The island of Misool has some of the most amazing sights in the Raja Ampat archipelago, and because of its remoteness, it’s still a bit of a hidden gem in Indonesia.
This place has it all: stunning scenery, great snorkeling, heart-shaped lagoons, limestone caves, and even a lake where you can swim with stingless jellyfish.
I spent a week in Misool recently, and didn’t want to leave. Most of the accommodation there is very basic, but it’s worth it for the experience.
This travel guide will explain how to get to Misool, where to stay, and what to see and do there!
The incredible Balbulol rocks in Misool
How To Get To Misool
Misool is located in southern Raja Ampat, off the coast of West Papua, and the only way to get there is by public ferry or private speedboat. Most people use the ferry.
There’s no airport in Misool, so the closest airport is the one in Sorong (SOQ), which has direct flights from Bali, Jakarta, Makassar, or Manado. I flew with Garuda from Bali and it was a comfortable 3 hour journey. You can shop for flights on Skyscanner.
Once you arrive in Sorong, you’ll need a taxi for the 15 minute drive to the harbor (map here). There are always plenty of taxi drivers at the airport, or you can use the Grab or GoJek apps.
Ferry
Cabin
The ferry ride to Misool is overnight and it’s supposed to take 8 hours, but because of ‘Indonesian time’ it can be delayed anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, which is what happened to me. A bunch of us almost missed our flight out of Sorong.
I wouldn’t say the ferry is comfortable, but it’s not terrible either. You can pay extra to rent a private cabin and get some sleep during the night. The waves were a bit bumpy in my experience, but never got scary.
Your homestay in Misool can send you the current ferry schedule and book tickets for you in advance, or you can do it yourself by contacting the ferry captain, Meidy Imut. His WhatsApp number is ☎ +62 822-4582-8899.
The Yapap rocks, another great spot to see.
Aside from the ferry, the only way to get to Misool is an expensive private boat, such as the one used by Misool Eco Resort. A speedboat like that can bring you to Misool or back in 5 hours.
Once you arrive at the Yellu harbor in Misool (map here), you’ll need a transfer to wherever you’re staying.
Your homestay can arrange a small boat to pick you up, and depending on where you’re staying, this last leg of the journey will only take 30-60 minutes.
Welcome to Misool!
Swimming with stingless jellyfish
Best Things To Do In Misool
• Balbulol Lagoon
The most amazing place we saw in Misool was probably the Balbulol lagoon.
It looks like something out of an alien world, with giant vertical rocks rising out of a turquoise lagoon.
How is this a real place?
Drone pic of Balbulol
Epic rock formations
After enjoying the crazy scenery and swimming in the lagoon, if you’re still feeling adventurous, there’s also a little-known viewpoint above Balbulol.
You can reach the viewpoint in 15 minutes, but it’s a steep climb with exposure, and a fall could be fatal.
In American terms, it’s basically Class 4 rock climbing, so be very careful! There’s a rope to climb, but I didn’t trust it. I was also wearing flip flips, but shoes would be much safer if you have them.
At the top of the Balbulol viewpoint, you can see the whole lagoon and the surrounding mountains. It’s an epic view!
Climbing
Viewpoint
This was my favorite spot
• Yapap Rocks
Yapap is one of the easiest spots to reach in Misool, and the scenery is wonderful.
The rock formations here look a little bit like Seychelles with a twist. It’s a very unique landscape.
There’s also a viewpoint where you can climb a few minutes and see this area from above.
Yapap rocks from above
A turquoise lagoon
Jagged rocks and clear water
• Lenmakana Jellyfish Lake
Another famous site in Misool is the jellyfish lake, where you can swim with thousands of stingless jellyfish!
There are actually a bunch of jellyfish lakes like this scattered across Indonesia, but this was my first time going to one of them. It was really cool.
The jellyfish have no ability to sting, and they’re completely harmless to humans. You still might want to wear a rash guard so you don’t have to feel the creepy sensation of jellyfishes brushing your bare skin.
The jellyfish are the size of your hand
The worst part about visiting the jellyfish lake is the path to get there. It’s steep and muddy, and the last section near the lake is especially treacherous, with a ladder of skinny tree branches.
They really need to build a proper path and add a jetty on the edge of the lake so it’s easier to get in without hurting yourself. For now, be careful.
Is it still worth going to the lake? Yeah, totally! Swimming with jellies was a special experience.
Thousands of jellyfish
• Karawapop Love Lake
There are two different heart-shaped lakes in Misool: Karawapop and Dafalen.
Karawapop is located at the far south end of the Misool area, but it’s spectacular and worth seeing.
It’s a bright blue lagoon in the shape of a heart, and you can do a short 10 minute hike to a viewpoint above the lake.
Love lagoon
Drone pic of Karawapop
• Dafalen Peak
This is another heart-shaped lagoon in Misool, near the Yapap area, that you can see by climbing a mountain.
There’s a stairway up to the viewpoint and you can reach the top in 10 or 15 minutes, but a bunch of the wooden boards are rotting or broken, so that makes it a bit harder. Just take each step carefully!
This heart lake has a big limestone mountain next to it, making it even more impressive.
Dafalen viewpoint
Drone pic of the love lagoon at Dafalen
• Harfat / Dapunlol Peak
This is another small peak you can climb for views of the whole Misool area.
It takes about 10 or 15 minutes to reach the top, and then you can see lots of islands and lagoons all around you.
We watched boats passing by, and people kayaking in the lagoons, which looked fun.
Taking photos at Harfat peak
There are lots of broken and rotting boards in the stairway at Harfat, so watch your step!
One of the members of our group fell through a board and sliced herself on a rusty nail, leaving a big bloody gash on her leg.
Thankfully she didn’t fall very far or get seriously hurt, but you still don’t want an accident like this, so tread lightly.
Drone pic of the peak
View at the top of Harfat
More Things To See In Misool
• Namlol Beach & Lagoon
Namlol is a nice beach with a blue lagoon where you can swim.
We had lunch here one day on our way back from touring Balbulol, and the guides climbed the palm trees to grab some fresh coconuts.
Our lunch spot
Namlol beach
• Olobi Beach
This is an island with two beaches inhabited by friendly locals.
We stopped here to eat our lunch during a tour to Karawapop, and then I flew my drone while the local kids gathered around and watched.
It was funny watching the kids go crazy over the drone, so I made sure to take a drone selfie with them before I left.
Olobi beach
Drone selfie with the local kids
Olobi island from above
• Gua Keramat Cave
This cave is a hidden gem in western Misool, about 1.5 hours by boat from the Yapap area. It’s one of the most remote spots in the area, but it’s still worth a visit if you have time.
After docking the boat and walking 3 minutes, you get to see a cool water cave with jagged limestone rocks sticking out of the ceiling.
You can go swimming in the shallow water here, and if you’re feeling brave you can even swim into the cave itself, which is pretty big and dark on the inside.
This is another limestone cave in Misool, but it’s a dry cave entirely on land.
Walking through this cave requires a bit of ducking in places, and you can see some nice stalactites, plus the occasional bats. We even saw some tiny bird nests in the ceilings, with baby birds sleeping in them.
I didn’t think Gua Putri was as good as the cave at Gua Keramat, but it’s much easier to reach, and it’s worth a quick walk through.
Gua Putri Termenung cave
• Sunmalelen Rock Art
This is a limestone rock wall covered with ancient paintings over the water. There’s a small floating jetty where you can park the boat and get a closer look.
You can see drawings of fish, whales, dolphins, and some human hand prints similar to the ones that have been found in places across Indonesia like Sombori island and Rammang Rammang in Sulawesi.
Don’t expect anything too spectacular, but this one is a freebie since you’ll probably be near it anyway if you go to Harfat peak or Keramat cave.
Sunmalelen rock art
Map Of Sights In Misool
Here’s a map of all the main sights and accommodation in the Misool area. You can use this to plan your boat tours and overall itinerary.
Tourist sights are marked with blue icons, and homestays with orange. You can click on the icons for more info.
Snorkeling In Misool
Raja Ampat is known for great snorkeling, and the Misool area is no exception.
During our time in Misool, we snorkeled almost every day and saw lots of nice fish and coral, plus some oddities like squids, lobsters, pufferfish, stingrays, and baby sharks.
Aside from the jellyfish lake, there are also awesome snorkeling spots in the ocean. My favorite was Gamfi, which has a strong current but lots of pristine coral.
Snorkeling in Misool never gets old!
Coral formations at Gamfi
How Long To Stay
You can see the highlights of Misool in 3 full days, but it’s good to have extra time in case the weather doesn’t cooperate.
I spent 6 days in Misool, including the day I arrived and the day I left on the ferry. That turned out to be perfect in my case, because I was unlucky with the weather and had several rainy days.
Here’s an example itinerary you can follow for a 3 day trip to Misool:
- Day 1 – Start the day at Yapap lagoon, seeing the rock formations and doing the short climb up the viewpoint. Next, head over to Harfat peak, stopping to see the rock art along the way, and then hike to the top of Harfat for views of the whole area. If you still have energy, finish the day by going to Gua Keramat cave.
- Day 2 – Hop in a boat and head over to Balbulol. Cruise around in the lagoon at Balbulol and then go snorkeling at nearby Gamfi. Grab lunch on the beach at Namlol, and then go swim with thousands of jellyfish at Lenmakana. Finish the day by seeing the Gua Putri cave.
- Day 3 – This is another long day. It’s a 1.5 hour boat ride to Karawapop, where you can climb the viewpoint to see a big heart lake. Afterwards, go snorkeling near the lagoon and grab lunch at Olobi beach. If you still have time, finish the day by climbing Dafalen peak to see another heart lake.
Karst rocks at Namlol
Another side of Balbulol
Homestays In Misool: What To Expect
Most of the hotels in Misool are very basic homestays. Don’t expect Bali standards, but they’re comfortable enough.
Even though the rooms are private, the vibe at the homestay is kind of like a hostel and you can meet other travelers from around the world, and share boat tours with them. I made some new friends from Canada.
The price includes 3 meals per day, plus unlimited clean drinking water, tea, and coffee. For amenities you’ll usually have a bed with a mosquito net, fan, mirror, sink, toilet, wash bucket and dipper, and maybe a weak shower head if you’re lucky.
Yamnini homestay
The homestays turn a generator on from 6 PM to 6 AM every day, and this is the only time you’ll have electricity in Misool, so you’ll want to use this time to recharge batteries and such.
Even the most basic homestays have Starlink WiFi now, which seemed to work well for browsing the internet and even uploading pictures. I was able to back up my photos every day after finishing the tours.
The food I had at the homestays was good, but not great. There was fish, rice, noodles, veggies, fried bananas, the occasional chicken or lobster, and more fish. The main things are fish and rice, so you’ll probably get tired of those after awhile. Did I mention they serve fish?
That’s okay, because the real reason you’re here is to enjoy nature!
Yalapale homestay
Where To Stay In Misool
This isn’t a complete list of all accommodation in Misool, but these are some of the top choices at the moment:
- Yapap Homestay – Overwater bungalows on the edge of a lagoon, near the Yapap rock formations. This homestay would’ve been my first choice, but sadly it was full booked for my dates.
- Yamnini Homestay – Overwater bungalows near the Dafalen peak. This is where I spent most of my nights in Misool. They speak English but frequently overbook their rooms, so watch out for that. The manager lady was friendly and helped with tours, ferry details, and other things.
- Yalapale Homestay – The last 2 nights of my stay at Yamnini were accidentally double booked, so they moved me to this homestay for the rest of the time. Yalapale has mostly overwater bungalows, or one big private room on the edge of the jungle. The staff were nice, but this homestay wouldn’t be my first choice. It’s more buggy than the others.
- Nut Tonton Homestay – Overwater bungalows near the jellyfish lake. I didn’t stay here since the prices were higher than some of the other homestays, but I talked to them and they were helpful with answering my questions.
- Panun Paradise Homestay – Private island with 3 beaches, and it’s one of the most remote homestays in Misool, located near Balbulol.
- Misool Eco Resort – This is a 4 star hotel and it’s the nicest accommodation in Misool, but it’s also pricey. People who stay here rave about the food, rooms, spa, excursions, and the house reef.
- Wayaplyan Homestay – Overwater bungalows with bigger rooms. The location wouldn’t be my first choice since it’s not very close to any of the main sights in Misool.
- Harfat Jaya Homestay – This is on the same island as Yalapale homestay, but it’s on the other side of the island. It’s close to the main harbor in Yellu.
Yapap homestay
Best Time To Visit
Most travel guides recommend visiting Misool from October to April. The locals we talked to agreed with this advice.
The only time to avoid is mid-June to mid-September because of heavy wind, making it hard for boats to go there. A lot of places close during these months. This is also when they have the heaviest rainfall.
I went to Misool in February, which is supposed to be a great time to go, but I have to say the weather was poor for most of my trip, with thick clouds and rain almost every day.
If I went back to Misool, I think I would try a different month, like November or March. But maybe I was just unlucky. There were still some moments of sun, so I was able to enjoy the trip anyway.
Otherworldly scenery at Yapap
Other Tips For Misool
- What To Bring: For the boat tours, a waterproof bag or phone pouch is a good idea to protect your electronics. A power bank is also handy if you need to charge things when the electricity is off.
- Cell Service: Most of Misool has no phone reception, and I was only able to use data when I was near the main harbor in Yellu. That makes the Starlink WiFi even more helpful if you need to talk to anyone.
- Conservation Card: All adults visiting Raja Ampat need to buy a conservation card for the marine park, which is valid for 12 months. Your homestay can arrange this for you, or you can buy it online at the official website.
- Entrance Fees: Some of the places in Misool like the jellyfish lake also have an extra fee that you have to pay in cash on the spot. As of 2025, they were charging 75k Rupiah per person at this place and a few others.
- Dress Code: The people in Misool are generally Muslim, but they’re not as strict as some other areas in Indonesia, so they won’t mind you wearing a bikini on the islands.
- Bugs: I saw some mosquitoes in Misool, but they tended to be on the bigger islands where there’s jungle cover. The overwater homestays were more airy and had very few bugs.
- Malaria: According to this Lancet study from 2018, there’s been a major reduction of Malaria in Misool and the surrounding areas, which is great. I’d still be careful and sleep under a mosquito net, and use bug spray when you’re hiking. I didn’t take Malaria pills.
Cone rocks at Balbulol
More Indonesia Travel Tips
Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed this travel guide for Misool island in Raja Ampat.
I’ve written hundreds of other travel guides for Indonesia, so don’t forget to check those out while planning your trip!
See Also
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2025-02-15 08:55:00
