Come aboard the Coral Discoverer to experience the world’s most diverse and exciting regions as they emerge into the 21st Century and see how real contact with the outside world has only started to take place in the last few decades. From the fragrant Spice Islands of Indonesia and the ‘Four Kings’ of Raja Ampat, this 13-night South Pacific expedition from Darwin to Wewak is sure to leave you spellbound.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
After boarding Coral Discoverer, depart Darwin on the start of your great South Pacific adventure. Take the opportunity to settle in and explore the ship before joining your traveling companions for sunset drinks and the first of many delicious dinners.
Day 2: At Sea
Spend the day at leisure enjoying the onboard facilities as you cross the Timor Sea. Join your Expedition Staff in the ship’s lounge for informative presentations in preparation for your first landing in the Tanimbar Islands. This evening, join your fellow travelers, the Captain and his crew at the Captain’s Welcome Cocktails as you sail toward the ‘Forgotten Islands’ of Tanimbar and Kai.
Day 3: Tanimbar Islands
Awaken as you approach Saumlaki, the main town in the Tanimbar Islands and your first Indonesian landfall. The islands are surrounded by pristine white sand beaches fringed with palm trees. The villagers of the Tanimbars are master carvers and their magnificent queen ebony wood carvings are considered to be the finest in the entire Indonesian archipelago. View the community’s traditional ritual ceremony and learn how headhunting was practiced here until well into the 20th century.
Day 4: Kai Islands
The island of Kai Tanimbar is considered to be the birthplace of Kai Island culture. Today cruise and explore the many small islands and communities located between Pulau Kur and Pulau Kaimeer recognized as having the best beaches in the Indonesian Archipeligo. Here have the opportunity to practice your snorkeling and diving skills. As you pass through the islands, keep an eye out for the ancient petroglyphs that adorn the towering cliffs. Painted in ochre, black and white, the drawings depict historic sailing boats and intricately decorated locals wearing tall headdresses.
Day 5: Banda and the Spice Islands
In the middle of the Banda Sea lies an enchanted fragment of history, the center of the Spice Island trade. Originally the world’s sole source of nutmeg and mace, these nine tiny islands have attracted traders since at least 2000 years ago. In the 16th century, European explorers discovered entire continents in their quest for these islands. On your approach to Banda Island the outline of Gunung Api volcano, with its thin plume of smoke drifting from the summit, will be clearly visible. Join an early morning hike to the top of ‘Fire Mountain’ for spectacular views over the island’s main town of Banda Neira. Then, enjoy the opportunity to immerse yourself in the colors and aromas of the Spice Islands. Stroll through the wide, tree-lined streets of Banda Neira, past the remnants of mansions constructed during Dutch colonialism. Visit the fascinating museum, the former VOC Governor’s Mansion, the old church and Fort Belgica. Your exploration of Banda Neira concludes with a visit to the town’s nutmeg gardens, shaded by wild almond trees.
Day 6: Pulau Gorong
Just off the western tip of Ceram lies the pristine island of Pulau Gorong, where you will spend the day exploring the enchanting saltwater lagoon, which is also home to a myriad of native birdlife. A range of in-water activities will be available including guided snorkeling, SCUBA diving and glass bottom-boat tours.
Day 7: Misool and Raja Ampat
The Misool Islands, one of the famed ‘Four Kings’ of the Raja Ampat region, are a gem-studded bracelet of islands that are a mecca for snorkelers and divers. The islands boast dramatic scenery, with towering limestone pinnacles jutting out of the water and white sand beaches adorned with palm trees. Travel ashore and explore on a nature walk with the Expedition Staff. You will also have the chance to experience the waters surrounding the island, which are home to at least three species of the pygmy seahorse, no larger than a fingernail, and the most splendid soft coral jungles, with their vibrant shades of orange, red, purple and pink.
Day 8: Dampier Straits
Awaken as you cruise the Dampier Straits, named in honor of famed explorer William Dampier. Traveling ashore to Pulau Gam, a local Papuan guide will join you on a walk through the shady forests around Sawingrai village. Your guide’s local knowledge will hopefully allow you to catch a glimpse of one of nature’s finest creations, the ethereal Red Bird of Paradise. This afternoon immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Raja Ampat. On Arborek Island a profusion of plankton attracts giant manta rays and you have the opportunity to swim with these majestic creatures. Aboard Xplorer travel ashore to nearby Kri Island, which offers perhaps the best snorkeling and diving in the archipelago, if not the world.
Day 9: Crossing into the Northern Hemisphere
Celebrate with a glass of champagne as, for the first time, Coral Discoverer crosses into the waters of the Northern Hemisphere. Later, arrive in the pristine waters of Aljui Bay and the Cendana Pearl Farm. Join a guided tour of the farm, your local host taking you through the entire propagation and cultivation process. The farm produces pearls of the finest quality, and you may even wish to purchase an incredible souvenir produced in these very waters. Continuing north, set sail for Wayag Island.
Day 10: Wayag Island
Savor a day of exploration on World Heritage-listed Wayag Island. Your day starts with an early morning hike up Pindito Peak, where the reward is breathtaking views over the island and its spectacular lagoon. Then, discover the lagoon’s white sand beaches and a magical maze of limestone karst ‘gumdrop’ islands. The islands are adorned with thousands of pitcher plants and colorful orchids and you’ll spend the remainder of the day exploring. This evening remain at your scenic Wayag Island anchorage. With the bright stars of the Milky Way shining brightly overhead, it is sure to be a fantastic end to another magical day.
Day 11: Mapia Atoll
After farewelling the Raja Ampat region we travel ashore to beautiful and remote Mapia Atoll. Expedition Staff will lead you on a fascinating walk around the atoll before the opportunity for snorkeling, SCUBA diving and glass bottom boat tours in this most rarely visited of locations.
Day 12: At Sea
Returning to the Southern Hemisphere, your Expedition Staff will recap the many exciting adventures from the first part of your journey as you cruise towards your final port of call in the Indonesian province of West Papua; Jayapura.
Day 13: Jayapura
Formerly known as ‘Hollandia’ during World War II, Jayapura is today a bustling town of some 200,000 residents and a melting pot of sights and smells. Today you may choose to explore the streets and markets of the ‘old town’ at your own pace, or perhaps visit Lake Sentani, the location of General Douglas MacArthur’s main base during WWII and home of villagers famed for their distinctive art, traditional motifs, sago bowls, drums and bark paintings.
Day 14: Wewak
During the night cross into Papua New Guinea waters for a morning arrival in the picturesque port city of Wewak, the capital of the West Sepik Province and was a major air base for the Japanese during World War II.
Whilst disembarkation in Wewak is at 9:00am this morning, subject to your flights and forward travel arrangements you are invited to join in touring of Wewak before your departure. Please inquire for further details.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Main Deck B
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Three cabins located on the Main Deck, equipped with twin portholes, desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Main Deck A
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Six cabins located on the Main Deck, equipped with twin porthole windows, desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Promenade Deck B
Averaging 160 sq. ft. Four cabins located on the Promenade Deck, equipped with picture windows, desk, telephone and Junior King bedding.
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Promenade Deck A
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Eighteen cabins located on the Promenade Deck, equipped with picture windows, sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Bridge Deck
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Five cabins located on the Bridge Deck, equipped with picture windows, sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
Notes
Solo Travelers:
Solo cabin occupancy is limited and based on availability in Promenade Deck B cabins only. Single supplement is an additional 50%.
Important Fare Information:
Rates are posted based off of the current exchange rates from Australian or New Zealand Dollars. Please contact us for current exchange rates.
Initial deposit is variable, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.