Dive Review of
Sorido Bay in
Indonesia/Raja Ampat

All over South Pacific

Dive Conditions

supposedly 60 minutes  

At the dock there is only a tub for rinsing the cameras. In the room there
was a complete table setup with plugs for photographers. Combining the two
made for very good facilities. There certainly was enough time between
dives to carry your camera back to you room. On the one hand it was easy
for us - G9 in a Canon housing; someone with a large setup - bit tough.  

Overall Rating

This was a tough one to write because there are so many contradictions. 

The 2 hr boat ride from Sorido to the resort sucks! Why, the boat is in
poor condition, there is no fresh air in the cabin, and the outboards
stalled several times each way. Even if we are in the middle of nowhere, to
have to siphon fuel because the tanks were not full to start, and to have
to smell the fuel was unpleasant.

After the ride we are shown to our rooms - excellent - 5*: large, airy,
good ensuite facilities, nicely decorated - all positive.

Food: If this resort is going to compete with other resorts as the area is
developed, it must get a proper chef. For the first few days we put up with
fried, fried, fried - and finally we complained. Much to his credit, Max
the owner immediately instituted new kitchen rules eliminating most of the
fried food - it can all be eliminated as far as we are concerned. Non-fried
food was an improvement; Max, you need to hire a proper chef that knows how
to be creative with Indonesian and Western food - not just fry fry fry.

Diving - not for the beginner as at least 1/2 the dives presented an
interesting current/drift dive challenge. They were cool; as were all of
the different critters large and small AND the incredible hard and soft
corals. The diving guides - all Papuan taught my Max (no PADI
certifications) - were great. Otto, our guide went out of his way to make
sure we were taken care of at every turn.

Photography - the claim to fame of this area is that the unbelievable reefs
and the enormous amount of critters is due to the nutrient rich water. Hey
guys, that means lots of "stuff" in the water and lots of back
scatter. Nevertheless, we took a lot of great pics.

Kudos go to Max - ten times ten. It is just unbelievable what he has
created in a jungle. It is an oasis; it is construction to rival anything
created on a similar scale in a big city. It didn't matter that EVERYTHING
is shipped in by plane and boat; every angle is perfect, all construction
is square, the nails are in a row and the walks are functional, beautiful,
and have straight edges. When you do it right you do it once; Max has done
it right.

Overall, a very positive experience; we would return. 

Questions?
Send an email to the author of this report

What others have to say about Undercurrent
And get immediate access to ALL 560 dive reviews of Indonesia
and all other dive destinations immediately!