frequently asked questions frequently asked questions

FAQ 1 OF 6 Q: Where the heck is Misool? your own expense. A: We are located on our own private island NB: We no longer recommend Express Air. in Southern Raja Ampat, West Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia, on the site Q: What is the baggage allowance? of a former shark-fnning camp. Our island A: Baggage allowance for Garuda domestic is just south of the equator, S 02.244661, travel is 20 kg, and excess baggage fees E 130.558167. We are surrounded by our around 40,000 IDR/kg. Please note that if own 300,000 acre Misool Private Marine the international fights are on a SkyTeam Reserve. All of our dive sites are within our Alliance airline such as Delta, KLM, Air own patrolled No-Take Zone. France, Korean Air, or Garuda, you may be able to check your baggage all the way Q: How do I get to Misool? through to Sorong. In this case, Garuda A: We will meet you at the Sorong Airport and currently gives 30 kg for domestic fights as then bring you to our cafe across the street. well. We'll treat you to a light breakfast and a cup of coffee while we load your baggage Q: Yikes, this sounds complicated. How do I onto the speedboat. This is also a good book my domestic fights? time to change into shorts and a t-shirt, so A: Don’t worry, we’re here to help. We will keep those in your carry-on baggage. happily book your internal fights for you. We can also book a hotel for you in Sorong should you need one. When the boat is ready, we'll take you the harbour, with departure around 09:00. Q: How long does it take to reach the resort island? We recommend all guests transit through A: The speedboat transfer from Sorong to Jakarta, arriving the evening before the Batbitim, our resort island, is about 4 start of your stay at Misool. From Jakarta, hours, depending upon sea conditions. plan to fy with Garuda Indonesia Airlines, The frst third is a scenic passage between departing Jakarta at 00:20 with GA682. the Papuan mainland and small islands of You'll arrive in Sorong at 06:35 on the frst the Salawati group, fringed by mangroves. day of your stay at Misool. The second third of the journey is an open crossing over generally calm seas. During the fnal leg of the journey, we enter Transit through Bali is also possible, though the breathtakingly beautiful island chain the fights are less convenient. to which Batbitim belongs. We’ll cruise between sheer karst cliffs and innumerable small islands, often escorted by dolphins. Of course you may make alternate About 30 minutes before we arrive at the arrangements, but our transfer boat will resort, we’ll cross the border into our No- only wait for GA682. In the unfortunate Take Zone. event that you are booked in a different fight which is cancelled or delayed past 09:00, we will have to make alternate arrangements to get you to the island, at frequently asked questions

FAQ 2 OF 6 Q: What sort of boat will we travel on? Packages quoted per person based on double occupancy. Please refer to our A: We’ll travel on our private speed boat. rates sheets for details. Merantau was custom built for us in 2018 and is equipped with 6 x 250 engines, Q: What’s included in the dive package indoor seating for 45 passengers, outdoor price? seating both fore and aft, toilet, and all A: tanks, weights, expert guides, fuel, free safety equipment. Nitrox for qualifed divers. Q: How much does the speedboat transfer Your frst dive/check dive is counted as part cost? of your package, the same as all other House Reef or Boat Dives. A: The transfer costs $335. Of course if you are arriving/departing by liveaboard or Government tax and service charge is private vessel this fee will be adjusted. included in the package price.

Q: What if I have to spend the night in Q: What’s not included in either of those Sorong before the trip? packages? A: We can arrange a Sorong Arrival Package Speedboat transfer from Sorong to our for you. We will collect you at the airport, resort island. The cost is USD 335 per take you to your hotel and check you person per return trip on scheduled in. We’ll collect you again the following departure dates. morning and bring to the dock for a 09:00 Equipment rental. To avoid departure. disappointment, please advise us at the time of booking if you require any rentals - Q: When can I visit? supplies are limited. Please note that we do A: Misool offers all-inclusive packages for not rent wetsuits, mask, or fns, so you will to 7+1, 9+1, and 12+1 night stays. That need to bring those with you. means 7 nights at the resort followed by Each guest (whether diving or not) must 1 night in Sorong on scheduled departure purchase a Raja Ampat Marine Park Entry dates. Please refer to our schedules for permit. This is available for 1,000,000 detailed information. IDR (about USD 73), or 500,000 IDR for Indonesian nationals. The tag is valid for Q: What’s included in the accommodation one calendar year. We’ll arrange this for package price? you if you need it. A: Package price includes accommodation, Most other experiences, like cooking meals, snacks, soft drinks, drinking water, classes, kayaking tours, SUP tours, scooter coffee and tea, and one hotel night in snorkeling, private beach picnics, etc. Sorong with breakfast following your stay at Misool. Government tax is included in the Spa services and laundry package price. Alcoholic beverages. We have beer and Airport pick-up and drop-off service a selection of imported wine available for in Sorong, porter fees, transport purchase. between the airport and the harbour on Satellite Internet connection. scheduled transfer days Dinner in Sorong before departing. frequently asked questions

FAQ 3 OF 6:: Q: What sort of payment do you accept for incidentals incurred during my stay? airline ticket out of Indonesia within the 30- day period. A: Incidental charges such as spa services, excursions, internet, souvenirs, etc can be a warm pullover or jacket. Evenings can paid by Visa, Mastercard, or cash (Rupiah, occasionally be brisk, and the domestic USD, or Euros) before your departure. Our fights are often extremely cold. bank will charge you 2% for this service. If sun hat and polarised sunglasses you’d like to pay in cash, please note that reef-safe sunscreen (no oxybenzone or foreign notes must be in perfect condition octinoxate) - otherwise Indonesian banks will not accept them for exchange or may choose light coloured clothing. For some reason, to give you a lower exchange rate. USD light colours are generally less appealing to 100 notes receive the best exchange rate mosquitoes than dark ones. if dated 2000 or later. If you’d like to pay any toiletries you may need such as in Indonesian Rupiah, there is an ATM near sunscreen, razors, tampons, toothpaste, the hotel where you’ll be spending the medications, etc. We supply shampoo, night after your stay with us. conditioner, and soap. Rechargeable batteries Q: What should I bring with me? A: Please refer to our Packing List for more binoculars details, but some important ones: sturdy walking shoes like Tevas or Keens proof of dive insurance and dive if you’re planning on some non-diving certifcation card. We’ll need to see them excursions. Otherwise, fip-fops will do. before you get in the water. your favourite tipple. It’s very diffcult (and All dive equipment, including a torch, very expensive) to get alcohol in Sorong. surface marker buoy, dive computer, We encourage you to bring your favourite wetsuit, and well-maintained gear. bottle of wine or spirits from the Duty Free Computer and surface marker buoy (safety shop in your home country (the Duty Free sausage) are required safety equipment. If shop in the Jakarta airport is not very well you need to hire any equipment, please let stocked). If you are inclined to share, we’ve us know at the time of booking. We don’t got a special affnity for Gin and Campari... rent wetsuits, masks, or fns. a postcard from your hometown for our 1 copy of your passport info page for your staff bulletin board. Our staff are thrilled travel permit which we will arrange for you to know guests come from far and wide to visit their home. passport valid from 6 months from the time of entry into Indonesia. Nationals of most Some very basic English books to add to countries will be granted a 30-day our small staff library. We also sponsor two local primary school libraries, and one full empty page in your passport in we’ve just fnished construction on a local which to put the Visa on Arrival sticker kindergarten. You may be asked by Indonesian Immigration offcials to show a copy of your frequently asked questions

FAQ 4 OF 6: Our Ranger Patrol will also very happily Q: What sort of power do you have? accept donations of items which are often A: 220 volts, 24 hours a day. We also have diffcult to obtain in our area and needed some 110 V transformers available in the to conduct 24-hour surveillance. They don’t Dive Centre. need to be new or fancy, just functioning. Examples include handheld GPS’s, basic Q: What is the baggage allowance for the waterproof cameras for documenting fights between Jakarta and Sorong? activities and illegal fshermen, waterproof And what about airport departure tax? or underwater torches, handheld A: Baggage allowance for Garuda domestic marine VHF radios, and any type of dive travel is 20 kg, and excess baggage fees equipment. around 40,000 IDR/kg. Please note that if If you’re planning to upgrade your kit, the international fights are on a SkyTeam consider retiring your gear after your stay Alliance airline such as Delta, KLM, Air with us and avoid carrying it all back home France, Korean Air, or Garuda, you may again! be able to check your baggage all the way through to Sorong. In this case, Garuda currently gives 30 kg for domestic fights Q: What should I not bring with me? as well. At the time of writing, all domestic and international tickets already include A: Please plan carefully to minimise your Departure Tax, and payments are no longer rubbish. collected at the airport. Whenever possible, choose rechargeable batteries and avoid bringing things like Q: When is the best time of year for diving? disposable razors, excessive plastic A: The weather is rough in July, August and bags, plastic water bottles, etc. Any non- early September, and the shoulder season biodegradable and non-recyclable rubbish in June and September can be variable. will have to be returned to Sorong. We are Aside from this yearly occurrence, diving operating in a pristine environment, and in Raja Ampat is not particularly seasonal. we’d like to keep it that way. September and October bring massive Anti-bacterial soap. Our waste water schools of bait fsh, which attract bigger treatment system relies on plant life to hunting fsh and Mobula rays. The south remove nitrogen, phosphates, and bacteria winds in May and June bring more sharks from grey and black water. Using harsh and pelagics. Visibility tends to be at its detergents and bactericidal agents will best in November and February/March. harm our plants, reducing the effcacy of our fltration system. Please don’t use them. Q: How many dives can I do per day? Dive gloves. You will not be permitted to A: There are three scheduled boat dives per wear them. day, as well as either a dusk dive or a night dive each night. The House Reef is open Fishing/spearfshing equipment. We’re from 08:00 to 20:00 every day for buddy located inside a No-Take Zone, and fshing teams or guided dives. is strictly forbidden. Yes, that includes catch and release. frequently asked questions

FAQ 5 OF 6: Q: How big will my dive group be? Q: What sort of food can I expect? A: Maximum group size is 6 divers to one A: Meals are served our beach-front guide, but 4 is more typical. Please let us Restaurant. We offer a tasty, nutritious, and know in advance if you’d like to engage the whenever possible, organic menu with an services of a private guide. emphasis on fresh local food. The frst breakfast, available before Q: What about child divers? the frst dive, is buffet-style. A cooked A: We can accommodate child divers upwards breakfast with a small á la carte menu is of age 10. Please enquire about depth available after the frst dive. Lunch is served restrictions, equipment, and private family-style. Afternoon teatime features guiding. homemade cookies and savoury snacks. Dinner service is plated, so your meal Q: Can I do deco diving? is always prepared fresh even if you’re A: No. Because of our remote location we planning a night dive. There is also an all- dive very conservatively. We do not allow day á la carte menu available. We do not deco diving, and the maximum depth is 30 recommend undertaking a diet during your metres. We do not allow solo diving. stay with us. Out of respect for our Muslim hosts, we Q: What about Nitrox? do not serve pork products. All our fsh is A: Nitrox is provided free of charge to locally sourced, line-caught blue water fsh. qualifed divers and subject to availability. We do not serve reef fsh or long-lined fsh. We also do not serve prawns due to similar Q: What can I do at Misool if I don’t dive? concerns about sustainability. A: Lots of stuff! It’s lovely to lounge around in a hammock with a good book, enjoying the balmy tropical breezes, watching the Q: I'm vegetarian/vegan. Is this an issue? baby sharks passing by in the lagoon and A: Absolutely not. We can easily accommodate the colour of the water change over the vegetarians and vegans (and you'll be in course of the day. Sample some of our good company: most of our management extensive spa services, or join our chef for is vegetarian/vegan). Please let us know a cooking class. If you’re looking for more about any other dietary restrictions or active pursuits, we highly recommend allergies well in advance of your arrival. snorkelling on the House Reef, where you can spot turtles, sharks, and an endless parade of colourful reef fsh. You might also Q: What about drinks? enjoy taking one of our kayaks for a spin A: Clean drinking water, Papuan coffee, or joining one of our non-diving excursions tea, and soft drinks are provided free of like a visit to the local village or sacred charge. Beer, imported wine, and imported caves. Ask to see our Experiences Menu sparkling wine are available for purchase. for more details. frequently asked questions

FAQ 6 OF 6: Q: What sort of service can I expect? We have never had a case of malaria A: As part of our commitment to conservation contracted on our island, but malaria is and building the local community, we endemic to Papua. employ as many local people as possible. Many of waiters and housekeepers you’ll Q: How can I stay in touch with my family meet have been with us from the very and friends while I’m at Misool? start, when they worked as labourers, A: Enjoy the luxury of some screen-free carpenters, dishwashers, and roofers. These time while at Misool. Prepare to turn off staff members of course learned English your mobile phone, as we are well out and service skills along the way. But even of range. We do have a satellite internet more importantly, they all possess a certain connection available in the Dive Centre, quality which is impossible to teach: the art but it’s slower than 1993 dial-up. Take this of warm and authentic hospitality. rare opportunity to disconnect with the outside world and reconnect with your Q: What if I get sick or hurt while I’m there? inside world. If your friends and family need A: We are a long way from the nearest doctor, to contact you, we suggest they write to hospital, or recompression chamber. [email protected]. We’ll pass the Your health and safety are of paramount message on to you via Island Post. importance, so we advise all guests to take utmost care. Several of our staff Q: How does Misool contribute to marine are certifed PADI Emergency First Aid conservation? Responders. Oxygen is available. In the A: We thought you’d never ask! Misool event of a general medical emergency, you is deeply committed to a policy of will be evacuated to the nearest hospital, environmental and social responsibility. We which is in Sorong. In the event of a diving seek to provide exceptional and enriching emergency, your diving insurance provider experiences in a sustainable environment, will advise us on the appropriate course of for both staff and guests alike. We aim action. You must have dive insurance if you to protect and revitalize both our natural plan on diving. We recommend DAN or surroundings and the community in PADI insurance, which covers emergency which we operate. We are committed to evacuation. We also strongly recommend demonstrating to our hosts, our guests, health and travel insurance. and the local government that tourism can support a local economy with much more Q: Should I take precautions against favourable terms than mining, logging, malaria? overfshing, or shark fnning. A: We recommend that you always sleep If you booked your stay after 1 January under a mosquito net, wear light-coloured 2017, we have already donated $50 clothing, cover up during evening and per person to our marine conservation early morning hours, and use an insect initiative, Misool Foundation, on your repellent if necessary (we have natural and behalf. We’d love to sit down with you over very effective mosquito repellent available a cup of coffee and share more. And we hope on site). As for malarial prophylactics, we you’ll consider matching our donation. suggest you consult with your doctor. Winner: GLORES Platinum Award 2018 Designated a Mission Blue Hope Spot 2017 Winner: Tourism for Tomorrow Environment Award 2017 Finalist: National Geographic World Legacy Awards 2016 Silver Winner: World Responsible Tourism Awards 2016 Winner: Top 100 Sustainable Destinations 2016

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Featured in The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler, and Departures Magazine

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Member of The Long Run & PURE Life Experiences