Customs & Craftsmen: Darwin to Vanimo

Board Coral Adventurer in the morning for an early departure from Darwin’s Fort Hill Wharf, and begin the voyage toward Banda Neira Island.

As the ship crosses the Timor Sea you may have time to relax and explore the Coral Adventurer, enjoy the Captain’s welcome drinks, and join presentations with the Expedition Team. 

An armada of Kora Kora Canoes flanking the Coral Adventurer welcomes you to Banda Neira. Once ashore, you can explore the old colonial town and tour the nutmeg plantations, museums, and markets. There is a great opportunity to snorkel over the lava flow of Gunung Api volcano.

Tonight's dinner is hosted under the stars at the 17th-century Fort Belgica, where the local artists join and display their arts and crafts and dancing. Dine on Bandanese cuisine as the sun sets over the fort. 

Saparua has a relaxed and traditional environment, with very few tourists. The Dutch East Indies Company established Fort Duurstedt in 1691, and the island is full of history. The locals greet you with flowers and a welcome dance before joining the guides and guest lecturer for a tour of the fort and village.

In the afternoon, you may visit the beautiful white sands of Molana Island.

Today is spent on cruising South Halmahera, stopping at the lush mountainous islands and snorkeling the colorful fringing reefs with their abundant marine life.

Boarding the Xplorer that cruises to Ternate and journey to the Sultan’s Palace. Built-in 1834 and restored in a semi-colonial style, the Sultan’s Place still houses the Sultan’s family. On a guided walk throughout the palace grounds, you may view numerous artifacts from the Dutch & Portuguese eras and learn about the "magic of the crown."

During the afternoon exploration of Ternate, you can enjoy a high tea with a view over the islands and learn of the clove plantation history. A visit to the unique Fort Tolukko which presides over the foreshore gives impressive views of volcanic Mt. Gamalama.

Awake in Tobelo Bay surrounded by lush green islands and a jigsaw of coral atolls. Today, visit the elementary school and the communal House or Hibualamo, where you can be entertained with cultural performances.  Take the opportunity to visit the Tobelo markets today.

Spend the morning crossing the Halmahera Sea before being welcomed to Amsterdam Island with an enthusiastic and colorful grand reception.  Amsterdam Island is known for WW2 history, with the shoreline and seafloor displaying remnants of shipwrecks just waiting to be explored.

The Auri Islands lie within Cenderawasih Bay (Cenderawasih means “Paradise” in the Bahasa language). Here relax on beautiful beaches, snorkel the reefs, visit the local fishing camp and explore the islands’ perimeter on board the zodiacs.

Enter the Cenderawasih Marine Park and go in search of the biggest fish in the sea, the extraordinary whale shark. It is possible to swim with these majestic animals and you may have a chance to snorkel among them. Visit Kwatisore Village to learn about the local culture through traditional dances and games and listen to their talented string band. Local handicraft is available also for viewing or purchase at the market.

Today, the Coral Adventurer enters the Mamberamo River. This vast river is the Amazon of New Guinea, an almost completely unexplored region that is home to villages and tribes whose culture is still relatively undisturbed. The visit to this raw and primeval area is exploratory, with the potential to visit local warrior tribes and enjoy the wilderness surroundings.

Known as "Hollandia" until 1963, Jayapura is now a melting pot of sights and exotic aromas. Visit Lake Sentani, home to villagers famed for their distinctive art, and cruise on a longboat to see the stilt towns built over the tranquil lake. Be welcomed at Asei Village by the local dancers and their accompanying traditional instruments, and view bark paintings and other artifacts.

This morning, enter Papua New Guinea at Vanimo and disembark after breakfast.