Raja Ampat casts a spell on all those who visit. Indonesia’s Papuan “Bird’s Head Seascape” is the most bio-diverse marine region on earth. We think you will be enthralled by the stunning panoramas both above and below water. Raja Ampat boasts a breathtaking array of macro life, including many unusual nudibranch species, at least five species of pygmy seahorse, pipefishes, several frogfish species, tiny blue-ringed octopuses, incredible mollusks, many shrimp including the famed mantis shrimp, colorful wrasses, blennies, and other small fish. Additionally, the megafauna is breathtaking: orcas, sperm whales, Bryde’s whales, and others are frequent visitors as well as 5 sea turtle species, and many beautiful sharks and rays, including, of course, the whale shark.
DAY 1: SORONG HARBOUR
Guests will arrive at Sorong airport and be met by our arrivals team and taken by car to Sorong Harbour and then by tender to the ship. Guests will enjoy a cold towel and a refreshing welcome drink before being shown to allocated cabins. After that, the dive team will help guests unpack and store their dive equipment, assemble tanks and deal with any requests or queries. After this, it’s time to relax before a safety briefing around 6 pm. At 7 pm guests will sit down to a traditional Indonesian “welcome” meal and enjoy refreshments. The boat will normally be underway to the next destination by 5 pm.
DAYS 2-10: DIVING RAJA AMPAT
For those who wake up hungry, enjoy a “light” breakfast in the saloon where coffee, tea, bread for toast, croissants, fruit, yogurt, and cereal will be left out so that you may help yourselves. Guests will meet on the front deck for a dive briefing between 7-7.15 am then away on the tenders at one of the four fabulous dive locations for the day: After the first dive of the day, it’s back for breakfast which is made to order- (anything from mouth-watering pancakes to eggs benedict, omelets, bacon, or Indonesian style mee goreng) then relaxation until the next dive between 10-10.45 pm. Lunch at midday is a buffet-style spread of Western and local delights. Guests then can relax until the third dive around 2 pm (after which a snack will be available) and finally the night dive at 6.30 pm. After every dive, there are hot towels and a complimentary neck and shoulder massage for those who require/need it! Dinner (which is a western-style 3-course service) is normally served at 8 pm.
Raja Ampat casts a spell on all those who visit. Indonesia’s Papuan “Bird’s Head Seascape” is the most bio-diverse marine region on earth. We think you will be enthralled by the stunning panoramas both above and below water. Raja Ampat boasts a breathtaking array of macro life, including many unusual nudibranch species, at least five species of pygmy seahorse, pipefishes, several frogfish species, tiny blue-ringed octopuses, incredible mollusks, many shrimp including the famed mantis shrimp, colorful wrasses, blennies, and other small fish. Additionally, the megafauna is breathtaking: orcas, sperm whales, Bryde’s whales, and others are frequent visitors as well as 5 sea turtle species, and many beautiful sharks and rays, including, of course, the whale shark.
DAY 11: DAMPIER STRAIT
2 dives in the morning to take into account flying times the next day: Sawandarek and Mioskon- divers could expect to see Wobbegong sharks, pygmy seahorses, schooling barracudas, napoleon wrasse, giant sweetlips. After the second morning dive, the dive team will thoroughly wash all equipment in fresh water and put it out to dry on deck. In the late afternoon, guests are welcome to start packing up their kits ready for the next day’s departure. The boat will then slowly cruise back to the harbor. Guests will be notified at what time they will be leaving the boat ready to get their flights the next morning.
DAY 12: SORONG HARBOUR
Guests depart in the morning – guests will be transferred to the airport by t tender and then cars and assisted at check-in by the Dewi team.
Marine Life: At least 75 percent of all coral species can be found in Raja Ampat, divers can expect a range of topography from soft corals and sea fans, to hard corals, seagrass beds, mangroves, shallow reefs, deep drop-offs, caves, black sand, and white sand. Giant manta rays, sea turtles, sharks, cuttlefish, pipefish, various seahorse species, and massive schools of reef fish are the norm, plus the delightful wobbegong sharks and epaulette sharks inhabit these waters too.
(*) the itinerary description provided by the boat operator.
Please note: The last dive will be on the penultimate day of the trip. Divers are recommended to wait for 24 hours before flying after the last dive.
Sample itineraries and maps are for illustrative purposes only. The exact route and sites visited are subject to change based on local regulations, guest experience, weather, and logistics, and are at the Captain’s discretion.
