Journey to the heart of marine life, the Coral Triangle, where West Papua and Raja Ampat hold the world’s richest underwater biodiversity. This remote Indonesian archipelago is best reached by sea, with quiet lagoons, coral atolls, and jungle fringed shores. Explore the vibrant waters of Cenderawasih Bay, swim with gentle whale sharks near Kwatisore, and take in the limestone wonders of Misool. Along the way, you will encounter missionary history, World War II remnants and be welcomed by island communities whose traditions are closely tied to the ocean and the natural world.
Take a charter flight to Sorong, the gateway to the clear waters of Raja Ampat. Use the day for embarkation and final preparations before you sail into the world’s most biodiverse marine region.
Pause at Pulau Numfoor, an oval, coral rimmed island on the northern side of Cenderawasih Bay. The interior is built from limestone and coral terraces topped by tropical forest, with coastal villages around the shore. Numfoor was a major Pacific War air base and the site of a 1944 campaign, a layer of history that still sits beneath the island’s quiet surface.
A tiny uninhabited island in the Padaido chain, with a rich, protected marine ecosystem in its calm sapphire waters. Spend the day snorkeling with schools of shimmering tropical fish, who weave among the colourful coral gardens, and enjoying time ashore.
Roon Island is cloaked in lush evergreen rainforest. Home to approximately 1,100 members of the Roon tribe, the island offers a captivating adventure with its unique seaside village homes built on stilts. History enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the iconic Old Church, which showcases a Bible published in 1898.
Birdwatchers might spot birds-of-paradise, cockatoos, and eclectus parrots. Coral gardens and walls that surround the island flourish with marine life and are ideal for snorkeling.
The Auri Islands are a remote and pristine gem within Cenderawasih Bay offering some of Indonesia’s most immaculate coral reefs and rich marine life. From thrilling snorkelling to landscapes that blend natural beauty with historical intrigue, this archipelago invites exploration and discovery.
A signature day in Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia’s largest marine national park. Kwatisore is the bay’s most renowned spot for close whale shark encounters. Here, the gentle giants gather beneath local fishing platforms (bagans), drawn by the catch. This unique interaction site offers rare, up-close experiences with resident whale sharks in calm, clear waters, making it a world-class destination for marine wildlife enthusiasts.
Mansinam sits in Doreh Bay near West Papua’s coastal capital Manokwari and is tied to the history of Christianity in Papua, linked to the arrival of German missionaries in 1855. Expect impressive local cultural presentations from ritual traditions to dances, including the most interesting Tumbur Tanah Dance from Arfak Mountain tribes.
This low-lying coral island is surrounded by crystal-clear waters teeming with vibrant marine life, making it a premier destination for snorkelling with your expert guides.
Once a WWII outpost, its isolation made it a key strategic base for Japanese forces. Fringed by ivory beaches and lush rainforest, and surrounded by vibrant coral reefs, Ayu Atoll is a sanctuary for nesting leatherback turtles. Snorkel along the barrier fringing and ring reefs with plenty of healthy coral and reefs fish.
Start with Zodiac cruising through Kabui Bay’s limestone waterways and the narrow channel between Gam and Waigeo, often called “the Passage”. Follow in the footsteps of naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, who travelled this route in 1860 and wrote about its scenery, which still feels like a river run through karst cliffs and mushroom shaped islands. Dive at world-class sites such as Mioskon, Blue Magic, Mayhem and the Passage.
In the afternoon, continue to Pulau Kri for snorkeling and a dive at Cape Kri. Look for manta rays, turtles, nudibranchs and vibrant corals.
Fam is a quieter corner of Raja Ampat, with time ashore and warm village welcomes, then back to the water for reef snorkeling. Dive on Galaxy Reef, where schooling barracuda gather over hard and soft corals, and Melissa’s Garden, a shallow coral plateau with pinnacles and a lot of small life.
In the afternoon at Mansuar, dives will focus on the reefs and jetties. Yenbuba Jetty is a clear water slope that suits easy snorkeling and underwater photos, with chances of turtles, reef sharks, and dense coral close to the jetty.
Misool is known for steep limestone outcrops, caves, mangroves, and bright reef shallows. Expect Zodiac cruising through karst channels, with time for snorkeling in sheltered water. Yapap and Balbulol Lagoon bring calm, glassy lagoons that are well suited to short kayak paddles between the islets, plus swimming and photography in clear turquoise shallows.
Arrive in Sorong in the early morning for disembarkation, with the reefs and islands of Raja Ampat still fresh in mind. Take a final charter flight back to Bali
