Papua Explorers, Raja Ampat
per person, full board
Overview
- Stunning dive resort built over the sea along the edge of pristine jungle
- Convenient location with weekly transfers and access to amazing dive sites
- Sustainable practices and conservation at the very heart of the resort’s ethos
Papua Explorers is one of Raja Ampat's latest dive resorts but has already built a reputation for exceptional service, amazing natural experiences and a commitment to sustainable practices. Guests can experience the incredible biodiversity of Raja Ampat’s dive sites that lie just a short boat ride away, or simply relax and enjoy a massage, kayak or hike through the breathtaking scenery, and learn about conservation.
Rooms
Superior water bungalow
1 x Double bed, sleeps 2
Ensuite bathroom, Fan, Private terrace...from $289 /night
Deluxe water bungalow
1 x Double bed, sleeps 2
Ensuite bathroom, Fan, Private terrace...from $309 /night
Resort checklist
Meal plans:
- Full Board
Free transfers
Free transfers are scheduled on Sundays and Wednesdays only.
Reviews
Juan D
Ado, the managing director, was very helpful during our stay. The dive guide could have been better.
Julie N
Papua Explorers Resort is a fantastic base for an awesome diving experience. All the staff are helpful and friendly - five stars to them all.
Diving in Raja Ampat
WobbegongNot frequently
Manta RaysYear round
Schooling reef fishYear round
Pygmy seahorseYear round
Healthy coralsYear round
Plentiful reef lifeYear round
Soft coralsYear round
TrevallyYear round
The diving in Raja Ampat can be broadly divided into two main areas. The north with its nutrient-rich currents, denser fish life and better hard corals. While Misool Island in the south offers divers better visibility and more plentiful soft corals.Â
Mansuar Island and the Dampier Strait
Mansuar Island and the Dampier Strait are the heart of Raja Ampat’s northern diving. This area is home to Raja Ampat’s original dive resorts and many of the famous dive sites. Here, divers can explore sites such as Chicken Reef, Sardine Reef, Batu Lima, Blue Magic and Cape Kri in the east, and Manta Ridge, Manta Sandy and Arborek Jetty in the west. Raja Ampat’s northern dive sites feature fantastic biodiversity, large numbers of schooling fish and plenty of action when the currents are running. Due to the popularity of the Dampier Strait, there is now a ranger station at Manta Sandy to ensure divers follow the correct rules when diving with manta rays.
North of the Dampier Strait
North of the Dampier Strait are the islands of Waigeo and Gam. This area is home to the aptly named Mayhem dive site and the famous Passage - a narrow channel that cuts between the two islands. The tidal flow through the Passage creates the ideal conditions for filter feeders. Divers can drift between huge soft corals and sea fans which reach for the surface beneath the overhanging mangroves.
Misool Island
Located to the south of the main islands, Misool’s diving is characterised by dramatic underwater landscapes, stunning reefs and manta rays. Divers will find lots of pinnacles and ridges carpeted in beautiful fans, soft corals and sponges. Dive sites such as Boo and Fiabacet have become famous for glorious reef diving, whilst Magic Mountain attracts divers in search of giant oceanic manta rays. A large number of the dive sites around Misool Island now lie within the Misool Marine Reserve, a protected area twice the size of Singapore! And the results of this protection are clear, with fish populations booming and the number of sharks increasing every year.
