Join us on this extraordinary snorkel week as we explore one of the world’s most iconic tropical snorkeling destinations, Raja Ampat. We’ll spend 7 nights based at the stunning Papua Explorers Resort, located in the heart of the Raja Ampat archipelago. Within just a few minutes of the resort there is a huge variety of snorkeling sites that play host to some of the most diverse marine habitats found anywhere on the planet. Expect truly pristine coral gardens packed with hard and soft corals that carpet the island slopes all the way up to the surface. Masses of fish life explode from the reefs, with good chances of swimming next to bigger fish such as manta rays, reef sharks, and schools of barracuda and jacks.
While this area can have some current, 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 a current. If we are ever in a current, we will always drift with the water and not try to swim against it. You should be comfortable in the water with some upper body strength to climb back up the ladder onto the boat.
This tour is accompanied by a Snorkel Venture guide and is exclusively for snorkelers.
Marine Life Guide
This tour is partnered with Bite-Back. Find out how we support Bite-Back via this tour here.
Day 1 - Arrive in Jakarta
Arrive at Jakarta International Airport (CGK) and check in to our Jakarta hotel. Relax and recover from the journey.
Day 2 - Travel to Papua Explorers, Raja Ampat
Check out and meet the group in the lobby for our flight to Sorong where we meet the Papua Explorer crew, drive to the pier, and then take the 1.5-hour transfer boat to the resort.
Upon arrival, we will check in to our bungalows, have a snack and 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 and platform on the water’s edge 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 - 8 - 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 that are known to feed and clean at different times of the day. We will also take 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.
One morning we will head out early to a nearby island for a short trek to see if we can find the Birds of Paradise and even possibly see them doing their mating dance and showing off their amazing plumage. Another day will be spent out on the boats all day, as we tour the “The Passage”. On this day we will have a packed lunch on the boats, and enjoy 3 snorkel sessions before heading back to the resort. The exact days for these outings will be decided according to the weather.
Meals are served at the restaurant, built in an unusual circular design on stilts over the water, providing a 360 view of the ocean and jungle. Meals are generally served buffet-style and include western and Indonesian dishes and flavors. Snacks are served between snorkels on the boat, and afternoon tea, coffee, and snacks are served as we return from our third snorkel of the day.
Day 9 - Transfer to Jakarta via Sorong
We leave the resort on a morning boat transfer, in time to get our flight from Sorong to Jakarta where we bid farewell to our new friends. Tour ends here.
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 toilet and shower, hot water, ceiling fan, mosquito net, working 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. There is a resident yoga teacher and 2 free classes are offered per week with more available on request. The spa offers a range of treatments in an open-air relaxing setting.
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.
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.
Make an Enquiry or Book this Tour
How to book your place?
Initial deposit to secure your booking $400 per person
12 Months before departure interim deposit of $600 per person
6 Months before departure interim deposit of $1000 per person
Balance due 3 months before departure
Includes:
- Domestic flights in Economy Class with 40 Ibs of checked luggage allowance
- Group transfers throughout
- 1 night in a Jakarta hotel
- 7 nights Papua Explorers Resort with full board (all meals) in Deluxe Room Double / Twin Share
- Services of Snorkel Venture guides throughout
- 3 boat snorkeling sessions per day plus unlimited house reef snorkeling, including a trip to ‘The Passage’
- 1 x Birds of Paradise land tour
Excludes:
- Marine Park Fees – $100 US per person (subject to change)
- International flights & visas
- Snorkeling equipment rental
- Tips
- Travel and medical insurance
- Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, laundry and general sundries
*Note: Fees and surcharges are subject to change
