There are certain places in the world that completely change 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. Papua Diving Resort.
Founded by Max Ammer, one of Raja Ampat’s first explorers who discovered and mapped the region’s most iconic dive sites, Papua Diving Resorts has helped protect and preserve a special part of the planet for decades. two sisters real estate Cree Eco Resort and Sorido Bay Resort Sitting alongside Kri Island in the heart of Dampier Strait, you’re minutes from the most biodiverse coral reef on Earth.
We split our stay between two resorts, which honestly offered the best of both worlds: the rustic barefoot charm of Kri Eco Resort and the elevated comfort of Sorido Bay Resort.
One of the biggest advantages of staying at a Papua diving resort is the location itself. Both resorts are located directly on Kri Island and are surrounded by world-renowned diving and snorkeling 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 largest number of reef fish species recorded in a single dive. Just snorkeling here can make you feel like you are swimming in an actual nature documentary.
And what we loved the most is that diving in Papua is not just for divers. Many of the dive sites are incredibly snorkeling friendly, making them magical even for non-divers who want to experience Raja Ampat’s marine life from the surface.
Cree Eco Resort As the first diving resort established in Raja Ampat, your stay here will leave you feeling deeply connected to the island’s natural environment.
The resort features traditional overwater Papuan-style cottages built almost entirely from local natural materials and blending beautifully into the landscape. There is something incredibly special about waking up on crystal clear water and hearing nothing but the sounds of the jungle and gentle waves beneath your bungalow.
The vibe here is rustic and laid-back, truly Raja Ampat. It feels immersive in the best way possible. It’s simple luxury, focused entirely on nature, diving and slowing down.
We especially loved how close everything felt to the sea. From kayaking and paddleboarding right at the resort to snorkeling right off the dock, nature is constantly surrounding you.
After Krieco, we moved next door. Sorido Bay Resort, It brings a more refined and luxurious feel to your Raja Ampat experience while maintaining the traditional Papuan character for which Papuan diving is famous.
The villas here are incredibly spacious and carefully designed to blend local architecture with modern amenities. Spacious open interiors, beautiful beach settings, air conditioning, outdoor lounge areas and stunning lagoon views provide true barefoot luxury in one of the most remote places on Earth.
What makes Sorido Bay particularly unique is that the land was previously a coconut plantation and there was no need to clear native rainforest to build the resort.
Despite the increased comfort, it still feels deeply connected to the environment and the surrounding nature, rather than being overly developed or commercialized.
Meals at Papua Diving Resort were simple, fresh and felt deeply connected to the local area. Meals were served buffet-style throughout the stay with a mix of Indonesian dishes, freshly caught seafood, tropical fruits, home-baked breads and international dishes. We especially loved how many of the ingredients were sourced locally whenever possible, which tied beautifully into the resort’s overall focus on sustainability and community support.
One of our favorite times each day was sitting and eating overlooking the ocean after a long day in the water. The atmosphere is relaxed and communal and blends in perfectly with Raja Ampat’s slower pace of island life.
Papua Diving is world-renowned for its scuba diving, but there is so much more to experience beyond the coral reefs. The resort offers kayaking, paddle boarding, jungle hiking and bird-watching excursions, giving you the chance to slow down and experience life in Cree Island. The jungle surrounding the resort is filled with birds, tropical wildlife, and the sounds of nature at every hour of the day. Sorido Bay also features an on-site spa.
One of our favorite parts about staying here was how disconnected we felt from the outside world in the best way possible. The day centered around marine life, sunsets, boat rides, and quiet moments in nature. Even if you don’t dive every day, there is so much beauty to experience both above and below the water.
Some of our favorite activities include:
Snorkeling at Cape Kri and Mikes Point
One of the most unforgettable snorkeling experiences we have had. Thriving coral gardens, endless schools of fish, reef sharks, turtles and incredible biodiversity made each swim feel like I was stepping into a real-life documentary.
A trip to Kali Biru
One of the greenest rivers we have ever seen. Swimming in crystal clear turquoise water surrounded by lush jungle felt almost otherworldly and was a beautiful contrast to the ocean adventure.
Beach/sandbar visit
Papua Diving stops at pristine beaches and remote sandbars scattered throughout Raja Ampat during surface breaks/lunch breaks. Some places felt untouched, with fine white sand and incredibly clear water on all sides.
Other travel offers
The resort also offers kayaking, paddle boarding, bird watching, jungle trekking, village visits, and additional boat trips around Raja Ampat, making it easy to experience both the marine life and natural beauty of the island above the water.
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 resort around the idea of protecting Raja Ampat’s coral reefs while creating sustainable opportunities for the local community. Today, most of the team is made up of local Papuans who have been trained and employed by the resort over a number of years.
The resort continues to prioritize:
- Support for local employment and education in Papua
- Utilizing local materials and traditional architecture in construction
- We source local ingredients for our meals whenever possible.
- Protecting Raja Ampat’s vulnerable coral reefs and marine ecosystems
- Support local conservation planning and research activities
Another part of my inspiration about staying at Papua Diving Resorts was being able to learn more first-hand about their conservation efforts. During our stay, we had the opportunity to see ReShark’s StAR project, a global conservation initiative focused on restoring the endangered zebra shark population in Raja Ampat. Watching young sharks being bred and prepared to be released back into the wild was a meaningful reminder of the important conservation work taking place here.
As a resort with roots in protecting the marine ecosystem of Raja Ampat, Papua Diving continues to support reef conservation, marine research and sustainable tourism initiatives that help preserve this special environment for future generations.
final thoughts
Staying at Kri Eco Resort and Sorido Bay Resort gave us a unique perspective on Raja Ampat and Papua Diving Resorts as a whole. Kri Eco offers a sense of immersion and deep connection to nature, while Sorido Bay adds comfort and luxury without losing the spirit of the island. Together they perfectly capture what makes Papuan diving special: decades of exploration, conservation, community, and unforgettable access to one of the most biodiverse marine environments on Earth. Whether diving, snorkeling, kayaking in the turquoise lagoons, or simply immersing yourself in life on Kri Island, Papua diving resorts offer one of the most authentic and meaningful ways to experience Raja Ampat.
Thanks for stopping by!
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Disclaimer:
This stay was organized in collaboration with Papua Diving Resorts, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
