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Choose Where You Sleep

• Amira
• Arenui
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• Damai
• Euphoria
• Indo Siren
• Mermaid I
• Mermaid II
• Ondina
• Pearl of Papua
• Putiraja
• Putri Papua
• Raja Ampat Agressor
• Raja Ampat Explorer
• Sea Safari 8
• Seahorse
• Shakti
• Tambora
• Temukira

Choose where you sleep

• Amira
• Arenui
• Aurora
• Damai
• Euphoria
• Indo Siren
• Mermaid I
• Mermaid II
• Ondina
• Pearl of Papua
• Putiraja
• Putri Papua
• Raja Ampat Agressor
• Raja Ampat Explorer
• Sea Safari 8
• Seahorse
• Shakti
• Tambora
• Temukira

Notes

Shakti

Sample 12 Day Cruise Itinierary on the Shakti

Day 1: Board Shakti in Sorong

Day 2: After an early morning sail we arrive at Manta point, where some channels between a shallow reef systems provide a good place for manta's and other large rays to hang in the current feeding on plankton, and a perfect place for us to dive with them! Our second dive is at Andy's reef. A ridge, which rises out of deep water to 8m and slopes off steeply on each side. This ridge provides a home for thousands of fish both big and small. As the current picks up huge shoals of silverside and the smaller fish come close to the reefs, flashing as the sunlight catches them, as they avoid the big hunting Tuna's and Jacks. Our third dive is at Fam wall, a excellent place to spot some more unusual critters such as, Mandarin fish and juvenile cuttle fish hiding amongst the coral at the bottom of the wall.

Day 3: South Fam Wall, a great dive starting just before the point where there?s lots a action as the big fish hunt in the current. Drifting around the corner and out of the current we can explore all the excellent macro life on the wall. This site you can find the rare yellow pigmy seahorse and lots of other critter such as Orang utan crabs and many nudibranchs. The second dive is called Melissa?s garden, and it really is a garden! Hardly a spot that isn?t covered in soft, hard or fan corals. Our third dive is another Garden, this time Anita?s garden, a great relaxing afternoon dive looking for Wobbigong sharks that lie in wait for their prey under big coral blocks.

Day 4: Equator Islands is our first dive. Literally a chance to dive across the equator! Possible to find Harlequin shrimps hiding under rocks in the shallows at the end of the dive. An adrenalin packed second dive at white rock. Huge schools of Jacks, surgeon fish, barracuda, and dog tooth tuna keep you company as you watch out for the occasional big gray reef shark to come cruising by. Our last dive is around a tiny islet with a single tree on it, hence the name, ?one tree rock? Very interesting topography, with walls, slopes, flats, caverns and huge boulders all on one dive!

Day 5: We arrive in Wayag, a stunning group of islands formed from Karst limestone and covered in jungle. The main island has many beautiful lagoons with hundreds of tiny mushroom shaped islets dotted around in the still blue water. This breathtaking scenery is often compared to Pulau's famous islands and described as a "James Bond" set! First dive is a small island just to the north west of Wayag. A steep wall drops to 35m where huge house like boulders are home to giant dogtooth tunas and trevalleys. Another island with no name is the site for the second dive, following the slope down the west side we come to a large underwater sea mound covered in big sea fans and coral.

The last dive is at Twin Island, one of the most beautiful coral dives of the trip. A shallow slope to the south of the island has a magnificent coral garden, crammed with table coral, soft and fan corals. There are always big schools of surgeonfish and midnight, Andaman and lined sweet lips to keep you company, and for the macro photographers this is a great place to spot some of the more unusual nudibranches.

Day 6: The first dive of the morning is close to the anchorage, a beautiful reef around one of the many unique mushroom shaped islands that are dotted around Wayag Island. For the second dive we sail around to the east of Wayag Island, a good chance to get some above water photos of the stunning top side scenery. This dive is full of surprises as the topography is continually changing. We drift along a vertical wall to start the dive, and as we round the small island there is a huge arch, big enough for a bus to drive through!! As we swim through the arch, there are small caves in the island on the other side, with every type of snapper you?ve ever seen and much more. It is also a good place to see gray reef sharks and mantas cruising past in the blue water beyond the arch.
The afternoon dive is another beautiful coral slope. There is a huge garden of hard corals swarming with anthias and other reef fish. Huge schools of red tooth trigger and surgeon fish cover the slope, and the occasional pelagic Spanish mackerel.

Day 7: The first dive of the day is at Split Island, literally an island that has been almost split in two. The dramatic topography continues underwater, with huge boulders and caverns. After a short sail we arrive at Quoy Island. Here we first dive the north east point. This dive starts with a vertical wall on the north side, and as we drift to the south with the current, we pass a huge cavern and many smaller caves. Large schools of fish, aggregate on the point and many sweetlips shelter from the current in the small caves.
The afternoon dive is a very relaxing dive along the south of Quoy Island. The reef here is a gentle slope, and is covered in hard and soft corals. At about 20m the slope flattens out and sand stretches out as far as the eye can see. Often big reef rays can be seen if you swim out over the sand.

Day 8: A lovely dive off the south east of Quoy Island. A coral slope that ends in white sand at 45m. Following the slope to the south brings us to a point where there?s always good fish action. Our second dive is on the north east of Uranie Island. We enter under a split in the cliff face. At 25m the split opens up into a huge cavern, with shafts of light filtering through the cracks in the roof. Always lots of sweetlips sheltering from the current, and normally two or three sleeping nurse sharks. Great for photographers who can get within touching distance of the sharks without disturbing their slumber. Another relaxing afternoon dive on a shallow coral plateau in Uraine bay makes a perfect end to the day.

Day 9: The morning dive is adrenaline packed, diving a small islet in the channel between Uranie Island and Quoy Island. This channel gets quite a lot of current and hence many of the big fish, mackerels, Jacks and Tunas hang in the current hunting the thousands of schooling fish. Often large grey reef sharks cruise by keeping an eye on their territory! The second dive is at Eagle Island, another small islet in the same channel. This place is great to spot the most majestic of marine animals, the Manta ray. Often these beautiful creatures glide back and forth this site scooping huge mouthfuls of plankton up with their mandibles. The afternoon dive is in the northern mouth of Uranie bay. Here is a good place to see guitar sharks and wobbigongs that Irian is famous for. Many other unusual critters can be spotted such as wasp fish and stargazers.

Day 10: West Papua is famed not only for its outstanding coral reefs but also for its wrecks. During World War 2 Irian was an important base for both American and Japanese ships and planes. The consequential battles have left many fantastic wrecks in this area from fighter planes to warships. The first two dives are on American P 47D fighter planes. Three American planes caught in a dogfight found them without enough fuel to return to their base; and decided to crash land near the same small island. They all made it to within meters of the beach and all survived! As the planes are almost completely intact they make excellent dives. Last dive of the trip is Nixon?s Reef. A great dive to end on, teaming with fish and many white tips, black tips and grey sharks.

Day 11: The eastern most tip of Kri Island is action packed dive for even the most traveled diver. Strong currents sweeping around this point make it home for practically every fish you've ever seen! Gerry Allan the famous author of several fish books, broke his lifetime record and counted an unbelievable 273? Different species of fish on one dive! Our next dive at Sardine reef is just as exciting, expect to see, schools of chevron and giantbarracudas, huge schools of Jacks, Spanish mackerels, tunas, sweetlips and black and white tip sharks as well as hundreds of others! If you manage to take you eyes of the action for a second then you are likely to find many nudibrachs, flat worms and leaf scorpion fish as well.

Day 12: Transfer to airport / departure.

Services Include:

• Transfers from/to Airport
• Towels & Linen (several changes during the trip)
• 3 full meals each day + snacks
• Use of sea kayaks

Services exclude:

• Nitrox
• Dive Equipment rental*
• Beer (2,-Eur), Softdrinks (1,-Eur), Juices (0,80 Eur)
• Raja Ampat Marine protected Area Tax System**

* Dive Equipment RENTAL
20,- Euro / day Ful Set (excl. Computer)
8,- Euro / day Regulator
8,- Euro / day BCD
4,- Euro / day Mask & Snorkel
5,- Euro / day Computer
4,- Euro / day Fins & Booties

** Raja Ampat Marine protected Area Tax System**
Please be advised that as of Sept 2007 all visitors to Raja Ampat are required by law to purchase an entrance tag. Tags cost Rp 500.000,- and are valid for one year. All proceeds are administered by conservation international for management of Raja Ampats marine protected areas. 

Notes

Temukira

Sample 11 Day – 10 Night Raja Ampa, West Papua (formerly Irian Jaya)

Day 1 From Jakarta, Makassar or Manado – Sorong - Raja Ampat
Arrive Sorong. Transfer to boat. Depart for Raja Ampat. Begin dive program. Meals on board.
  
Day 2 through Day 9 Raja Ampat
Full dive schedule. Meals on board.
  
Day 10 Raja Ampat – Sorong
Morning dives. Meals on board. Overnight on the stay on the boat.
  
Day 11 Depart Sorong
Breakfast on board. Disembark, travel to Sorong’s airport for flight to Jakarta, Denpasar or Manado.

Seahorse

Raja Ampat in eastern Indonesia offers some of the best diving in the world, notably the islands off the western tip of Papua, where Conservation International conducted a tropical reef biodiversity count revealing the richest diversity of coral and coral reef fish species yet counted in a single location.

MSY SEAHORSE - Raja Ampat/Cendrawasih Bay & Banda Sea RATES

USD $400 pp/per day/Twin Share Cabin
USD $420 pp/per day/Double Cabin

- FULL CHARTER/16 pax/8 cabins/per night @ USD $5,600(PAY 14 FOC 02)
- HALF CHARTER/08 pax/4 cabins/per night @ USD $3,200(PAY 07 FOC 01)

Additional charges:
- NITROX: USD $180 per person (10 days), or USD $125 per person (7 days)
- Raja Ampat Port & Park Fees USD $190 per person & Fuel Surcharge: USD $160
- Cendrawasih Bay Port & Park Fee USD $275 per person & Fuel Surcharge USD $160 per person
- Raja Ampat, Ambon, Banda Sea Port & Park Fee USD $275 per person & Fuel Surcharge USD $TBA

CRUISE PRICES INCLUDE:
- Accommodations aboard the yacht
- Diving: 4 guided dives at day
- Compressed air tanks, weights & weight belts
- Airport and/or Hotel transfers on day of charter
- All meals and snacks

CRUISE PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE:
- Airfare (international and domestic)
- Equipment rentals
- Nitrox fills (subject to additional charge - see above)
- Certification or specialty courses
- Hotel stays/day room prior & after cruise date
- Crew gratuity
- Equipment rentals
- Port/park fees, fuel surcharge, taxes (when applicable - see above)

Notes:
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- All prices quoted USD $
- Rates are subject to change without notice
- Single Supplement: 50% surcharge based on full charter rate. Guarantees an individual traveler a private room

Tambora

Four Kingdoms of the East
 - Dive Raja Ampat

Raja Empat has only fairly recently been discovered as scuba diving’s new frontier, and has very quickly gained a reputation as one of the world’s finest dive areas, perhaps the finest amongst all in terms of biodiversity. New species keep being discovered here, and considering the vast geographic expanse of this group of islands, this is set to continue for years and years!

Our cruises depart from and return to Sorong, the area’s major town on the tip of the Bird’s Head Peninsula. Soon upon leaving Sorong harbor, Tambora will sail in crystal clear waters, among an endless string of densely forested and mostly uninhabited islands. The vast expanse and sheer number of islands allows us to pick itineraries and dive sites that suit during any season.

We will start things off diving the superb sites of the Dampier Strait. This is where waters from the Pacific and the inner Indonesian Seas first meet, providing for an extreme wealth of marine creatures including manta rays, schooling trevally and jacks, reef sharks, and the bizarre wobbegong shark. From here, cruises continue southwards towards Misool and the labyrinth of little islets surrounding it (Note: cruises in the June-August time period will turn north towards Waigeo and Wayag). You can expect it all – big pelagics, reefs teeming with life, great macro sites, and vibrantly colored night dives!

From Sorong, the major town on the Bird’s Head Peninsula and in the West of Indonesian New Guinea, you can connect easily to destinations across Indonesia.

Hidden Bays & Painted Rocks
 - From Raja Ampat to Triton Bay

This cruise between Sorong and Kaimana takes Tambora along the West Papua coast and through south and central Raja Ampat to some of the world’s very best, yet at the same time very little dived, sites.

Depart Kaimana bound southwards along the towering West papua coastline. A backdrop of steep limestone cliffs topped by pristine rain forest make for eerie scenery; oftentimes for kilometres, galleries of rock paintings delineate ancient burial grounds. The sea below is rich in nutrients and offers stunning biodiversity.

Explore Triton and Aetna Bays, with exuberant coral gardens and an amazing array of reef fish as well as lots of pelagic action.

Turning around to head back North, Tambora will spend a number of days in the Southern part of Raja Ampat, diving Misool and the labyrinth of islets and rocks surrounding it. The surface and underwater scenery are equally pristine, and each and every anchorage will be a picture-book experience. The ensuing leg of the cruise takes Tambodia further up north, through the Dampier Strait and to the spectacular dive sites at Fam, Mansuar, Sardines Reef, and Cape Kri. Expect an endless variety of fish, including manta rays, dogtooth tuna giant trevally, the shy napoleon fish, and the bizarre wobbegong shark.

From Sorong, the major town on the Bird’s Head Peninsula and in the West of Indonesian New Guinea, you can connect easily to destinations across Indonesia.

Colours of Kei - Eastern Banda Sea & Triton Bay

The cruise ‘Colours of Kei’ combines two dive regions that are both world class but very different one from another: the chain of islands at the eastern border of the Banda Sea; and, Triton Bay, just off the Papuan mainland.

Tambora’s cruise commences in Tual, the main city in the Kei Islands group which are known for their large population of leatherback turtles. Soon upon leaving Tual, you will start diving the many surrounding islands and islets; some of the diving here still has exploration character since the area is very rarely visited let alone dived. Moving north, you will next dive the Watubela chain of islands; here, crystal clear water, steep walls, and some of the most amazing table coral gardens await. When the currents are running, there is a fair chance of seeing batteries of barracuda and the biggest Napoleon wrasses found anywhere!

Leaving the Moluccas, Tabora will cross over to the Papuan mainland and Triton Bay to experience a very different scenery both above and below the waterline: densely forested mountains, their peaks more often than not veiled in clouds, make a dramatic backdrop to underwater slopes alive with the most delicate and colourful soft corals over which big schools of fish are feeding and hunting. Given the close proximity to the mainland, visibility varies significantly, and we will need to select our sites and time our dives with this in mind.

On the day prior to disembarkation, visit the huge limestone labyrinth inside the bay before pulling into Kaimana. From here, you can continue to Ambon, Sorong or Jakarta. Tual, the port of embarkation, can easily be reached by plane from Jakarta or Ambon.

Northern Lights - Dive and Explore the Extreme North of Raja Ampat and Halmahera's Buli Bay

This newly designed cruise itinerary will combine North Raja Ampat - both known highlights including Kawe, the Equator Islands and Wayag as well as the currently undived archipelagos further North and West - with Eastern Halmahera’s Buli Bay.

Beneath Cliffs and Cloves either starts or ends in West Papua that includes some of the best dives in the southern Raja Ampat islands.

Great Eastern Arc - From South Raja Ampat via Seram Laut and Watubela into Kei

Tambora’s itinerary, ‘Great Eastern Arc’, combines two world class dive regions in a single cruise: the Southern islands of Raja Ampat and the Eastern rim of the Banda Sea. Both areas have their own unique attractions, and hence this itinerary offers some of the best diving in the country along many different dimensions.

Upon leaving Sorong, our first stop is at the Southern shores of the island of Batanta, one of the 4 Kings comprising Raja Ampat. Dive a series of black sand bays, a prime habit for critters like nudibranches, ghost pipefish and seahorses. Next, an overnight passage brings Tambora to the karst island-dotted seascape lying to the East of Misool. Over the next couple of days you can sample some of the best dive sites in all of Raja Ampat, with brilliantly coloured soft corals and myriads of schooling fish.

From Misool sail across the Seram Sea to reach the small island of Koon in the Seram Laut Group. Here, strong currents from deep create an environment that attracts feeding fish, big and small.

Continuing on further south along the Great Eastern Arc, Tambora will reach the Watubela chain of islands. Crystal clear water with 40m + visibility, steep walls, stunning underwater rock formations, and some of the best hard coral gardens await us here. What’s more, large batteries of barracuda and big gatherings of Napoleon wrasses are also among the highlights of diving Watubela.

The night before disembarkation, the Tambora we will pull into Tual harbor, from where you can catch your flight back into Ambon and onwards across Indonesia.

Siren

Raja Ampat is all about diversity, not only of marine species but also of dive sites. Recently declared a marine sanctuary to 46,000 square km park gives you wildly different dive experiences. From pelagic drift dives to magical muck dives and even some habitats that are special to Raja Ampat such as clear water mangroves with corals growing right next to them. There are thousands of potential dive sites in Raja Ampat. Exploration is still continuing and on every trip there are chances for new and amazing discoveries.

Departing from Sorong the S/Y Indo Siren cruises southwards towards Misool, stopping for "muck" dives on the dark sand slopes of Batanta where its critters galore! Then all divers will spend up to 3 days diving a variety of sites in the Misool area for their stunning corals, including Boo Windows and Gorgonian Passage where sea fans dominate the scenery.

Heading back northwards the liveaboard will take guests to dive around Fam Penemu & Yangeffo islands. Here you can find the site of Citrus Ridge, where carpets of brightly coloured soft corals can be found close to the surface which, illuminated by natural sunlight, make this dive site spectacularly beautiful. There is time for snorkeling in the mangroves and a visit to tiny Airborek Island along with a dusk dive at the pier before heading on to Mansuar for some manta ray action at Manta Sandy.

In the Dampier Strait there are fish… and lots of them! In more shapes and sizes than anywhere else in the world. Not only are there numerous species, but all levels of the food chain are well represented, from pygmy seahorses to larger pelagic. The most famous sites include Cape Kri and Sardine reef where speedy drifts dive can be expected.

The reefs in Raja Ampat just buzz with life! Manta rays, wobbegong sharks and epaulette sharks can all be found in the waters of the Four Kings.

RA Explorer

Sample Iinerary Raja Ampat Itinerary

11 Day – 10 Night PAPUA RajaAmpat
Day 1 From Jakarta or Ujungpandang or Manado – Sorong - RajaAmpat. Arrive Sorong and transfer to the Raja Ampat Explorer. Depart for Raja Ampat. Begin dive program. Meals onboard.
 
Day 2 through Day 9 Diving Raja Ampat
Full dive schedule. Meals onboard.
 
Day 10 Raja Ampat – Sorong
Morning dives. Meals onboard. Overnight on the stay on the boat.
 
Day 11 Sorong – Manado / Jakarta / Denpasar
Breakfast onboard. Disembark, travel to Sorong’s airport for flight to Jakarta or Denpasar or Manado.

Raja Ampat Combo

The RAJA AMPAT COMBO is a 7 night program on liveaboard combined with a 3 night dive program at Raja Ampat Dive Lodge. A total of 11day - 10 night package with maximum 4 dives each day.  Combos that include Wayag or Misool can be selected from the above schedule. 

Aurora

The huge area of Raja Ampat represents a big marine reserve, that stretches out to the north (Waigeo and neighbouring island) and to the south-west (Misool). The whole region is a labyrinth of straits between small sandstone islands, eroded by the waves. The dry season is between September to March, however rain falls are to be expected throughout the whole year.

Routes and dates
Two routes: North and South, departing from and returning to Sorong.

Raja Ampat North: Sorong - Jef Fam - Kawe - Wajak - Coquille Uranie - Sei Pele - Wafak - Mansouthar - Kri - Sorong.

Raja Ampat South: Sorong - Farondi - Misool - Fiabajet - Jef Fam - Mansouthar - Kri - Sorong

Notes

Sea Safari 8

This liveaboard scuba diving adventure with Sea Safari VIII to Raja Ampat starts and ends at the small port town of Sorong in West Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya), and takes you to an amazing array of unique dive sites, including Kri Island, Wayag, East and West Misool, Batanta and Gam Islands.

Sample 12 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Sorong Airport
The crew will meet you at the airport and escort you to the ship for boarding. Cabin allocation and ship orientation will take place before departure at 3:00 PM. Take this opportunity to familiarize yourselves with the vessel, set up your equipment, and make yourself comfortable. Dinner will be served while sailing towards the first destination.

Day 2: Kri Island
Welcome to Kri Island. The reefs in this area are protected by Max Ammer from the Papua Diving Resort. If you would like to add some diving days before the cruise you can just stay at this resort and join the boat right outside the Lagoon. Kri is a great start for the cruise with the most fish and coral species accounted on a single divesite. Truly pristine reefs, you will want to dive these sites around this island again and again. A night dive will be offered.

Days 3 & 4: Waigeo Island Group
Welcome to the incredible Waigeo Island group. You will be in awe at the beauty of yellow Wall boasting a very large amount of yellow soft coral. In the afternoon a dive on the sheer wall undercut at the edge from millions of years of oceanic erosion will truly amaze. An interesting pearl farm is nearby (the 5th biggest in Asia) and can be visited upon request. The night dive here is not to be missed! The chances to see bigger animals including mantas are high in this area.

Day 5: Kawe Island
Draping directly over the equator lies Kawe Island. The ship will arrive early morning in and anchor right on the equator. Enjoy breakfast while watching the stunning scenery. You will be offered up to five dives today to take advantage of this world-class dive region, with a treat to an enormous array of fish life as well as stunning scenery above water.

Days 6 & 7: Waiag And Southern Islands
Continuing the cruise onto the most northerly area of Irian Jaya with many unnamed groups of islets. From mild sloping coral gardens with huge coral rocks and colorful soft corals, to steep walls and schooling fish, this region is truly spectacular. Here you can make the famous ‘hike” to view the breath taking scenery over the island group here. Fantastic night dives with rare wobbygong shark spottings are also on the agenda.

Days 8 & 9: Manosuar Island
Arriving early morning in Manosuar, you can expect to dive the famous sardine reef as well as 3 other incredible sites. The fish life is prolific and the topside scenery will truly astound. Two full days diving will be offered in this amazing region as well as a great top deck barbeque to satisfy those hungry divers.

Day 10: Batanta Island
To start your day, you will take a two hour morning 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. Today’s diving day can host anything from wobbygong sharks to pigmy seahorses.

Day 11: Wai Island
After a light breakfast, 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 will be spent around the incredible sites of Wai Island. If desired, you may take a short trip on shore to see the resident cassowary bird.

Day 12: Arrival in Sorong
The ship will arrive at 6:00 AM at Sorong. Breakfast will be served and afterwards prepare for disembarkation. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Variations
The Irian Jaya - Raja Ampat liveaboard is usually an eleven night cruise but in case of twelve night cruises, there will be an extra night at Wei Island on day twelve and arrive in Sorong on day thirteen.

Notes

Raja Ampat Agressor

Waigeo, Gam, Kri, Wai, Batanta, Kawe and more

Ocean Rover's East Indonesia cruises visit the best sites of Raja Ampat. Diving here means diving with sometimes strong currents and, for that reason we have to remain flexible. THe dive guides will be check regularly and, if too strong, the dive director will make the decision to move to another location. The next great dive site is waiting just around the corner!

On cruise departure day, Ocean Rover's staff will pick up guests from the airport or from a local hotel if they arrived a few days earlier. After all have boarded, there will be a welcome aboard briefing at approx. 1800hrs before getting underway.

During the itinerary, Ocean Rover will cross the equator several times between the longitudes 130°-132°E while enjoying the best of the underwater world of Raja Ampat’s many dive sites, predominately in the north-west region around the islands of Waigeo, Gam, Kri, Wai, Fam and Kawe.

On disembarkation day some passengers may have to rise extra early because of flights leaving in the morning. Guests who are staying in Sorong longer may disembark after breakfast.

A typical 12 day itinerary will net you 45 to 54 dives (night dives only where a location is suitable).

These Ocean Rover dive cruises to Raja Ampat are NOT RECOMMENDED for Inexperienced Divers

Notes

Mermaid I

Sample 10 Day cruise with Mermaid I

Raja Ampat ~ Raja Ampat: 10 days/9 nights:

Day 1 - (Dives: 0): Check-in on board MV Mermaid I. As guest arrivals take place all through the day depending on flights you are welcome to board when you arrive and spend some time looking around Sorong, gearing up etc. Following the boat and safety briefing - its overnight to the Misool area.

It is almost impossible to put together a daily itinerary due to the magnificent diving everywhere we go. No trip is the same with so many different sites to visit and explore. If there is somewhere in particular you really have your heart set on please discuss with the Cruise Director who will do their utmost to get you there – conditions, ship and your safety allowing!

Day 2-4 - (Dives: 12): Misool area – with literally 100’s of dives around this magnificent area we will be in diver’s paradise for a few days. Soft corals, gorgonians – some of the pretties corals in the world – and the kingdom of the pygmy seahorse ! Pinnacles with masses of fish. Blue water mangroves (crocs depending !) Islands we will thoroughly enjoy the Misool area including Sagof Islands, Wagma and Farondi islands; Wailbatan and Warakaret Island, Kalig, Pele Islands.

Day 5-8 - (Dives: 18): Fiabacet and Farondi Islands and after the 3rd dive of the day spend some time going around the lagoons in the dinghy for amazing sights and wildlife. Then we may head north to Waigeo Island. Perhaps we will spend the day around Batanta Island, a black sand environment – great muck diving ! The Mantas call us to Dampier Strait where they hang out at their cleaning stations. But this place is also fabulous for macro diving with critters such as Pegasus, Pontohi Pgymy Seahorse, pipefish etc. And two dives at a small island called Arborek, with a lovely village and a jetty great for diving ! The jetty pillars are covered in soft corals – a photographer’s delight and also good for macro such as signal gobies, nudibrancs and more Pohtohi’s etc. Dive around the island of Kawe a great place for schooling fish, and beautiful reefs covered in black coral bushes. And dive Alyui Bay (or a full day around Alyui Bay). In Alyui Bay there is a pearl farm. We can tour the pearl farm and learn how they harvest the pearls, and the whole process of pearl farming. You can even buy pearls. Diving in Alyui bay is good for macro and wide angle. Walls covered in soft corals and sea fans with lots of nudies and pygmys. Also a great night dive in the jetty; Raja Epaulette Shark (walking sharks), wobbegongs, crocodilefish, toadfish and frogfish.


Dive around the island of Yanggefo - beautiful mangrove areas, stunning reefs covered in orange and pruple soft corals, and submerged reef with lots of schooling fish, and pygmies.The Strait of Dampier are also well known for the amount of schooling fish. There are several pinnacles with zillions of fish . Also the tips (capes) of several islands with again lots of schooling fish; schools of barracudas, school of bigeye jacks, snappers, zillions of fusiliers and surgeonfish, etc…. And lots of wobbegongs.

Day 9 - (Dives: 2): 2 dives in the Strait of Dampier. More of the same. Fish, fish, fish, glorious corals and all ! Then back to Sorong we must go. The crew will take care of rinsing and packing your equipment during this 4-5 hour run.

Day 10 - (Dives: 0): After breakfast, transfer you ashore for disembarkation.

TOTAL DIVES: 32

2017 & 2018 PRICES (EUR):

Mermaid II

Sample 9 day cruise with Mermaid II

SORONG-RAJA AMPAT-SORONG – 9 DAYS/ 8 NIGHTS
 
Day 1 (Dives: 0): Check-in on board MV Mermaid I. As guest arrivals take place all through the day depending on flights you are welcome to board when you arrive and spend some time looking around Sorong, gearing up etc. Following the boat and safety briefing – its overnight to the Misool area. It is almost impossible to put together a daily itinerary due to the magnificent diving everywhere we go. No trip is the same with so many different sites to visit and explore. If there is somewhere in particular you really have your heart set on please discuss with the Cruise Director who will do their utmost to get you there – conditions, ship and your safety allowing !
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Days 2-4 (Dives: 12): Misool area – with literally 100’s of dives around this magnificent area we will be in diver’s paradise for a few days. Soft corals, gorgonians – some of the pretties corals in the world – and the kingdom of the pygmy seahorse ! Pinnacles with masses of fish. Blue water mangroves (crocs depending !) Islands we will thoroughly enjoy the Misool area including Sagof Islands, Wagma and Farondi islands; Wailbatan and Warakaret Island, Kalig, Pele Islands

Days 5-7 (Dives: 12): Fiabacet and Farondi Islands and after the 3rd dive of the day spend some time going around the lagoons in the dinghy for amazing sights and wildlife. Then we may head north to Waigeo Island Perhaps we will spend the day around Batanta Island, a black sand environment – great muck diving ! The Mantas call us to Dampier Strait where they hang out at their cleaning stations. But this place is also fabulous for macro diving with critters such as Pegasus, Pontohi Pgymy Seahorse, pipefish etc. And two dives at a small island called Arborek, with a lovely village and a jetty great for diving ! The jetty pillars are covered in soft corals – a photographer’s delight and also good for macro such as signal gobies, nudibrancs and more Pohtohi’s etc. Dive around the island of Kawe a great place for schooling fish, and beautiful reefs covered in black coral bushes. And dive Alyui Bay (or a full day around Alyui Bay). In Alyui Bay there is a pearl farm. We can tour the pearl farm and learn how they harvest the pearls, and the whole process of pearl farming. You can even buy pearls. Diving in Alyui bay is good for macro and wide angle. Walls covered in soft corals and sea fans with lots of nudies and pygmys. Also a great night dive in the jetty; Raja Epaulette Shark (walking sharks), wobbegongs, crocodilefish, toadfish and frogfish. Dive around the island of Yanggefo – beautiful mangrove areas, stunning reefs covered in orange and pruple soft corals, and submerged reef with lots of schooling fish, and pygmies.The Strait of Dampier are also well known for the amount of schooling fish. There are several pinnacles with zillions of fish . Also the tips (capes) of several islands with again lots of schooling fish; schools of barracudas, school of bigeye jacks, snappers, zillions of fusiliers and surgeonfish, etc…. And lots of wobbegongs.

Day 8 (Dives: 2): 2 dives in the Strait of Dampier. More of the same. Fish, fish, fish, glorious corals and all ! Then back to Sorong we must go. The crew will take care of rinsing and packing your equipment during this 4-5 hour run.

Day 9 (Dives: 0): After breakfast we transfer you ashore to continue your vacation…or its time to head home to start planning your next Mermaid Liveaboards cruise ! With so many new itineraries and opportunities to choose from you will be back and back and back for more and most welcome on board Mermaid Liveaboards – Asia’s Premier Liveaboard Fleet !

Total Dives: 26

PRICES 2017 & 2018 (EUR)

Ondina

Paradise Birds Cruise: Sorong – Sorong

In this route we use Sorong in Papua as embarking/disembarking port and its airport for incoming and outgoing flights.

The Rajah Ampat archipelago is home to the worldwide record for the greatest number of different species found in one single dive. What else do we need to say? Add the most pristine and colourful coral gardens, outstanding landscapes, primitive fishing villages and of course, Birds of Paradise!

Sample Itinerary:

Departing from the port of Sorong in the “Bird’s Head peninsula” of West Papua, Ondina will sail through the archipelago from the island of Waigeo in the north to Misool in the south. This area holds the record of the biggest number of different species counted in a single dive. National Geographic compares the species found here with the ones that can be seen in Palau. The reefs of Rajah Ampat enjoy a healthy marine biodiversity with more than 400 species of coral having been discovered here.

Besides the abundance of fauna, this region contains numerous wrecks of Japanese ships and aeroplanes from the terrible battles held during the Second World War in this area.

All the ingredients for a perfect adventure!

In brief: From Sorong to the Dampier Straits and from there to Aljui Bay, West Waigeo. Next to Kawe-Wayag, on the Northern end of the group, and down to Fam. Way South to Misool and back to Dampier and Sorong.

Arenui

Sample Cruise Itinerary in Raja Ampat - 12 Day/11 Night Sorong-Sorong

Day 1: Embarkation in Sorong

Day 2: Wagmab Area - Misool
Wagmab and the Farondi Islands offer several different dive sites.

Eddy Cave: Drop down into Eddy Cave and then re-surface inside to see the stalactites hanging from the top of the cavern. Outside the wall is full of overhangs and caves, where divers are likely to encounter groups of snapper and large groupers resting at the bottom.
Grouper Net and Wagmab Corner

At Three Sisters, dive at Grouper Net and Wagmab Corner looking for wobbegong sharks resting under ledges or on top of cup corals. Sea fans cover the walls and slopes, so be on the lookout for pygmy seahorses.

After the third dive, we take a Jungle River Tour to see the secret lagoons around Wagmab Island and then stop at a tiny island to climb up a viewpoint to watch the sunset.

Day 3: Wayilbatan Area - Misool
Neptune Fan Sea is a small channel between two islands, with a shallow wall, that’s completely covered in some of the biggest gorgonian sea fans you will ever see. At the start of the dive, explore the beautiful coral heads where you may find a wobbegong shark or even a huge grouper hiding. Then, drift along the wall and enjoy the view of the sea fans, stopping once in a while to search for a tiny pygmy seahorse.

Wedding Cake and Wayili Rock: Diving at both Wedding Cake and Wayili Rock we see schools of batfish, trevallies, barracuda and even a walking shark at night.

Day 4: Fiabecet Area – Misool
South-east Misool is famous for the profusion of colourful soft corals and beautiful sea fans that smother the reefs. In fact, this Fiabecet area offers dive sites where the soft corals are truly outstanding.

Nudi Rock, Whale Rock, Batu Kecil, Fiabecet Corner and Kalig Ridge are a line of rocks, some which are connected underwater, which create dives full of colour. Expect schools of fusiliers, surgeonfish, barracuda and batfish. There is a high chance of seeing wobbegong, white tip and black tip reef sharks in this area too.

Day 5: Boo Area – Misool
Boo Rock and Boo Point East: We spend our day exploring Boo Rock and Boo Point East, where we regularly see large Napoleon Wrasse and Green Turtles. Boo Rock is best known for the ‘’windows’’ or rounded openings on the southern end of the largest rock, that completely pierce the reef from the surface down to about five meters. Although the two rocks appear separate from the surface, they are connected underwater by a magnificent reef draped in soft corals and brimming with fish.

Day 6: Batanta
Batanta Island is a great opportunity to really experience the amazing diversity of diving in Indonesia. There are two special muck dives, along the south coast, that offer close encounters with all sorts of intriguing critters.

Black Beauty and Happy Ending: At Black Beauty and Happy Ending look for tiger shrimps, ghost pipefish, mimic octopus and many nudibranchs. During the night dive here, bobbit worms, white V octopus and frogfish can be found hiding in the black sand.

Day 7: Manta Sandy/Arborek
Manta Sandy: The first two dives of the day are at Manta Sandy, well-known for Indonesia’s much bigger visitors, as it is one of the most consistent spots for finding congregating mantas. It is easy to spend a whole dive observing these majestic animals, as they somersault through the water while being cleaned by several species of wrasse and even butterflyfish. In addition to the cleaning, they come to feed on plankton carried along by the currents and, if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to witness the unforgettable sight of a ”manta train”, where a dozen or more mantas gracefully glide around in a sweeping circle, following each other head-to-tail.

Arborek Jetty: The afternoon and night dive are both at Arborek Jetty, another favourite for many divers. In the shallows, the jetty posts are covered in soft corals and down at the bottom we find pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus. The fish life in this area is as plentiful, as can be expected at sites with a great deal of healthy hard and soft coral. The reef also provides shelter for many interesting small animals, like hermit crabs, flatworms and skeleton shrimp. The newly discovered Pontohi pygmy seahorse can be found on the coral heads and make sure to seek out the giant clam nestled among the pulsing soft corals. At night, listen for the toadfish croaking from under the rocks.

While we’re here, we can also visit Arborek Village to see the traditional way of life for these island people. Get ready to be greeted by many island children, who are more than willing to pose for photographs and even jump off the jetty for an action shot. Anyone joining our cruise is more than welcome to bring along some goodies for the children at Arborek. Obviously the children love sweets, but we encourage people to bring pencils, pens, notebooks, colouring books - none of which rot their teeth! The school always needs more materials and the girls love hair clips and bands.

Day 8: Aljui Bay
On the west side of Waigeo Island, situated in an area also known as Sel Pele, we arrive at Aljui Bay. In the morning, we take a tour of the local peak farm to see the operation and visit the gift shop.

Pearl Farm Jetty: The two jetties at the pearl farm have also created great artificial reefs for some amazing dives. Explore underneath the main jetty to find wobbegong sharks, stonefish, hundreds of schooling scads, ghost pipefish, juvenile batfish and much more.

Channel Island and White Arrow are a mix of walls and slopes, full of soft corals and sea fans which hide pygmy seahorses and a huge variety of nudibranchs. The night dive here is not too be missed - probably the best night dive of the cruise. A whole host of critters come out on display, such as velvetfish, ghost pipefish, waspfish, coconut octopus, Helmut flying gunnards and even the walking shark.

Day 9: Gam Area
Citrus Ridge: Situated between Gam and the Yanggelo Islands, a reef extends out into a point in the middle of the channel, forming a great spot for a dive. Citrus Ridge features a white sandy bottom with acts as an amazing contrast to the colourful soft corals. The coral heads are teeming with glassfish and attract groups of batfish and sweetlips.

Yanggelo Pinnacles: There are two pinnacles close to Yanggelo Island, where we see huge schools of fusiliers, snappers, surgeonfish, batfish and barracuda. Wobbegong, black tip and white tip sharks also cruise the reef, and look out for the allusive blue ring octopus creeping around the hard corals.

Day 10 & 11: Dampier Strait
The strait that flows between Waigeo and Batanta is rapidly becoming famous, as it offers some of the most spectacular diving in Raja Ampat - as a result of the nutrient - rich ocean currents passing through here. Everything which makes for a wonderful dive can be found in this channel of water. Beyond the usual delights and the satisfaction of spotting prized macro subjects such as Pontohi pygmy seahorses, there are surprises to be found on every dive here, as waters from several oceans meet up offering a real mixture of ocean life. Ironically, sardines are about the only reef fish not found at the site of Sardine Reef, but you won’t even notice as you drift past schools of fusiliers, surgeonfish, trevallies, rainbow runners, sweetlips and bannerfish. The fish life practically block out the sky, as they swarm over the reef, which is stunningly decorated with sea fans, soft corals and huge orange elephant ear sponges encrusted with pastel colonies of tunicates. One of the most unique thrills of this site is being able to hear "fish thunder" - the loud booming sound made when a large number of fish move rapidly through open water. Cape Kri, Blue Magic, Chicken Reef, Kerupiar Island and Mioskon are all dive sites in Dampier Strait full of these wonders.

Day 12: Disembarkation in Sorong
 

Amira

West Papua is without a doubt Indonesia's best diving area and one of the best dive destinations worldwide.

With over 600 species of coral, a huge variety of colourful macro creatures and numerous fish species of all sizes, Raja Ampat is a hotspot of biodiversity - this area has been rightly called a species factory by leading marine biologists.

During the trips in West-Papua, the Amira visits the most beautiful dive sites of Raja Ampat.

From Sorong the trip takes you to the coral and macro paradise of the island of Misool. Dive sites 

like Gorgonian Passage, Fiabacet and many more are a guaranteed to deliver colourful and memorable dives.

The second part of the trip leads to the island labyrinth of Wayag in the northern part of Raja Ampat where, in addition to the dives in fish rich waters, the spectacular scenery ensures interest.

The cruises come to a crowning conclusion at the famous dive sites of Cape Kri and Manta Point by Mansuar.

Notes

Euphoria

Raja Ampat

The Euphoria offers 12 day, 11 night cruises in Raja Ampat with up to 4 dives per day. Each safari covers the northern and central islands, including Mansouar, Penemu, Fam, Wayag, Waigeo, Batanta and many more small islands.

Beautiful coral reefs combined with a rich underwater life guarantees amazing dives:  shools of fish (f.e. tunas, barracudas, horse mackerels), large reef fish (like napoleons, snappers, groupers, sloth bears) and manta rays.

Cenderawasih Bay

The whale shark is the biggest fish in the sea, which impresses and attracts divers with its charm and majesty. Eating only plankton and small fish, the whale shark is completely harmless to humans. Unfortunately its existence is in risk, due to humans’ activities and a low birth rate. These giants can live up to 100 years.

To find    the whaleshark we sail to the Cenderawasih National Park, situated in the Cenderawasih Bay on the north side of Indonesian’s province West Papua. The 1,400,000 hectare park, founded in 1993, is the largest marine park in Indonesia.

The name “Cenderawasih” comes from the bird of paradise, which is a symbol of Papua.

The park is located 250 kilometres away from Manokwari and includes pristine coast and dozens of uninhabited islands. The closest villages are situated on bigger islands: Yap, Rumberpon, Roon and Mioswar.

The jungle is inhabited by deers, wild pigs, casuariidae, monitor lizards and forest kangaroos. Papua is also a paradise for bird-watchers: one can see there 37 species of birds of paradise, white and black royal cockatoos, sea eagles and hornbills.

Wreck diving
The underwater world hides many wrecks from the times of II World War. Most of them are located in D’Ore Bay, nearby Manokwari.

The first part of Euphoria’s Cenderawasih trip leads to the heart of Cenderawasih Park, where the rocky islands are inhabited by people of Roon, descendants of former cannibals.

Another attraction will be a trip to the Yende village, where people still live without electricity, in huts made of bamboo, covered with the palm leaves.

The second part of the trip is a tour to the Auri Islands, 30 kilometres away from Roon. They are totally different: small, low, with white, endless beaches. Further south we sail to look for the whale sharks.

Itineraries

A typical Raja Ampat itinerary looks like this:

Day 1: Meet and greet at the airport in Sorong, embark The Euphoria, buy your Raja Ampat entrance fee (500 000Rp = 50 USD), dinner on board and departure.

Day 2: Diving: Sardine Reef, Middle Reef, Kri Island, Sunset Cape.

Day 3: Diving: Hidden Reef, Manta Station, Mansuar’s West Cape, night diving: Home Reef, visit Suwandarek village on Mansuar Island.

Day 4: Diving: Manta Run, Manta Station, Strait of Gam; evening trip around Penemu Island and camp fire on the beach of one of the small islands.

Day 5: Diving: 2 rock, South Penemu Strait, visit the spectacular Hidden Bay

Day 6: Diving: Lagoon, North Penemu, trip into Kawe Islands direction.

Day 7: Diving: Eagle Rock, West Kawe, reach the peak of Bala Bala Island with an impressive view over Raja Ampat Islands, sail to Wayag Islands crossing the Equator (From the South to the North), diving nearby to the monitoring station.

Day 8: Visit to Rocky Bay, hiking in the mountains, diving: Batu 5, Batu 4, Batu 3.

Day 9: Islands: Urania and Quoi, diving on the reefs around, exploration of the cave.

Day 10: Diving on the reef nearby Kawe Island, crossing the Equator (From the North to the South), reaching the Aljuwi Bay.

Day 11: Visit a pearl farm with the chance to buy some souvenirs, diving: Aljuwi, Woh Island and on the way back to Sorong.

Day 12: After breakfast transfer to the airport and departure.

A typical Cenderawasih itinerary goes like this:

Day 1: Meet and greet at the airport in Manokwari, board the ship, buy a pass for the Marine Park Cenderawasih (around 700,000rp = 70 USD), dinner on board and depart.

Day 2: Mioswar Island, diving on the nearby reefs, a trip to the hot springs and bathe in the warm river.

Day 3: Roon Island, diving: North Cape, Underwater Rocks, visiting the village Yende and Shallow Dive.

Day 4: Wasior waterfall, Aysemdami waterfall, diving: Selat Roon.

Day 5: Auri Islands, camping and campfire on the Kaka/Kaki Island.

Day 6: Matas Island and the Isle of Kwom.

Day 7: Searching for whale sharks.

Day 8: Roon Island, camping and campfire.

Day 9: A lonely reef in the middle of the Cenderawasih Bay.

Day 10: Purup Island.

Day 11: Wreck diving in Manokwari.

Day 12: After breakfast transfer to the airport and departure from Manokwari.

Pearl

Pearl of Papua Itineraries

1. 7N8D - North - Raja Ampat
Potential Schedule for 8 days / 7 nights in Raja Ampat Islands

Day One: Sorong
When you arrive at Sorong Airport a member of the crew will be waiting for you in the arrival hall ready to escort you to the harbour where the tender boat will take you out to the Pearl of Papua. Board the ship where the friendly crew will greet you with a cold refreshing towel and drink. This will be followed by cabin allocation and boat orientation. Once all guests are on board, the Cruise Director will give you a presentation about the Pearl of Papua and diving recommendations. Depending on departure time they maybe an opportunity to have a check dive just outside Sorong Harbour. Lunch and dinner will be served during the sail out to Raja Ampat (08hrs)
 
Day Two: Dampier Strait
The first dive is a check dive and Mioskon Island is a great place to do this - a world class dive. Here the guests can get comfortable with their equipment, buoyancy and refresh some basic skills. The Dampier Strait area has some of the most action packed diving in Raja Ampat and guests can see fish, fish and more fish but it is also the area where the saying 'No Current = No Fish' originated from. There are many dive sites to choose from but Cape Kri, Chicken + Sardine Reef, Mikes Point and Mioskon are definitely on the schedule
 
Day Three: Penemu Islands
Fantastic examples of Raja Ampats diversity. The Penemu Islands are presently a new Marine Protected Area (WWF). We shall dive at Reef Bayanggan, Melissa's Garden which has probably the best complete coral coverage you will ever see and Kerunemo Adik. After your third dive we will take you on a tour of The Hidden Bay (includes a trek up Penemu Hill for the amazing views of The Hidden Bay)
 
Day Four: Kawe Islands and Aljui Bay
After your tour of The Hidden Bay we set of for a 12hr drive up to the north of Raja Ampat and dive around the Kawe Islands and Aljui Bay. The entire Aljui Bay has been leased out by Atlas Sea Pearls and the dive sites include White Arrow, Tear Drop Corner and the infamous Cendana Pearl Farm Jetty. It is also possible to tour the pearl farm
 
Day Five: Yanggefo
After a 12hr drive back down to the south / middle of Raja Ampat we will dive at Yanggefo. Here we will dive Mayhem, Citrus Ridge and Gam Ridge followed by some snorkelling in the mangroves looking for the Archer Fish and seeing the unique corals that grow in front of the mangroves (normally corals grow 100m plus away from the mangroves), followed by a night dive at either of the ridges, we will overnight in the mangroves
 
Day Six: Arborek
Our morning dives are at Manta Sandy where there is a manta ray cleaning station and we see both Black / White and the all Black Manta Rays come to be cleaned. This famous site now has a line of dead coral where guests line up and watch the show. Third dive is a beautiful coral / fish dive close to Arborek Island where guests can also have a sun set walk on the beach before the fourth / night dive at the village jetty
 
Day Seven: Dampier Strait
Finishing off your great trip with two shallow dives around Sardine and Chicken Reef before returning to Sorong    
 
Day Eight: Sorong        
After breakfast the Cruise Director will escort the guests to either the airport / hotel and will assist with checking in. Sorry to say that your Pearl of Papua Raja Ampat trip has come to an end and we look forward to welcoming you onboard again.

2. 7N8D - South to North - Raja Ampat
Potential Schedule for 8 days/7 nights in Raja Ampat Islands

Day One: Sorong
When you arrive at Sorong Airport our crew will be waiting for you in the arrival hall, after collecting your luggage we will escort you to the harbour where our tender boats will take you out to the Pearl of Papua and our friendly crew will greet you with a cold refreshing towel and drink. This will be followed by cabin allocation and boat orientation. When all guests are on board the Cruise Director will give you a presentation about the Pearl of Papua and diving recommendations. Depending on departure time there may be an opportunity to have a check dive just outside Sorong Harbour. Lunch and dinner will be served during the sail out to South Raja Ampat (12hrs)
 
Day Two, Three, Four, (Misool Islands)
One of the many fascinating diversities of Raja Ampat, with some of the most amazing land scapes imaginable, deep mangroves to ravines and canyons, the Misool Islands have been shaped by the powerful forces of nature, underwater the vibrant variety of colour of the hard corals / soft corals / fish species is wonderful. Diving at the Boo Windows, Nudi Rock, Goa Farundi and Magic Mountain (Reef Bayangan) are just some of the awesome sites you can see
 
Day Five: Penemu Islands
More great examples of Raja Ampats diversity. The Penemu Islands very recently became an Marine Protected Area and we spend most of our time here in the M.P.A. Melissa's Garden has probably the best complete coral coverage you will ever see and no visit to these islands is complete without seeing the Hidden Bay
 
Day Six: Arborek
The morning dives are at Manta Sandy where we regularly see the Black / White and the all Black Manta Rays come to cleaned. This famous site now has a line of dead coral where guests line up and watch the show. Third dive is a beautiful coral / fish dive close to Arborek Island where guests can also have a sun set walk on the beach before the fourth / night dive at the village jetty
 
Day Seven: Dampier Strait
Finishing off your great trip with two shallow dives in the Dampier Strait which has some great action packed fish dives, like Cape Kri and Blue Magic. After your busy diving schedule has come to a sad end we will have a lazy afternoon on Pulau Pasir (Sand Island) before returning to Sorong
 
Day Eight: Sorong        
After breakfast the Cruise Director will escort the guests to either the airport / hotel and will assist with checking in. Sorry to say that your Pearl of Papua Raja Ampat trip has come to an end and we look forward to welcoming you on board again.

3. 10N11D - South to North - Raja Ampat
Potential Schedule for 11 days/10 nights in Raja Ampat Islands

Day One: Sorong
When you arrive at Sorong Airport our crew will be waiting for you in the arrival hall, after collecting your luggage we will escort you to the harbour where our tender boats will take you out to the Pearl of Papua and our friendly crew will greet you with a cold refreshing towel and drink. This will be followed by cabin allocation and boat orientation. When all guests are on board the Cruise Director will give you a presentation about the Pearl of Papua and diving recommendations. Depending on departure time they maybe an opportunity to have a check dive just outside Sorong Harbour. Lunch and dinner will be served during the sail out to South Raja Ampat (12hrs)
 
Day Two, Three, Four, Five: Misool
One of the many fascinating diversities of Raja Ampat, with some of the most amazing land scapes imaginable, deep mangroves to ravines and canyons, the Misool Islands have been shaped by the powerful forces of nature, underwater the vibrant variety of colour of the hard corals / soft corals / fish species is wonderful. Diving at the Boo Windows, Nudi Rock, Goa Farundi and Magic Mountain (Reef Bayangan) are just some of the awesome sites you can see   
 
Day Six: Fam and Penemu
More great examples of Raja Ampats diversity. The Penemu Islands very recently became an Marine Protected Area and we spend most of our time here in the M.P.A. Melissa's Garden has probably the best complete coral coverage you will ever see and no visit to these islands is complete without seeing the Hidden Bay
 
Day Seven: Wayag (Northern Hemisphere)
After your tour of The Hidden Bay we set of for a 12hr drive up to the north of Raja Ampat and dive around the Kawe Islands and Aljui Bay. The entire Aljui Bay has been leased out by Atlas Sea Pearls and the dive sites include White Arrow, Tear Drop Corner and the infamous Cendana Pearl Farm Jetty. It is also possible to tour the pearl farm
 
Day Eight: Yanggefo
After a 12hr drive back down to the south / middle of Raja Ampat we will dive at Yanggefo. Here we will dive Mayhem, Citrus Ridge and Gam Ridge followed by some snorkelling in the mangroves looking for the Archer Fish and seeing the unique corals that grow in front of the mangroves (normally corals grow 100m plus away from the mangroves), followed by a night dive at either of the ridges, we will overnight in the mangroves
 
Day Nine: Arborek
The morning dives are at Manta Sandy where we regularly see the Black / White and the all Black Manta Rays come to cleaned. This famous site now has a line of dead coral where guests line up and watch the show. Third dive is a beautiful coral / fish dive close to Arborek Island where guests can also have a sun set walk on the beach before the fourth / night dive at the village jetty
 
Day Ten: Dampier Strait
Finishing off your great trip with two shallow dives in the Dampier Strait which has some great action packed fish dives, like Cape Kri and Blue Magic. After your busy diving schedule has come to a sad end we will have a lazy afternoon on Pulau Pasir (Sand Island) before returning to Sorong
   
Day Eleven: Sorong     
After breakfast the Cruise Director will escort the guests to either the airport / hotel and will assist with checking in. Sorry to say that your Pearl of Papua Raja Ampat trip has come to an end and we look forward to welcoming you onboard again.
 
Notes:

• Cruising itineraries and daily programs are subject to change due to weather / sea conditions and dive site / anchorage availability. Every effort will be made to complete the program as planned and the Cruise Director will update the guests at meal times                        
• We strongly advise you to bring your own dive equipment for comfort and familiarisation
• The Pearl of Papua has a strict NO GLOVE POLICY