Favorite: Raja Ampat Biodiversity Nature Dive Resort!
A place that is small-scale, sustainable, and local, but also full of comfort and luxury, all amidst a breathtaking environment! After spending a few days in cozy homestays, we concluded our Raja Ampat adventure in the most relaxed way possible, with fantastic food and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere at the amazing Raja Ampat Biodiversity Resort.
Raja Ampat had been on our bucket list for years. This archipelago is located in the far east of Indonesia. Yes, it takes some effort to get there, but believe us, every second of that journey is worth it. There’s a reason why it’s called The Last Paradise on Earth – and we can assure you, that name is well-deserved.
Small-scale and sustainable
When we planned our trip, one thing was clear: we wanted to experience local life in homestays, but we also wanted to end our adventurous journey with a bit more luxury and comfort, especially for diving. And so we found the Eco Biodiversity Nature Dive Resort on the enchanting GAM Island, which we now consider the gem of Raja Ampat.
This dive resort is not only small-scale and sustainable, but also extraordinarily heartwarming. During our search for a suitable dive resort, Biodiversity stood out immediately. Here, it’s not just about diving, but also about preserving this beautiful environment. All furniture is made from local materials in collaboration with the local community, and even the cottages are equipped with solar panels. It’s all about harmony with nature and the local community, and you feel it immediately.
The resort is small and intimate, allowing you to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of peace every day. And the best part? You’re not tied to a fixed number of days here. You’re completely free in your planning, which ensures an ultimately relaxed experience.
From budget rooms to a stay in a Deluxe Cottage
If you think luxury doesn’t go hand in hand with preserving traditional charm, you’re mistaken. The cottages at the resort fit perfectly into the lush surroundings and seem to blend with nature. They are nestled in the jungle but just steps away from the sea.
Each cottage has its own beach gazebo, perfect for finding some shade, and two beach chairs. And if you prefer not to sit with your feet in the sand, you can relax on your own terrace in the hammock or enjoy a drink in the lounge set.
The traditional cottages feature spacious beds with mosquito nets and a fan for cooling in the evening. Due to the partially open construction of the cottages and their proximity to the sea, this has actually become unnecessary. In addition, you’ll find closets in the cottages to store your belongings, drinking water, and a small desk.
And the bathrooms? They are partly outdoor but covered. Depending on the type of cottage, you even have hot water, heated by the sun – sustainable and comfortable. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot a Kuskus Bear or Black Cockatoo.
You have three options to choose from: Raja Ampat, Superior, and Deluxe.
Smaller budget? No worries!
Two small rooms with a shared bathroom around the corner are available. The budget room can be booked from 68 euros per person per night, including all meals (breakfast, snacks, lunch, and dinner) and drinks (coffee, tea, and fresh smoothies for breakfast and homemade iced tea for lunch).
The other rooms can be booked from 135 euros per person per night. The longer your stay, the more favorable the price per night becomes, of course.
From a stay of five nights, you can also add a diving package to your booking.
Let’s talk food
Raja Ampat doesn’t have trendy beach bars or hip coffee shops. All meals are served together at the resort, in a cozy long table setting.
In the morning, you can choose what you want for breakfast, such as banana pancakes, an omelet, or a hearty nasi goreng. Then, you join between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. Alongside your chosen breakfast, you can also grab muesli or cereals, a tasty piece of cake, and choose from a smoothie and/or juice.
After breakfast, most people head straight to the water for diving. The morning always consists of 2 dives, with a break in between in a local village or on a beautiful beach with a cup of coffee, tea, and a snack, usually a piece of cake, cookies, and some fruit.
Lunch is served at 1:00 p.m. As soon as the table is set, a staff member walks around the resort with a bell to let everyone know that the meal is ready.
At 5:00 PM, a snack is ready, something different every day. From fried bananas to pancake rolls and brownies. It was a surprise every day.
Dinner is served at 7:30 PM. About five dishes are served, usually one fish or chicken dish and the rest consists of vegetables, noodles, potatoes, or rice. If you are vegetarian or vegan, you will receive one or two replacement dishes. So I often got tofu or tempeh served, prepared in various ways. Although the dishes are mainly made from local ingredients, sometimes a Western dish is also added. There was even pizza on the menu one evening. But my favorite moment was definitely dessert! They were divine.
goddelijk lekker.
3x a day diving in the most beautiful places!
As beautiful as Raja Ampat is above water, underwater it’s a completely different world. Never before have we seen so much coral, sharks, fish, and colors! So it’s no wonder that diving is the main activity here. At Biodiversity, you have the choice to book a dive package, but you can also arrange individual dives. Biodiversity is a certified PADI and SSI dive center, and even the first SSI-certified dive center in Raja Ampat.
We are still relatively inexperienced divers, with only 35 dives under our belt, so it was important for us to feel safe and comfortable. We don’t have our own diving equipment and also have no idea how to check if everything is still in order. If you are not an experienced diver, it is important to do thorough research on who you are diving with. The conditions in Raja Ampat can sometimes be challenging due to strong currents. We have done several dives with Biodiversity and they were all fantastic!
We received excellent guidance, dived only in spots suitable for our level, dived in small groups, the dive instructors all spoke good English, and the equipment looked top-notch.
For each dive, you pay approximately 50 euros per person. Attention! Diving gear is not included but can be rented at the resort.
Kayaking through the mangrove or spotting sharks at the pier
Not a fan of diving? No worries! There’s plenty to do here even without diving. Many dive sites, for example, are perfect for snorkeling as well, and even at the resort, there’s a beautiful house reef where we went snorkeling at least once, but often twice a day. There are also kayaks available to explore the surroundings. We decided to explore the nearby lagoon in the morning. Absolutely stunning!
Want to see more of the surroundings? You can also book other activities like bird watching, visiting a local village, or exploring the beautiful viewpoint Pianemo.
In short: book this resort!
This is the perfect way to conclude your journey through Raja Ampat in the most fantastic way possible. It’s one of those rare luxury resorts that are incredibly flexible and suitable for any budget. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or embarking on an adventure for the first time, this is the place for you. Everyone is welcome here, from the adventurous backpacker to the luxurious bon vivant. And believe us, we will definitely come back here again.