The Raja Ampat island group, located in the far east of Indonesia, is currently one of the hottest diving destinations on earth. Extreme bio-diversity and untouched landscapes rivaling those of the Pacific, combined with world class dive sites make these islands one of the world's last scuba diving frontiers.
This liveaboard scuba diving adventure 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.
The Raja Ampat islands boast an enormous variety of creatures on the reefs and have recently become a world heritage site. Marine bio-diversity is evident everywhere rivaling any tropical rainforests in species density.
Twenty percent of West Papua's land and marine parks are designated conservation areas yielding the highest fish and coral count of any sea.
Raja Ampat has a tremendous variety of creatures on the reefs, including over 3000 recorded fish species, 300 scleractinian (reef building corals), 100 sponge species, dolphins, dugong, hawksbill (Ertmochelys imbricata), green (Chelonia) and leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea).
Fewer than two million people live in West Papua's 410,660 square kilometres ensuring little human impact on the region. Above the water, unique flora and fauna abound, including birds of paradise, giant cassowary birds and bird winged butterlies.
Raja Ampat Sample 12 day cruise
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
Surcharge: USD. 250 per person for port clearance & the marine park fee
The Sea Safari VIII
The KLM Sea Safari VIII is Indonesia's largest and most spacious luxury Phinisi liveaboard.
One of the very few dive vessels in Indonesia built according to international marine class specifications, Sea Safari VIII spans an impressive 54 metres long and 11 metres wide, providing guests with an abundance of space and luxury.
The Sea Safari VIII is dedicated vessel for all scheduled cruises in the Far East of the Indonesian Archipelago including the Raja Ampat archipelago.
Indonesian 'Bugis Prahus', commonly known as Pinisi (pronounced "finisi"), are made from locally grown timber according to a tradition that dates back to long before Portuguese colonists reached the area. The classic beauty and elegance from the Sea Safari VII combines this traditional craftsmanship with modern conveniences, providing guests with luxurious comfort even in the remotest waters of the Indonesian archipelago. The Sea Safari VIII is Indonesia's ultimate luxury liveaboard scuba diving vessel.
Vessel Specifications:
The vessel has been extensively customized and refitted to suit long range live aboard scuba diving expeditions and underwater photography. Constructed with three decks the Seasafari VIII gives you plenty of space to lose oneself; whether it is in the air-conditioned comfort of the large saloon or on the decks under the shade of one of the ship's huge sails.
Type: Pinisi Schooner
Hull: Ulin Wood (Iron Wood)
Gross Tonnage: 295 GT
Cruising Speed: 7-8 Knots
Length: 54 Metres (177 Feet)
Beam: 11 Metres (36 Feet)
Draft: 4 Metres (13 Feet)
Fuel Capacity: 40 Tons
Main Engine: 435 hp Deutz
Generators: 1x25kw, 1x40kw, 2x60kw
Water Capacity: 60 Tons
Desalinator: 8 Tons/Day
Safety Equipment:
•4 Units Inflatable Life Rafts
•110 Life Jackets
•12 Life Buoys
•Smoke Detectors
•Fire Hoses & Hydrants
•C02 & Powder Fire Extinguishers
Dive Support Equipment:
•3 x Bauer Air Compressors
•1 x Nitrox Blending Unit
•1 x Aluminum Dive Tender - 620 cm - 2 x 40 hp
•1 x Aluminium Dive Tender - 520 cm - 1 x 85 hp
Accommodation:
•3 x Below Deck Twin [Capacity: 2 pax/cabin]
•6 x Below Deck Single [Capacity: 1 pax/cabin]
•4 x Main Deck Stateroom [Capacity: 2 pax/cabin]
Navigation & Communication:
•1 x Faruno 1832 Chart Plotter with GPS
•1 x Faruno GPS
•1 x Faruno Radar
•1 x Faruno Echo Sounder
•1 x VHF + 1 x SSB Radios
•1 x Satellite Phone
