Thinking of traveling to Misool Resort? Find out if it is the right place for you with the pros and cons of the resort, a review of the diving, and plenty of practical tips (what to bring, what room to choose at Misool dive resort,…)

Arriving at Misool Resort

Misool dive resort is a hard place to reach. It feels a bit like going to the end of the world 🙂

You first need to fly to Indonesia ( Jakarta of Bali) , then Sorong in Papua, and then take a 4-hour speedboat organized by the resort every week.

Flying to Sorong, West Papua

You have several airport options like Jakarta International Airport, Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado, Makassar, or the Pattimura Airport in Ambon. Most people who are flying internationally connect via Jakarta.

TIP: At the time of this writing, Garuda allows an extra 15 kg of luggage free of charge specifically for diving equipment. Garuda also tends to be the most reliable airline when it comes to getting to Sorong.

Flights in Indonesia are frequently canceled or delayed, so you might want to spend a night in Sorong just to be safe. Nobody wants to miss their boat because of an airport mix-up.

As I was staying at the Swissbell hotel in Sorong the night before, I was picked up at 8 am by a car organized by the Misool Resort.

If you need to stay in Sorong before or after your Raja Ampat trip, you can stay at the Swiss Bell of the Fave hotel. I stayed at both and found the Fave Hotel cleaner.  If you are spending a day in Sorong, also read my article about what to do in Sorong.

Most packages to Misool resort include a night in Sorong after your trip as most flights out of Sorong depart in the morning

Misool Resort transfer boat ride

We boarded the Misool dive resort transfer boat at 8:30 am for a 9 am departure. The boat is small but comfortable.

Tip: make sure you have a good breakfast or bring some snacks. It is a 4 hours trip. Only bananas, oranges, and soft drinks were offered so I got hungry by the end of the trip. There is a small shop opposite to where the boat departs where you can buy snacks.

There is a large bathroom in the boat. The downstairs cabin can seat about 40 people There are a few outdoor seats upstairs for about 10 people. The air conditioning on our trip was broken so we kept the windows open. It was not too hot so it was ok. But we got splashed by a few big waves. Think about protecting your electronic equipment. I was not expecting it and my laptop got splashed. Fortunately, not too badly.

TIP: if you get seasick, choose a seat downstairs, at the back of the boat, near the center alley as those will move the least.

The first part of the ride was quiet as we went through a channel.

After 90 minutes, it became quite rough as we exited the channel and were now in the open sea.

Tip: bring some sea sickness tablets if you are prone to seasickness.

After one hour of bumps and splashes, it calmed down considerably.

We could start to enjoy the view of the lime karts and paradise looking beach of Misool.

There was excitement in the air as we arrived at the resort. Just upon landing, we saw sharks in the water!

After a quick Covid check on the Misool resort pier, where our temperature was taken and our certificates checked, we were taken to the restaurant for lunch. Lunch was a buffet of Indonesian food with lots of vegetables and chicken.

After lunch, we were shown to our rooms. There was a mixed up with the luggage as we received someone else’s luggage and one of my bags was missing. Fortunately, it was solved within the hour and the holiday could truly start

Sustainability at Misool Resort.

I start this review with sustainability as this is what makes Misool dive Resort a unique place in the world. Environmental and social sustainability is at the core of Misool Resort. They deserve huge respect for what they have accomplished and by choosing to stay here, you contribute to a very important marine conservation effort. You can read more about that in the sustainability series interview here. 

Misool Resort was created on a shark finning factory in 2005. They have leased a large area of 1220 sq km of sea to create and protect a marine reserve. They have established the Misool foundation that is patrolled by local rangers. Misool dive Resort donates 100 USD for every guest to the Misool Foundation.

The area is a no-take zone and has been working extremely well. By 2020, the fish mass was increasing, and more and more sharks and mantas were sighted. This is important as it is one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet!

However, on this trip in January 2021, it was worrying to see many local boats fishing so close to the resort. We were told they were allowed once a year to come and collect giant clams for a festival. During the week, we saw over 50 boats. They were everywhere! We didn’t see a single boat collecting clams but they were all fishing… We saw a few napoleon and groupers with fishing hooks in their mouth right by the resort which was hearth breaking. This is one of the last pristine sea areas on the planet and I hope it can be preserved for future generations.

Besides establishing the Marine protected area, a lot is done for the environment. Solar panels, bio septic tanks, or permaculture garden are examples of how Misool reduces its footprint on its precious environment

Misool Resort also supports the local population by hiring most of its staff from the local villages and creating education programs. They have done a great job of training their staff. Every single staff I have met at the resort was competent, helpful, and very friendly. Don’t go there expecting 5 stars proactive service like the Four Seasons with butlers and bells and whistles. But they for sure provided 5 stars simple, friendly and efficient service. Sue and Mark, the managers in charge was also very kind and dealt with all requests very quickly.

Overview of Misool Resort

Misool Resort is a small hotel with only 19 rooms spread over 2 locations. The north lagoon where the over the water bungalows are and the south beach with the beachfront cottages.

Besides the rooms, there is a restaurant with a large outdoor terrace and the dive center. The dive center is also the center of activity of the resort. This is where the evening talks take place. It is a great place to chill during the day with comfortable seats and views of the lagoon.

Review of the rooms at Misool Resort

The rooms are Misool Resort are spread over 2 locations. The north lagoon where the over the water bungalows are and the south beach with the beachfront cottages.

I stayed in the water bungalow number 3 and loved it!

It is a one-bedroom bungalow with a terrace overlooking the lagoon and the nearby islands. The balcony was what made the room special. I spent hours lazing on one of the lounge chairs. The net area over the water was one of my favorite areas to spend time.

The steps going directly from your room to the lagoon are genial. What a pleasure to go directly from your room to the sea for a morning snorkeling.

Note however that the room balcony offers little privacy. The balconies are open on the side so that the nearby rooms and the people on the wooden path can see onto your balcony

The bedroom itself is quite small but comfortable and well designed. The wooden texture gives it a natural feel. Natural ventilation in the ceiling makes air-conditioning unnecessary but it also allows mosquitos to come in.  So make sure you sleep under your mosquito net and tuck it in.

Tip: bring plenty of mosquito repellents ( cream and plug in) . They are not provided by Misool Resort. Mosquitos were very aggressive starting at 5 pm.

The bed was very comfortable and the sound of the water under the bungalow and flapping over the limestones cliff made for deep slumbers.

There is a minibar in the room. Soft drinks are complimentary and refilled every day. The Pocari Sweet was a nice touch to rehydrate after diving. Beer and wine are also provided but you need to pay for those.

TIP: there is no hard alcohol for sale at Misool Resort so make sure you bring your liquor bottles with you or get them from duty-free. If you like good wine, you might also want to bring that with you.

There is also a water gallon in the room which is super convenient. However, the water had a very bad taste to it. I mentioned it mid-week and was told the gallon had been changed. At the end of the week, I removed the cover and saw that the gallon was fifthly and full of Algae… Fortunately, I didn’t get food poisoning from it but this is far from ideal and probably the one big thing Misool Resort needs to improve.

The bathroom is large and outdoor with a hot water shower. Soap, shampoo, and conditioners are provided.

What room to choose at Misool Resort?

The resort has 2 areas. The South Beach and the North lagoon and both are very different.

North Lagoon rooms

The North lagoon hosts the dive center and the restaurant. All the bungalows and villas are connected by a wooden path on stilt which makes it easy to go back to your room between dives and meals.

If you plan to dive, consider bungalows 1 to 5 as they are the closest to the dive center. 1 and 2 are less private as their terrace faces the wooden path and is nearer to the dive center. Bungalows 3, 4, and 5 offers great views. 5 offers a bit more privacy as it is at the end of the path so that would be my first choice.

Villa Tabisasu in that area is also a great option as it offers privacy and is located right on the best area of the snorkeling reef.

TIP: The price difference between the villas and the bungalow is not that high, making the villas a great value.

The other path towards the restaurant leads you to bungalow 6, 7, and 8. This path is busier as it also leads to the 3 villas and the staff villages. People staying in those villas have complained about noise from the nearby staff village and the generators.

South beach rooms

South Beach offers 7 villas and is a great option for families who don’t plan on spending time at the dive center.

From the south beach, you reach the North lagoon and the hotel facilities by a 10 minutes and 100 steps path up which is very scenic but can become tiring if you have to hike it multiple times a day.

In high tide, the resort’s boat can also shuttle you back and forth between the two locations

The last 2 bungalows are right on the beach and would be a good option for people looking for more privacy.

The beach is wonderful with gentle waves making it great for kids to swim.

Some of the higher up bungalows have a nice view of the blue hole. The bathroom in villa Waya Biru looks stunning

Internet at Misool Resort

There was no internet or phone connection during our stay. We were informed a few days before departure that the satellite internet system of the resort was down and would not be fixed before a few weeks as the needed spare part is stuck in customs.

So if you need internet, bring your own satellite phone or stay somewhere else.

Review of the food at Misool Resort.

Food is served 5 times a day and was generally very good. The restaurant is cute with plenty of breeze facing the North Lagoon

A cold breakfast would be served at 6:30 before the first dive.

A cooked breakfast with eggs and a few other a la carte warm dishes alternating was served around 9:30.

Lunch was served family-style at 1 pm. It was often Indonesian food with vegetables, tofu, tempeh, and chicken. One day we got tortillas and another day we got tuna sushis.

5 pm is tea time with cakes and pastries.

The pastries and bread were delicious. MisoolResort is lucky to have an amazing baker!

The diner was served from 18:30. We could choose between 2 daily main courses or an a la carte menu was always available with a mix of Indonesian and western food ( i loved the pizza!)

The ingredients are simple ( mostly vegetables, chicken, and tofu) but the chef is great and was able to create some very tasty meals. As long as you don’t expect premium food like sirloin steak, cheese, lobsters, or high-end fishes, you should be satisfied with the food.

I was and did put on weight during the week 🙂

Christmas at Misool Resort

I was there for Christmas week and the Christmas diner was a disappointment. Beside a desert table with Christmas cakes, there was no mention of Christmas or special diner. It was vegetarian Tuesday at the resort and so I celebrated Christmas with Tofu, Tempeh, and vegetables ☹

What to do at Misool Resort?

What sets Misool Resort apart from any other resorts in the world is the quality of the underwater life and conservation efforts.

I was therefore surprised that most other guests during our stay were not diving. They still had a great time with plenty of activities to enjoy.

Day trips to other nearby islands were organized every day.

The South beach is a great place to relax with gentle waves great for swimming and a large golden sand beach.

I ended up spending hours reading books on the balcony of my overwater bungalow. I simply loved that place. It was so peaceful and I could sometimes spot turtles or sharks passing by just below my balcony!

Kayaks and paddleboards are available at any time of the day.

Diving at Misool Resort

Misool Resort set up a no-take protected area which has become one of the best diving destinations in the world.

The diving was spectacular. Between witnessing a sardines hunt to hanging out with 5 meters Oceanic mantas on the magic mountain dive sites, we could not get enough of it.

We saw mantas on more than half of our dives. As our group was well behaved and gave the mantas and their cleaning stations enough space, they would often hang out with us for the whole dive.

TIP: you don’t need to decide how many dives you will do in advance or pre-book everything. Misool Resort was flexible. We would just need to indicate the night before what dive we wanted to join fo the next day

Diving at magic mountain dive site

Magic Mountain is the most famous dive site in Misool and you can see the pictures below

Diving at Puri Pinnacle

The highlight of our dives was probably the huge sardines ball frenzy we stumbled upon at Puri pinnacle. Predator fishes, including a school of Mobula rays, were feasting on millions of sardines and other fishes. What an action-packed dive!

Diving organization at Misool Resort

Hotels guests were allocated to one of three boats.

There were 8 guests on our boats so it could feel a bit crowded but the boat was large and comfortable. The design of the 2 ladders at the back of the boat makes it easy to get back on the boat even for people with a mobility issue.

TIP: They plan the week so that the dive sites get better and better. So if you are only planning to dive a few days, you are better off skipping the first days and doing most of your dives towards the end of the week.

Our guide, Daddy, was great. He knew the dive sites well, kept a good pace, and could often find small critters for us.

Misool dive operation: 3 things could however be improved:

1) The group size was too big. With 5 or 6 divers per dive guide, it is way above the average group size I have experienced in Indonesia of 2 or 3 divers per dive guide. For our last dive, they added a beginner diver to our group of advanced divers, limiting the depth or types of dives possible.

2) Magic mountain and Boo windows are recognized as the best dive sites in Raja Ampat. Liveaboards are only allowed to dive them once per trip. I was hoping that by staying at Misool Resort, we would get to dive those amazing sites many times. Despite asking for it, we dove magic mountain only twice and Boo window’s only once over the week

3) There is little support after the dives, and you are expected to rinse your own equipment. The water tanks were often empty so we would need to fill them up ourselves every day. Not a big deal as they would fill up in 5 or 10 minutes but a luxury dive center might want to do it for the guests? There was also no water available in the dive center where people are often thirsty after they come back from diving.

It didn’t prevent us from having a great time diving. Sabine, the dive center manager was always smiling and available. She has a great knowledge of underwater life and has tons of really cool anecdotes about fish life to share.

More pictures from diving at Misool Resort

Snorkeling at Misool Resort

I snorkeled every afternoon directly from the resort. I enjoyed exploring the lagoon, the house reef, and the nearby islands.

I normally prefer diving but the snorkeling at Misool Resort was so good that I ended up going again and again. I also enjoyed the freedom of snorkeling alone and being able to go at any time.

During my first five minutes snorkeling in the water, I saw over 10 sharks, a turtle, a napoleon fish, and plenty of other fishes. This must be the best 5 minutes of snorkeling I have ever done 😊

TIP: people during our stay saw the walking shark while snorkeling at night below the jetty so if night snorkeling is your thing, check under the jetty.

I have not encountered strong current during my stay but would always inform Sabine, the diving manager, that I was going so that someone could keep an eye on me. Sabine was also super helpful to help me plan the snorkel itinerary taking into account the current at any time of the day.

TIP: I saw a box jellyfish and many other jellyfishes while snorkeling. Make sure you bring a rash guard or a wetsuit to protect yourself.

What is the best way to dive Misool? Liveaboard or Misool

Resort?

The big question on many people’s mind is whether it is better to dive Misool from a liveaboard or from Misool Resort. The answer is: It depends…

I have done 3 liveaboards cruises to Misool. You can read about my liveaboard trips here:

• Ilike from Sorong to Kaimana trip
• Ilike from Ambon to Sorong trip
• Neomi short Misool trip

Both the liveaboard and the resort have been an incredible experience and I recommend them all. Misolol is the ultimate diving destination.  If you can do both, go for it. Depending on what you are looking for a cruise or the resort will be better for you

Pro’s of liveaboard diving

1) If you like to do 4 dives a day, liveaboards are easier as they drop you right on top of the dive sites and you waste less time to get from dive sites to dive sites

2) Liveaboards also offer a wider range of dive sites as you can combine Misool with the Banda islands, Kaimana, or other areas of Raja Ampat. Liveaboards also get to dive Four Kings, an amazing dive site in Misool that Misool Resort doesn’t dive.

3) You get to visit other islands during the surface intervals like the hearth shaped lagoon, the jellyfish lake, or the cave with painting

4) You get a sunset view from the top deck on most evenings. ( Misool Resort faces North East so doesn’t get a sunset view )

5) You can often find last-minute availability ( Misool Resort gets booked up to 18 months in advance so you need to plan ahead if you want to stay there)

6) You meet more people as everyone follows the same schedule and diner are usually served at a communal table

Pro’s of staying at Misool Resort

1) You contribute to the protection of an important eco-system

2) The rooms are nicer than on most boats. The water bungalows are stunning. And if you get seasick, you can spend every night on land.

3) There are many non-diving activities offered. If you are traveling with children and non-divers, they will have plenty to do

4) The snorkeling around the resort is stunning

5) Misool Resort knows a few manta cleanings stations that they liveaboard don’t dive yet.

6) Honeymooners will have more privacy both in their cabin and at diner where they can get a 2 person table in a romantic setting.

So overall, if you are looking for an intense diving holiday, you will be happier on a liveaboard. If you are traveling with non-divers or want a more relaxed or diverse holiday, you will be happier at Misool Resort.

When’s the best time to go to Raja Ampat?

The diving season in Rajat Ampat is from September/October until April/May.

The best time of the year. If you want to see lots of fishes is November and December. The sea at this time usually is tranquil. Unfortunately, those months tend to suffer from poor visibility. ( but it is not always true. I have been to Raja Ampat in November and had good visibility)

January and February are when visibility is the best. It can be windy, and the sea can be choppy.

Conclusions of the Misool Resort review

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Misool Resort. As long as you go with the right expectations, you will be very happy there. It is a very special place. While you can find hotels with better rooms and service in that price range, what makes Misool Resort special is its isolated location in one of the last pristine marine protected areas of the world and its conservation efforts. It was a privilege to stay there. I highly recommend it and look forward to going back there. But you will need to book ahead as the hotel is booked up to 18 months in advance!