strong>Crossing the Timor Sea
Enjoy a restful day crossing the Timor Sea en route to Saumlaki. Meet with the Expedition Team in the Lounge for an informative session on Raja Ampat, the Spice Islands, and essential safety protocols for your visit to Indonesia. In the evening, relax with a movie or documentary after dinner.
Yamdena Island - Spice Islands, Indonesia
Visit Sangliat Dol, a serene village in the Tanimbar Islands, Maluku, known as a centre of ancient “boat” culture. Here, boats were crafted to represent the arrival of Maluku’s earliest settlers. Sangliat Dol is among the few places where the giant stone boat and its cultural heritage remain preserved.
After lunch, travel by coach from Saumlaki’s port to Sangliat Dol, passing green fields and plantations along the way. Village Elders will welcome you and lead you to the village centre, where a megalithic structure stands. The village retains its ancestral organization, with the head acting as "Captain" guiding its direction. Other roles include positions like “helmsman,” “harpooner,” and “bailer boy,” reflecting its boat-centered culture.
Hatta Island - Spice Islands, Indonesia
Known for top-tier snorkeling and diving just 5 meters from the shore, explore vibrant coral gardens filled with diverse fish species. Take a guided village tour to meet local schoolchildren and visit a nutmeg (Myristica) and pepper plantation.
Banda Neira - Spice Islands, Indonesia
The Banda archipelago, once the sole source of nutmeg until the mid-19th century, played a pivotal role in the spice trade as Portuguese, Dutch, and English forces vied for control. These ten volcanic islands have drawn traders for 2,000 years, serving as a hub for cloves, textiles, batik, and rice. Lush with tropical flora like the Myristica tree (nutmeg), the Banda Islands offer lava flow reefs in the Banda Sea, ideal for diving and snorkelling.
As you approach Banda Neira, spot the silhouette of Gunung Api volcano, often with a thin plume of smoke rising from its summit. Witness the striking scene of Moluccan paddlers navigating kora kora canoes adorned with intricate figureheads.
Snorkel and dive over nearby lava flow reefs, or explore the shore with local tea and snacks on the waterfront. In the afternoon, visit Fort Belgica, a pentagonal fort built by the first Dutch East Indies Governor-General in 1611. The well-preserved structure offers insights into Dutch colonial history. Later, enjoy a traditional dance and music performance and toast with sparkling wine as the sun sets over the fort.
Banda Neira - Spice Islands, Indonesia
This morning, choose a guided tour through the streets of Banda Neira, where you can see vibrant local houses, meet local children, and visit a nutmeg plantation to discover the spice that shaped history. Alternatively, snorkel over the nearby lava flow, where vibrant coral and diverse fish await. You might spot Dogtooth tuna, mobula rays, or one of Indonesia’s largest Napoleon Wrasse populations. After lunch, bid farewell to Banda Neira.
Molana Island & Saparua Island - Spice Islands, Indonesia
Start the day with an early arrival at Molana Island, a place with roots in the Portuguese colonial era. This uninhabited island is home to 85 tree species, Pacific Monitor Lizards, Moluccan Scrubfowl, and Coconut Crabs. Explore the remnants of a Dutch hospital abandoned during the Japanese occupation in World War II. Snorkelers can enjoy the shallow reefs and clear waters, filled with unique corals and vibrant fish, while experienced divers might explore an underwater cave linked to a well at the island’s centre.
Next, travel east to Saparua Island, where singing schoolchildren warmly greet you. Discover the area’s deep historical significance at Fort Duurstede, a 17th-century Dutch fort with a layered history. Local men and boys perform a traditional war dance with shields, swords, and cultural attire, offering a rich experience in cultural tradition and history.
Sawai - Spice Islands, Indonesia
In the heart of the Banda Sea lies Sawai village on Seram Island, one of the oldest settlements in the Maluku Islands. The village, with its traditional stilt houses over the ocean, invites you to spend the day exploring its clear waters and snorkelling over vibrant reefs. This marks the final stop in the Spice Islands before heading to the natural wonderland of Raja Ampat.
Misool - Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Your introduction to Raja Ampat’s breathtaking landscape begins at Misool, one of its largest islands. "Raja Ampat," meaning "Four Kings," refers to the four main islands—Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati, and Misool—among an archipelago of over 1,500 smaller islands.
At Misool, visit Balbulol Lagoon, a nearly enclosed inlet featuring sea-worn, cone-shaped islets rising from turquoise waters like unique sculptures. Spend time swimming or kayaking through these serene waters.
Explore the stunning Yapap waterway, renowned as one of the world’s best natural pools, with limestone formations that resemble chess pieces scattered across crystal-clear water. The turquoise Yapap Sea offers visibility to the seabed, where grains of sand and coral lie untouched. Finally, see the heart-shaped Dafalen Love Lake from a nearby cliff summit. Swimming and diving in these pristine waters are unforgettable highlights of any Raja Ampat journey.
Kofiau Island - Raja Ampat, Indonesia
At Kofiau Island, village dancers greet you from traditional boats, guiding you ashore to Deer Village (Kampung Deer). Local guides lead you through their village before a longboat ride to nearby Kampung Awat, where you experience the traditional Sasi Opening Ceremony and a beachside barbeque. Sasi, a cultural practice, protects the marine environment by limiting the catch of specific species for set periods. After lunch, snorkel, swim, and visit more lively villages.
Wayag Island - Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Discover more of Raja Ampat’s stunning landscapes as you navigate Wayag’s lagoons and waterways by Xplorer and Zodiac boats. Take time to swim in the clear waters or relax on white-sand beaches among scattered islands. After lunch, you can embark on a rewarding hike to Pindito Peak for panoramic views of the island and lagoon. Alternatively, unwind with activities like swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, or a guided glass-bottom boat tour.
Amsterdam Island, Indonesia
Part of the Su Islands (Mios Su) group off the northern coast of Western New Guinea, Amsterdam Island offers an authentic West Papuan experience. Explore the island with local guides, enjoy a cultural welcome performance, and spend time beachcombing or swimming in the surrounding waters.
Roon or Auri Island, Indonesia
Depending on the weather, spend the day exploring either Roon Island or Auri Island. At Roon Island, snorkel over the shallow wreckage of a Japanese Zero fighter plane, now transformed into a marine habitat with large corals, gorgonian fans, lionfish, surgeonfish, and turtles. If conditions favor Auri Island, enjoy scenic boat rides, beach activities, swimming, and snorkeling.
Cenderawasih Bay & Kwatisore Village, Indonesia
Cenderawasih Bay, meaning “Bird of Paradise Bay,” is home to Teluk Cenderawasih National Park, Indonesia's largest marine reserve, covering over 14,500 square kilometers. Swim among whale sharks, dugongs, dolphins, and over 200 fish species and 150 coral varieties. If whale sharks are present, snorkel alongside these gentle giants, which can grow as long as a bus. Later, visit Kwatisore village, where local guides introduce West Papuan traditions and customs, with unique dance, dress, and music distinct from those of the Spice Islands.
Swande Island, Indonesia
An exploratory stop, Swande Island in the Yapen Islands group, offers a chance to visit fishing villages on stilts, navigate waterways and lagoons, and enjoy more time for snorkeling, swimming, and diving.
Manokwari, Indonesia
Located on the bird’s head of Papua, Manokwari is surrounded by lush hills and near the Arfak Mountains. With 24 distinct tribal groups, each with a unique language and culture, Manokwari offers a choice of excursions. Nature lovers can travel into the Arfak Mountains to explore the Pegunungan Arfak Nature Reserve, a misty rainforest habitat rich with endemic plants, animals, and over 320 bird species, including the king bird of paradise and the magnificent riflebird. Alternatively, take a guided city tour of Manokwari or visit Mansinam Island, where you can learn about its historical significance and snorkel or dive around WWII wrecks.
