<strong>The last paradise on earth: </strong>With its incredibly rich marine biodiversity and a relatively remote location, Indonesia's Raja Ampat archipelago is often called "the last paradise on Earth." Among the top dive resorts and conservation centers in the area is Misool Eco Resort.
The last paradise on earth: With its incredibly rich marine biodiversity and a relatively remote location, Indonesia's Raja Ampat archipelago is often called "the last paradise on Earth." Among the top dive resorts and conservation centers in the area is Misool Eco Resort.
Tobias Zimmer
<strong>Where is Raja Ampat:</strong> Located in the northwestern tip of West Papua province in Indonesia, the Raja Ampat Marine Protected Area Network spans over 4 million hectares and is made up of around 1,500 islands. The Misool Eco Resort is nestled amongst them.
Where is Raja Ampat: Located in the northwestern tip of West Papua province in Indonesia, the Raja Ampat Marine Protected Area Network spans over 4 million hectares and is made up of around 1,500 islands. The Misool Eco Resort is nestled amongst them.
Tim Laman/Tim Laman
<strong>Views from Misool Resort: </strong>Misool has transformed a former shark finning camp into a "no-take zone," meaning all fishing and hunting activities are banned within the 300,000-acre area.
Views from Misool Resort: Misool has transformed a former shark finning camp into a "no-take zone," meaning all fishing and hunting activities are banned within the 300,000-acre area.
Derrick Thomson
<strong>2022 Blue Parks Award winner: </strong>A paddle boarder glides through the waters surrounding Misool. This year, the Raja Ampat Marine Parks Network -- which includes 10 protected areas spanning more than two million hectares -- was awarded the Blue Parks Award.
2022 Blue Parks Award winner: A paddle boarder glides through the waters surrounding Misool. This year, the Raja Ampat Marine Parks Network -- which includes 10 protected areas spanning more than two million hectares -- was awarded the Blue Parks Award.
Shawn Heinrichs
<strong>A role model: </strong>Organized by Marine Conservation International, and endorsed by the United Nations, the Blue Parks Award is granted to marine parks that have met the highest science-based standards for conservation effectiveness.
A role model: Organized by Marine Conservation International, and endorsed by the United Nations, the Blue Parks Award is granted to marine parks that have met the highest science-based standards for conservation effectiveness.
Alex Lindbloom
<strong>Dedication from the community:</strong> Misool's co-founder Marit Miners says that it requires long-term commitment and collaboration to ward off exploiters and protect Raja Ampat's success. "It takes a whole lot of spirit and energy, which is found here in Raja Ampat," says Miners.
Dedication from the community: Misool's co-founder Marit Miners says that it requires long-term commitment and collaboration to ward off exploiters and protect Raja Ampat's success. "It takes a whole lot of spirit and energy, which is found here in Raja Ampat," says Miners.
Sabine Templeton
<strong>Kri Beach: </strong>"There are endless beautiful areas and many hundreds of beautiful coral gardens," says Max Ammer, founder of Papua Diving. Ammer's love for the natural beauty and the local communities inspired him to open the Kri Eco Dive Resort in 1994. A resort at nearby Sordio Bay followed, with the two properties operating under Ammer's <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpapua-diving.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Papua Diving</a> company. <br />
Kri Beach: "There are endless beautiful areas and many hundreds of beautiful coral gardens," says Max Ammer, founder of Papua Diving. Ammer's love for the natural beauty and the local communities inspired him to open the Kri Eco Dive Resort in 1994. A resort at nearby Sordio Bay followed, with the two properties operating under Ammer's Papua Diving company.
Scotty Graham
<strong>Raja Ampat's underwater world: </strong>"I often still am amazed when I look around during a dive. I wonder if I might be dreaming it all," says Ammer. Raja Ampat is home to more than 1,600 species of fish and some 75% of the world's known coral species.
Raja Ampat's underwater world: "I often still am amazed when I look around during a dive. I wonder if I might be dreaming it all," says Ammer. Raja Ampat is home to more than 1,600 species of fish and some 75% of the world's known coral species.
Scotty Graham
<strong>A conservation success story: </strong>Encouraging local communities to become active members of conservation efforts has been a key component of Papua Diving's success story.
A conservation success story: Encouraging local communities to become active members of conservation efforts has been a key component of Papua Diving's success story.
Thomas Haider
<strong>Job creation: </strong>"When we started there were a lot of very damaging practices rampant all over Raja Ampat." says Ammer. "All of that has slowly been eradicated. In our case, mainly by creating other options for making a living."
Job creation: "When we started there were a lot of very damaging practices rampant all over Raja Ampat." says Ammer. "All of that has slowly been eradicated. In our case, mainly by creating other options for making a living."
Juergen Freund