MISOOL

Privately Managed No-Take Zone Established: 2005 Built on the site of a former shark finning camp, Misool is a dive resort and conservation centre in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This private island resort is located in the Coral Triangle, at the epicentre of global marine biodiversity. Misool is deeply committed to providing enriching experiences in a pristine and sustainable environment. With over

1,600 species of fish and over 75 percent of the world’s known coral species, Raja Ampat’s marine diversity is unparalleled. Flagship species include both species of Manta ray – reef and oceanic. In fact one of Misool’s dive sites is one of the few places on Earth where both species can be seen together. The manta’s cousin, the mobula ray, often visits in large schools in September/October where they can be seen swooping in to hunt schools of anchovies. Sharks are common visitors, including the wobbegong or carpet shark and the endemic Raja Ampat walking shark. And for the shark lover who doesn’t want to get wet, baby sharks can be seen swimming around the lagoon off the resort. Four species of pygmy seahorse can be found on Misool’s reefs along with a whole host of other crowdpleasing critters such as mandarinfish and frogfish. There is also a secret lake which is home to large groups of stingless jellyfish if you get there at just the right time.