Join us on an extraordinary snorkel safari. We’ll take you to two of the best snorkeling destinations in the north and the south of Raja Ampat. We’ll stay in the best resorts in the area. This is the ultimate opportunity to snorkel Raja Ampat.
We’ll start the trip at the stunning Papua Explorers Resort, located in the north of Raja Ampat. The bungalows are spacious and built on stilts over the expansive house reef. Located in the heart of the Dampier Strait, there is a variety of snorkeling sites. All play host to some of the most diverse marine habitats found anywhere on the planet. Most are within a few minutes of the resort. Expect stunning coral gardens packed with hard and soft corals that carpet the island’s slope and shallows. Additionally, there are masses of fish exploding from the reefs. We also have good chances of swimming next to bigger fish such as manta rays, reef sharks, and schools of barracuda and jacks.
Thereafter, on our second stop, we will snorkel Misool, the southernmost set of islands in Raja Ampat. Misool is truly a paradise brimming with some of the most pristine coral reefs and more exotic marine species than you possibly count in a single trip. Misool Eco Resort is the only resort in this entire, largely uninhabited, area. However, the comfort and style of this resort is second to none. The surrounding waters are densely populated with sharks, rays, and swarms of fish big and small largely due to the amazing conservation efforts taken on by the resort. The house reef is simply breathtaking and we will have plenty of time to explore it.
This snorkel safari starts and finishes in Jakarta. The group will be accompanied by a Snorkel Venture tour leader who will take care of all the details so that you can relax and enjoy the trip.
Lisa & Kirk. March 2026
‘Our guide Marcus was an exceptional fun guide for our trip to Papua Explorers & Misool Resort in Raja Ampat. He communicated well and the whole group had such a good time. The coral & sealife was over the top beautiful, along with the accommodations & food’
Marine Life Guide
This tour is partnered with Misool Foundation. Find out how we support Misool Foundation via this tour here.
Please note that the itineraries for 2026 and 2027/28 are slightly different- the 2026 tour includes 8 nights at Papua Explorers and 9 nights at Misool Resort, where as the 2027 and 2028 tours include 7 nights at Papua Explorers and 9 nights at Misool Resort.
Day 1 - Arrive in Jakarta
Arrive at Jakarta International Airport (CGK) and check in to your Jakarta Hotel. Relax and recover from the journey. There will be a group dinner in the hotel restaurant, this is a great time for you to meet the rest of the group as well as the group leader who will give you a run down of the next few days. Late night check out as a group and check-in for our flight to Sorong.
Day 2- Travel to Papua Explorers, Raja Ampat
Early morning flight to Sorong where we meet the Papua Explorer crew and go to a hotel for breakfast and to relax. Thereafter, we drive to the pier and take the 1.5 hour transfer, by boat, to the resort.
Upon arrival, we will check in to our bungalows, have lunch, an orientation, and, time permitting, a snorkel on the house reef. We will then freshen up for dinner.
The house reef is accessed via the resort’s own private pier which has an easy-to-climb ladder for a comfortable entry or exit. The house reef is pretty spectacular and usually ends up being one of the highlights of the trip as the reef just in front of the resort is home to juvenile blacktip reef sharks, schools of fish, vibrant corals, and loads of cool critters. The beauty of the house reef is that you can snorkel it any time you want.
Day 3 - 9 - Snorkeling from Papua Explorers Resort
Our mornings will start with a breakfast buffet, serving a variety of home-baked goods, fruits, hot foods, and juices. We then set off on the speed boats accompanied by local snorkel guides to some of the beautiful sites in the area. We will do two different snorkel sites during the course of the morning excursion, each session lasting anywhere from 60- 75 mins, before returning to the resort for lunch. We will have boat and surface support on all our snorkels, as well as in-water local guides to assist and point out interesting marine life.
After lunch, we will head out to another site for our third snorkel session of the day. The house reef is always open for us to snorkel at any time you should choose.
The snorkeling accessible from the resort is highly varied and arguably some of the best in Raja Ampat. In this Dampier Straight region, you will find a multitude of beautiful coral reefs with each offering something different. Some may be situated around unique topography with shallow swim-throughs, while others may just extend for hundreds of meters in every direction. This area is also very popular with the manta rays as there are certain bays and islands where they are known to feed and clean at different times of the day. We may also have the opportunity to meander through the famous mangroves where the mangrove tree roots seem to be an extension of the coral reef below.
The marine life is just as diverse as the types of snorkeling sites, 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 jackfish, batfish, and the odd tornadoes of barracudas. On other 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.
Night snorkels are highly recommended as the house reef completely transforms at night when the nocturnal creatures come out to hunt. Some night snorkeling highlights typically include eels, cuttlefish, octopus, squid, crabs, shrimps, and even a walking shark that is endemic to the area…. the list is long.
Day 10 - Transfer to Sorong
After our time at Papua Explorers we’ll transfer to Sorong and overnight in anticipation for our transfer to Misool the following morning.
Day 11 - Transfer to Misool
After breakfast we will set off for Misool. The boat ride can take 4 – 5 hours, but we have a big beautiful boat, food, a large restroom, and plenty of indoor and outdoor space on the boat. 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 an orientation, and then a snorkel on the house reef before dinner.
Day 12 - 20 - Snorkeling from Misool
Day 21 - 22 - Transfer to Sorong & Jakarta
On our final day at Misool Resort, after a big breakfast and lunch, we will transfer to Sorong where we’ll check in to the Aston Hotel in anticipation of our flight back to Jakarta the following morning where the tour will end.
Papua Explorers Resort
The water bungalows blend traditional Papuan style with the comfort of modern design features. They are built using local, natural materials collected from the surrounding villages. All bungalows are equipped with en-suite toilets and showers, hot water, ceiling fans, mosquito nets, a desk, and a comfortable seating area. The spacious veranda with direct access to the sea, allows you to enjoy the sun and sea in your own privacy.
You will never miss a sunrise or sunset with the unique, round shape of the restaurant. On offer is traditional Indonesian cuisine as well as international comfort foods – all freshly prepared by the kitchen team. The resort has some kayaks available for guests to use and also offers a wide range of land tours to local villages, other islands, and bird watching. The spa offers a range of treatments in an open-air relaxing setting.
Misool
One of the world’s most remote snorkel resorts – Misool Resort – is neatly located on its own private island. The South Beach Villas are nestled in the dense jungle with the powder white sand beach in front. We’ll enjoy spacious rooms complete with AC, fans, a desk, wrap-around verandas, mini-bar, exquisite bathrooms with open-air showers, and very comfortable beds.
The 2026 tour also offers limited accommodation on the north side of the island- stilted over-water bungalows and villas. Please ask for more details.
Outside of snorkeling, there is tons to do at Misool. They have many kayaks as well as paddleboards, which is a great way to explore the island and its hidden beaches and coves. You are also welcome to indulge in massages, lounge in one of the many cozy spots around the resort grounds, or partake in one of their engaging talks that take place most evenings in The Hive, their brand new dive center (below) and multi-function lounge area (above).
From our South Beach Villas we can access the restaurant and the rest of the resort on the North Lagoon via a stunning pathway over the hill with breathtaking views, or via a taxi boat which can shuttle you back and forth any time you need as long as the tide is not at it’s lowest. The restaurant serves up a variety of Western and Indonesian treats throughout the day, as well as afternoon tea. The food here is fresh, mostly locally sourced, and just delicious!
Please note that the 2026 tour offers accommodation options on the South beach and the North lagoon area. Please ask for more information.
All resorts will make every effort to cater to special dietary requirements if prior notice is given. (Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free etc).
Resort Guide
Papua Explorers Snorkel Boat
Spacious fiberglass speedboats with enough room to easily store snorkeling equipment. The boats do not have a toilet onboard but do offer a full canopy for sun protection and a ladder to help exit the water. Average distance from the resort to the site is about 20 minutes.
Misool Resort’s Snorkel Boat
Spacious fiberglass speedboats with enough room to easily store snorkeling equipment. The boats do not have a toilet onboard but do offer a full canopy for sun protection and a ladder to help exit the water. The average distance from the resort to the site is about 20 minutes.
On this page you will find our Tour Dates & Pricing, a Request to Book Form and Details of Payment schedule including deposit and final balance.
My name is Kelly and I’ll be your personal consultant for this tour, I’ll manage your booking right up until you meet our tour leader in destination. I’ll be on hand to assist with everything from additional nights before and after your tour and making sure you are on time for our ‘Welcome Dinner’ to guidance on what to bring and the snorkeling conditions you are likely to experience. We share an email inbox at Snorkel Venture, you can fill out the form below or drop me an email at hello@snorkelventure.com. I look forward to assisting you on this tour.
Make an Enquiry or Book this Tour
Tour Dates 2027
20 April – 9 May 2027 (7 nights at Papua Explorers and 9 nights at Misool Resort)
Tour Price:
$12,565 USD per person (Twin/Double Share) Deluxe bungalow at Papua Explorers and a Water cottage at Misool Resort.
Tour Dates 2028
27 January – 15 February 2028 (7 nights at Papua Explorers and 9 nights at Misool Resort)
Tour Price:
$13,850 USD per person (Twin/Double Share) Deluxe bungalow at Papua Explorers and a Water cottage at Misool Resort.
$14,650 USD per person (Twin/Double Share) Deluxe bungalow at Papua Explorers and a North Lagoon Villa at Misool Resort.
25 April – 15 May 2028 (7 nights at Papua Explorers and 9 nights at Misool Resort)
Tour Price:
$13,850 USD per person (Twin/Double Share) Deluxe bungalow at Papua Explorers and a Water cottage at Misool Resort.
$14,650 USD per person (Twin/Double Share) Deluxe bungalow at Papua Explorers and a North Lagoon Villa at Misool Resort.
How to book your place:
Initial deposit: US$800 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
Please note for single supplement bookings we ask for 2x the deposit for each payment.
Inclusions:
- 1 Night in a Jakarta Hotel
- 8/7 nights Papua Explorers Resort Deluxe over-water Bungalow, full board, 3 daily boat snorkels, unlimited house reef access
- Domestic flights in economy class with 44lb/20KG’s checked baggage per person (Jakarta – Sorong -Jakarta)
- 1 Night Aston Hotel in Sorong with dinner and breakfast
- 9 nights in Misool Resort in South Beach Villa, full board, 16 boat snorkels, unlimited house reef snorkels
- 1 Night Aston Hotel in Sorong with dinner and breakfast
- Escorted by Snorkel Venture tour leader
- Local snorkel guides at each location
- All group transfers
- Raja Ampat Marine Park Fees
Exclusions:
- International flights & visas
- Snorkel equipment rental
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Health insurance (compulsory)
- General Sundries, beverages, laundry, etc
- Spa services
- Wi-Fi at Misool
Please note our cancelation policy: All deposits are non-refundable.
1 Year or more: 150 USD penalty per person, the balance will be given as a credit note for use within 2 years
12 months or less: Loss of deposit and interim payment
90 – 28 days: 25% Refund (includes your final balance payment)
28 – 0 days: No Refund
*We recommend that you purchase travel insurance to protect your deposit in the event that you have to cancel your trip.
