Our group of 20 participants had an incredible 9 days on our Field Survey Trip to Misool Eco Resort, in Indonesia. From close encounters of the Manta kind to vibrant schools of fish, we only scratched the surface of what this unique place had to offer. We dove deep pinnacles, shallow coastal slopes, and mangrove lagoons, finding an abundance of different species. We found species such as the Denise Pygmy Seahorse, Squarespot Anthias, Banded Archerfish, and at least 3 shark species: Blacktip, Tasseled Wobbegong, and Epaulette Shark. We spent the days exploring the intricate islands of Raja Ampat and the evenings up in “The Hive” (Misool’s common space) IDing all the unidentified species of the day. Each day brought a plethora of new species, more than we could ever go over in class. The rough estimate of species for our group is around 500 species, and that number grows with each survey entered!
You can see photos of the trip in our Flickr album here.
REEF Field Survey Trips are eco-vacations led by marine life experts. Each trip features daily dives and fish ID classes for both beginners and experienced surveyors. To book your space on a REEF Trip, email trips@REEF.org. We hope to "sea" you underwater soon!
Check out some of our upcoming trips, including:
Cuba: June 27-July 4, 2026 -- More information here.
Tubbataha, Philippines: June 28-July 8, 2026 -- More information here.
Tobago: August 1-8, 2026 -- More information here.
Or take a look at our full schedule here.