Misool Resort Snorkeling Tours

Variable

Duration

Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May

Month

24 People

Max Group Size

Explore some of the richest and most diverse marine habitats on the planet with a stay at Misool Resort. Located on an idyllic island in the far fringes of Indonesia, Misool is a paradise brimming with pristine coral reefs and more exotic marine life than you could possibly count on in a single trip. The resort is exceptionally comfortable, and given its remote location and you can relax and snorkel in absolute peace.

Expect colorful reef teeming with fish large and small, turtles, reef sharks, and a variety of smaller critters. We will also snorkel over manta cleaning stations looking for these gentle giants.

This is the pinnacle of marine life diversity within the Coral Triangle. At its most recent count in 2011 the region of Raja Ampat was recognized to contain 1427 reef fish species, over 600 coral species (75% of the world’s coral species can be found here), not to mention the pelagic life that is abundant in the area.

Because of the amazing conservation efforts by the resort, there has been a huge surge in marine life, and you can witness this on the doorsteps of the resort with a juvenile blacktip reef shark nursery which has naturally occurred.

While this area can have some strong currents, which bring in the nutrient-rich water that helps keep the reef alive and healthy, our local guides will choose protected sites, or appropriate times to enter the water to avoid being in current. If we are ever in a current, we will always float with the water and not try to swim against it. For this tour you should be comfortable in the water with some upper body strength to climb back up the ladder onto the boat.

Marine Life Guide

This tour is partnered with Misool Foundation. Find out how we support Misool Foundation via this tour here.

We offer 9 and 14-night tours to Misool Resort, please see details on the “Dates and Booking” tab

Day 1 - Arrive in Jakarta

Upon arrival into Jakarta International Airport (CGK) make your way to the Jakarta Terminal Hotel. Check-in and relax.

Meet your tour leader and group in the lobby for a late check-in for your flight to Sorong.

Day 2 - Transfer to Misool Eco Resort

Upon arrival into Sorong, we will be met by Misool staff and transferred to the pier where we will board our boat to Misool. The boat ride can take 4 hours, but we have food and a loo on the boat, and a shaded area too. The beauty of this region is breathtaking above and below the water, so this transfer provides a great opportunity to see the beautiful islands jutting out from the bright blue waters.

Upon arrival at the resort, we will check in to our bungalows, have lunch and orientation, and then snorkel on the house reef, before dinner. Misool resort’s house reef is unlike any other house reef out there. It quite literally starts at the doorsteps to your bungalows and wraps itself around the entire island. In the north lagoon in front of the restaurant you have the seagrass beds where green turtles feed throughout the day. This area also acts as a nursery for the juvenile blacktip reef sharks. Outside the bay is the sprawling hard and soft coral reefs that carpet the interesting underwater topography of the island, and even climb up the walls up to the surface. Out here you are likely to find the large school of jacks and bumphead parrotfish, the larger blacktip reef sharks, more turtles, and just a huge diversity of reef fish. It has been said that this is the “best house reef in the world.”

All the meals at Misool are served in the beautiful outdoor restaurant set over the water, with stunning views of the North Lagoon.

Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, while dinner is plated and served. Tea is served mid-afternoon when baked goods, savory and sweet will be served. The resort has a hydroponics lab and grows much of the ingredients we will eat right there. Other products are sourced from nearby local villages.

Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.

Snorkeling from Misool Eco Resort

Our days here will start with a delicious buffet breakfast followed by a snorkel trip by boat. Most of the snorkel sites are between 10 and 30 minutes from the resort. We will then return back to the resort for a big buffet lunch and some downtime, before heading back out to another site. Each snorkel session will last between 60 – 90 minutes. We will always have boat support so you can take a break back on the boat if you wish. Local snorkel guides will be with us in the water and available to point out interesting creatures we may encounter.

split shot of hard coral reef and raja ampat islands

The snorkeling in Misool is incredibly diverse, both in terms of marine life, and types of reefs available. As you will see, much of the Misool region is made up of hundreds of limestone islands with a unique overhang at the waterline. What this mushroom shape offers us snorkelers is an up-close look at some of the brilliantly colored soft coral which normally grows in the deeper and darker areas of the reef. The shade cast by these island’s unique shapes provides the perfect habitat for colonies of these exquisite corals to thrive just beneath the surface. Not only that, but schools of fish will gather beneath these overhangs as well as a source of protection. At the base of the island, just beneath the surface, the topography will generally turn into a coral-covered plateau full of sea fans and giant coral heads. These reefs will at times slope off into ridges, turn into walls, or even connect with another nearby island to explore.

Where marine life is concerned, you won’t have to look far as the reefs are exploding with life. The shallow reef tops are a great place to enjoy the rhythmic pulse of the colorful reef fish and admire the determination of the hawkbill sea turtles as they forage for the sponges at the base of corals. In the blue, you never know what you might find, but you can count on larger schools of jack fish, batfish, and the odd tornadoes of barracudas. On certain sites we might get lucky with some cleaning or feeding manta rays. This area has the highest species count of anywhere in the world so really, everywhere you look you’re bound to find something truly amazing.

Also highly recommended is a night snorkel or two- the reef completely transforms at night when the nocturnal creatures come out to hunt, including eels, cuttlefish, octopus, squid, crabs, shrimps, and even a walking shark that is endemic to the area…. the list is long.

Evenings, when not snorkeling, can be enjoyed at the bar with a soft drink or beer, looking at fish ID books or photos, and reminiscing about all the fabulous things encountered each day.

Leaving Misool- Transfer to Sorong and overnight

After breakfast we check out and transfer back to Sorong, where we spend a relaxing evening at the Swiss Belhotel, in preparation for our flight to Jakarta, departing the following morning.

two paddle boarders infront of misool resort's bungalows

Final day- Transfer to Jakarta- Tour ends

After breakfast we take a group transfer to the airport and check-in for our flight to Jakarta, where we bid farewell to our new friends and the tour ends.

One of the world’s most remote snorkel resorts – Misool Resort is neatly located on its own private island. The Water Cottages and villas on the North side of the lagoon rise on stilts over a tranquil lagoon, shaded by limestone cliffs – each one with a set of steps that lead you into the water and the house reef which is just a few fin strokes away.

two paddle boarders infront of misool resort's bungalows

The restaurant located on the north lagoon and is set back from a white sand beach and serves up a variety of western and Indonesian treats throughout the day. Just in front of the restaurant is a blacktip reef shark nursery and sea turtle feeding ground, so as you eat you can watch turtles munch away at the shallow seagrass while sharks pass just beneath where you’re sat.

panorama of misool resort's rooms and balcony

The villas on the south side of the lagoon are set on a sandy beach (and a couple nestled in the trees). At the end of a day’s snorkeling, you can kick back in a built-in hammock for sunset and stargazing.

Misool Resort Map

Resort Guide

Misool Resort Snorkel Boat

Spacious fiberglass speedboats with enough room to easily store snorkeling equipment. The boats do not have a toilet on board but do offer a full canopy for sun protection and a ladder to help exit the water. Distances from the resort average five to twenty-five minutes.

On this page you will find our Tour Dates & Pricing (see below contact form), a Booking Form and Details of Payment schedule including deposit and final balance. If you have any further questions please complete the form and we will reply within 24-48hrs.

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Tour Dates 2023

*Pricing is shown for water cottages/ south lagoon villas. North Lagoon Villas hold a surcharge.

27 February – 8 March 2023: 9 Night tour

Tour Price:

$4,785 USD (Twin/Double Share)

Tour Dates 2024

*Pricing is shown for water cottages/ south lagoon villas. North Lagoon Villas hold a surcharge.

16 – 27 October 2024: 11 Night tour

Tour Price:

$6,975 USD (Twin/Double Share)

How to book your place?

Initial deposit: US$400 per person

12-months from departure: US$600 per person interim deposit

6-months from departure: US$1000 per person interim deposit

Final balance: Due 12-weeks before departure

Inclusions:

7 / 9 nights accommodation in a water cottage/south lagoon villa and full board (all meals)
1 night Jakarta Airport Hotel with breakfast & transfers
1 night Sorong Hotel with breakfast & transfers
Services of local snorkel guides
Entrance fees & marine park fees
Domestic flights in Economy class with 20kg checked baggage (Jakarta – Sorong – Jakarta)
12 / 18 boat snorkeling sessions over 6/8 days
Unlimited House Reef Snorkeling
Return airport transfers
Fully accompanied by a member of the Snorkel Venture team