For most scuba divers it is the number one bucket list dive holiday - Raja Ampat. Located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, the epi-centre of marine biodiversity, Raja Ampat boasts spectacular diving all year around. The variety of sites ensure there is something for everyone - from macro photographers to manta ray lovers, and from beginners to experienced divers. Nestled just behind a mangrove forest and their marina in Waisai, Meridian Adventure Dive Resort is just a short ferry ride away from Sorong, making this diving destination easily accessible to everyone. It also means flexible planning with no fixed start or end dates to packages and no minimum period of stay.
With a focus on quality and comfort, the simplicity of the resort provides the
perfect base after a day of exploring the beauty of Raja Ampat, both above and
below the water. The property provides modern, clean, simple luxuries to make you feel at home. Each of the 30 modular style rooms are twin or double bed, with private en-suite bathrooms, hot water, air-conditioning, TV, safe, fresh drinking water and daily housekeeping. Wi-fi is available throughout the common areas and rooms.
The on-site restaurant offers a fusion a la carte menu designed to combine International and local flavours. From vibrant breakfasts, refreshing lunches, sunset canapés and dinners, to fresh fruit juices and cocktails, passion and character is injected into each meal or drink, using as much home-grown fresh produce as possible. However, being a community-driven resort, guests are encouraged to dine out in the evenings, to help spread tourist income throughout the area. There are many good local restaurants in town, only a short ride or walk away. Local dishes include coconut roast chicken, fish BBQ, calamari, prawns; with many restaurants specialising in only a few dishes.
The Meridian Adventure Dive crew are professionally trained Instructors and
dive guides. Their focus is to deliver an experience that will last a lifetime, with a yearning to come back for more. They offer you a wide selection of dive sites which are easily accessible with their customised dive boats. The space and long-range capabilities allow the boats to deliver divers in total comfort to more sites faster and more efficiently. Dive packages include scuba gear rental and GoPro footage shot by the dive guides for free!
As well as scuba diving and snorkelling activities, Meridien offers plenty of experiences for the non-diver - paddleboarding safaris, bird of paradise / Blue River / pearl farm tours, Batanta Waterfalls, traditional dancers, sunset bonfire on the beach, BBQ nights. Sip on a delicious cocktail from the fully-licensed bar, play some board games, try your hand at darts, pool, or ping pong, or hang around the swimming pool after enjoying a relaxing massage. All that’s left to do is just to relax, dive and enjoy your holiday!
Destinations:Raja Ampat (Diving environment: wall diving, drift diving, caverns, healthy reefs, advanced divers, off the beaten track; Highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/marine diversity, schooling fish/big pelagics).
No diving on days of arrival and departure.
Resort diving includes:
Dives (as detailed in the packages above), scuba equipment rental, boat rides to sites, experienced English-speaking divemaster (maximum 4 divers per DM), GoPro footage from all your dives, pool scuba review (if required), tanks (12 and 15 litre), weights and weightbelts, drinking water, hot drinks, fruit, beach towel.. Diving excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own):
Raja Ampat marine park fee (US$ 64 per year, payable in cash IDR). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash IDR or credit card). Optional extras:Dive insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased on site are subject to change.
Resort accommodation includes:
Bed, breakfast, drinking water, hot drinks, internet access, service charge, VAT on package prices. Accommodation excludes (mandatory):
Single supplement for single travelers. Single Supplement:
This is a compulsory additional charge on single travellers for the sole occupancy of double/twin accommodation. Optional extras:
Lunch, dinner, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, transfer from Sorong Airport (US$ 55) to be paid in advance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival.
How to get there:
The resort is within walking distance from the ferry port in Waisai, on the island of Waigeo, just across the channel from Sorong. You can fly directly to Sorong Airport (SOQ) from Bali or Jakarta with Garuda Indonesia, Batik Air, Lion Air, Air Asia, or Sriwijaya Air. Transfers can be arranged from the airport upon request (ferry economy option or speedboat option). If you prefer to make your own way to the resort, once you land in Sorong you can either: 1. take the public ferry - departs Sorong daily at 9 am and 2 pm (travel time approx. 2 hours), or 2. take a private speedboat (pick up time is flexible, travel time is 1 hour 30 minutes). Check-in time is at 12 noon.
Check out time is also at 12 noon unless special arrangements are made with the hotel in advance. The ferry departure times back to Sorong are also at 9 am and 2 pm. For more information (including airlines) see our West Papua travel information section.
Dive clubs and group discounts:
Pay for 7+ guests and 1 extra person can join free of charge. Pay for 12+ guests and 1 additional persons can join free of charge.
There are 30 rooms on the property, each with twin or double beds. All are 15 sqm boutique / modular style rooms, They are serviced daily and include imported Italian linen, towels, bathrobes and slippers, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and amenities such as hairdryer, clock radio and safe.
All the rooms at Meridien are equipped with:
24 hr air-conditioning
Wi-fi internet access
Private bathroom with hot water shower
Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, towels, hair dryer & bath robes
Flat-screen TVs and 42 local and international channels
Daily Housekeeping
Fresh drinking water
1 USB plug point and 2 'universal' plug points
Reading lights
Bedside table
Towels are not to be removed from the room for use at the pool, diving or taken to the beach. If you need a towel, speak to a staff member and they will give a towel for your adventure.
80% of the world’s known coral species are found in Raja Ampat. It is the most biodiverse marine environment on Earth. Moreover, Raja Ampat’s waters are remote, protected, and biologically productive, making it one of the most spectacular places to scuba dive and encounter marine life that you just will not find elsewhere.
The daily dive menu includes 2 morning dives and 2 afternoon dives at a wide selection of over 100 sites, all of which are easily accessible on their custom-built dive boats. From sites at Misool in the south, to Wayag, Kawe and Aljui Bay in the north, with Meridien you do not have to be on a liveaboard to experience the best of Raja Ampat! No supplements are charged for long distance sites! Surface interval are often taken on islands and may involve the opportunity of village visits.
The dive boats are 10.6m long with a maximum capacity of 22 passengers; there is ample room for movement and equipment stowage on board. They are powered by Dual V6 250HP Yamaha 4 stroke engines The forward placement of the helm allows the driver an unobstructed view for navigation, as well ease of access to the bow for mooring and anchoring without disturbing the passengers. The fixed fore and aft aluminium roll bars feature sturdy fold-up swim ladders. Console equipment includes radar, chart plotter, compass, autopilot, AIS and DSC VHF units. Safety equipment includes a pontoon repair kit, tool kit, a double action pump, 2 paddles. life jackets, a flare kit, and fire extinguisher.
The scuba operation is now a recognised PADI Eco Dive Center and provides well maintained, high quality equipment from Aqualung to ensure your diving is memorable for all the right reasons. The a guest diver to dive guide ratio of just 4, their tried and tested itineraries maximise your day's diving, to deliver the most unforgettable and valuable experiences and activities. They reveal
the incredible, the amazing and the unbelievable in every location.