of those rare opportunities to take part in truly sustainable tourism.
Meals are served the beach-front restaurant which offers an emphasis on fresh local food. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style – a mini-breakfast before the first dive, a giant cooked breakfast after the first dive. Lunch is served family-style. Afternoon teatime features homemade treats and savoury snacks. Dinner is served restaurant style, so your meal is always prepared fresh even if you’re planning a night dive. An all-day a la carte menu available.
We can easily accommodation vegetarians and vegans. Please let us know about any other dietary restrictions or allergies well in advance of your arrival. 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.
Describing the diving experience in this area in a succint fashion is pretty much an impossible goal.
We’d like to suggest, especially if you are new to Raja Ampat, that you take a few minutes to view the National Geographic report by underwater photographer, David Doubilet. The information is superb and the photography inspiring. Follow the link below:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/09/indonesia/indonesia-undersea-interactive
Misool has selected more than 60 dive sites within a one-hour boat ride of the resort – and that’s only the beginning! Within 10 minutes of the resort lie at least 20 of what are considered world-class dive sites, all within the 200 square kilometer Marine Protected Area established by Misool in 2006.
You’ll find virtually all types of underwater topography here and a vast variety of reef systems plus visibility that is usually more than 25 meters. Water temps average about 26 – 28 degrees C – 78 – 82 F. You’ll dive coral covered walls, reef flats, caves and swim throughs, gentle sea mounts, placid lagoons, and current-raked pinnacles.
Due to the acknowledged immense bio-diversity in this area, a list of what you can see here is not an undertaking conducive to a quick website overview!
The Dive Centre is spacious and airy, and well-suited to professional photographers and videographers. The 50 sqare meter wet area is equipped with a massive work station, perfect for setting up cameras, charging torches, etc. The adjacent dry area is furnished with comfortable lounge chairs, a small library, and a monitor for reviewing the day’s images. There is also a sunny 120 square meter veranda just outside, perfect for warming up between dives.
If you haven’t yet watched the National Geographic video, here’s a quick glimpse of what you can expect:
The Big Stuff – Giant Mantas, Mobula Rays, immense schools of surgeons, swirling Barracuda, Wobbegang sharks, and more.
The Macro – ghost pipefish, blue-ringed octopus, frogfish, pygmy seahorse, mandarin fish – plus, plus plus, plus, plus!
Given the extreme desirability of this area for photographers, the dive center has been designed and built to meet all the needs of amateur & professional videographers and photographers.
Our biggest strength is our direct contact with diving enthusiasts. Anything unclear? Get in touch:
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