The World’s Most Pristine Reef Sanctuary
Misool
Nature’s Masterpiece
Misool is one of the most pristine reef systems on Earth and one of the four largest islands in the Raja Ampat archipelago. Located off the west coast of Papua, bordering the Seram Sea, its waters are a corridor for large sea creatures. The southern region features stunning walls adorned with sea fans and soft corals, while North Raja Ampat, particularly Waigeo, is known for hard coral gardens and manta dives. Within 1.7 million acres of Marine Protected Areas in Misool and North Misool, over 100 dive sites await discovery, showcasing a vibrant array of colors, textures, and fish shapes, creating an underwater world reminiscent of a Pixar animation.
Land
The Dramatic Karst Islands
Misool, once connected to the mainland of Papua New Guinea, features dense lowland rainforests interspersed with tidal rivers and estuaries. Waterfalls cascade from rugged mountains into rivers flowing to the sea, surrounded by lush forests where the Raggiana Bird of Paradise dances. Over millions of years, karstification has shaped limestone karst islands across the 775,189 acres of North and South Misool Marine Park. Tectonic movement caused Misool to drift from New Guinea, creating unique outcroppings that form mazes of karst islands and plateaus, particularly at Mesemta Fjord and Balbulol Plateau. Key islands include Wagwab to the north, Pelee to the west, Daram to the east, and Warakaraket to the south. Marine lakes have also formed, where millions of golden and moon jellyfish migrate daily, following the sun’s arc.
Sea
Rainbows of Colors and Textures
Below the surface, karsts transition into fringing reefs where gorgonian and black corals thrive among hard coral gardens, providing habitats for colorful carnation tree corals. Misool’s waters, bordering the Seram Sea, serve as a migration route for sperm, killer, and humpback whales, as the Pacific flows into the Indian Ocean, creating nutrient-rich currents for fish like oceanic manta rays. Seamount diving reveals large pelagics such as bigeye trevally, barracuda, and solitary sharks. Each island’s isolation fosters unique endemic species, including the elusive epaulette walking shark and wobbegong carpet shark, while Daram serves as a nesting ground for green and hawksbill turtles. The vibrant colors and shapes of fish across over sixty dive sites create an underwater world reminiscent of a Pixar Animation masterpiece.
Culture
Guardians of the Sea; The Matbat and Matlow
Seventeen prehistoric rock wall paintings adorn the sea cliffs of Misool, dating back 40,000 years to the arrival of the first settlers on its sandy beaches and mangrove flats. These early inhabitants navigated the waters in dugout canoes and bamboo rafts, similar to the vessels that had carried them eastward from Africa. Today, the indigenous people of Misool—the Matbat, Matlow, and Maya—live in fifteen villages, from Aiduwe to Folley, and hold exclusive rights to manage the region’s abundant waters. They practice sustainable fishing methods known as “Sasi,” harvest sago trees from the rivers, and fish in tidal waters where large fish are plentiful.
Misool Safari
Nature’s Best Above and Below
Misool offers the best of both worlds, above and below water. Explore a chain of islets with scenic lagoons, shallow reefs, and the crystal-clear waters of Wayil, where vibrant giant sea fans greet you at Neptune’s Fan Sea. Enjoy a beach picnic on the white sands of Kalig after diving at Fiabacet, or take in breathtaking views at Daram. Kayak or SUP through hidden bays and blue holes in Jef Pelee, and discover stingless jellyfish lakes in Farondi. Hiking in Danpulol reveals dense forests, while Love Lagoon offers stunning rock art views at sunset. Conclude your day with a sunset dive in search of the endemic walking shark, and enjoy dancing with locals or deep-sea fishing in no-take zones.
Service Excellence
Dedicated Concierge
Flexible Itinerary
