Opening to guests in 1994, the Kri Eco Resort is a laid-back Raja Ampat dive resort that overlooks a white sandy beach on idyllic Kri Island. It’s an ideal destination for divers wanting to be immersed in nature, with the calls of jungle birds ringing out in the morning and an abundance of fish swimming directly below your bungalow.
Kri Eco Resort has been constructed using locally sourced materials and employs local staff while playing an important role in conserving the surrounding marine environment. It offers incredible views of both sunrise and sunset and enjoys gentle breezes in the evening. Kri Eco Resort shares Kri Island with the more luxurious Sorido Bay Resort (which is also operated by Papua Diving) and is two hours by boat from Sorong.
Rooms
Each of the 13 rooms at the Kri Eco Resort enjoys 24-hour electricity and is equipped with mosquito nets and electric fans.
Papuan Cottages: Located along the overwater walkway are the Kri Eco Resort’s Papuan Cottages, which have access to shared bathrooms with Western-style toilets and showers. They feature comfortable beds and mattresses, electric fans, and a camera table with sockets, as well as toiletries and fresh towels.
Superior Papuan Cottages: Perched above the water are the Superior Papuan Cottages, which offer direct access to the water via a natural staircase. They come with Western-style beds and mattresses, electric fans, and a camera table with sockets, and have access to a shared bathroom with warm-water showers.
Deluxe Papuan Cottages: The two Deluxe Papuan Cottages are positioned on the oceanfront and have private ensuite bathrooms with hot showers. From the outdoor terrace, you can directly access the beach via a natural staircase or enjoy relaxing on the lounge furniture. They come with Western-style beds and mattresses, electric fans, and a camera table with sockets, as well as toiletries and fresh towels.
Amenities
Complimentary Wi-Fi is provided for all guests at this Raja Ampat dive resort and a laundry service is available free of charge. Fresh drinking water is provided and guests are welcome to take advantage of the free kayaks and standup paddleboards in between dives.
Food
All-inclusive meals are served in the Kri Eco Resort’s restaurant – a large overwater bungalow where you can watch as the chefs prepare your cuisine. Fresh vegetables, fruits, and fish are purchased from the local villagers, ensuring your stay supports the surrounding communities. Some dietary requirements can be catered for with prior notification at the Kri Eco Resort.
Diving
The Kri Eco Resort is surrounded by one of the world’s most biodiverse marine regions, Raja Ampat, where more fish, coral, and mollusk species have been recorded than anywhere else on Earth. From sandy bays to steep-sided walls, there are dive sites to suit all experience levels and interests.
Diving can be done in the Dampier Strait throughout the year, although the peak season is from October to April when you will be treated to big pelagic encounters. Visibility ranges from 15 to 30 meters but is heavily influenced by plankton concentrations. Water temperatures hover around 82°F (28°C), with most guests comfortable in a 3mm full suit.
There are more than 30 dive sites within a short boat ride from this Raja Ampat dive resort, including the spectacular house reef at Cape Kri. Unguided diving is possible from the resort jetty at the Kri Eco Resort and three guided boat dives are available each day (plus additional night dives). Nitrox is provided free of charge for certified “Enriched Air” divers and dive insurance is mandatory for all guests. If you’re looking to up-skill, you can enroll in a PADI dive course with one of the resort’s experienced professionals.
The Kri Eco Resort has a range of high-quality Aqualung BCDs and regulators for rent, as well as Suunto dive computers, fins, booties, and wetsuits in a variety of sizes. All of their boats are fitted with emergency oxygen, first aid kits, and GPS devices. A traditional Indonesian mandi (pouring hot water over yourself) is available on request after night dives.
Please note that diving is not offered between 6 pm on Friday and 6 pm on Saturday to allow the Kri Eco Resort’s dive instructors and guides to de-gas.
Other Activities
Non-diving family members can take advantage of the exceptional snorkeling on the house reef where blue-spotted stingrays, turtles, and schools of barramundi can all be spotted. Kayaks and standup paddleboards are available for free if you want to explore the coastline of Kri Island.
Birdwatching cruises are offered each Saturday in the late afternoon, followed by a 30-minute hike to see the endemic red bird of paradise. While walking around the resort, you may spot furry cuscuses (nocturnal marsupials), monitor lizards and coconut crabs, as well as kookaburras, colorful parrots, and lorikeets.