Raja Ampat Dive LodgeYenpapir Beach - Mansuar Island

Raja Ampat Dive Lodge is located on the island Mansuar on Yenpapir beach. From here, the well known dive sites of the area are quickly reached. The transfer from Sorong to the island takes about 3 hours by speed boat. The regular transfer day and time from Sorong to the island is always Friday afternoon. Transfer from the island to Sorong is in the morning and usually requires an overnight stay in Sorong before continuing travel.

The Raja Ampat Dive Lodge is under management by Grand Komodo Tours, a long established Indonesian Dive company. Grand Komodo has already been successfully operating 5 dive cruise ships in Indonesia for a number of years. In October 2009 their own dive resort Raja Ampat Dive Lodge was started.

The resort features duplex deluxe bungalows with airconditioning for up to 20 guests. It is beautifully situated amidst lush vegetation on a white sandy beach. All bungalows have comfortable furnishings, aircon and either two single beds or one double bed. All rooms have private tiled bathrooms and a terrace with seating.

In the main house is the lounge area where the daily meals are taken. There is a small library and the bar area. The resort organizes land tours, especially recommended is the Bird Watching tour on the neighbouring island.

One transfer from Sorong to the resort operates each Friday. If guests arrive off different flights during the day on Friday, resort staff will pick them up at the airport and will take them to the Royal Mamberamo Hotel to relax and wait. The boat only departs late in the afternoon from Sorong to the resort.

For the transfer from the resort to Sorong on Fridays, if there are 2 groups and they take different flight schedules, the resort will arange two transfers:
1st boat transfer at 5.30am for guests booked at 9.25am from Sorong to Manado.
2nd boat transfer at 7.00am for guests booked at 11.40am or 12noon from Sorong to Jakarta or Denpasar (via Ujung Pandang).

Transfers to/from Sorong outside their regular Friday transfers can be arranged, but are at additional cost of USD 400.00 per one way boat transfer.

The dive centre is located in the resort. Max. four dives are offered per dive day. Three dives are from the boat. One dive (night dive) is from the house reef. The small dive boats carry up to 8 divers each. The ratio is 1:5. 1 dive guide for 5 divers. Experienced divers can go in a buddy team diving independently. The briefing is detailed and is held in English. The tanks have INT connections, if necessary, an adapter can be brought.

Beautiful coral gardens, steep walls and an unusually rich variety of fish charm the diver in the waters of Irian Jaya. Macro lovers will find in this region a true paradise, pygmy sea horses, angler fish, eels and an incredible variety of nudibranches are just some representatives of this special little world.

The dives are varied, in addition to the great macro world, there are drift dives and big fish encounters are possible. Close to the island is a Manta Point and at the house reef, the entire biodiversity of the area can be admired.

Raja Ampat Dive Lodge has stable mobile phone reception. Common areas have wireless internet access for guests.

The cosy dive resort is a good and affordable alternative to the dive cruises in Irian Jaya.