Misool and Wakatobi Snorkeling Trip in Indonesia

A Guided Snorkeling Adventure to Two of the World’s Most Extraordinary Underwater Wonderlands

November 17 – December 5, 2023
April 4-22, 2024
February 23 – March 14, 2025
April 11-28, 2025

We highly recommend joining this once in a lifetime Misool and Wakatobi snorkeling trip in Indonesia. This extraordinary 18-20 day adventure combines two of arguably the best snorkeling destinations on Earth, in one amazing trip, with some itineraries offering a couple days of relaxation in beautiful Bali in the middle. Misool is in Raja Ampat, and is our favorite snorkeling destination ever. And Wakatobi, southeast of Sulawesi, is very high on our list of places to visit next and extremely well regarded by experienced snorkelers.

Beautiful purple anemone and fish you could see on the Misool and Wakatobi snorkeling trip

Both of these resorts are within the famed geographic area known as the Coral Triangle, home to the greatest marine biodiversity in the world. You will see more fish and coral species on this trip than anywhere else.

The very remote Misool Eco Resort is the crown jewel of the southern area of Raja Ampat. This resort supports incredible conservation efforts that protect a 500 square mile Marine Protected Area and No Take Zone.

Wakatobi is in the geographical center of the Coral Triangle, off southeastern Sulawesi Island. The Wakatobi National Park is renowned for having some of the richest, healthiest and most bio-diverse reefs to be found on Earth.

Snorkeler over a healthy coral reef in Misool

Where Are Misool and Wakatobi and What Is the Itinerary for This Trip?

World map with Coral Triangle highlighted

Misool and Wakatobi are in Indonesia, and both are within the Coral Triangle.

Misool Eco Resort is on a small island in a very remote southern section of Raja Ampat.

Wakatobi Resort is on a small island southeast of Sulawesi.

For this trip you will book your international flight into Jakarta. Once you’ve arrived you will meet your group and guide, and have a rest in a room at the Jakarta Airport Hotel. Your group will then take an early morning flight to Sorong.

Once in Sorong you will be transferred to the Misool Eco Resort on their own large and comfortable enclosed motor boat. You will spend seven nights at Misool, before heading back to Sorong, for one more night there.

You will then fly from Sorong to Bali. You will have either a one, two, or three night stay in Bali.

Next you will fly to Wakatobi where you will spend seven more nights.

Finally you will fly back to Bali, your final destination. You can head home from Bali, or extend your trip.

Misool Wakatobi Snorkeling Trip Map

What Is Misool Like?

Misool Resort North Lagoon
Beautiful soft coral and crinoids at Misool

Misool’s reefs are absolutely brimming with life. Thanks to their conservation efforts it is one of the rare places where sea life is not only flourishing, but has increased in health and diversity in recent years.

Right off the docks you can see schools of trevally and Bumphead Parrotfish. Green turtles and walking sharks are common. Take it from us.

In 2020 we experienced likely the best snorkeling of our lives at Misool, and we started donating monthly to their conservation foundation, because we were so impressed with the good they are doing. It is extraordinary!

Many of the underwater pictures on this page we took during that trip.

Watch the movie below, to get a sense for what Misool is all about.


Three Bumphead Parrotfish in Misool
School of Spadefish in Misool

“There is greater biodiversity — that is to say, a larger number and greater diversity of fish, coral, and mollusks on these reefs than anywhere on earth. A single football field-sized patch of Misool’s reefs has nearly five times the number of coral species as the entire Caribbean Sea.” – Marine biologist Dr Mark Erdmann

This adventure will not lack for snorkeling variety, or time in the water!

Unlimited Beach Snorkeling
Because you are staying at Misool Eco Resort you will have the opportunity to snorkel right from the beaches, to your heart’s content. As you can see in the picture below there is a north lagoon, a south lagoon, and the reef to either side of the dock to snorkel. We found the house reef snorkeling to be exceptional. There are areas full of healthy corals, with fish in the thousands. Seeing small reef sharks and turtles is common.

Aerial view looking down at Misool Resort
Black-tip Reef Shark at Misool

Many Snorkel Boat Trips Included
Over the course of your stay at Misool you will have 12 snorkel boat sessions. These adventures take your snorkeling only group out to a variety of neighboring shallow reefs and walls that are as spectacular as the house reef. Most of these boat rides are only 5-15 minutes away.

Snorkel boat with shallow reef and islands in Misool

Night Snorkeling
You will also have the opportunity to do some guided night snorkeling at the resort.

You will see a huge variety of hard and soft corals, and just clouds of fish, including large schools of Bumphead Parrotfish, and a very high chance of seeing giant Manta Rays at a nearby cleaning station.

Hard corals and tunicates with many small reef fish in Misool
Manta Ray cleaning station Misool
Colorful soft corals, leather corals, and tunicates in Misool

Beautiful Misool Accommodations and Fantastic Food All Included

You will be spending seven nights at Misool Eco Resort. The resort was built entirely with reclaimed wood using their own saw mills on site. Your group will be staying in the Water Cottages around the North Lagoon. That means your room is right over the water, with your own steps down into a shallow lagoon with great snorkeling. And when you have a desire to hang out on a beach, you can venture over to South Beach. It is one of the most picturesque beaches we have ever been on.

Your room will have air-conditioning, an open air private bathroom with hot water, and a veranda with lounges.

Misool Water Cottage in the evening
Interior of Misool Water Cottage
Misool Water Cottage open air bathroom

All food is included, and served at the beach-front restaurant. You can expect Asian and Western cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh, local, organic produce, and fish line-caught outside their no-take zone. They can accommodate dietary needs and restrictions with advance notice. There are four meals served a day (second breakfast anyone?), plus snacks, and afternoon tea. Alcohol is an extra cost item, and pork is not served.

Misool Resort Meal
Misool Resort open air restaurant

You may also choose to partake in the resort’s wellness spa treatments at The Lookout or in your own room. They offer massage and beauty treatments that feature their signature products, created every morning in their kitchen.

Relax and Replenish in Bali

After your time in Misool and one night in Sorong, you will spend one, two or three nights in Bali, depending on your date and itinerary. The November 2023 date will have two nights in Ubud at The Sankara Suites and Villas, with a half day land tour.

Sankara Suites and Villas room
The Sankara Suites and Villas – Valley Suite

The April 2024 date will have two nights at the Griya Santrian Hotel in Sanur, with a half day land tour.

Griya Santrian Hotel – Deluxe Room

The February 2025 date will have three nights, at a resort to still be decided, and the April 2025 date will have one night at the Bali Airport Novotel.

This will be a time to relax in your room or at the resort’s pool, enjoy the wonderful and varied restaurants, and the surrounding forests or white sand beach.

What Is Wakatobi Like?

After a refreshing break in Bali you are off for the last stage of this once in a lifetime snorkeling adventure, Wakatobi!

The resort is located within the Wakatobi National Park, a UNESCO Marine Biosphere Reserve. It’s the third largest marine park in Indonesia, and has been described by Jacques Cousteau as “Underwater Nirvana”.

Wakatobi Resort beach and dock aerial view

Situated at the geographical center of the Coral Triangle, the waters in this archipelago are among the most bio-diverse in the world. Wakatobi has high numbers of coral and fish species, so the reefs are a joy to explore.

Bubble Anemone and soft corals at Wakatobi
Pipefish at Wakatobi

Wakatobi Resort is an ideal base for a snorkel tour. You have unlimited access to the house reef during your stay and two 70-minute boat snorkeling sessions per day for six days.

The underwater topography found around the resort makes it ideal for snorkeling with a shallow shelf which hosts seagrass and mini coral bommies – providing refuge for filefish, anthias, juvenile triggerfish, and critters like Blue Ring Octopus and frogfish. It is common to snorkel with cuttlefish, and to see pipefish on the shallow house reef.

Head to the reef crest for the liveliest section of marine life, including reef fish in abundance. This is where fish life congregates and schools together before the wall plunges to the depths.

Snorkeler over a shallow reef at Wakatobi

Out in the blue there are possibilities of larger pelagic species and cruising turtles.

Surely one of the most impressive house reefs for any resort location in the world, this magnificent wall and reef top offers flexible snorkeling opportunities throughout the day and night.

Snorkeler over a colorful reef covered in fish at Wakatobi
Shallow anemone with lots of fish

Like Misool, your time at Wakatobi will be packed with snorkeling opportunities.

Unlimited House Reef Beach Snorkeling
Wakatobi has one of the best house reefs for snorkeling anywhere in the world. And you will have unlimited access to that house reef right off the beach in front of your Ocean Bungalow.


Aerial view looking down at Wakatobi Resort

12 x 70-Minute Boat Snorkel Trips
Although the house reef is magnificent, there is an entire national marine park to explore. So your group and leader will head out on a snorkel boat twice each day to explore neighboring reefs, each with their own unique marine life and underwater topography.

Night Snorkeling
You will also have the opportunity to do some night snorkeling at the resort around the wharf.

Shallow corals covered in damselfish

Wakatobi Accommodations and Dining

Ocean Bungalows at Wakatobi
Sunset view from a beach patio at Wakatobi Resort

You will have seven nights at the Wakatobi Resort which is completely secluded. You reach it by both a charted flight from Bali, which lands on a private airstrip, followed by a short speed boat ride.

Despite its location, the resort offers beautiful, luxurious accommodation built in tune with the environment using ethically and locally sourced materials and labor. They also offer other creature comforts like a full-service spa.


Ocean Bungalow Bedroom at Wakatobi Resort
Bathroom at Wakatobi Resort
Open air shower at Wakatobi Resort

All food is included, and served at the Beach Restaurant. 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.).

Restaurant at Wakatobi Resort
Dinner option at Wakatobi Resort
Dessert option at Wakatobi Resort

And at the end of the day, the Jetty Bar offers the ideal location to take in a wonderful Wakatobi sunset and watch the stars come out, along with your favorite drink – be it cocktail, wine, beer or juice.

Dock bar at sunset at Wakatobi Resort

Trip Details and How to Sign Up

We expect this trip to fill quickly. Your spot is reserved with your deposit. Contact Ben below for deposit instructions.

Trip Dates and Prices:

November 17 – December 5, 2023 – Trip full, request to be waitlisted below.

2023 Trip Price – 18 Nights:
From $10,375 US per person sharing

April 4-22, 2024 – One double occupancy south lagoon villa available.

2024 Trip Price – 18 Nights:
From $10,575 US per person sharing

February 23 – March 14, 2025 – Available.

February 2025 Trip Price – 19 Nights:
From $11375 US per person sharing

April 11-28, 2025 – Available.

April 2025 Trip Price – 17 Nights:
From $11175 US per person sharing

The initial deposit for this trip is $800 US per person. At 12 months before departure there is a $1500 US per person interim deposit. There is a second interim deposit of $1000 due six months before departure. The final balance will be due three months before departure. A few payment options are available including debit and credit cards.

Individual travelers – Ben will happily find someone of the same sex for you to share a room with to avoid the single person supplement. If he cannot find you someone, no single supplement surcharge will apply.

Misool Inclusions:

  • 1 night Jakarta Airport Hotel
  • Domestic flights in economy class with 20 kg/44 lbs baggage (Jakarta – Sorong – Bali)
  • All group transfers
  • 7 nights accommodation in a Water Cottage or South Lagoon Villa at Misool Eco Resort with full board (all meals) and refreshments
  • Unlimited house reef snorkeling
  • 12 boat snorkeling sessions over 6 days
  • Services of local snorkel guides
  • Free local use of kayaks and stand up paddle boards
  • Government tax and marine park fees – approximately $100 US per person
  • 1 night Swiss BelHotel Sorong with breakfast

Bali Inclusions:

November 2023:

  • 2 nights The Sankara Suites and Villas, Valley Suite accommodation with breakfast
  • Half day Ubud land tour

April 2024:

  • 2 nights Griya Santrian Hotel, Deluxe Room with breakfast
  • Half day land tour

February 2025:

  • 3 nights at a Bali Resort with breakfast
  • Half day land tour

April 2025:

  • 1 night Novotel Bali Airport with dinner

Wakatobi Inclusions:

  • Domestic flights in Economy class with 20 kg/44 lbs baggage (Bali – Wakatobi – Bali)
  • 7 nights accommodation in Ocean Bungalow and full board (all meals)
  • Unlimited House Reef Snorkeling
  • 2 x 70 minutes boat snorkeling sessions over 6 days (12 boat snorkel sessions)
  • Free WiFi high speed internet access via satellite
  • 24 hours tea / brewed coffee / hot chocolate / drinking water, and daily snacks
  • Optional Village Tour on last day

Exclusions

  • International flights
  • Lunch and dinner in Bali, except as noted
  • Snorkel equipment
  • Tips
  • WiFi at Misool Resort (available for a fee but limited)
  • Travel insurance
  • Spa services

Trip Organizers
Ben and his U.K. based team are the organizers of this trip (more about them below). Galen & Nicole from TropicalSnorkeling.com are promoting this trip, but all sign ups, trip organization and payments are made to and managed by Ben’s team. TropicalSnorkeling.com does receive a referral fee in exchange for promoting the trip, at no extra cost to attendees.

How to Sign Up or Learn More?

Use the contact form below to contact Ben and his team to request more information about them and express your interest in signing up. They will get back to you shortly with full details.


More About Ben and Our Partnership

Ben and Nicole in Alor

Ben (pictured with Nicole) is our friend and snorkeling trips partner. He and his team are based in the U.K. and have over 20 years of experience guiding in Asia and beyond. He has been running his own business since 2010 and is primarily offering guided snorkeling trips, but he started with diving. He began offering snorkeling specific trips because he was aware that snorkelers often get the short end of the stick when thrown in with divers. He and his team love the freedom and low stress of snorkeling, and are very aware of the different needs of snorkelers versus divers, in terms of the reef depth, and calm surface conditions needed.

From our experience going on two of his snorkeling trips we found them very well organized, the guides were fantastic and very helpful, and the underwater experiences were exceptional. Snorkeling groups really get the benefit of all of Ben and his guides’ years of experience in the water, and with different resorts and liveaboards.

All of his trips are small groups of 12-18 guests, or with a similar ratio of snorkelers to guides. These are premium trips including nearly everything you will need, accommodation, meals, transportation, and more.

His company is licensed and insured. Barring extreme circumstances they do not cancel trips, and all funds are held in a trust until the trip is completed giving you 100% financial security if they or any of their suppliers go out of business before the trip happens.

Learn More About the Resort

Misool Eco Resort Website

The Sankara Suites and Villas – Ubud, Bali

Griya Santrian Hotel – Sanur, Bali

Wakatobi Resort


Completed Trip Dates

November 24 – December 12, 2022
March 27 – April 14, 2023


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