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Featured
Resort
Papua Explorers is one of Raja Ampat's latest resorts but has already built a reputation for exceptional service, amazing natural experiences and a commitment to sustainable practices. Guests staying here can simply relax and enjoy a massage, kayak or hike through the breathtaking scenery, learn about conservation, and experience the incredible biodiversity of Raja Ampat’s dive sites that lie just a short boat ride away.
Papua Explorers is located on the beautiful island of Gam at the very heart of Raja Ampat’s best diving and just 10 to 15 minutes away from famous dive sites like Manta Point and Cape Kri. The resort faces the Dampier Strait and is built on a jungle-clad peninsula that is home to birds of paradise and other incredible wildlife. The resort was constructed using traditional Papuan techniques and local, natural materials whenever possible, and - like many in Raja Ampat - makes every effort to reduce its environment impact and run the business in as sustainable manner as possible.
The resort’s 15 water bungalows are built along the edge of the island where the jungle meets the sea and designed to be in perfect harmony with the stunning surroundings of Gam. Guests are free to relax and explore the natural environment around the resort, or meander through the local village of Yenwaupnor. And with the Raja Ampat SEA Centre on site, guests can help to support the conservation of Raja Ampat’s extraordinary marine environment. The resort is committed to creating sustainable human-nature experiences while conserving one of the world's last remaining tropical reef strongholds - the epicentre of marine biodiversity.
The Deluxe Water Bungalows are built using local techniques and materials and are cool and comfortable without the need for aircon. These 72 square meter rooms are built over the water and have a large seating area with sofa and coffee table, private bathroom with hot water, ceiling fan, mosquito net, desk for working on your camera gear and a veranda with sun loungers and hammocks to watch the sunset from. Towels and environmentally-friendly natural shampoo, gels and soap are also provided. The Deluxe Water Cottages are available as twins or doubles, and can be fitted to sleep three people.
The two Superior Water Cottages are identical to the Deluxe Water Cottages except in size - they are slightly smaller at 55 square meters. They have the same design and furnishings as the Deluxe Cottages, private bathroom with hot water, ceiling fan, mosquito net, desk for working on your camera gear and a veranda with sun loungers and hammocks to watch the sunset from. Towels and environmentally-friendly natural shampoo, gels and soap are also provided.
Papua Explorers resort is built at the edge of the jungle and combines traditional Papuan design with modern Western comforts. The spacious and comfortable water bungalows provide the perfect environment to simply relax, enjoy the view of the Dampier Strait, and listen to the sounds of the sea and the forest. Each bungalow is built using local, natural materials that emphasise natural cooling, and come equipped with fans and mosquito nets, en suite bathroom with hot water, a desk for working on cameras, seating area and a veranda with hammock - along with stunning views and direct access to the sea.
The resort’s beautiful, circular restaurant and lounge is built over the water, right at the edge of the beach where the forest meets the sea. Guests can enjoy stunning panoramic views whilst dining on Indonesian and Western food - all freshly prepared at the resort - as well as snacks between dives. And for those who would like something a little different, the Papua Explorers Spa on the jetty provides an amazing mix of Indonesian treatments along with beautiful views out over the Dampier strait - a great way to relax after a long day of diving. Papua Explorers Resort offers free use of kayaks, twice weekly yoga sessions on the sun deck and scheduled transfers to the island from Sorong every Sunday and Wednesday.
Papua Explorer’s dive team consists of a mix of both Indonesian and International staff, with 11 guides, 4 trainees, 4 dive instructors and a free-diving / yoga instructor. The PADI 5 Star centre offers a range of dive courses, including a 6 month Divemaster Marine Ecology internship programme. Guests at Papua Explorers are offered 3 boat dives a day as well as unlimited diving on the house reef and free nitrox is available for anyone suitably qualified. Snorkelers are also well catered for and are free to join the dive boats, or if in a group of 5 or more, are allocated a boat of their own.
Papua Explorer’s take safety very seriously and the dive centre, all 7 dive boats, 2 transfer boats and resort buildings are fitted with modern and well-maintained safety equipment. The boats also carry satellite phones when out on day trips. The rental equipment is up-to-date and well looked after and the staff undergo regular training updates.
Conservation of the environment and sustainability are at the heart of all that Papua Explorers do as a business operating in the Raja Ampat Marine Park area. As the management of the resort states, “it is our belief that as divers, we have a duty of care to do what we can to conserve the areas in which we dive, and be ambassadors for healthy marine ecosystems the world over.”
Raja Ampat SEA Centre is a conservation initiative established by Papua Explorers Resort and dedicated to conserving Raja Ampat’s marine life through Science, Education & Awareness - SEA. Working with collaborating scientists and local community members, SEA Centre serves as a platform to conduct conservation work and valuable scientific research into the marine ecology and environment of the region.
Papua Explorers Resort is determined to live in harmony with the local environment, and respectively with the local communities. This starts with the natural appearance of the resort, which was designed to blend in with the local scenery. Guests are also provided with environmentally friendly soap and shower gel free of charge and water is reprocessed by natural bacteria in septic tanks. Fish served in the resort restaurant is bought from the local fishermen that employ sustainable fishing techniques and vegetables are bought from the local farming families.
Over 50% of the resort employees are from the Raja Ampat area and the resort sets out to guide and empower them in everyday work-situations, and the staff in turn provide the resort management with insights into their culture. Local staff work in housekeeping, resort carpentry, or as mechanics and electricians, boat captains and crew. Some have also been trained as new dive guides, that now work alongside our experienced dive guides.
The resort also tries to give back as much as possible to the surrounding villages. and have a special relationship with the neighbouring village of Yenwaupnor. The resort provides the village with fuel for generating electricity as well as regular donations of clothes and stationery goods to the church and school. In return, the local dance and music group visits the resort to give demonstrations to the guests. Additionally, the resort invests in projects like building new sanitation, a library and playground for the school.
Explore Raja Ampat’s iconic sites with a week of diving from Gam. This package includes accommodation for 7 nights in a double or twin Deluxe Water Cottage, transfers to and from the resort on Sundays and Wednesdays, 3 boat dives a day, unlimited house reef dives and free nitrox. Single and triple room rates are available. The package also includes 1 day excursion to The Passage.
Explore Raja Ampat's finest diving from Gam Island
Extend your stay and take advantage of Papua Explorer’s midweek transfers to dive more of Raja Ampat’s incredible sites. This package includes accommodation for 11 nights in a double or twin Deluxe Water Cottage, transfers to and from the resort on Sundays and Wednesdays, 3 boat dives a day, unlimited house reef dives and free nitrox. Single and triple room rates are available. The package also includes 1 day excursion to The Passage.
Extend your stay on Gam and explore even more of Raja Ampat's amazing diving
