Misool & Wakatobi Safari

Arguably two of Indonesia’s finest dive destinations combined into one complete tour, our Misool & Wakatobi dive safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience spread over 18 full days of adventure. You’ll be based out of Misool Resort in the very south of Raja Ampat and Wakatobi Resort in the Wakatobi National Park, just off of Sulawesi. Both locations offer something different in terms of the diving experience. Your time in Raja Ampat will be spent surrounded by massive schools of fish, good possibilities of manta ray encounters, and densely packed soft coral reefs that rise to the surface. In Wakatobi we can expect excellent visibility with endless coral reefs which play host to a huge range of marine life large and small. The main differences between the locations is the topography and reef structure, but also in the make-up and variety of the reefs themselves.

Many baby sharks

Misool Resort is a paradise brimming with pristine coral reefs and more exotic marine species than you possibly count in a single trip. The resort is exceptionally comfortable given its remote location. Because of the amazing conservation efforts taken on by the resort, the surrounding waters are bursting with life. This can be witnessed on the doorsteps of the resort with their thriving house reef and naturally occurring blacktip reef shark nursery.

Wakatobi Resort is situated at the geographical center of the Coral Triangle, the most marine bio-diverse environment in the world. Wakatobi in particular is recognized as having the highest number of coral and fish species found anywhere on the planet and has a truly amazing house reef, which one can easily explore from the resort’s jetty. The islands and reefs in the Wakatobi National Park have been preserved from the negative effects of large-scale tourism as the area is only accessible by a private charter flight and liveaboard boats.

Marine Life Guide Misool & Wakatobi marine life guide

Additional information

Duration	18 nights
Month	Mar, Apr, May
Max Group Size	24 People
Tour Style	Overland Safari

*Kindly note that this is just a sample itinerary. All of our Safari Tours can be tailor-made to fit everyone’s individual schedules.

Day 1 - Arrive in Jakarta

Upon arrival at Jakarta International Airport (CGK) make your way to the Jakarta Terminal Hotel at terminal 2E. Check-in a relax before your night-flight to Sorong.

Day 2 - Transfer to Misool Resort

Upon arrival into Sorong, you will be met by Misool staff and transferred to the pier where we will board our boat to Misool. The boat ride can take 4 hours, but the boat is very spacious with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating as well as a western toilet. We will of course be served snacks and drinks on board. The beauty of this region is breathtaking above and below the water, so this transfer provides a great opportunity to see the beautiful islands jutting out from the bright blue waters.

Upon arrival at the resort you check in to our bungalows, have lunch and an orientation, with the option of joining an afternoon dive before dinner.

Meals at Misool are served in the beautiful outdoor restaurant set over the water, with stunning views of the North Lagoon. All meals are served ala-carte with the exception of the light breakfast and tea which are more buffet style. The afternoon tea is served with your choice of baked goods, savory and sweet! The resort has a hydroponics lab that grows much of the ingredients we will eat right there. Other products are sourced from nearby local villages.

Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.

Day 3 - 8 - Diving from Misool Resort

Your days here will start with a delicious light buffet breakfast, followed by a morning dive, and then your big breakfast back at the resort. On those days where the dive sites are closer to the resort you will return to the resort after each dive for your meals. There will be days where the dives take place a bit further away, in which case you will stay out for two dives and the crew will prepare either breakfast or afternoon tea on a beautiful beach. You then return to the resort for lunch and dinner.

underwater photographer over soft coral and fish

Most of the sites are between 10 and 30 minutes from the resort.

We will also have plenty of opportunities to dive the expansive and healthy house reef, arguably one of the best in the world. Also, night dives can be organized for most nights where you’ll have the opportunity to see unique creatures including eels, walking sharks, cuttlefish, octopus, squid, crabs, shrimps…. the list is long.

Afternoons and evenings-when not diving-can be enjoyed at the bar with a soft drink or beer, looking at fish ID books or photos, paddleboarding or kayaking around the different islands, or just reminiscing about all the fabulous things encountered each day.

two paddle boarders infront of misool resort's bungalows

Day 9 - Transfer to Sorong and overnight

After breakfast you will check out and transfer back to Sorong where you’ll spend a relaxing evening at the Swiss Belhotel, in anticipation of our early morning flight to Bali the following day.

Misool resort and their large transfer boat

Day 10 - 11 - Bali

Upon arrival in Bali you will be transferred to Ubud, about 60 – 90 minutes from the airport. This charming town is known for local craftsmen, relaxed atmosphere, and sprawling rice paddies.

After checking into the Sankara Suits, your home base for the next couple of days, the afternoon is yours to do as you please. You are welcome to take a walk and enjoy the fields, take a taxi into the center of town for a browse, or relax at the resort. The following day we have a land tour orgaized to some of the incredible temples in Ubud and to the famous rice terraces.

Day 12 - Transfer to Wakatobi Resort

After an early transfer to the airport we check-in for our charter flight to Wakatobi. We will then go to the VIP lounge for a light breakfast. Upon arriving at the resort’s private airstrip at Wakatobi, we check-in, have some lunch and an orientation, with an optional house reef dive.

The house reef is famed for having the largest number of coral and fish species anywhere in the world. It is accessible off the resort’s pier.

Day 13 - 18 - Diving from Wakatobi Resort

Your days here will start with a sumptuous breakfast buffet, followed by two morning dives. Coffee, tea, and freshly prepared snacks as well as a western toilet are available onboard the dive large dive boats.

You’ll return to the resort for a delicious lunch which is served buffet style and offers a large variety to choose from.

After lunch you’ll head back out for another afternoon dive before returning to the resort where you can either take your afternoon easy and indulge in the resort’s amenities like massages, interesting lectures about the area, stand-up paddleboarding, or just enjoying the beautiful scenery. If you haven’t had enough diving you can always jump in on the house reef with a buddy or guide, or join a night dive which are organized regularly.

Day 19 - Transfer to Bali

After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll check out and take the charter flight back to Bali where you’ll bid farewell to your new friends, and the tour ends.

Misool

One of the world’s most remote dive resorts, Misool Eco Resort is located on its own private island. The Water Cottages and villas on the north side of the lagoon rise on stilts over tranquil waters, shaded by limestone cliffs – each one with a set of steps that lead you into the water and the house reef which is just a few fin strokes away.

panorama of misool resort's rooms and balcony

The villas on the south side of the lagoon are set on a sandy pristine beach (and a couple nestled in the trees). At the end of a day’s diving, you can kick back in the built-in hammock for sunset and stargazing. The restaurant is set back from a white sand beach and serves up a variety of western and Indonesian treats throughout the day.

Sankara Suites

Sankara Suite Guest Room

The Sankara Suites & Villas is located in Ubud, around 1.6 miles from Ubud Market and Ubud Palace. Featuring views of the valley and surrounding greenery, the resort houses an outdoor swimming pool and spacious suites decorated with Balinese elements. Each room has terrace or balcony with a seating area and a private bathroom with toiletries and a bath. A continental or à la carte breakfast is available every morning at the property. Guests can enjoy American and Asian dishes at the restaurant or have a cocktail at the bar.

Wakatobi

Despite its secluded location, the resort has beautiful luxurious accommodation built in tune with the environment using ethically and locally sourced materials and labor. The resort offers additional creature comforts like a full-service spa, a jetty cocktail bar with amazing sunset views, a small library and audio-visual room, and a souvenir shop.

Wakatobi Resort's rooms

The food at the resort is refined, and the professional chefs combine fresh ingredients to create a variety of Indonesian, Asian and International dishes.

All special dietary requirements will be catered for (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc).

Resort Guide

Dive Boats

Misool and wakatobi boats

Misool Resort: Spacious fiberglass speedboats with enough room to easily store diving equipment and cameras. The boats do not have a toilet on board but do offer a full canopy for sun protection and a ladder to help exit the water. Distances from the resort average twenty-five minutes.

Wakatobi: Large wooden boats complete with gear up area and full canopy for sun protection. Marine toilets with showers are on all boats as well as freshwater bins for equipment and cameras. The average travel time from the resort to the sites is fifteen minutes. Exit the water via ladders on the side of the boat.