For reef diving enthusiasts, a dive trip combining Komodo and Raja Ampat will be hard to beat. This itinerary includes stays at two magnificent secluded resorts, with access to some of the healthiest reefs in Asia. The sheer volume of fish and other marine life is simply awe-inspiring.
Situated in the Coral Triangle, widely known as the most marine bio-diverse region in the world, Indonesia offers some spectacular reef diving. With it's many protected areas, the corals in many of marine parks have been saved from coral bleaching, dynamite fishing and other harmful practices, leaving the reefs thriving in pristine condition.
You start off on arrival in Bali. Here you spend the night at a lovely hotel near the airport before boarding an early flight to Labuan Bajo. Upon arrival you are met and driven a short distance to the pier where we board the comfortable boat for an hour and a half ride to Sebayur island. Komodo Resort is the only establishment on this island. The spacious, luxurious, air-conditioned en suite bungalows are all on the sea front, with lovely balconies and private sun loungers. The beach bar offers stunning sunset views and delicious cocktails, and the open restaurant caters 3-4 course meals a la carte.
The resort is located within the national park and distances to dive sites varies from 3 to 90 minute boat rides. The reefs in the park have not been damaged by coral bleaching or dynamite fishing and are some of the healthiest I have seen. There are fringing reefs, pinnacles and walls, all covered with magnificent hard and soft corals. They are teaming with life from reef fish, to critters, to sharks and manta rays.
After a spectacular week of diving we transfer back to Labuan Bajo and fly to Sorong where you overnight in a local hotel before an early morning pick up by Papua Paradise Eco Resort staff. After the 2 hour boat transfer, you arrive at this magnificent sandy beach lined with stilted bungalows in the shallows overlooking the house reef. The Seaview restaurant offers buffet-style meals combining European and Indonesian flavours, made with home-grown and locally sourced produce.
Diving in the area is rated as some of the best. The reefs are in excellent condition and attract a wide variety of life including many hawksbill turtles, wobbegong and reef sharks, manta rays, schooling barracuda, sweetlips and jacks and all sorts of critters.
After a delightful week of diving, bird watching (Birds of Paradise, horn bills, cockatiels and more), magnificent sunsets and more, it is time to return to Sorong and then onto Bali and home.