True North – Raja Ampat Cruise – The Ultimate Adventure

Your adventure begins in Darwin where we’ll collect you from your hotel and onto a chartered aircraft to Ambon in West Papua. Here we’ll welcome you aboard the magnificent True North with an arrival cocktail as we begin our journey to the Banda Islands.

As we enter the Banda Islands, traditional war canoes will lead us into Banda harbour followed by a guided tour of Banda Neira Island. Then we’ll head off in the adventure boats for a scenic tour or for a snorkel and dive on sunken lava flow. Finish the day by watching the sunset with a cocktail in hand in Fort Belgica overlooking the active volcano Gunung Api.

Today you’ll explore the Fak Fak Coast, starting with either a fishing trip to the Bomberai Peninsula or a scenic tour through the hidden lagoons where you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel or dive in the area’s aquarium-like waters. Then, enjoy a refreshing swim under the beautiful Mommon Waterfall where chilling freshwater thunders down lush jungle slopes into the warm waters of the sea. In the afternoon we’ll explore Sebakor Bay and its spectacular system of water-filled caves. Finishing the day with another snorkel or dive before a night of fine cheese and wine back on board.

Wake up in the heart of Raja Ampat, Four Kings is a global epicentre of ocean life. Here you’ll snorkel and dive on breathtaking reef with rainbows of soft corals and huge shoals of fish protected by the SE Misool Marine Park. You’ll be captivated by the huge number of sea fans in the Wayilbatan Channel, the massive schools of fish off Nudi Rock and the spectacular underwater scenery at Boo Windows. In the afternoon you’ll have a chance to visit the Misool Eco Resort before heading over to Kalig Beach for a stand up paddleboard or kayak followed by a spectacular sunset cocktail.

The waters surrounding Misool Island teem with fish life, oversized sea fans and feature the underwater caverns of Farondi Island. Get your heart racing on a hike up to Harfat Peak, 290 steps that lead to heavenly panoramic views over the rugged Karst islands and its shallow turquoise lagoons. Over lunch we’ll steam to the Mesempta Karst Channels, one of the prettiest anchorages in Raja Ampat. Then we’ll head off to float through the sacred Tomolol cave system before travelling through the picturesque Karst Islands.

This morning the shore parties will head into Sawingkrai Village and trek through the jungle to see the magnificent red bird of paradise. Then we’ll adventure to Cape Kri, a long and narrow island that offers astounding diving and snorkelling. In the afternoon you’ll glide in our adventure boats through the winding channel named after British natural scientist Alfred Russel Wallace. This narrow salt-waterway is a vibrant home for marine life and is lined by a magnificent jungle filled with birds, butterflies, tree ferns and orchids.

Wake to the stunning sights of Wofoh Island before enjoying a breathtaking dive on the black coral forest, snorkel over the lush coral gardens or simply laze on the gorgeous white sand beach. Later in the morning we’ll set off to the rocky islets of Bougainville Strait and if we’re lucky we’ll take part in a manta ray convention. Plankton rich currents often attract large numbers of manta rays to Eagle Rock. Then in the afternoon we’ll arrive at the Equator Islands for a unique opportunity to swim or snorkel across the equator. Our nearby anchorage will provide us with an afternoon of fishing, snorkeling and diving or take a sightseeing expedition to view spectacular rock formations, caves and blowholes.

Anchored at the spectacular Fam Group of Islands, today we’ll visit the charming village of ‘Fam’ where we’ll be welcomed by the local school children and you’ll have the opportunity to buy some locally sourced coconut oil. The adventure boats will then offer scenic tours around beautiful Penemu Island which boasts even more opportunity for beachcombing, snorkelling and diving where moray eels, sea snakes and nudibranchs have all been spotted. Then if you’re up for it, take on the 300 uphill steps to the highest peak of Pianemo Island to enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Karst Islands.

You’ll hardly believe your eyes as you rise this morning to see the spectacular ‘Karst beehive’ islands of the Wayag Archipelago. Here you’ll begin your day with a snorkel on a breathtaking reef before we wander through the maze of lagoons in the adventure boats. In the afternoon we’ll visit the Wayag Research Station where you will have the opportunity to swim with some blacktip reef sharks. We’ll end the day with our True North Equator Party.

We’ll spend another breathtaking day in Wayag, snorkelling, diving and sightseeing before a world class picnic at our Wayag Beach Party surrounded by spectacular island formations, an azure sea, sparkling beaches fringed with palm trees and magnificent Papuan jungle.

Glide effortlessly through the pristine waters of the Wayag Islands as you embark on a breathtaking drift snorkel over vibrant coral reefs. Carried by the incoming tide, you’ll be immersed in a kaleidoscope of marine life, from schools of tropical fish to the intricate patterns of hard and soft corals below. This gentle drift takes you through one of the most stunning underwater landscapes in the region, allowing you to simply float and marvel at the beauty of the Wayag’s hidden treasures. It’s a serene yet exhilarating way to explore this aquatic wonderland.

Today we visit Mapia Atoll, an exquisite coral atoll rarely visited by tourists. Located in a remote location north of the equator, this destination is a tropical ocean splendour. Vertical walls rise several thousand feet from the ocean floor and come alive with brilliant soft corals, gorgonians, sponges, myriads of tropical fish and prolific green and hawksbill turtles. Here you’ll be able to fish, snorkel or dive to your heart’s content.

Next we visit Ayu, one of the largest atolls in eastern Indonesia. This remote and very beautiful atoll is surrounded by crystal clear water that’s frequently visited by large pods of dolphins. With a sharp outer reef drop and clouds of beautiful fish carpeting the reef walls, here you’ll be able to snorkel and dive at multiple sites, including some deep-water trolling for wahoo, sailfish and tuna. Today you’ll also have the opportunity to visit to the quaint village of Reni.

Enjoy breakfast on board before a private car transfer to Biak Airport and your chartered flight back to Darwin.