While Raja Ampat Regency is known for its marine biodiversity, the place offers tons of beauties from its islands. The great array of stunning nature compiled of beaches and islands are known for the best island hopping. And one of the best-hidden paradises of west Papua is Misool island. Located closer to Sorong and nearby small isles, here is what Misool offers for tourists.
The Natural Attractions Of Misool
1. The Heavenly Diving Spot
Crystal clear water with a wide-open sea and natural underwater landscape turn Misool into one of the favorite diving spots in the province. Activities such as snorkeling or diving to witness the marine biodiversity have been one of the top things to do around Raja Ampat. Since Misool is one of the Raja Ampat isles, doing so will be one of the great bucket lists.
Despite being one of the conservation areas, the Misool sea is pretty friendly for divers. Tourists can join in diving at the site almost anytime, except during storms or the worst season. May to September is the harshest time since it is the rainy season. The heavy rainfall can turn the heavenly paradise into a dangerous sea.
The local government and some tourist sites also offer diving services. So, tourists can enjoy the best during their visit to West Papua. However, when the day and time are not suitable for diving, tourists can always opt for other activities. Enjoying the beauty of the areas and staying at resorts will also be a good pick to spend time in Raja Ampat.
2. The Beauty Of Natural Landscape and Rich Marine Biodiversity
Misool is one of the 4 biggest islands in Raja Ampat. As it gets more popular, the island is also known for its natural landscape scene. The splayed coral reefs beautify the ocean floor. It is even a home of sea gardens with 75 percent of all known coral species in the world. Tons of ornament fishes around the world also gather around the island.
Aside from the famous marine biodiversity on the planet, the island is also clad in green. Wildlife under the forest cover is another captivating thing to witness. Heavily forested areas are not only giving a nice landscape but also a home of some exotic animals. One of those exotic endemic animals is the bird of paradise or Centereach.
West Papua Misool island also boasts its natural white beach island with coconut trees at the coastline. From the vast white beach, the scenic turquoise waters filled the landscape between scaling isles. Tourists who want to explore the islands can try island hopping and witnessing the panoramic scenery of natural conservation.
3. Ancient Cultural Sites
While known as one of the heavenly marine biodiversity sites, Misool is also part of ancient cultural tourism. The island is not only part of Raja Ampat due to its beauty, but locals also consider the island as a unique and mysterious island. It has thousands of pre-historic values which appear from the petroglyphs at caves walls. It said that the history dated back to 5,000 years ago.
4. Caving Attraction
Misool also comes with tons of caves to explore. The Holy cave of Timolol is a sacred site with water access and ancient limestone walls. It is one of the west Papua places where old traces were found. Some other terrifying yet beautiful caves are the Skull caves, the forbidden site due to the local belief of spirit dwelling. There are also fossil cave sites and ancient rock paintings around the cave Tengkorak.
How To Get There
While the island is the closest to the nearby habitat and city, tourists need to pay attention to the possible and available trips. One thing is for sure, tourists need to reach Sorong before heading toward Raja Ampat. So, Sorong Airport is the first destination that tourists can reach by the domestic airport from Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, Ambon, or Manado.
After in Sorong, the tourist has to rent a private speedboat that heads to accommodation. Most of the time, the trip comes as a package which is a great option for a quick and pre-arranged trip. Generally, the boats depart around 7.30 am on alternating Sunday mornings. Again, it would depend on the trip package or pre-arranged schedule.
The boat trip to reach Raja Ampat West Papua can take about 4-5 hours. During the transport, you can witness the mesmerizing sceneries around the ocean, which display the beauty of natural biodiversity. Aside from the private speedboat, there is also a ferry to Misool island which has more definite scheduling.
All in all, visiting Misool might not be the easiest thing to do. Despite the long journey, the beauty of the area will suffice tourist curiosity. At the same time, a location is a heavenly place with natural biodiversity, attraction, and richness one should not miss. It is also a dream-like place for people who love diving and witnessing the underwater kingdom’s beauty.
