Raja Ampat Biodiversity Nature Resort — Hotel in Pulau Gam

My wife and I, in celebration of our 31st anniversary decided to visit Raja Ampat for 11 nights. After a great deal of research and discussion, due to the many different available options, we decided on Biodiversity Nature Resort, which turned out to be a fantastic choice. Although it does take some time and effort to get to the resort, it is definitely worth it, and Biodiversity were a tremendous help in assisting with the travel arrangements. We flew from Singapore to Jakarta and then onto Sorong, where a Biodiversity staff member met us and transported us by car to a nearby hotel lobby, where we rested for a short while and had a few refreshments. We were then transported to the ferry terminal, about 15 minutes away, where we boarded the public ferry to Wasai, which took approximately 2 hours. We paid an extra €10 per person each way for a VIP ferry upgrade, which we would certainly recommend. Once we arrived in Wasai we were met by another Biodiversity staff member and transported by speedboat to the resort approximately 30 minutes away.| We booked a beach front deluxe cottage, which had a large en-suite bathroom with an open-air shower. Our neatly decorated room with traditional local décor was extremely spacious and clean, with a comfortable queen size bed. Although there was no air-con, the standalone fan in the cottage was effective in keeping us cool. Glass sliding doors opened onto an under-cover veranda with chairs and a hammock, with fabulous sea views, only steps away from the water’s edge and a magnificent house reef. We also had our own beach sun beds, as well as a private double daybed lounger. The location and tropical setting of the resort and the cottages is as close to paradise as you can get. This is further enhanced by the beautiful surrounding flora and fauna, including the cute and peculiar resident marsupial cuscus, who would on occasions during the night, rummage around inside our cottage looking for food. |The management team and other staff, including, Patricia, Jen, Bree, Jerry, and Laura, were efficient, friendly, and attentive, ensuring that we were well looked after at all times, and making sure that everything was handled perfectly to ensure a memorable stay.|The meals provided daily, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an afternoon snack were superb, particularly the varied Indonesian inspired chicken, and fresh fish dishes, and delicious deserts. A special mention must also be made of the stuffed aubergines and the choco lava cake.|All meals are served in a pleasant Papuan styled restaurant, an open-plan dining area on the beach with stunning sea views. As everyone eats together, we got to meet a lot of lovely people from around the world and made many new friends.|A real treat and surprise was that a special private romantic candlelit dinner was arranged for us on the beach right next to the water’s edge. |Whilst snorkelling on the magnificent house reef we saw lots of amazing marine life, including reef sharks, stingrays, eels, octopus, and batfish, as well as many other fascinating reef fish, and wonderful coral. |During our stay I managed to fit in twenty-one dives, and was fortunate to dive many well-known dive sites, including Cape Kri, Blue Magic, Melissa, Manta Sandy, Arborek Jetty and Sawandarek Jetty. Everything relating to all the dives was managed exceptionally well by Marten the Dive Manager, who was professional, and interesting to chat too. After thoughtfully considering everything, Marten would ensure that each day we went to the best suitable dive sites. |My divemaster for all the dives was Vandi, a friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced local diver who ensured that the dive team was well looked after, safe at all times, and that everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. All the dives were absolutely incredible, and besides all the wonderful hard and soft corals, we were spoilt with an abundance of marine life, including wobbegong, leopard, black-tip, white-tip, grey reef, and epaulette (walking) sharks, as well as turtles, pygmy seahorses, plenty nudibranchs, and large schools of trevallies, jacks, fusiliers, snappers, surgeons, sweetlips, barracudas, and lots of other exceptional marine life. A diving highlight also had to be a close encounter with an oceanic manta. During the dive surface intervals, the refreshments that were provided were incredibly good, particularly the local coffee and the homemade cake.|Besides all the diving and snorkelling, we went on a few awesome tours organized by the resort, including visiting Pianemo Fam Islands, The Passage & Kabui Bay Sunset Cruise, and the Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise Trek.|Overall, we had an amazing stay at Biodiversity with incredible diving, and definitely hope to...

Just back from an 8-day stay in Raja Ampat Biodiversity Eco (renamed as Nature in the meantime) resort. Let's start with the positive: the house reef is great. But Raja Ampat is amazing location, so no matter where you go, the reef will be amazing. Also the local staff is amazing. They would go above and beyond to make your stay comfortable.

And now the now the not so great stuff! Actually the worst! Landed at Sorong at 6.30am so that we can take the 9.00am public ferry and enjoy the whole day in the resort. What a surprise to find that the 9.00am ferry had been cancelled and the only option offered by local rep (and manager on the phone) was to spend 7 hours in a hotel by the airport until the next ferry at 2.00pm. They could not be bothered looking for alternatives which we know exist, but WE managed to find something. Once we made to paradise, that was another story. We were greeted by a random guy who did not introduce himself and delivered a "welcome" speech very patronising. We found out later that he is the managing director. He is supported by a manager, very nice, friendly and (for sure) vert chatty lady but we failed to see any actions. Below is a compilation of what we encountered throughout our stay: it's generally way overpriced. Don't expect Raja Ampat to be cheap, but for the amount of money we splashed we could have afforded much better Bungalow (I would proposedly not call see a Deluxe cottage) in dire need for repair/refresh. We were the first tourists since pandemic, and it looks like nothing was checked before we arrived. Leaking roof in the bathroom (was reported and not fixed), ceiling light not working (reported and not fixed) , uneven floor in bathroom (fixed after reporting), broken shower head support (was fixed after reporting), disgusting toilet brush (see pictures) -It's definitely not an eco-friendly resort: cheapest possible body wash and shampoo provided, handsoap is like diluted washing up liquid, gas boiler, getting rid of dead leaves and rubbish by making bonfires next to your bungalow (and making sure to add some oil on top of fire, so it stinks and really makes it not eco-friendly), only 3 solar panels which might just be enough for a toaster and kettle, everything else is on generator Food is basic but very good, thanks to talented chef and despite limited ingredients Beach is covered with rubbish but no one picks up Wifi is almost inexistent, it only works by the reception. Zero signal at the restaurant. and by 7.00pm the router is switched off and sealed in a cupboard until the following day, as part the the ritual. And we being told off by the owner when asked to reset the router. Literally I was told: "I'm sorry, I'm eating, I can't do anything" and many other things...

In a nutshell: overpriced, antipathic owner that will make any conversation feel awkward and uncomfortable, great local staff that does...

After dreaming of Raja Ampat for 10 years, I was quite apprehensive of being disappointed because no matter what, when it's your dream vacation (and you spent all that you saved up in your holiday fund), the stakes are high.

But from the moment we arrived (in the pouring rain without luggage and after 48 hours of straight traveling) we felt so incredibly well taken care of and that did not change at all throughout the week. The attention to detail, the flexibility with the excursions and diving, the incredible food, everything was simply amazing. And not just that, we felt right at home with Patricia and Rey and everyone at the resort.

The rooms are huge and well equipped. We had booked the deluxe room with warm water showers, which I really appreciated, especial after our night dive. It's not a necessity, though. More are luxurious detail. We did not really miss an air-condition either. The rooms were well ventilated and not too hot. We loved the private deck to hang out as well as the private beach. In the evening before dinner, it was also lovely to chill, read and write log books in the restaurant/bar area, which was also a great spot in case of a random thunderstorm rolling through (btw, the best sleep we ever had was during the rain storms at night, the sound was absolutely surreal) .

Regarding the weather, we knew we had taken a risk, going in July as that is the windy season. When we arrived, we did have 1-2 days with quite a lot of clouds and rain. Wind was never really an issue. And most days after the beginning were quite beautiful even if clouds often rolled in around the late afternoon.

The scuba diving was of course excellent as this is Raja Ampat after all. It did not disappoint! The dive center was really well organized and the boats were never too full. Our guides (thanks Bobby and Tristan!) took great care of us and made the experience fun for everyone, even with divers with different skill levels on board (my husband had just gotten certified). I was a bit nervous about diving in currents, using reef hooks and just in general getting back into diving after a pandemic related hiatus. But everyone made me feel quite safe and taken care of and I managed to gain a good amount of experience and continue our journey a much more confident diver.

Oh and the food was absolutely incredible. I don't know how the ladies in the kitchen managed it but neither me nor my husband had anything to eat that wasn't exceptionally delicious! Always fresh and a great mix that never got boring.

Last but not least, thank you for going to such lengths in helping us get our luggage! We were without suitcases the whole week and managed to get the bags just in time to hop on our boat to out next stop. Patricia even brought me some of her clothes to help out.

We couldn't have imagined a more perfect week and I will forever want to come back to that little piece...