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Island Dreams in Raja Ampat |
Raja Ampat is your Ultimate Diving Adventure
Papua Paradise Eco Resort - Papua Paradise Eco Resort is located on Birie Island in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. The island is divided into two main parts: guest side and service side. On the north-west guest side, with 16 bungalows built over the coral reef with natural materials by traditional construction method, Papua Paradise Eco Resort offers unforgettable diving holidays on an island surrounded by peaceful white sandy beach and stunning coral reefs. Superior Bungalows enjoy 75m square and Deluxe bungalows have 85m square. Each bungalow has its own 20 m2 massive terrace, on which guests may enjoy the breeze and the sunset lying in a hammock. The 6 m2 indoor bathroom (with eco warm water) offers a good standard of comfort. Fresh water from the island runs in the bathrooms, but drinking water is also provided. The rooms are not electrically air-conditioned. The climate is comfortable with a light ocean breeze. The tropical sun heats up your water during the day, for a nice hot-water shower after a great day of diving.
Support Facilities - The service side of the resort and the workers' bungalows were constructed on the south-east side of the island, along with the fuel deposit, workshop, compressor station and the 24-hour electricity centre. Power is provided by two 30 KV generators. Your scuba tanks are filled via two Coltri 265 compressors.
Restaurant - The resort's sea-view restaurant is a perfect place to try delicious Indonesian meals prepared by the local staff using local ingredients (fresh water spinach, juicy mango, sweet banana, hot chili and the freshest fish) bought mostly from the nearby village or collected from the little garden of the resort (young coconut, cassava) or taken from Sorong. Of course, the menu contains European dishes as well. After diving, the restaurant provides a communal area to relax while looking over the blue bay. The library, internet hotspot (WiFi 54 Mbs), LCD TV, and bar help you to ejoy your surface time in a home-like atmosphere while downloading your latest underwater photos.
Dive Centre - Papua Paradise Eco Resort's dive centre is built in front of the restaurant with its own harbour and provides optimal conditions for diving. The house reef is just one giant-stride away. All boat dives start from the dive centre. Guests are taken to closer dive sites (15-20 mins) with two smaller speed boats of 8 people or to further dive sites and trips with a bigger, 8-12 diver capacity speed boat. There are two guides on each boat, with private guiding optional by request. The international staff speaks English, German, Indonesian and Hungarian. NAUI standard dive courses are available. Scuba tanks are 12 and 15 liter aluminum tanks, with EAN 32 Nitrox available for optimal diving. **If you purchased the unlimited dive package, as per the pricing below, Nitrox is included at no additional charge for all Nitrox-certified divers. Guests can rent new Aqualung, Bare, Seaquest and Suunto equipment. There is DAN O2 box and VHF radio communication system on each boat.
Boat Diving - The resort offers more than 30 dive sites, on some of the world's richest and most prolific coral reefs. Crystal-clear bays, mangrove shallows, and deep water reefs offer perfect opportunities for both big fish lovers and macro enthusiasts. The water temperature is 28-29 ºC (82-84 F) all year around, visibility is 15-20 meters (45-60 feet) in general. The best diving is in depths from 5 to 25 meters (15-45 feet) and it is ideal for Nitrox divers.
Great House Reef - Those who prefer staying close to the resort will appreciate 150 meter long house reef in front of the resort, great for either diving or snorkeling. Guests can observe schools of varied reef fish, baby black tip reef sharks, turtles, wobbegongs, pygmy seahorses and even the very rare mandarin fish - all right in front of the dive center. There are also blue spotted rays, colorful parrotfish, common seahorses, shy pipefish, hunting jackfish are everyday visitors of the house reef. Lucky swimmers can also meet the dugongs which occasionally pass by.
Non-diving Activities - Beyond diving, snorkeling and relaxing at PapuaParadise EcoResort, the nearby islands and wild jungle forests give the opportunity to other activities as well. Trips may be organized to the stunning mushroom islands, bat cave, traditional cemetery, treks to see the birds of paradise, or a climb up to a breathtaking 60 meter high waterfall that should not be missed.
Papua Paradise Eco Resort's Mission Statement - We are strongly committed to supporting the conservation of Raja Ampat's spectacular underwater and rainforest realms, while also helping to create real benefits for the local communities. Together with the local police, we regularly patrol the area to stop illegal fishing and shark fin hunting. We are really keen on protecting our no-take zone around the island and educating local people about environment awareness.
Additional Useful Information
- Payment Stipulations - Please be advised that local banks accept only pristine condition banknotes. Banknotes which are folded, tattered or older notes (issued before 2006) cannot be accepted by the resort or any local banks in Indonesia. Euro and Rupiah are also accepted. By regulation of the National Bank of Indonesia we are not allowed to accept payments from abroad by Credit Card. However we accept payments by Visa and Mastercard at our office in Sorong to pay the extras. We will charge the Euro amount in Indonesian Rupiah at the Euro buying rate of the date we process the authorization. Please note that for credit card payments a 3% bank surcharge will be added to the original amount.
- Various air carries offer different weight limits for checked and carry-on baggage. Be sure to check with your airline prior to travel.
- Prior to traveling, please consult with a travel medecine specialist about travel to Indonesia. Unfortunately, there is some risk of malaria in Raja Ampat. Guests are advised to use mosquito spray at dawn and dusk, and to take an appropriate malaria prophylaxis, per the recommendation of your physician.
- Please be aware that the resort is built on a deserted island. The nearest hospital is in Sorong (minimum one and half hour boat ride). While the resort is prepared with emergency and first aid equipment, do your best to prevent any unexpected accidents. Also be advised that, compared to Papua New Guinea, West Papua is safe. Tourists would not face any danger in the streets of Sorong, neither during daytime nor at night.
- Papua Paradise Fact Sheet
- Papua Paradise website FAQ
Getting to Raja Ampat - International flights connect from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York or Houston, direct to Singapore. From there you can enjoy continuing jet service on Scoot Air (a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines) direct to Manado. Clients are advised to schedule at least one overnight in Manado before making the flight connection to Sorong, Indonesia. The Papua Paradise Eco Resort packages include round-trip transfers from the Sorong airport to the resort, and one overnight in Sorong. Island Dreams will gladly assist you with your flight reservations and ticketing.
Package Pricing - Your Papua Paradise Eco Resort dive package includes Sorong airport greeting and round-trip transfers, lodging with full board at the resort, and scuba diving services as defined. There is no additional charge for Nitrox fills if you have purchased the Unlimited Dive Package, as per the pricing below. Each package also includes one overnight in Sorong, on the evening prior to your departing flight. The following prices are per person in U.S. dollars, based on double (twin share), single, or triple occupancy, and are subject to change.
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Papua Paradise Eco Resort - Birie Island, Raja Ampat, Indonesia Scuba Diver and Vacationer Packages - valid to October 31, 2022 |
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| Packages include lodging with full board, and up to four boat dives per day. Nitrox included free for Nitrox certified divers. Transfers from Sorong at additional cost. |
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| Prices are per person, in USD based on occupancy and duration indicated |
Room Style | Single Occupancy Scuba Diver |
Double Occupancy Scuba Diver |
Double Occupancy Non-diver |
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| 7 nights lodging with up to four dives per day |
Superior Bungalow | $3036 | $2572 | $1868 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deluxe Bungalow | $3753 | $3072 | $2368 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 nights lodging with up to four dives per day |
Superior Bungalow | $4226 | $3575 | $2519 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deluxe Bungalow | $5242 | $4279 | $3223 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14 nights lodging with up to four dives per day |
Superior Bungalow | $5712 | $4810 | $3327 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deluxe Bungalow | $7122 | $5786 | $4303 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transfers between Sorong and the resort |
Round-trip transfer | $ 100 per child | $ 200 per adult | Infants free | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Raja Ampat National Park Fee | Each guest visiting the area of Raja Ampat National Park is subject to pay an Entrance Fee which is valid for one solar year. The amount is established by the Raja Ampat Government and is subject to change without prior notice. At the present time, this fee is Rp. 1,000,000 per person, which is approximately $80 USD. |
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| Packages include lodging with full board, and up to four dives per day. Nitox fills are included at no additional charge, for all Nitrox-certified divers. Prices are per person in U.S. dollars, based on the desired occupancy and duration, and are subject to change. Transfers are additional. Airfare to Sorong is not included in these prices. Please call Island Dreams for an up-to-the-minute fare quote. Please note that there is no refund for any unused portions of the package. |
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Island Dreams will create a custom Indonesia itinerary offering you maximum diving value, plus the option of rewarding topside touring to Bali and beyond. A wide variety of diving and touring options can be customized to suit your taste, budget, and time constraints. Contact the adventure experts at Island Dreams for complete details.
Follow these links for more Indonesia information:
- Indonesia Dive Report -- Manado, Bunaken, and Lembeh
Island Dreams owner Ken Knezick has made numerous, extended research trips to Indonesia. Read his most recent review of diving opportunities in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, with first-hand reports from Murex Dive Resort and the excellent new Siladen Resort & Spa. - Group Dive Tours to Indonesia -- Join us!
- Wakatobi Found -- A First-Hand Report from Wakatobi Resort
- Lembeh Strait Report -- Report by Indo-Expert Bruce Moore
- Beneath the Dragon's Realm -- Exploring Komodo Park
- Return to: Explore-Indonesia.com
