Trip Report - Misool Eco Resort

[Damselfish]

Sometimes they are just doing what people are requesting. Photographers, for one, will sometimes request less current. In our group of 4 on an RA liveaboard, were 3 photographers who and myself (not a photog but still not a crazy current fan.) Our guide obliged and I don't think we missed anything. It's a situation where small dive groups are a real advantage, as it's easier for everyone to get what they want.

 

[Laval]

At Sorido Bay Resort the ration is 3 to 1, but in my case on most dives, it was 1 to 1.

 

[Cali_diver]

Well we had a couple horrid and destructive divers on our most recent LOB and a few beginners so that was probably also the reason we stayed in that area a bit longer. Personally I am a photographer and always prefer current especially in a place like Raja (not so much for critter diving). Where there is current, there are fish, open soft corals etc...

 

[billt4sf]

It was strange to hear that DMs avoided currents on your dives. Could it be because some divers in your group were not experienced enough?

No.

 

[SpeckledGrouper]

We went to Misool in Dec/Jan 2017/18
I agree with Laval on many aspects and would not return, mostly because of the awful food..
You can read my Trip Advisor review here Great Experience - Review of Misool, Raja Ampat, Indonesia - TripAdvisor

 

[chris kippax]

Our first trip to R4 was on the Arenui. It was a 13 day greater RA itinerary. I still feel that is the best way to see it and it keeps it very interesting. Soft corals in the south, current in the strait and muck/jetties in the North.
It was an excellent trip and I recommend it to anyone that listens.

 

[Cert1967]

Misool and Sorido Bay - two of the best places in the world to dive. Different? Sure that's what makes both of them outstanding. It's a long way to RA, why not do both? Better yet, throw in a liveaboard.

Misool - three dives every day and all were outstanding.

Want more - the lagoon reef awaits. Best? Well, mantas swimming to you at 'touch distance' on Magic Mountain - eyeball to eyeball. The only problem at MM was that there was so much to see and so little gas. The deep side of MM - don't go there - too many mantas on our last dive. The other sites? We found each and every dive to be outstanding. And lots of other stuff to do. Some folks would rather do 'stuff' than dive - well, to each his own. I thought the food was excellent, although I would have liked more variety in fresh fish. Mini and Big Breakfast, why not? Staff was great. Boat Transfers? The old boat wasn't optimal - the new one looks great. If you have made a direct - say ~35-40 hour trip - then the boat ride is indeed long. The killer is the CGK-SOQ midnight flight. We have had smooth seas and rough seas. The first part of the outward journey is via a protected channel and then into the open ocean. Everyone is happy on arrival.​

Sorido - outstanding resort, staff, and management. Food was excellent. Diving - outstanding. We enjoyed the diverse group of good divers. Max is a wealth of information. Oh to have been there in the early years.

OUR FREE SCHEDULED TRANSFER

SUNDAYS

For stays of 7, 14 and 21 nights we operate a boat transfer from Sorong to/from the Island on Sundays.​

THURSDAY/WEDNESDAY

For stays of 10 & 17 nights there are two options for the standard boat transfer, either:

Arrive Thursday and depart Sunday, or Arrive Sunday and depart Wednesday
Usually the boat leaves Sorong at 9:30 am arriving in the resort around 11:00 am. For the departure is scheduled to arrive at 9am in Sorong.​

General - RA requires a long trip, which is well worth the time and effort. Take it as you wish, but a stop or two (both ways) makes the trip more enjoyable for us.

Me? Can't wait to go again.

***********************

Diving was not an option on the departure day. Plus you would have your wetsuit and BCD wet.

We dove on departure day, early in the AM - no problem. Rash guard and shorts - BPW was dry enough by departure. ​

At the same time, the DMs really are hesitant to take divers to currenty sites including (and especially) Cape Kri. Been there twice and had a really hard time getting them to take us there when the currents are running. Seems like the DMs just are not comfortable with it. Other sites same result -- they want to go at slack tide or on the lee side only. (And we asked, multiple times, on both visits, to go to high-current sites).

Cape Kri on a twilight dive had big current. We hooked in at ~15m and enjoyed the show, dinner time. It was spectacular. ​

You made a good point about no dives on Saturdays. At the same time, they offer night dives on Saturdays. In addition, you could dive at the house reef, if you have a buddy, but they charge full price for these dives, which I found strange.

Saturday? Sorido set out cylinders for us. We had a good time in the "blue hole". We would dive every day, but it worked out for us.​

 

[Shasta_man]

What don't you like about Indo food? Just curious. I saw the other report about why they didn't like the resort food, but you mentioned Indo food in general...

 

[billt4sf]

Me? So boring. Nasi this, Nasi that. Often the stuff is bland until you add hot sauce. To me, that’s bad cooking.

 

[Kinglake]

A bit off topic, but at Sorido (or Kri Eco), what does a beer and/or glass of wine cost? I'm fully aware alcohol in general is expensive there, and bringing your own is recommended, however on an extended trip, that could become a problem.