Raja Laut

Location: Raja Ampat, West Papua (Indonesia)
Embarkation: Sorong
Disembarkation: Sorong
Duration: 7 days
Note: The Raja Ampat together with the Banda Sea are a year round yachting and diving destination which can be combined to form an extraordinary yacht charter adventure.

Please remember our sample itineraries are samples only and may be subject to change; extended, shortened, or re-arranged to suit your private yacht charter preferences or the weather conditions, captain's advice, and so on.

Raja Ampat Leisure Cruise

Day 1:
Sorong, Indonesia

In Sorong, we board the Raja Laut and cruise into the heart of the Coral Triangle to Raja Ampat, possibly the richest coral reef ecosystem in the world. An international team of biologists in 2001 recorded 450 species of hard corals and over 950 species of reef fish in Raja Ampat. In the Raja Ampat archipelago we snorkel each day amid rich coral reefs and the immense abundance of the Pacific marine ecosystem, from the tiniest bright-colored nudibranch to huge pelagic fish. Topside, there are dramatic limestone islands, dazzling aquamarine lagoons for exploring with our kayaks, and fantastic birds-- including the famours red bird of paradise. This trip is relaxed enough to allow ample time for photography, snorkeling, exploration by dinghy, beachcombing, and some shore excursions on various islands with optional hikes.

Days 2-5:
Penemu / Waigeo / Uranie Islands

We explore on foot in the low limestone isle of Penemu, with its shallow marine lake filled with cassiopeia jellyfish and juvenile sharks, and by dinghy in the forest-lined inland waterways. From our North Waigeo anchorage, we snorkel the rich Alyui reefs and at Uranie Island, where our anchorage is in a spectacular beach-lined bay, we make a short trek to the top of the mountain for a spectacular 360-degree view of Raja Ampat's beautiful mushroom-shaped rock islands. On one island, we visit a pearl farm to see how pearls are seeded and grown. The lush interior of Raja Ampat is known for its wonderful avian life, and we awake each dawn to a chorus of bird calls. Lorikeets, parrots, kingfishers, eagles, and hornbills are commonly seen here. Each evening we anchor in a serene setting of turquoise waters and green islands, where we gaze at a canopy of luminous stars and watch for manta rays feeding around the boat.

Days 6-8:
Wayag Island / Gam Island

At Wayag, a stunning island of jungle-covered rock outcrops and water in every imaginable shade of blue and green, we explore beaches and mangroves and snorkel among schools of silver sardines and juvenile reef fish. We see leatherback turtles feed on jellies at Gam Island and enjoy fabulous drift-snorkeling near Manta Point and South Kri. On an island hike, we look for the red bird of paradise, first made known to the Western world by pioneering naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, who made his famous voyage here in 1860.

Raja Ampat Scuba Diving Cruise

Day 1:
Arriving at Sorong you will be met at the airport and transferred to the point of embarkation aboard yacht Raja Laut. A short sail from the port of Sorong to Salawati and you will soon be discovering why the Raja Ampat islands are home to what the Nature Conservancy called "the world's bull's-eye for coral biodiversity."

Day 2:
Kri Island. The reefs in this area are protected by Max Ammer from the Papua Diving Resort. Kri has a beautiful Lagoon and also has the most fish and coral species accounted on a single dive site. Yacht anchors in Kri overnight.

Day 3:
Sailing into Misool, one of the Rajah Ampats iconic sites, you will be blown away by the incredibly alluring coral fringed bays and clear, sheltered waters that remain calm nearly year round. Here there are world class sites you will want to dive again and again.

Day 4:
Continue exploring the Misool area. We cannot speak highly enough of this astoundingly beautiful, tightly clustered set of islands and islets that support thriving coral reefs and huge biodiversity. Some are characterised by strong currents and exciting diving and others more relaxed. Tasselled Wobbegongs and Epaulette Sharks accompany incredible macrodiving.

Day 5:
The reefs surrounding the oceanic island of Kofiau are the site of a world record: 284 marine species were recorded by Dr. Gerry Allen at Kofiau Island in one single dive!

Day 6:
Batanta will give the possibility of a refreshing two hour hike in search of the Red Bird of Paradise. A true jungle trek, you will hear giant hornbills, cockatoos flying by and perhaps if lucky, the mesmerizing song of the Bird of Paradise. Celebrating the last evening with a BBQ and fire on the beach. Yacht anchors in Batanta for the night.

Day 7:
Cruise to Wai island where a beautiful dive will be offered at the American plane wreck that crashed in these waters in the 1940's. The wreck is upside down and between 24 - 34 m (90-115') deep. The wreck is fairly intact with excellent coral covering it especially on the lower side of the tail section. The guns are also visible on this truly great dive. The rest of the day cruising back to Sorong.

BEST TIME TO GO: Raja Ampat is a year round yacht charter destination, but October-November is the best time to go.

PORTS OF EMBARKATION/DISEMBARKATION: Sorong or Ambon or Fak Fak

HOW TO GET THERE: Fly to Ambon or Sorong or Fak Fak from Jakarta.