Biodiversity Nature Resort • Raja Ampat
Stay at the unique Biodiversity Nature Resort on Gam Island and dive at the most beautiful spots in Raja Ampat.
Travel period
Features
Starting from
Biodiversity Nature Resort - Raja Ampat
For divers looking for a destination where nature, adventure, and biodiversity come together, Raja Ampatis a dream come true. This remote archipelago in eastern Indonesia lies at the heart of the Coral Triangle and is considered the most species-rich marine ecosystem in the world. Nowhere else will you find so many different species of coral, reef fish, and other marine life in one place. From colorful coral gardens and enormous schools of fish to manta rays, walking sharks, and rare macro species, every dive brings new discoveries.
During this trip, you’ll stay at Biodiversity Nature Resort, a small-scale eco-resort that blends seamlessly into its surroundings. The name says it all: biodiversity is the focus here. The resort was founded by divers with a deep passion for nature conservation and offers a personal and sustainable base from which to explore Raja Ampat. Thanks to its location on the island of Gam, near the famousDampier Strait, many of Raja Ampat’s most beautiful dive sites are just a short boat ride away.
What sets Biodiversity apart is its combination of a small-scale operation, personalized service, and excellent diving opportunities. You’ll dive in small groups, enjoy long dives of up to 75 minutes, and have unlimited access to the house reef. This gives you plenty of time to fully experience the incredible biodiversity of Raja Ampat.
Even above water, nature is never far away. From the resort, you can look out over tropical islets, search for birds of paradise in the rainforest, and enjoy an impressive starry sky as soon as the sun sets. Biodiversity Nature Resort is therefore not just a place to stay, but a destination that fully immerses you in the nature of Raja Ampat.
Best time to go on a diving trip to Raja Ampat:
Diving and snorkeling are possible year-round. There is no specific season that is particularly dry or rainy. The summer months can be a bit rougher and windier, but they do offer the best visibility. October through April is also a good season, but visibility is reduced due to plankton.
Average temperatures
Wetsuit advice for Raja Ampat
Given the pleasant water temperatures, a 3mm wetsuit is perfectly suitable for diving here. Shorties are also commonly worn here.
What will you experience on this trip?
View itinerary here
Days 1–3 | The Trip to Gam Island
Today marks the start of the journey to Raja Ampat. It’s a long trip, but it’s definitely worth it when you know what kind of paradise awaits you.
When traveling from Europe, you’ll often fly to Jakarta first, where you’ll transfer to Sorong. This is Raja Ampat’s airport and is essentially the gateway to most resorts and liveaboards.
Upon arrival in Sorong, usually on Day 3, the crew from the Biodiversity Nature Resort will be there to greet you and escort you to the ferry. There, you can purchase your ticket and board the ferry. The trip to Waisai takes about 2 hours. Once there, someone from the resort will be waiting for you again with a speedboat. You’ll have another 40-minute ride ahead of you before you arrive at the resort.
The resort is located on Gam Island, in the central part of Raja Ampat and within the Dampier Strait region. It is about 77 kilometers northwest of Sorong.
Once you arrive at the resort, you can relax after your trip and start enjoying yourself!
Days 4–11 | Diving at the most beautiful spots in Raja Ampat
During your stay at Biodiversity Nature Resort, everything revolves around exploring the unparalleled underwater world of Raja Ampat. Every day, you’ll go on three boat dives to the most beautiful dive sites in the resort’s vicinity, while also enjoying unlimited diving on the colorful house reef. Thanks to the resort’s convenient location, many of the most famous dive sites are just a short boat ride away, allowing you to spend more time underwater and less time on the boat.
Biodiversity stands out for its personalized approach and small dive groups. You’ll dive in groups of up to six divers per guide, though often with as few as four divers. This allows the guides to tailor the experience to your level of experience, preferences, and interests—whether you’re looking to discover unique macro creatures or simply want to enjoy the impressive schools of fish for which Raja Ampat is famous.
Another major advantage is the long dives: the maximum dive time is 75 minutes, depending, of course, on your air consumption. That gives you plenty of time to float peacefully over the vast coral gardens, spot hidden reef dwellers, and fully enjoy the enormous biodiversity of Raja Ampat.
The dive sites around the resort offer an impressive variety. For example, Cape Kri is known for its enormous schools of fish, barracudas, and reef sharks, while Blue Magic regularly attracts manta rays and other pelagic life. At Sardine Reef, you’ll be surrounded by thousands of reef fish and colorful corals, while sites like Mioskon and Friwen Wall are particularly popular for their combination of beautiful reefs, unique macro species, and excellent opportunities for underwater photography.
The house reef is also a destination in its own right. During a leisurely dive or a night dive, you can encounter a surprising amount of marine life here, from colorful nudibranchs and lionfish to the iconic walking shark that has made Raja Ampat famous worldwide.
With its spectacular coral reefs, enormous fish biomass, and unparalleled biodiversity, Raja Ampat ranks among the world’s best diving destinations. Biodiversity Nature Resort offers the perfect base from which to explore this extraordinary area in a relaxed and personalized way, with plenty of time underwater and attention to the needs of every diver.
Day 12 | Exploring Gam Island Above Water
Since you won’t be able to dive today, this is the perfect time to explore the impressive natural beauty above water as well. Raja Ampat is known not only for its spectacular underwater world, but also for its unique landscapes, limestone islets, and rich birdlife.
From the resort, you can take various excursions to secluded bays, mangrove areas, and scenic viewpoints. During a boat tour, you’ll sail past the distinctive karst islands that give Raja Ampat its world-famous appearance. These unique rock formations were created by millions of years of geological activity and make a trip through the archipelago an experience in itself.
For nature lovers, an early morning bird-watching excursion is highly recommended. Raja Ampat is one of the best places in the world to observe birds of paradise in the wild. With a little luck, you might spot the spectacular red bird of paradise or Wilson’s bird of paradise, two iconic species found only in this region of Indonesia. In addition, countless other tropical bird species inhabit the islands’ rainforests.
If you’d rather relax, you can enjoy the view from the resort, take a walk around the island, or go snorkeling one last time on the house reef. This way, you can wrap up your stay in Raja Ampat on a relaxing note, while allowing plenty of surface interval time before your return trip the next day.
Days 13 & 14 | The Return Trip
Early in the morning, you will be transferred to the mainland by boat transfer to Sorong airport. From Sorong, you fly first to Jakarta and then to Europe.
Good to know, there is also a direct connection between Sorong and Manado. So should you want to extend your diving trip you can do so by diving with the smallest special critters in Lembeh, the critter capital of the world. Or you can go to Bunaken, diving along steep drop offs with sea turtles and colorful fish. It’s all possible!
Highlights of this trip
What can you expect from this trip to Raja Ampat?
Unique Biodiversity
Few places in the world can match the abundance of marine life you’ll encounter underwater in Raja Ampat. During a single dive, you can find yourself surrounded by enormous schools of fusiliers, snappers, and barracudas, while reef sharks patrol the drop-off. At the most fish-rich dive sites, it sometimes seems as if every square meter of reef is teeming with life. The combination of healthy coral reefs, currents, and nutrient-rich water creates an impressive biomass that amazes even experienced divers.
Stay in the heart of nature
Spectacular coral reefs
It’s not just the marine life that makes Raja Ampat special. The area is home to some of the healthiest and most colorful coral reefs in the world. Vast hard corals, colorful soft corals, impressive reef walls, and underwater landscapes teeming with life set the scene for virtually every dive. It is precisely this combination of spectacular reefs and an enormous diversity of species that makes Raja Ampat the ultimate destination for many divers.
The accommodation
The stay and surroundings
Biodiversity Nature Resort
Biodiversity Nature Resort is located on the island of Gam, right on the secluded white-sand beach of Yenanas Beach, at the entrance to picturesque Kabui Bay. Here, you’ll be surrounded by tropical rainforest, limestone islets, and the crystal-clear waters of Raja Ampat. Thanks to its small-scale design—with just 9 detached bungalows and a limited number of guests—the atmosphere is relaxed and personal. The resort was designed entirely with respect for nature and makes use of local materials and traditional Papuan architecture, combined with modern amenities.
The house reef is just a few meters from your bungalow and offers excellent opportunities for snorkeling or an extra dive. Besides diving, you can kayak through the mangroves, hike through the jungle, or go in search of the famous red bird of paradise. The resort also features a charming restaurant with ocean views, a cozy beach bar, various lounge areas, and a massage area for those who want to completely unwind.
You’ll also find plenty to satisfy your culinary cravings. The open-air restaurant serves fresh meals daily, prepared with local ingredients and inspired by Indonesian cuisine, complemented by international dishes. After sunset, it’s wonderful to enjoy a drink on the beach while the starry sky unfolds above Raja Ampat. Thanks to minimal light pollution, this is also an excellent spot for stargazing.
Biodiversity Nature Resort features just nine spacious beachfront bungalows scattered along the beach. This allows you to enjoy plenty of privacy and a stunning view of the sea. The accommodations are built in traditional Papuan style, combining natural materials with comfort and space. Large panoramic windows ensure that you can fully enjoy the tropical surroundings right from your room.
All bungalows feature a private veranda with comfortable seating, lounge chairs, and a daybed where you can relax while enjoying the view of the beach. They also have a private bathroom with a freshwater shower, comfortable beds with mosquito nets, ventilation, and plenty of space to unwind after a day of diving. The semi-open bathrooms enhance the feeling of being surrounded by nature, without compromising on comfort.
You can choose from various room types. The Raja Ampat Cottages are the most authentic option and offer everything you need for a comfortable stay close to nature. If you’re looking for a little more space and extra comfort, you can opt for a Superior Beachfront Cottage. No matter which bungalow you choose, each one offers the same combination of tranquility, personalized service, and a direct connection to Raja Ampat’s spectacular natural surroundings. Thanks to the limited number of accommodations, the resort has an intimate feel and serves as the ideal base for a relaxing diving vacation.
Travel costs
What is included
This travel package is CHF 3.300 per person based on two people in one room. The trip can be extended as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about the possibilities? Get in touch with us!
Included in this trip, from CHF 3.300 p.p.
- 10 nights in a Raja Ampat Cottage
- Accommodation on full board basis
- Coffee, tea, drinking water, and snacks
- 3 boat dives per day
- Unlimited diving on the house reef
- Use of kayaks
- Return transfers
- VZR & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight to Sorong from CHF 1.422 p.p.
- Ferry Sorong–Waisai CHF 36 per person
- Marine Park Fee of IDR 700,000 = approx. CHF 51
- Tourist Retribution Fee of IDR 1,000,000 = approx. CHF 71
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe. However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide. Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
Optional
- Diving equipment (CHF 225 per week)
- Dive computer (CHF 71 per week)
- Night dive (CHF 12 per dive)
- Guided dive on the house reef (CHF 30)
Send this trip by email
Want to save or share the details of this trip with someone? You can do so by sending the trip by email.
Where may we send the email to?
Frequently asked questions about this diving holiday
Diving general
Here, you can do both shore dives and boat dives. In addition, the dives are tailored to your experience and preferences. There are dive sites suitable for every skill level. Most dives are long and shallow. The maximum dive time is 75 minutes—provided you have enough air, of course.
Most dive sites can be reached between 5 and 30 minutes by boat.
This dive package includes 3 boat dives per day and unlimited shore dives. You’ll do two boat dives in the morning, one boat dive in the afternoon, and then you can dive on the house reef. Want to do fewer dives? That’s also an option—you can choose a package with two boat dives per day.
Yes, you can book this on the spot.
Yes, there’s a spectacular house reef that you can reach from the dock. The house reef features a coral garden teeming with incredible biodiversity. The area around the dock is teeming with life: diamondfish, big-eye trevally, batfish, fusiliers, sea turtles, and even blacktip sharks. You also have a good chance of seeing the walking shark here, which is endemic to this area.
Yes, you can take various SSI and PADI courses.
The diving school is located at the resort.
The Raja Ampat Marine Park is one of the most valuable marine areas in the world, and we want to keep it that way. The money from admission tickets is used to cover the operational costs of Raja Ampat’s five marine protected areas, such as patrols, administration, and programs for nature conservation and local community development.
Diving equipment
The tanks are INT. If you use DIN, there are a few adapters available. Keep in mind that there aren’t many of them and you won’t be able to buy them on the spot.
No, there are only 12L tanks.
No, there’s no nitrox here.
That’s possible. A full set costs € 35 per day or € 190 per week. You’ll need to rent a dive computer separately. This costs € 10 per day or € 60 per week.
The accommodation
For all non-diving guests, there are plenty of fantastic snorkeling opportunities. You can discover the beauty of Raja Ampat’s reefs right from the resort’s shore. Even right near the dock, you can see blue-spotted stingrays, sea turtles, crocodilefish, blacktip reef sharks, batfish, a huge school of jackfish, and sometimes even a school of humphead parrotfish.
If you want to explore more of the surrounding reefs, they also offer guided snorkeling packages.
All meals are included during your stay at Biodiversity Nature Resort. The restaurant prepares fresh dishes daily using local ingredients whenever possible. This not only reduces the ecological footprint but also gives guests the opportunity to experience the flavors of Raja Ampat. Fresh fish is a regular feature on the menu and is often delivered directly by local fishermen from the surrounding area.
Sustainability plays an important role at the resort. For example, the resort does not use MSG or palm oil products and uses locally produced coconut oil whenever possible. The environmental impact is also taken into account when designing the menu. For this reason, no dishes containing beef or pork are served, and shrimp are not included on the menu due to the harmful effects of industrial shrimp fishing.
Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are available upon request. Coffee, tea, and drinking water are also available throughout the day. Soft drinks, fruit juices, and beer are available at the beach bar for a fee.
In addition to the restaurant, the resort features several cozy seating and lounge areas where you can relax and enjoy the ocean view, while the tropical nature of Raja Ampat is always within reach.
For all non-diving guests, there is plenty of fantastic snorkeling available. Just from the shore of the resort you can already discover the beauty of the reefs of Raja Ampat. Even close to the jetty, you can see blue-spotted stingrays, turtles, crocodile fish, blacktip reef sharks, batfish, a huge school of jackfish and sometimes even a school of humphead parrotfish.
If you want to explore more of the surrounding reefs, they also offer guided snorkeling packages.
No, we made a conscious decision not to install air conditioning. This was done to minimize the environmental impact. The rooms are equipped with fans. In addition, the cottages are designed with an open layout, allowing a natural sea breeze to flow through.
Wi-Fi is available at the resort from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; however, the connection may be intermittent at times.
If you plan to use the internet frequently, we recommend purchasing a tourist SIM card or eSIM upon arrival in Jakarta or Bali. The most reliable network in Raja Ampat and most of Indonesia is TELKOMSEL. With a TELKOMSEL National Data SIM card, you’ll generally have access to 4G at the resort, although the connection may still be sporadic at times due to the remote location.
Related diving trips
We are EWDR
