There are certain places in the world that completely shift your perspective on nature and Raja Ampat is one of them. But what made our experience even more special was staying with the pioneers of Raja Ampat diving themselves: Papua Diving Resorts.

Founded by Max Ammer, one of the original explorers of Raja Ampat who discovered and mapped many of the region’s most iconic dive sites, Papua Diving Resorts has spent decades helping protect and preserve this extraordinary corner of the planet. Their two sister properties  Kri Eco Resort and Sorido Bay Resort  sit side by side on Kri Island in the heart of the Dampier Strait, placing you minutes away from some of the most biodiverse reefs on Earth.

We split our stay between both resorts, which honestly gave us the best of both worlds: the rustic barefoot charm of Kri Eco Resort and the elevated comfort of Sorido Bay Resort.

The Location: In the Heart of Raja Ampat

One of the biggest advantages of staying at Papua Diving Resorts is the location itself. Both resorts are situated directly on Kri Island, surrounded by world-famous dive and snorkel sites including Cape Kri, Sardine Reef, Blue Magic, Chicken Reef, and Mike’s Point, many of which were originally discovered by Max Ammer himself.

Their house reef, Cape Kri, holds the world record for the highest number of reef fish species ever recorded on a single dive. Even just snorkeling here feels like swimming through a real-life nature documentary.

And what we loved most is that Papua Diving isn’t only for divers. Many of the dive sites are incredibly snorkel-friendly too, making it just as magical for non-divers wanting to experience Raja Ampat’s marine life from the surface.

Staying at Kri Eco Resort

Kri Eco Resort was the very first dive resort established in Raja Ampat, and staying here feels deeply connected to the natural surroundings of the island.

The resort features traditional overwater Papuan-style cottages built almost entirely from local natural materials, blending beautifully into the landscape. There’s something incredibly special about waking up above crystal-clear water, hearing nothing but jungle sounds and gentle waves beneath your bungalow.

The vibe here is rustic, laid-back, and authentically Raja Ampat. It feels immersive in the best way possible – simple luxury focused entirely around nature, diving, and slowing down.

We especially loved how close everything felt to the ocean. From kayaking and paddle-boarding directly from the resort to snorkeling right off the jetty, nature is constantly surrounding you here.

 

Staying at Sorido Bay Resort

After Kri Eco, we moved next door to Sorido Bay Resort, which offers a more refined and luxurious take on the Raja Ampat experience while still maintaining the traditional Papuan character Papua Diving is known for.

The villas here are incredibly spacious and thoughtfully designed with a blend of local architecture and modern comforts. Large open interiors, beautiful beachfront settings, air conditioning, outdoor lounge areas, and stunning lagoon views make it feel like true barefoot luxury in one of the most remote places on Earth.

What makes Sorido Bay especially unique is that the land was previously a coconut plantation and no virgin rainforest had to be cleared to build the resort.

Despite the elevated comforts, it still feels deeply connected to the environment and surrounding nature rather than overly developed or commercialized.

Dining at Papua Diving Resorts

Dining at Papua Diving Resorts felt simple, fresh, and deeply connected to the region. Meals were served buffet-style with a mix of Indonesian dishes, freshly caught seafood, tropical fruits, homemade baked goods, and international options throughout the stay. We especially loved how many ingredients were locally sourced whenever possible, which tied beautifully into the resort’s overall focus on sustainability and supporting local communities.

One of our favorite parts of each day was sitting down for meals overlooking the ocean after long days spent in the water. The atmosphere felt relaxed, communal, and perfectly in tune with the slower pace of island life in Raja Ampat.

Activities and Excursions 

While Papua Diving is world-renowned for scuba diving, there’s so much more to experience beyond the reefs. The resorts offer kayaking, paddle-boarding, jungle hikes, birdwatching excursions, and opportunities to simply slow down and experience life on Kri Island. The jungle surrounding the resorts is alive with birds, tropical wildlife, and the sounds of nature at every hour of the day. Sorido Bay also has a spa on property. 

One of our favorite parts of staying here was how disconnected it felt from the outside world in the best possible way. Days revolved around ocean life, sunsets, boat rides, and quiet moments in nature. Even if you aren’t diving every day, there’s so much beauty both above and below the water to experience.

Some of our favorite activities :

Snorkeling at Cape Kri and Mikes Point 

Easily some of the most unforgettable snorkeling we’ve ever experienced. Thriving coral gardens, endless schools of fish, reef sharks, turtles, and incredible biodiversity made every swim feel like stepping into a real-life documentary.

Excursion to Kali Biru

One of the bluest rivers we’ve ever seen. Swimming in the crystal-clear turquoise water surrounded by lush jungle felt almost unreal and offered such a beautiful contrast to the ocean adventures.

Beach/Sandbar visits

Papua Diving stops at pristine beaches and remote sandbars scattered throughout Raja Ampat during their surface intervals/lunch breaks. Some felt completely untouched, with powdery white sand and impossibly clear water in every direction.

Other excursions offered

The resorts also offer kayaking, paddle-boarding, birdwatching, jungle trekking, village visits, and additional boat excursions around Raja Ampat, making it easy to experience both the marine life and the natural beauty of the islands above water too.

Conservation at the Heart of Papua Diving

What truly sets Papua Diving Resorts apart is their long-standing commitment to conservation and the local Papuan community.

From the beginning, founder Max Ammer built the resorts around the idea of protecting Raja Ampat’s reefs while creating sustainable opportunities for local communities. Today, much of the team is made up of local Papuans who have been trained and employed through the resorts over the years.

The resorts continue to prioritize:

• Supporting local Papuan employment and education
• Using local materials and traditional architecture in construction
• Sourcing local ingredients for meals whenever possible
• Protecting Raja Ampat’s fragile reefs and marine ecosystems
• Supporting conservation initiatives and research efforts in the region

Another inspiring part of staying at Papua Diving Resorts was learning more about their conservation efforts firsthand. During our stay, we had the chance to see the StAR Project by ReShark, a global conservation initiative focused on restoring endangered zebra shark populations in Raja Ampat. Seeing juvenile sharks being raised and prepared for release back into the wild was such a meaningful reminder of the important conservation work happening here.

As a resort deeply rooted in protecting Raja Ampat’s marine ecosystems, Papua Diving continues to support reef conservation, marine research, and sustainable tourism initiatives that help preserve this extraordinary environment for future generations.

Final Thoughts

Staying at both Kri Eco Resort and Sorido Bay Resort gave us such a unique perspective on Raja Ampat and Papua Diving Resorts as a whole. Kri Eco felt raw, immersive, and deeply connected to nature, while Sorido Bay added an extra layer of comfort and luxury without losing the spirit of the island. Together, they perfectly capture what makes Papua Diving so special: decades of exploration, conservation, community, and unforgettable access to one of the most biodiverse marine environments on Earth. Whether you’re diving, snorkeling, kayaking through turquoise lagoons, or simply soaking in life on Kri Island, Papua Diving Resorts offers one of the most authentic and meaningful ways to experience Raja Ampat.

Thanks for stopping by!

Jyo

 

Disclaimer :

This stay was in collaboration with Papua Diving Resorts but all thoughts and opinions are my own.