Papua Paradise Resort
http://come2indo.blogspot.com/2014/01/papua-paradise-resort.html
Papua Paradise Resort - Bire, Raja Ampat Islands, West Papua, Indonesia
Four of us, the present owners, first came only to dive in Raja Ampat, West Papua in 2007. While this part of Indonesia cannot be compared to any other part of the country, we fell in love with it immediately. We were enchanted by the untouched nature and unique coral reefs. During our visits, we were lucky to observe some newly discovered species living in this area such as the epaulette shark (?) and many beautiful creatures like the amazing nudibranches.
In the mean time, some articles were published about Raja Ampat and the area has soon become known world-wide. Moreover, it even strengthened our desire to set up a dive resort here.
In 2008, we returned again but this time well prepared and loaded with plans. After several months of travelling, preparation and negotiation for applying and receiving the necessary permits, we rented the North-West part of the uninhabited Birie island for 25 years and construction works started in autumn 2008.
After one year hard work, we proudly opened our resort PapuaParadise EcoResort in autumn 2009 accompanied with the Bupati (governor of Raja Ampat) Marcus Wamna. We are happy to offer our service to everyone who would like to dive and look around this part of Raja Ampat... more info: First, the National Geographic Magazine published an article on the most diverse coral reefs on Earth covering Raja Ampat in September 2007.
FACILITIES
Accommodation
The island is divided into two main parts: guest side and service side. On the north-west guest side, with ten bungalows built over the coral reef with natural materials by traditional construction method, PapuaParadise EcoResort offers unforgettable diving holidays on the island surrounded by peaceful white sandy beach and stunning coral reefs.
Each spacious 60 m2 bungalow has its own 20 m2 massive terrace, on which our guest could enjoy the slight breeze and the glamorous sunset lying in a hammock, and a 6 m2 indoor bathroom (with eco warm water) providing high standard of comfort.
Luckily, we have fresh water on the island that runs in the bathrooms but we provide drinking water for our guests from gallons. Air-conditioning is naturally done by the slight ocean breeze and the sun heats up the water at daytime for a nice hot-water shower after a long diving day.
Service
The service side and the workers' bungalows were constructed on the south-east side of the island. Moreover, the fuel deposit, workshop, compressor station and the 24-hour electricity centre were placed here.
Electricity is provided by two 30 KV generators and we fill our diving tanks with 2 Coltri 265 compressors.
Restaurant
Our sea-view restaurant is a perfect place to try delicious Indonesian meals prepared by our local staff using ingredients (fresh water spinach, juicy mango, sweet banana, very hot chilli and fish) bought mostly from the nearby village or collected from the little garden of the resort (young coconut, cassava) or taken from Sorong. Of course, the menu contains European dishes as well.
After diving, our guests can have a rest here while looking over the blue bay. Our library, internet point (WIFI 54 Mbs), LCD TV and a bar help you spend your surface time in a home-like atmosphere as downloading the newly taken underwater photos.
PUBLISHED RATES
Valid From 1st April To 31st March 2013
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ALL RATES ARE
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- Expressed in EURO; - Inclusive of 21% Service and Taxes; - On Full Board basis (Breakfast, Lunch AND Dinner) and "Afternoon Tea/Coffee and Cakes"; - Per Person, in the indicated room. |
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From 1st April 2012
To 31st March 2013 |
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| Single Room |
195.00
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| Double Room – per person |
155.00
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| Triple Room – per person |
115.00
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PACKAGES – DAY OF ARRIVAL: MONDAY & THURSDAY
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| DESCRIPTION | ROOM TYPE | ||
| 7 NIGHTS | SINGLE ROOM | DOUBLE ROOM | TRIPLE ROOM |
| Diver (unlimited dives) – per person |
1,930.00
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1,650.00
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1,370.00
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| Non Diver – per person |
1,270.00
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990.00
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710.00
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| Extra Night Diver – per person |
270.00
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230.00
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190.00
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| Extra Night Non Diver – per person |
175.00
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135.00
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190.00
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| 14 NIGHTS | SINGLE ROOM | DOUBLE ROOM | TRIPLE ROOM |
| Diver (unlimited dives) – per person |
3,530.00
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2,970.00
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2,410.00
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| Non Diver – per person |
2,360.00
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1,800.00
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1,240.00
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| Extra Night Diver – per person |
245.00
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205.00
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165.00
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| Extra Night Non Diver – per person |
160.00
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120.00
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85.00
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| 21 NIGHTS | SINGLE ROOM | DOUBLE ROOM | TRIPLE ROOM |
| Diver (unlimited dives) – per person |
4,835.00
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3,995.00
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3,155.00
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| Non Diver – per person |
3,290.00
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2,450.00
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1,610.00
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| Extra Night Diver – per person |
225.00
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185.00
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145.00
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| Extra Night Non Diver – per person |
150.00
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110.00
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70.00
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Rates include: - Transfer from/to Sorong Airport by A/C car and speed boat on Mondays & Thursdays - Accommodation in the specified room on Full Board Basis - Diving in the range of 10 km of the Resort area (for the Diver Rates) |
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| Children Policy | |
| Infant under 3 years old | Free of charge |
| Child under 12 years old sharing the parents’ room (maximum 2 children) | 25% of adult rates |
| Child under 12 years accommodate in a separate room (maximum 3 children) | 50% of adult rates |
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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch Afternoon Tea with cake and snacks Dinner |
TRANSFER RATES (if the arrival/departure is not on Mondays and Thursday)
| Transfer from/to Sorong Airport, by A/C car and by boat per person/per way (minimum 2 pax): | ||
| Adult 100.00 | Child 50.00 | Infant free of charge |
| The speedboat used for transfers belongs to the Resort and there is no public transportation outside that. You have to coordinate the transfer with the Resort. | ||
RAJA AMPAT NATIONAL PARK
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Each guest visiting the area of Raja Ampat National Park is subject to pay an Entrance Fee. Its validity is one (solar) year. The amount of the fee is established by Raja Ampat Government and is subject to change without prior notice. At the present date the amount is Rp. 500.000 per person (about € 40) |
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In room facilities Complimentary Drinking Water, Tea and Coffee making facilities, Pedestal Fan, Mosquito Net, Private Bathroom with hot/cold water Shower. Services Welcome drink on arrival, Evening turn down, Internet Service and WiFi at the Restaurant (chargeable) |
| DIVING SECTION | |
| MEDICAL STATEMENT/CERTIFICATION | |
| Divers registering for Diving Education or Fun Diving will have to submit a medical statement not older than 6 month, stating their fitness to dive. | |
| We highly recommend e taking out Travel Insurance covering any possible medical expenses and evacuation emergency that may affect any part of your trip | |
The below mentioned rates are intended:
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| DIVING |
RATES |
| 24 dives (22 day dives + 2 night dives) |
960.00 |
| 22 dives (20 day dives + 2 night dives) |
890.00 |
| 20 dives (18 day dives + 2 night dives) |
820.00 |
| 18 dives (16 day dives + 2 night dives) |
745.00 |
| 15 dives (14 day dives + 1 night dive) |
630.00 |
| 13 dives (12 day dives + 1 night dive) |
550.00 |
| 11 dives (10 day dives + 1 night dive) |
470.00 |
| 9 dives (8 day dives + 1 night dive) |
390.00 |
| 7 dives (6 day dives + 1 night dive) |
305.00 |
| 5 dives (4 day dives + 1 night dive) |
220.00 |
| 1 dive |
45.00 |
| NITROX per cylinder |
6.00 |
| NOTE: - Rates include scuba tanks, weight belts, guide, beach towels, water and fruits, hot tea. | |
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PADI Diving Courses The below mentioned rates are: - Expressed in EURO; - Inclusive of: Manual (if needed and available in several languages), Certification, all equipment, tanks weights, multilingual instructor. |
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| Diving Course | Year Round Rates |
| Open Water Diver |
550.00 |
| Advance Open Water Diver |
420.00 |
| Advance Open Water Diver (above DP) |
200.00 |
| Deep Dive (above DP) |
150.00 |
| Rescue Diver | On request |
| Dive Master (Crew pack included) | On request |
| NITROX Diver (above DP) |
190.00 |
| Introduction |
100.00 |
| Refresh (above DP) |
60.00 |
| Snorkeling Section | Rates |
| House Reef (if boat and guide is requested) |
10.00 |
| Boat Trip (minimum 2 pax or using the same boat of divers) |
30.00 |
| Equipment Rental | Rates | ||
| 1 Day | 1 Week | 2 Weeks | |
| Complete equipment including dive computer |
36.00 |
180.00 |
330.00 |
| Complete equipment (no dive computer) |
32.00 |
150.00 |
270.00 |
| Excursions | Minimum | Rates Per Person |
| Romantic Island Dinner (17h00-20h00) |
2 pax |
120.00 |
| Passage including Hidden Bay | 2 pax | 90.00 |
| 4 pax | 65.00 | |
| Passage & Mushroom Islands incl. Hidden Bay and Bat Cave | 2 pax | 100.00 |
| 4 pax | 75.00 | |
| Waterfall & Mangroves | 2 pax | 50.00 |
| Kampung Arefi | 2 pax | 20.00 |
| Hornbill Island (possible from January to June) | 2 pax | 30.00 |
| Manta Point Mansuar | 2 pax | 80.00 |
| 4 pax | 45.00 | |
| Fam island | 2 pax | 100.00 |
| 4 pax | 65.00 | |
| Kri Island | 2 pax | 80.00 |
| 4 pax | 45.00 | |
| Birds of Paradise | Special | Rates per Person |
| Wilson’s |
1 pax |
150.00 |
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2 pax |
100.00 | |
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Red |
On Request | |
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King |
On Request | |
| CANCELLATIONS AND NO SHOW POLICY |
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Cancellation received up to 45 days prior to arrival date will be subject to 25% cancellation fee. Cancellation received between 45-31 days prior to arrival date will be subject to 50% cancellation fee. Cancellation received between 31-16 days prior to arrival date will be subject to 75% cancellation fee. Cancellation received between 31-16 days prior to arrival date will be subject to 75% cancellation fee. In the event of a no show or early departure, the reservation will be subject to a cancellation fee equivalent to the full length of stay In cases of late arrival due to flight delays we will be happy to extend the stay provided there is space available, however we cannot be held accountable for such flight delays or cancellations. |
DIVE CENTER
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Papua
Paradise Eco Resort's dive centre is built in front of the restaurant
with its own harbour and provides optimal conditions for diving. Our
house reef is just one big step away. All boat dives start from here. Our guests are taken to closer dive sites (15-20 mins) with two smaller speed boats of 8 people or to further dive sites and trips with a bigger, 16 people capacity speed boat. There are two guides on each boat generally and private guiding is optional by request. Our international staff can speak English, German, Indonesian and Hungarian. NAUI standard dive courses are available at the resort. We provide 12 and 15 litres aluminium tanks and EAN 32 nitrox for optimal diving. Our guests can rent new Aqualung, Bare, Seaquest and Suunto equipments. There is DAN O2 box and VHF radio communication system on each boat. |
DIVING
We count more than 30 dive sites. Our dive sites mostly within 10 km distance around the island with coral reefs richest in the world. Every diver could find their favourable sites to dive because the crystal clean bays, mangrove-side shores and deep water reefs offer perfect opportunities for both big fish lovers and macro maniacs.
The water temperature is 28-29 °C all year around, visibility is 15-20 metre in general. The best dive depth is from 5 to 25 metres and it is ideal for nitrox divers.
For those who prefer staying close to the resort, we can happily offer our 150 m long house reef around the resort for either diving or snorkelling. Our guests can observe schools of millions of different reef fish, baby black tip reef sharks, turtles, wobbegongs, pygmy seahorses and the very rare mandarin fish.
Furthermore, blue spotted rays, colourful parrotfish, common seahorse, shy pipefish, hunting jackfish are everyday visitors of the house reef. The lucky ones can also meet some rarely coming dugongs. Check on our Photo Gallery and Video.
NON-DIVING ACTIVITIES
Among diving and relaxing at PapuaParadise EcoResort, the nearby smaller and bigger islands and wild jungle forests give the opportunity to other activities as well. We organise boat trips to the stunning mushroom islands, bat cave, traditional cemetery, visit the most beautiful birds of paradise or climb up to a breathtaking 60 metres high waterfall that should not be missed out.
OUR MISSION
We are strongly intend to support the conservation of Raja Ampat's spectacular underwater and rainforest realm, while also help and create real benefits for the local communities. Together with the local police, we regularly patrol the area to stop illegal fishing and shark fin hunting. We are really keen on protecting our no-take zone around the island and teach local people for environment awareness.
WHY WE ARE THE BEST CHOISE
The only place at Raja Ampat where you can dive all year around is the Papua Paradise EcoResort. The EcoResort enjoys a geographical position which allows easy access to the resort in any weather conditions. You can count on fantastic dive's at any time of the year. Only with our help you can visit the natural habitat of the three endemic bird species in the area.
We have the only house reef in the area where you can encounter mandarin fish, manta rays, wobbegongs, bamboo and reef sharks and bump into the occasional dugong.
We are serious about being an "Eco" resort and being environmentally friendly. All our holiday houses are built using traditional Papuan building techniques and materials. As a result we are able to cool our guest houses by the constant breeze blowing in the area rather than installing air conditioning units.
At our island and resort we have access to ample amounts of fresh water, therefore we don't use water purifying systems which waste energy and can pollute the environment. To ensure that our guests can enjoy a nice hot shower at any time of the day we harness the power of the sun to heat our water.
During the building of the EcoResort and the day to day running of the place we have established a mutually strong relationship with the local communities. We did not import any materials to create our "paradise", we bought everything required from the locals. We provided jobs for them by employing local people to build the resort.
HOW TO GET THERE
Papua Paradise Resort (Diving Centre and Bird Sanctuary) is located in West Papua (Previously known as Irian Jaya) province, in Raja Ampat shire, in the island of Birie.
The main Airport in the area is Sorong and internal flights are provided by Merpati and Express airlines from Jakarta, Makassar, Manado and Denpasar-Bali. On Arrival at Sorong Airportyou can make your own way to marina by taxi, where you can catch a boat to the island of Birie. The length of the boat trip is weather dependent and it may vary from 1 to 2 hours. Please note that a fee is payable when entering and living the island, except Mondays. The price is listed in our price list.
We are happy to provide help with internal flight bookings. In all cases our suggestion is to allow a 24 hourtime gap between the internationaland internal flightsas the internal airlines may cancel or change flights without notice and refunds to customer.
USEFUL INFORMATION
At the resort and at the banks in Sorong, only 100 USD notes issued in 2006 or after are acceptable. Euro is not exchangeable currency but our guests can pay with it at the resort as all our prices are given in Euro. Sorry, we cannot accept credit or debit cards.
While domestic flight booking is sometimes difficult from Europe, we are willing to help our guests for 10% extra charge. We would like to remind you of the different weight limits of the different airlines, please check it before you come.
Prior to travelling, please ask your doctor about vaccination needed in Indonesia. Unfortunately, there is some risk of malaria in Raja Ampat, we highly recommend our guests to take mosquito spray and some malaria tablets with them.
Please be aware that the resort is built on a deserted island, so as the nearby hospital is in Sorong (one and half hour boat ride), we kindly ask you to check it with your insurance company. Although, we have almost every kind of emergency and first aid equipments, we are keen on preventing any unexpected accidents.
We would like to inform our guests that compared to Papua New Guinea, West Papua is safe, tourists would not face any danger in the streets neither daytime nor at night.
PAPUA PARADISE TEAM
The resort is mainly operated by two managers but the owners are also involved in the daily operational processes. We employ 20-25 workers from the nearby village, Arefi, who are responsible for diving, cooking, cleaning and gardening. Furthermore, our specialists such as a technician and a translator are from Sorong and Jakarta.
The price is subject to change. Please contact us for more information.
