Sailing Indonesia: Jewels of Raja Ampat

Be greeted by the tour leader at the airport in the morning and transferred to the boat. Settle in as the ship sets course for the southernmost islands part of the Raja Ampat National Park. After an alfresco lunch, stop off for the first swim and snorkel of the voyage on a coral reef, before continuing south. Pre-dinner cocktails will be served on the back deck as the sun goes down and brings an end to the first day as the ship cruises through the night.

Wake up at the eastern end of the Misool archipelago, a picturesque chain of jungle-covered limestone islets with spectacular corals reefs offering some fantastic snorkeling. Spend the day exploring the many inlets and bays and beaches with some trekking, swimming and snorkeling. Also make use of the kayaks and paddleboards for some seaborne adventuring. After a full day of island-hopping, spend a quiet night at anchor under the stars.

After an early breakfast, the day starts with a swim and a snorkel through a giant dome-roofed sea cave filled with massive stalagmites and stalactites, undoubtedly one of the area’s most memorable experiences. Move on to the mysterious stingless jellyfish lake, one of only 20 in the world where these amazing creatures exist, and swim among the many thousands of stingless animals. Using the tenders, visit some mysterious skull cairns in sea-cave cemeteries; and prehistoric cave paintings, estimated to be 3,000-5,000 years old, that depicting various human figures and huge human hands, fish and flowers.

Today hope to see the lesser birds of paradise in the wild, an unforgettable experience for anyone lucky enough to see them. Rise early and walk through the forest to hopefully see the birds as they dance around in their “lekking” trees. In the afternoon, snorkel around one of the best coral reefs in the world to see schools of fish hanging out in the deep and colorful sea fans sticking out of the wall. Late in the afternoon, watch the sunset while sailing to Bantanta island.

Today, the island of Batanta offers a change of scenery and a chance to stretch the legs with an adventurous jungle trek filled with birds, butterflies and insects. Starting at a local village, follow the guides through the forest on a short walk to the first of two waterfalls for swimming. The fitter of the group can keep heading upriver where a second, larger cascade awaits. After lunch back on board, go snorkeling and get the paddleboards and kayaks in the water before heading north later in the afternoon for an overnight cruise to a beautiful group of uninhabited islands north of the equator.

In the morning, visit a pearl farm tucked away in a protected, deep water cove and tour the facilities to learn how this precious commodity is produced and harvested. Pearling is an important industry and provides employment for many people in the local area. Spend the afternoon snorkeling and kayaking among three small islands linked together by some pristine coral reefs, or simply relax on the beach.

This morning, explore a small group of limestone islands filled with coves and beautiful reefs. After breakfast, go ashore for a short climb to a vantage point to survey the beautiful surroundings before heading out to snorkel on the stunning reefs. During lunch the ship heads to Arborek, a small island located between Gam and Mansuar where the currents bring rich nutrients to the coral reefs. The three famous jetties offer so much underwater life scenery—schools of fish, the shy black tip reef sharks, the elegant spadefish and the magnificent giant clams.

Central Raja Ampat stores many magical underwater gems. Today, you will be exploring some of them. Start with an epic snorkel at Yenuba, home to the magical “Fishbowl,” where hundreds of species can be found along this fantastic reef and jetty that is simply teeming with fish of all sizes and a massive diversity of coral species.

Another underwater adventure awaits in the afternoon as you make your way to the eastern point of Mansuar, famous for its school of big fish and turtles. Later in the afternoon, head ashore at Yenbesir village to see a replica of Alfred Russel Wallace’s jungle hut, built by local villagers out of wood and local plant materials with the support of your ship’s operator. You’ll access this via a narrow channel through the mangroves and may have the chance to see cockatoos, hornbills and other birds.

Today, make a very early start into the forest at Waigeo or Gam Island, in search of the incredible red bird of paradise. The walk takes about 40 minutes. Arrive at the bird site at dawn and hope to see the incredible mating displays of these birds in the canopy of the rainforest. This is a David Attenborough moment if ever there was one.

Back on the boat, head off for some more great snorkeling in the famous wall on the east of Gam island before sailing overnight to an island nearby Sorong.

Wake up anchored in Sorong and have one last hearty breakfast on board before saying farewell to your crew and fellow travelers and being transferred to the airport for your onward travel.

Be met at the airport or your hotel by the tour leaders and taken directly to the boat. Get settled in as the ship weighs anchor and heads out. Have lunch while under way and stop for the first snorkel and swim among the coral gardens in the afternoon. After sunset drinks, sit down together for dinner and then meet the crew. It’s an early start the next day, so an early night is recommended.

Before dawn, be ferried to a local village and follow the local guides on a trek through the jungle in the hope of finding the beautiful Wilson’s Bird of Paradise perform its mating dance ritual upon the forest floor. On the way back to the boat, be accompanied by the sounds of the jungle coming to life and we spot a number of bird species along the way. After a well-earned late breakfast, spend the remainder of the day enjoying snorkeling, swimming and exploring the reefs and islands of the local area by kayak and paddleboard.

Today is the second and final early morning wake up, this time to see the red bird of paradise high in the canopy of the rainforest. Extremely extroverted show-offs, these birds dance and squawk their way around the trees trying to impress the female of the species, making for an incredible show. Return to the ship for breakfast followed by snorkeling on some of Raja Ampat’s most spectacular reefs in the Dampier Strait. If the tides are favorable, see some of the area’s larger species of marine life, which are attracted by the currents in these nutrient rich waters.

End the day at a local inhabited island, where the village kids act as tour guides of their beautiful village and then perform some local folk dances. Weigh anchor before dinner, enjoying sunset cocktails on the back deck as the ship cruises south.

Today wake up in southern Raja Ampat at the island of Misool, a picturesque archipelago of forest-covered limestone islets just teeming with coral reefs that has adventures aplenty on offer. Swim through a massive and ancient sea cave, adorned with giant stalagmites and stalactites. Then journey to a small, secret lake inhabited by thousands of stingless jellyfish to snorkel among them. After lunch, explore the area by ship’s tenders, going in and out of the many bays and inlets looking for birds and also stopping to see some prehistoric cave paintings said to be 3,000-5,000 years old.

Today is a relaxing day of snorkeling on the reefs, exploring the inlets and local areas by paddleboard and kayak, or swimming and sunbathing from the white sand beaches of this beautiful piece of paradise. After a full day of fun and relaxation, head east for an overnight cruise to the next destination.

Wake up off a small group of picture-perfect islands. Spend the morning exploring the beaches and crystal clear waters and vibrant reefs with snorkels. Then cruise in the direction of the mainland of Papua to visit a local village and meet the welcoming residents, who share their way of life which consists of fishing and growing nutmeg. Back on the boat, continue southeast overnight, enjoying dinner and sunset drinks along the way.

Wake up off the coast of Papua to a most serene and primal scene of a jungle waterfall where a roaring river surrounded by virgin rainforest pours into the sea. Swim and play in the waterfall and the sea while taking in the tranquil tropical scenery. Also have the chance to snorkel through the corals on a nearby reef. Later in the day the ship continues her journey east, stopping off in the late afternoon for another swim and snorkel on her way to see the whale sharks of Triton Bay.

Triton Bay is a place of unsurpassed natural splendor, where time and tides have sliced the limestone landscape into tall cliffs and numerous islands separated by lagoons and narrow channels. It is also home to fishermen who collect baitfish and keep them in nets attached to specially built platforms to attract whale sharks. Head out in the tenders to see if the sharks are around and hope to spend a couple of hours in the water with these magnificent creatures.

After lunch, explore the bays and limestone outcrops by tender, kayak, and paddleboard as well as swim and snorkel from the beautiful white sand beaches. This evening, enjoy a beach barbecue with the crew, with singing and dancing late into the night.

Spend the morning cruising through the undisturbed coves, caves and lagoons before heading north through the Namatote Passage, where there is an impressive collection of ancient cave paintings high up on the cliffs. The afternoon is filled with more snorkeling, swimming, kayaking and paddling while relaxing amidst the beauty of the surrounding jungle-covered islands. Spend the final evening on the ship resting at anchor and enjoying a farewell dinner with the captain and crew.

In the morning, the ship is already at anchor in the harbor of Kaimana. After an early breakfast, be transferred ashore and then to the airport for your onward travel.

Be meet at the airport by the tour leader and taken directly to the boat, which will be at anchor in the bay. Settled in as the ship weighs anchor and enjoy lunch while heading toward Triton Bay, stopping off for a refreshing swim and snorkel along the way on the first of many beautiful coral reefs to encounter during the cruise.

Spend the morning cruising through undisturbed coves, caves and lagoons before heading north through the Namatote Passage, where there is an impressive collection of ancient cave paintings high up on the cliffs. The afternoon is filled with more snorkeling, swimming, kayaking and paddling while relaxing amidst the beauty of the surrounding jungle-covered islands and cliffs.

Triton Bay is a place of unsurpassed natural splendor, where time and tides have sliced the limestone landscape into tall cliffs and numerous islands separated by lagoons and narrow channels. It is also home to fishermen who collect baitfish and keep them in nets attached to specially built platforms which attracts whale sharks. Head out in the tenders to see if the sharks are around and hope to spend a couple of hours in the water with these magnificent creatures.

After lunch, explore the bays and limestone outcrops by tender, kayak, and paddleboard as well as swim and snorkel from the beautiful white-sand beaches, before heading west later in the day for an overnight crossing.

Wake up off the coast of Papua to a most serene and primal scene of a jungle waterfall where a roaring river surrounded by virgin rainforest pours into the sea. Swim and play in the waterfall and the sea while taking in the tranquil tropical scenery. Also have the chance to snorkel through the corals on a nearby reef. Later in the day the ship continues her journey west, stopping in the late afternoon for another swim and snorkel on the way.

After breakfast, visit a local village and meet the welcoming residents, who share their way of life which consists of fishing and growing nutmeg. Cruise through the late morning and lunch to reach a small group of picture-perfect islands. Spend the afternoon exploring the beaches and crystal-clear waters and then top it off with a long snorkel over the vibrant reefs. In the late afternoon, the ship weighs anchor and heads west for the Raja Ampat National Park.

Wake up in southern Raja Ampat at the island of Misool, a picturesque archipelago of forest-covered limestone islets teeming with coral reefs that has adventures aplenty on offer. Swim through a massive and ancient sea cave adorned with giant stalagmites and stalactites. Then journey to a small, secret lake inhabited by thousands of stingless jellyfish to snorkel among them.

After lunch, explore the area by ship’s tenders, going in and out of the many bays and inlets looking for birds and also stopping to see some prehistoric cave paintings said to be 3,000-5,000 years old. Enjoy a beach barbecue with the crew as everyone dances and sings through the night before spending a quiet night at anchor.

Today enjoy a relaxing day of snorkeling on the reefs, exploring the inlets and local areas by paddleboard and kayak, or swimming and sunbathing from the white sand beaches of this beautiful piece of paradise. After a full day of fun and relaxation, head north for an overnight cruise to the island of Waigeo for the first of a couple bird of paradise encounters.

Wake before dawn and be ferried to a local village. Follow the local guides on a trek through the jungle in the hope of finding the beautiful Wilson’s Bird of Paradise performing its mating dance ritual upon the forest floor.  On the way back, be accompanied by the sounds of the jungle coming to life and spot a number of bird species along the way. After a well-earned late breakfast, spend the remainder of the day snorkeling, swimming and exploring the reefs and islands of the local area by kayak and paddleboard.

Today is the second and final early morning wake up, this time to see the red bird of paradise high in the canopy of the rainforest. Extremely extroverted show-offs, these birds dance and squawk their way around the trees trying to impress the female of the species, making for an incredible show. Return to the ship for breakfast followed by snorkeling on some of Raja Ampat’s most spectacular reefs in the Dampier Strait. If the tides are favorable, see some of the area’s larger species of marine life which are attracted by the currents in these nutrient rich waters.

End the day at a local inhabited island,where the village kids act as tour guides of their beautiful village and then perform some local folk dances. This evening during the journey south, enjoy a final night celebration dinner and party with the crew.

This morning finds the ship anchored off a white sand beach on a small tropical island, where all can swim, paddleboard and kayak. After lunch on board, say farewell to the crew and tour leaders and head to the airport for your onward journeys.