A Guided Snorkeling Adventure to Two of the World’s Most Extraordinary Underwater Wonderlands
April 11-28, 2025
April 2-20, 2026 (reverse itinerary)
April 30 – May 18, 2026
We highly recommend joining this once in a lifetime Misool and Wakatobi snorkeling trip in Indonesia. This extraordinary 18-19 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 we have also visited Wakatobi, which is southeast of Sulawesi, and can highly recommend it for its very healthy reefs with lots of fish, interesting walls, and fantastic resort, with perhaps the best snorkel boats we have ever been on.
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.
Where Are Misool and Wakatobi and What Is the Itinerary for This Trip?
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 all trip dates except April 2-20, 2026 (details about that date below), 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 in a Jakarta hotel. Your group will then take an overnight flight to Sorong.
Once in Sorong you will be transferred to the Misool Eco Resort on their 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.
For the April 2-20, 2026 trip date, you will book your international flight into Bali. Once you’ve arrived you will meet your group and guide and stay the night in a comfortable hotel near the airport.
The next morning your group will fly to Wakatobi where you will spend seven nights. At the end of your stay, you will fly back to Bali for one more night in a hotel near the airport.
The next morning your group will fly to Jakarta, where you will have a rest in an airport hotel before your overnight flight to Sorong. Once in Sorong you will be transferred to the Misool Eco Resort on their large and comfortable enclosed motor boat. You will spend seven nights at Misool, before heading back to Sorong, for one more night there.
Finally you will fly back to Jakarta, where your trip ends.
Snorkeling in Misool, South Raja Ampat
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. The Misool Marine Reserve protects around 300,000 acres (nearly 500 square miles) of remote islands and the underwater marine life.
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 in this section we took during that trip. Watch the video below, to get a sense for what Misool is all about.
“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
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, with neighboring Marsemol Island also available. We found the house reef snorkeling to be outstanding. There are areas full of healthy corals, with fish in the thousands. Seeing small reef sharks and turtles is nearly guaranteed. The house reef alone will keep you happy for many days.
In addition to unlimited house reef snorkeling, you will have 12 snorkel boat sessions to nearby reefs. Night snorkels will also be on offer and are worth a try as you may get to see the wonderful walking sharks.
The snorkeling topography in Misool generally consists of a shallow shelf of reef right next to an island shoreline, that gradually gets a bit deeper, and then in most places the bottom drops off quickly into much deeper water. So on nearly every snorkel you have the opportunity to see shallow areas packed with corals and small reef fish. You can also snorkel over the drop-off, with vertical walls covered in colorful soft and hard corals and tunicates. Over the drop-off and out in the blue water you have the chance to see large schools of fish, huge Napoleon Wrasses, sharks, and turtles.
Misool easily has more fish than any other location we have ever snorkeled. Fish populations, variety and sizes are simply beyond description. There were times right on the house reef where we would watch a school of thousands of beautiful fusiliers cruising by that never seemed to end. From endless clouds of little reef fish, to larger schools of much larger fish like jacks or trevallies and Bumphead Parrotfish, to gorgeous anemones and their resident anemonefish, snorkeling in Misool is like being in a National Geographic or Blue Planet special.
And nearby there are a few manta ray cleaning stations where it is common to see these giants.
Coral health and variety was astounding overall. The bright colors and variety of hard and soft corals were a joy to see.
In addition to fish and corals, you can also see beautiful nudibranchs, turtles, eels, octopus, squid, cuttlefish, seahorses, and the gorgeous giant clams, night snorkeling with walking sharks, and the many giant manta ray encounters.
Your snorkel boat in Misool is a spacious fiberglass speedboat with enough room to easily store snorkeling equipment. The boats do not have a toilet onboard but do offer a full canopy for sun protection and a ladder to help exit the water.
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.
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.
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 or two nights in Bali, depending on your date and itinerary.
The April 2025 date will have one night at a comfortable hotel near the airport.
The April 30 – May 18, 2026 date will have two nights at a resort still to be decided, with a half day land tour.
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.
For the April 2-20, 2026 date, you will have one night at a comfortable hotel near the airport, after first visiting Wakatobi and before making your way to Misool.
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”.
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.
Wakatobi Resort is an ideal base for a snorkel tour. You have unlimited access to the house reef during your stay and two 105-minute boat snorkeling sessions per day for six days.
The house reef offers a combination of shallow corals and sea grass areas, and you can also swim right along the top where the wall drops down into the deeper blue. The corals right along the top of the wall are shallow and a joy to snorkel. And the wall is covered in beautiful corals and sponges.
You can see larger fish schools and creatures along the wall edge. We saw lots of turtles, both Green and Hawksbill here. And the shallow corals near the drop-off are full of smaller tropical fish schools. Blue-spotted Rays are common, as are eels. We also found Stonefish here, which was a first.
We also found a number of Leaf Scorpionfish around Wakatobi and lots of beautiful nudibranchs.
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.
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.
12 x 105-Minute Boat Snorkel Trips
Although the house reef is magnificent, there are many more reefs you will explore close by. So your group and leader will head out on a snorkel boat twice each day to explore neighboring reefs. Wakatobi has the nicest boats we have ever snorkeled from, with full shade, a big bathroom, and excellent ladders.
Night Snorkeling
You will also have the opportunity to do some night snorkeling at the resort around the wharf.
Wakatobi Accommodations and Dining
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.
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.).
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.
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:
April 11-28, 2025 – One female share space available.
Trip Price – 17 Nights:
From $11175 US per person sharing
April 2-20, 2026 (reverse itinerary) – Available.
Trip Price – 18 Nights – Wakatobi & Misool:
From $13595 US per person sharing
April 30 – May 18, 2026 – Available.
Trip Price – 18 Nights:
From $12895 US per person sharing
Single supplement: $3000 US
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 day stay in a Jakarta hotel with dinner
- Domestic flights in economy class with 20 kg/44 lbs baggage (Jakarta – Sorong – Bali or Jakarta – Sorong – Jakarta)
- All group transfers
- 7 nights accommodation in a Water Cottage 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 in a Sorong hotel with breakfast
Bali Inclusions:
April 2025 and April 2-20, 2026:
- 1 night in a comfortable hotel near the airport with dinner and breakfast
April 30 – May 18, 2026:
- 2 nights at a Bali Resort, with breakfast
- Half day land tour
Wakatobi Inclusions:
- 1 night in a comfortable hotel near the Bali airport with dinner and breakfast (only for April 2-20, 2026 date)
- Domestic flights in Economy class with 20 kg/44 lbs baggage (Bali – Wakatobi – Bali, plus Bali – Jakarta for April 2-20, 2026 date)
- 7 nights accommodation in Ocean Bungalow and full board (all meals)
- Unlimited House Reef Snorkeling
- 2 x 105 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 and 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 (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 some 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.
Learn More About the Resort
Completed Trip Dates
November 24 – December 12, 2022
March 27 – April 14, 2023
November 17 – December 5, 2023
April 4-22, 2024
February 23 – March 14, 2025