Raja Ampat Cruise
- A Secret Retreats journey -
Tresno is the son of late Patti, the founder of Silolona Sojourns. Like his mother he is actively involved with the rich and vibrant cultures of the Dani and Asmat peoples of West Papua. The cruise programs are designed to share the rich history of the Spice Trade and showcase the spirit of the Indonesian Archipelago.
We can of course adjust according to your request.
Highlights of the Journey:
- Private charter and customized itinerary
- Pristine coral reefs, whale sharks, manta rays, birds of paradise, stingless jellyfish and so much more
- Sleep under the stars on a Phinisi sailboat
- Hidden waterfalls, treks and local villages
Choose to cruise at your leisure with a choice of all the jewels of Raja Ampat at your fingertips. This trip is created by you and curated for you. You can sail the seas and handpick what you want to see for as long as you like. A cruise around Raja Ampat is a great extension to an itinerary in Java, to the Charms of Bali or even to a jungle cruise in Borneo.
See the full collection of diverse and pristine wildlife and communities within the Raja Ampat islands off the coast of Papua. Island hop and swirl through chains of jungle-covered islets surrounded by coral reefs with a chance to dive in and snorkel. Uncover ancient paintings inside giant dome-roofed sea caves that date back thousands of years. At the same time, swimming amongst smacks and smacks of stingless jellyfish. Hide on boats and between the bushes of the islands to watch the birds of paradise in hopes that you can see them dance with each other in their lekking trees. Trek in the jungles to watch special insects, butterflies, and birds on an overnight cruise. Look at how pearls are farmed in a deep protected water cove. Follow the special current bringing special nutrients making sea life abundant scenery for you to be able to dive and watch the schools of fish, blacktip sharks, spadefish, and magnificent giant clams. Look at how the community promotes sustainable living through education, solar power energy, and fishing practices. You can spend your mornings on the island snorkeling and maybe catch sight of a Wobbegong shark, hump head wrasse, and long-time residents such as the hawksbill turtles. From the ocean floor to the top of canopies, you will see all walks of life. Sail into the sunsets and see the sunrise on top of the mountains.
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We have a large selection of boats from 1 to 7 cabins, in join-in or private charter.
Best Period for Cruise: November to March
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Your Journey Day by Day
Flow down the eastern chain of jungle-covered islets surrounded by magnificent coral reefs, fantastic for snorkeling. Follow the islands and Inlet hop. Make sure to put kayaks and paddle boards to use as you explore these serene, beautiful beaches. Spend the night under the stars and wake up to explore gigantic sea dome caves filled with earth's natural spires, a mysterious lake, filled with smacks of stingless jellyfish, and ancient cairns and paintings that are over thousands of years old. Wake up early and walk through the jungles to watch the Lesser Birds of Paradise perform their dance in their lekking trees and then rinse yourself off by diving back into the ocean to watch schools of fish swimming around sea fans.
2. Batanta Islands (Dampier Straits)
Start your day with a scenic trek through the jungle island of Batanta Island from a local village to uncover birds, butterflies, and insects hidden in the brush and the canopies. Through the trail, you will uncover waterfalls that you will be able to take a dip and swim in. After the hike, you can return to the boat and explore the shores with your kayaks and paddleboards. Visit a local pearl farm, tucked away in a deep-water cove. Discover how this precious jewel is produced and how its business supports so many people in the local community. For the rest of the day, continue to explore the rest of the islands in the area, and make sure to put on your snorkeling gear to see all the reefs that connect the islands.
3. Kawe and Waja Island
Disembark and step onto the silky sands of Kawe beaches, immersed in reefs and warm waves. This is where you will meet a guide from Manta Trust who will take you to meet manta rays on the island and give you an introduction to conservation and research on these interesting creatures. After learning about manta rays, you will board beyond to head towards the Jewel of Raja Ampat, accompanied by an expert to be able to see the masterpiece of nature's handiwork. These uninhabited islands present picturesque panoramas that captivate the senses. Climb summits, get the perfect picture, and then swoop down into the ocean with your paddle boards so that you can dive and look at Blacktip Reef Sharks with conservation rangers around the islands.
4. Gam & Mansuar Island (Central Raja Ampat)
Visit a small island located between Gam and Mansuar, where nature has formed three natural jetties from currents carrying rich nutrients through ocean currents allowing all sorts of under-ocean life to flourish amongst the reefs for us to gaze upon through our snorkel goggles. We will head to central Manuar island, where you will see how the local people promote and live sustainably through solar power, education, and fishing practices. After which you will be able to spend the rest of the day snorkeling around the island and maybe even catching a glimpse of a wobbegong shark. You will then head to the eastern part of the island to look for more exotic schools of big fish. You might be lucky to be greeted by the resident hawksbill turtle. Enjoy the evenings with a BBQ under the evening sky. Get ready for an early morning through the jungles to catch the Red Bird of Paradise at dawn and then get to walk through the village of the local community, this will be your chance to meet them and allow you to learn how life is for people in paradise.
5. Doom Island
Anchor off the coast of Sorong and have breakfast on the seas and ripples of the oceans. A traditional boat will pick you up called a Becakâ and take you to Doom Island. A small island that endured many battles and wars. Controlled by the Dutch during World War I became the heart of Sorong before moving to the mainland. Controlled by the Japanese during World War II, who dug a network of tunnels on the island and then attacked by the US and Australian forces. A small island with a heavy past.
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If there are any other destinations in Raja Ampat that you would like to go to that are not listed, please let us know so we can see if we can make it possible for you.
Your Accommodation on this Asia Travel Itinerary
Raja Ampat Cruise
Inclusions:
✓ Yacht with Crew Members
✓ Full Board, gourmet snacks, fruits, drinking water, tea, coffee, soft drinks.
✓ Kayak, Paddle board, Snorkeling gear
✓ Cleaning fee
✓ Yacht insurance
✓ Local VAT
Exclusions:
✓ Any Other Requested Activities or Services
✓ Crew Gratuities (at guests' discretion)
✓ Alcoholic beverages such as wine, champagne, liquors…
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