The Jewels of Raja Ampat

Upon arrival at the airport in the morning, you are greeted by your SeaTrek tour leader and transferred to the boat. After settling into your cabin, we begin our journey toward the southernmost islands of the Raja Ampat National Park. Following lunch on board, we stop for our first swim and snorkel on a coral reef. In the evening, drinks are served on the back deck before we continue cruising south overnight.

Today begins at the eastern end of the Misool archipelago, a scenic area made up of jungle-covered limestone islets and vibrant coral reefs ideal for snorkeling. Throughout the day, we explore various inlets, bays, and beaches, with opportunities for trekking, swimming, and snorkeling. Kayaks and paddle boards are also available for exploring the area from the water. After a full day of island-hopping, we spend a quiet night anchored under the stars.

After an early breakfast, the day starts with a swim and snorkel through a giant dome-roofed sea cave filled with massive stalagmites and stalactites, undoubtedly one of the area’s most memorable experiences. Move on to the mysterious stingless jellyfish lake, one of only 20 in the world where these amazing creatures exist and swim amongst the many thousands of stingless animals. Using tenders, the route includes a visit to sea-cave cemeteries containing skull cairns, as well as prehistoric cave paintings estimated to be 3,000 to 5,000 years old, depicting human figures, large handprints, fish, and flowers.

Spot the Lesser Birds of Paradise in the wild, an unforgettable experience for those lucky enough to witness their display in the ‘lekking’ trees. In the afternoon, an underwater exploration takes place as you snorkel around one of the best coral reefs in the world. School of fish hanging out in the deep, and colorful sea fans sticking out of the wall. Late in the afternoon, watch the sunset while sailing your way to Batanta island.

Today, the island of Batanta offers you a change of scenery and a chance to stretch your legs with an adventurous jungle trek filled with birds, butterflies and insects. Starting at a local village, the guides lead you through the forest on a short walk to the first of two waterfalls, where you can swim and cool off. The fitter of the group can keep heading upriver where a second, larger cascade awaits. After getting back to the boat and having lunch, we will go snorkelling and get the paddle boards and kayaks in the water, before heading north later in the afternoon and overnight cruise to a beautiful group of islands.

In the morning, visit a pearl farm tucked away in a protected, deep-water cove and tour the facilities to learn how this precious commodity is produced and harvested. Pearling is an important industry and provides employment for many people in the local area. Spend the afternoon snorkelling and kayaking among three small islands linked together by some pristine coral reefs, or you can simply choose to relax on the beach.

This morning will explore a small group of limestone islands filled with coves and beautiful reefs.  After breakfast, you go ashore for a short climb to a vantage point where you can survey your beautiful surroundings, before heading out to snorkel on the beautiful reefs. During lunch, head to a small island located between Gam and Mansuar where the currents bring rich nutrients to the coral reefs. The three famous jetties offer so much underwater life scenery – schools of fish, the shy black tip reef sharks, the elegant spadefish and the magnificent giant clams.

Central Raja Ampat stores many magical underwater gems. Today, you explore some of them. Start with an epic snorkel at Yenuba, home to the magical “Fishbowl”, where hundreds of species can be found along this fantastic reef and jetty that is simply teeming with fish of all sizes and a massive diversity of coral species. Another underwater adventure awaits in the afternoon as you make your way to the eastern point of Mansuar, famous for its school of big fish and turtles. Later in the afternoon you head ashore at Yenbesir village to see a replica of Alfred Russel Wallace’s jungle hut, built by local villagers out of wood and local plant materials with SeaTrek support. You access this via a narrow channel through the mangroves and may have the chance to see cockatoos, hornbills and other birds.

Today sees a super early start as you head off into the forest in search of the incredible Red Bird of Paradise. The walk takes about 40 minutes, and as you arrive at the bird site at dawn, if you are lucky, see the incredible mating displays of these birds in the canopy of the rainforest. This is a David Attenborough moment if ever there was one. Back on the boat, you head off for some more great snorkelling in the famous wall on the east of Gam Island before you sail overnight to an island nearby Sorong.

Today is the last day of your adventure and you wake up anchored in Sorong and have one last hearty breakfast on board before saying farewell to the crew and your fellow travellers before making your way to the airport or hotel for the next phase of your journey.