Explore Misool

Misool is one of the four major islands in the incredibly diverse region of Raja Ampat in West Papua, Indonesia. Part of the Coral Triangle, research has shown that Raja Ampat has a greater marine diversity than anywhere else in the world, with over 1,300 species of coral reef fish and 600 species of hard coral. Protected by the Misool Private Marine Reserve, the waters surrounding Misool are thriving, offering those heading underwater the chance to witness sea turtles, wobbegong shark, majestic manta rays and a whole host of macro life. Within a 15-minute boat ride from the island of Misool, there are several world-class dive sites ready to explore. Divers can expect manta cleaning stations, coral-covered walls, reef flats, swim-throughs and current-swept pinnacles.

Located on Misool, an eco-friendly resort equipped with its own dive centre, allows guests to listen to the sound of lapping waves from a luxurious eco-villa before donning their fins and heading into the water straight from the shore. Divers who want to explore the whole of the Raja Ampat archipelago should hop on one of the visiting liveaboards departing from Sorong.

Upcoming Events

Misool Eco Resort, Raja Ampat March 2028

March 16 - 29, 2028 Skill Level: All Experience Levels Misool Eco Resort Trip Leader: Graham Casden Raja Ampat remains one of Ocean First’s favorite and most popular destinations. Misool Eco Resort in particular has become a frequent destination for Ocean First not only for the spectacular biodiversity, but also because MER upholds many of our same values. This special retreat was built on a former shark finning camp and, after careful management and preservation, has returned to it’s former glory as a nursery for baby blacktip sharks. Working together with the local villages, MER protects over 300,000 acres in this remote part of Indonesia. The effects of conservation are obvious once you put your head below the surface. The reefs are bursting with colorful reef fish, camouflaged macro creatures, octopus, soft corals, nudibranchs and numerous species of crustaceans. Looking out into the blue you will find manta rays, mobula rays, blacktip sharks, and enormous schools of baitfish. We love this beautiful part of the world!

Ocean First, 3015 Bluff Street, 80301, Boulder, CO, USA

March 16, 2028

$10,395.00

Misool Eco Resort, Raja Ampat March/April 2028

March 25 - April 7, 2028 Skill Level: All Experience Levels Misool Eco Resort Trip Leader: Graham Casden Raja Ampat remains one of Ocean First’s favorite and most popular destinations. Misool Eco Resort in particular has become a frequent destination for Ocean First not only for the spectacular biodiversity, but also because MER upholds many of our same values. This special retreat was built on a former shark finning camp and, after careful management and preservation, has returned to it’s former glory as a nursery for baby blacktip sharks. Working together with the local villages, MER protects over 300,000 acres in this remote part of Indonesia. The effects of conservation are obvious once you put your head below the surface. The reefs are bursting with colorful reef fish, camouflaged macro creatures, octopus, soft corals, nudibranchs and numerous species of crustaceans. Looking out into the blue you will find manta rays, mobula rays, blacktip sharks, and enormous schools of baitfish. We love this beautiful part of the world!

Ocean First, 3015 Bluff Street, 80301, Boulder, CO, USA

March 25, 2028

$10,395.00

Misool Eco Resort, Raja Ampat November 2028

November 1 - 17, 2028 Skill Level: All Experience Levels Misool Eco Resort Trip Leader: TBD Raja Ampat remains one of Ocean First’s favorite and most popular destinations. Misool Eco Resort in particular has become a frequent destination for Ocean First not only for the spectacular biodiversity, but also because MER upholds many of our same values. This special retreat was built on a former shark finning camp and, after careful management and preservation, has returned to it’s former glory as a nursery for baby blacktip sharks. Working together with the local villages, MER protects over 300,000 acres in this remote part of Indonesia. The effects of conservation are obvious once you put your head below the surface. The reefs are bursting with colorful reef fish, camouflaged macro creatures, octopus, soft corals, nudibranchs and numerous species of crustaceans. Looking out into the blue you will find manta rays, mobula rays, blacktip sharks, and enormous schools of baitfish. We love this beautiful part of the world!

Ocean First, 3015 Bluff Street, 80301, Boulder, CO, USA

November 1, 2028

$13,165.00

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Top Misool Dive Sites

Boo Windows

Known for its striking topography, Boo Windows features two swim-through 'windows' on a small island. Divers often encounter patrolling sharks, including the elusive wobbegong shark resting under large table corals. Currents are strong, making it suitable for advanced scuba divers. The site also has a large pinnacle for exploring unique marine critters.

Yillet

Yillet Island is renowned for its numerous overhangs and caves, ideal for exploring with a diving torch. It's a haven for macro life, offering sightings of small marine creatures. This site is mainly for advanced scuba divers due to its complex formations. No specific freediving opportunities are noted here.

Magic Mountain

Magic Mountain serves as a manta cleaning station where both oceanic and reef mantas are frequently seen. This submerged pinnacle, reaching up to 7 meters/23 feet, is also a nursery for white-tip reef sharks. It's an excellent spot for advanced scuba diving, located within a zone of ecological importance.

Nudi Rock

Nudi Rock is famous for its vibrant collection of nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, cowries, and other small marine life. This site is suited for both scuba diving and freediving, welcoming divers of all levels. The colorful marine biodiversity makes it a must-visit for underwater photographers.

House Reef

Located at Misool's only dive resort, the House Reef offers world-class shore diving experiences. It is home to a diverse array of marine life, suitable for both scuba and freediving. This site is suitable for all diving levels and is a protected area, emphasizing conservation efforts.

The best Months to dive in Misool

Most Indonesian liveaboards visit Misool during the months of October until the end of April, although it is possible to find a few boats running trips all-year-round. The Papua provinces have two rainy seasons - in November to December and again in July to August but during November and December, Misool diving is not disrupted. During the months of July until early September, the weather brings strong winds and rain, resulting in rough seas and the closure of Misool’s only resort.

Aside from this, sea temperatures remain pretty constant, ranging from 27°C/80.6°Fbetween May and October to 30°C/86°F in the November and April period. For a greaterchance of seeing large pelagic fish and mobula rays, head to Misool duringSeptember and October when schools of baitfish arrive. The south winds in Mayand June bring more sharks, while visibility tends to be at its best in Novemberand February through to March.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Misool

The reefs surrounding Misool are a refuge for an abundance of marine life including, large groupers, the vibrant mandarin fish, wonderpus, blue-ring octopus, and the tasselled wobbegong sharks. Both reef and oceanic manta rays can be witnessed at the areas manta cleaning stations among vibrant soft corals, schooling snappers and trevally as well as cruising white-tip reef and grey-reef sharks.

Watch as a turtle, both green and hawksbill, glide up to the surface in an elegant slow-motion fashion and spot the epaulette shark in the shallows, scooting along with their pectoral fins, hunting for their next meal. Friendly humpback wrasse drift past curiously while at Fabiacet, great hammerhead sharks can be found coming up from the deeper water to inspect what this new group of rubber-clad, bubble-blowing creatures are doing.

Surgeonfish and sleek unicornfish aggregate in large numbers at most dive sites, as well as resident pale-tail chromis which flit around the reefs many cracks and crevices. At sites swept by strong currents, great barracuda can often be seen circling overhead.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography