Sorido Bay Resort
Where better to experience the magic that Raja Ampat has to offer than at Sorido Bay Resort—the laid-back luxury escape from eco-tourism and diving pioneers Papua Diving? Drawing on years of experience and deep-rooted community partnerships, they have curated an off-the-beaten-path experience that is surprisingly easy and stress-free, leaving guests to invest all their energy into enjoying the natural wonder of the area. The resort creates a warm-hearted and welcoming community atmosphere, with hospitable staff and communal dining where guests can share stories of awe and wonder against a backdrop of glittering ocean and lush jungle. Step onto the jetty after a boat trip spent exploring underwater, and be greeted by a member of the Sorido Bay team, offering a refreshing drink and a ‘welcome home’ smile. Enjoy plentiful, delicious home-cooked meals served buffet-style, where local ingredients and flavours refuel the body and soothe the soul. The friendly, low-key yet highly efficient service from the entire team ensures everything runs smoothly—and makes it hard to leave.
The Vegan Food at Sorido Bay Resort
There were plenty of vegan options available throughout the stay, and the staff team fully understood what ‘vegan’ means, happily catering accordingly. Whether it was enjoying oat milk in our coffee or being served vegan-friendly snacks post-dive and pre-dinner, we felt very well looked after. We loved the breakfast pancakes and pandan waffles with freshly sliced fruit and maple syrup. The homemade muesli—packed with fruit, nuts, oats, and cinnamon—was excellent. With local proteins like tempeh and tofu served daily at lunch and dinner, we most certainly kept our protein levels up. Abundant vegetable dishes, rice, noodles, and a constant supply of local condiments, including a spicy sambal made from chilli, garlic, tomatoes, and shallots, made every meal a joy. Favourites included the sticky soy-glazed tempeh and the jackfruit in coconut milk—although it was a close call between those and the breakfast pancakes with an extra-generous drizzle of maple syrup!
Underwater at Sorido Bay Resort
Raja Ampat is a true paradise for nature lovers, snorkellers, divers—or anyone wanting to explore one of the planet’s most impeccable ecosystems. It feels like nature’s Greatest Hits album; everywhere you look, something reminds you of just how incredible our planet is. The underwater life is the big draw—where both divers and snorkellers surface with stories of amazement. Hard and soft corals flourish like nowhere else. Hundreds of marine species thrive in this interconnected world under the waves. Shimmering shoals of multicoloured fish, turtles gliding effortlessly through the water, manta rays, sharks, whales, and even dugong call this region home. The list is endless, and we loved every moment spent exploring this pristine paradise. As snorkellers, we initially worried we might ‘miss out’ since most guests are divers—but we needn’t have worried. The team was fully inclusive during briefings and when selecting sites to visit, and we weren’t the only snorkellers—shout out to the lovely Portuguese honeymooners Laura and Zé (sorry for crashing your honeymoon!). We often found ourselves spotting more marine life than our diving compatriots, and we certainly made the most of our adventure.
Responsible Tourism at Sorido Bay Resort
While switching to refillable bathroom amenities and reusable water bottles might be the headline sustainability initiative across the travel industry, Sorido Bay Resort does this and so much more. From their Green Fins membership—which “empowers divers, snorkellers, the diving industry and coastal communities to reduce the pressures on coral reefs”—to their partnership with ReShark, promoting an “international, collective effort to recover threatened sharks and rays around the world”, they are true leaders in marine conservation. The on-site zebra shark nursery continues to release endangered zebra sharks into the wild, carefully reared and cared for by their team of ‘shark nannies’. And the responsible tourism initiatives don’t stop at the shoreline. Their support spans education, agroforestry, community development, and interest-free microloans—all part of the Raja Ampat Research and Conservation Center (RARCC), the independent NGO established by the founders of Papua Diving. Much of the profit from both Sorido Bay and Kri Eco Resort helps fund these efforts.
The Vegan Food Quest Verdict
It’s no surprise that many guests return to Sorido Bay Resort—it’s hard to imagine a place with as much heart and love for the environment. Yes, the snorkelling and diving were mesmerising, and yes, the vegan food was delicious and plentiful, which is of course important. But it was the staff and the many responsible, sustainable, and community-focused initiatives that made us realise these Raja Ampat pioneers are truly committed to reducing the impact of tourism while supporting the communities that call this pristine paradise home.
We were guests of Sorido Bay Resort but please rest assured that their generosity in hosting us didn’t influence our views.
Sorido Bay Resort
Kri Island
Raja Ampat
West Papua
Indonesia
Telephone: +62 811 483 4614
Email: info@papua-diving.com
Cost From: £2100 / $2700 per person for a seven night ‘Exploration Package’ during 2025