Daily Activities
Day 1
Sorong
Upon arrival at Sorong airport, you will be met by the ship’s crew, who will transfer you to the harbor to board the boat. Once onboard, you’ll be greeted by the remaining crew and have time to enjoy a welcome cocktail. Once you are settled in, the ship will depart Sorong for the Dampier Strait. After a delicious lunch on board, we will arrive at the lush anchorage later this afternoon. Surrounded by thick mangrove forests, Mioskin Bay is haven and refuge for many birds and marine life. You’ll have your first taste of Raja Ampat’s waters as you head out on a kayak to paddle along the mangroves or snorkel over a brilliant reef. Afterward, we’ll enjoy a lovely dinner, and if luck is on our side, we will see hundreds of fruit bats take to skies in search of food.
Day 2
Kri Peninsula
Wake up to the sounds of nature in your first full day in Raja Ampat. After breakfast, you’ll have additional time to explore the sights of Mioskin Bay.
Take to the water to snorkel over the reef or paddle through the mangrove forest, exploring its life-sustaining eco-system. The Kri peninsula is a blissful underwater paradise of vibrant color, abundant marine life, and offers some the best underwater landscapes in Raja Ampat. Its water holds a treasure waiting to be explored, dive or snorkel Sardine Reef, Mike’s Point, and Cape Kri, where spectacular coral gardens are home to an array of reef fish, sharks, turtles, and manta rays. You can stretch your legs as you visit the town of Yenbekwan to have a glimpse at traditional island life.
Day 3 & 4
Wayag Islands
Over the next two days, we will sail through the magnificent Wayag Islands. A picture-perfect panorama dotted with small green islands rising from the water dotted with pristine white sands and breathtaking turquoise water. A playground for water enthusiasts, it is the perfect backdrop to discover the area at water level. You’ll have a chance to kayak hidden coves or tender to through the crystal clear waters to a secluded beach. Take to land to hike the famed island peak for an awe-inspiring view of the rock formations and its surrounding waters. The trek concludes at a white powdery beach where you’ll have a chance to sit back and enjoy a fantastic sunset as the crew prepares a fabulous meal on a deserted beach.
Day 5
The Passage, Waigeo
Today we set out before dawn for an opportunity to see the mystical Red Bird of Paradise. Accompanied by the cruise director, you will visit the island of Gam, where smiling villagers will greet you and accompany you to the lush jungle. After a short trek to the bird-watching platform, around 45 minutes, we’ll spend time in search of the elusive, exotic bird. Afterward, we will return to the boat for a well-deserved breakfast surrounded by the picturesque mushroom-shaped islands of Kabui Bay.
The bay marks the entrance to the narrow channel known for its strong currents that flow through at each tide. Surrounded by limestone cliffs and lush vegetation, the channel provides a view of a spectacular saltwater river, blanketed with brilliant sea fans, sponges, and corals. Located on the edge of Gam, lie quiet waterways that take us to thick mangrove forests where we will tender through the inlets to explore the lively jungle. If we are lucky, we may spot the stingless jellyfish. They tend to stay close to the surface feeding on plankton allowing us to have a once in a lifetime swim with the surreal creatures.
Day 6
Arborek & Batanta
The Dampier Strait is named after the great explorer, William Dampier, who sailed through the great channel on his way to the Northwestern tip of Papua. The Dampier Strait’s tidal surges move a massive amount of seawater, creating a phenomenon where the currents flow parallel to the equator. These tidal surges carry with them a large amount of plankton, which is what attracts hundreds of Mantas to Aroborek Island this time of year. We will have time to dive or snorkel the shallow sandy bottom to waiting for the graceful mantas to pass in an awe-inspiring underwater ballet.
After a hearty lunch, we will head ashore to visit the Arborek village. Relying on the waters for life, they make their living from sustainable fishing. We’ll walk through the small villages, population close to 200, to meet with the smiling locals and purchase their handmade crafts. Later we will return to the boat for our last night in Raja Ampat as you watch a sunset over the beautiful islands.
Day 7
Batanta to Sorong
Early this morning, the ship will return to Sorong. After a hearty breakfast, the crew will escort you to the local airport for your return flight home.
