West Papua, Raja Ampat & Micronesia

Make your way to check-in before boarding at Darwin’s Fort Hill Wharf at 7:00am for a 9:00am departure. Settle into your cabin and relax as we set sail across the Arafura Sea. Take the time to become acquainted with all the facilities on board and join our Expedition Team in the Bridge Deck lounge for an insightful introduction to you expedition voyage. As dusk falls, join the Captain’s welcome drinks and meet your crew and fellow guests as the sun sets.

Relax on deck as we spend the day at sea, with onboard presentations from our Guest Lecturers, workshops, and demonstrations.

This voyage includes three full sea days and five half sea days.

The Banda archipelago is the historic heart of the spice trade and was once the world’s only source of nutmeg until the mid-19th century as Portuguese, Dutch and English fought for control over the spice trade. The ten volcanic islands have attracted traders and merchants for at least 2,000 years as highly sought-after goods such as cloves, textiles, batik and rice were moved through Banda.

As we approach and enter the Zonnegat channel, witness a thrilling spectacle as Moluccan rowers in traditional kora kora canoes greet the ship and escort you into the harbour. Kora kora canoes are a traditional war vessel, with elaborately carved figureheads stretching up to 4 metres. The canoes are propelled by up to 20 rowers and measure up to 20 metres long.

Go ashore to be welcomed by the nutmeg dance of the local school students, before touring the historic township. Spend time snorkelling and diving over the nearby lava flow reef system and trying local foods along on the waterfront. Explore Fort Belgica, built by the first Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) in 1611. The pentagonal shaped fort is extremely well preserved and provides an interesting insight into Dutch colonisation and the dramatic history of these islands. Join the locals for a traditional dance and music performance.

Visit the mesmerising Kitikiti Waterfall, which flows out of the lush jungle and falls directly into the ocean. Enjoy the chance to swim under this truly memorable waterfall, feeling the chilled fresh water meeting the warm ocean water and explore the surrounding crystal clear coves by snorkelling or kayaking. Delve deeper into this pristine landscape by Xplorer cruise or on a rainforest walk and spot exotic birds such as hornbills and if you are lucky, you may see the bird-of-paradise along the way.

Today, we arrive at Misool, one of the four largest islands of Raja Ampat. Here we visit Balbulol Lagoon, an almost landlocked inlet populated with conical-shaped islets undercut at sea level that rise from turquoise waters like Christmas Trees. There is time to swim and kayak amongst the islands in this beautiful lagoon, as well as exploring the island by Xplorer and beachcombing. Embarking on a hike here will lead to a higher viewpoint to experience the amazing rock island formations.

More Raja Ampat treasures await today as we explore the scattered karst ‘beehives’ of the Wayag Islands. This natural treasure is nature at its most vibrant both above and below the water, with emerald karst islands rising from the brilliant turquoise water. Explore the magnificent waterways and lagoons by Xplorer and Zodiac with time to swim in crystal clear waters and walk on white-sand beaches amongst the many islands. The coral reefs here provide exceptional diving and snorkelling, with many vibrant corals and tropical fish species to discover. After lunch, there is an opportunity for an energetic hike up to famed Pindito Peak, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views over the island and its spectacular lagoon.

Sorong is our departure point from the Indonesian region. Lush mountains covered with forest surround the town and fishing a is major part of the local economy. Here, we will go ashore to visit the Sorong Nature Conservation Park to see the big old trees planted by the Dutch many years ago. We will also be welcomed by the Moi Tribe, the owners of the land, who are culturally unique from other peoples in the surrounding regions. Enjoy demonstrations such as the making of the traditional Papuan handwork bag. Later, enjoy a relaxing guided walk through the forest to look for birds.

Today, conditions allowing, we enjoy a true expedition stop at the small island of Tobi. Enjoy snorkelling over Helen Reef, a swim from the beach or beachcombing along the white sand. The island is known as a nesting site for lesser-crested terns and green sea turtles.

Isolated Sonsorol Island is one of the 16 States of Palau and is home to a population of between 25 and 65 people who are culturally and linguistically related to the Yap and Caroline Islands. Learn about their subsistence lifestyle disconnected from the modern world as we hope to visit the village and dive and snorkel the fringing reef and coral gardens.

Koror is the main state of the Republic of Palau, as well as the main island. Koror City is home to about half of the country’s population. The land mass of Koror is not large, with hundreds of islands and islets of volcanic and limestone reef construction that present a stunning vista of craggy forested islands surrounded by emerald seas.

Enjoy a delightful Koror city tour by bus, exploring the vibrant landmarks including museums and the reef center. Afterwards, guests can explore Koror at their own pace. As the day draws to a close, head to the beach for a local sunset. Dinner is provided on the ship, or you can choose to enjoy dinner at the local resort.

The following day, certified divers can embark on a guided dive to explore the mesmerizing underwater world here. Others may choose to walk and swim at Jellyfish Lake where you can swim alongside these fascinating creatures in their serene habitat. Visit Rock Islands to participate in a guided snorkel tour at the Milky Way, where you can float and rejuvenate in the mineral-rich waters. Or enjoy a relaxing coastal cruise, with opportunities for a beach swim. There will also be a panoramic guided cruise through Nikko Bay, admiring picturesque scenery.

Visit a traditional family home and learn about the different methods of building local houses, traditional attire, witness coconut harvesting as well as enjoy the weaving prowess of the local folks in Danup, Kanifay.

Walk the Ga’ell traditional stone path to a Yapese stone money bank and an old stone platform where once stood a traditional meeting house. You will be given detailed explanations about Yapese stone money, where limestone discs were quarried and carved into ‘coins’ known as Rai, which can be as large as 4m or as small as 4cm in diameter. Guest that cannot walk will be driven.

Be greeted by children at the great meeting house and stone money bank of Kaday Village where we will be welcomed by the village elders and we will explore the traditional Man’s house and the best-preserved traditional dock, within the mangrove channels that lead out to sea.

Stop by Tomil village, where we will be welcomed by the village community, with flower lais and fresh drinking coconuts and we will wittnes a Yapese traditional dance performance, in front of the giant meetings house of Tomil. There is an opportunity to visit the Yap Living History Museum to learn about Micronesian people and their time-honoured customs and culture, as well as snorkel and dive the lagoon with its coral reefs and abundant marine life.

Snorkel on coral reef gardens off a truly deserted islet in a remote part of the world. Enjoy the tropical vista of white sand beaches, colourful coral reefs home to sea turtles, coconut crabs and sea birds. There is also opportunity to visit the Ulithi Turtle Project and the vibrant community village.

Gather in front of the Men’s Meeting house where the captain will meet with the High Chief to thank him and the village community for welcoming us on Mogmog Island. Adhering to all customary traditions, walk about the village to visit and photograph the traditional buildings and sites. Local guides will give informative talks on the Men’s House and the Women’s house and their traditional functions, the traditional Mogmog Turtle Platform, as well the traditions and customs and social structures of Mogmog Island. Stroll through the village market with demonstrations of traditional woven baskets and purses, as well handwoven lava-lava, loom weaving demonstrations and other wooden handicrafts.

Sorol is a remote and rarely visited coral atoll, located 122 nautical miles south of Ulithi. We will be landing on the largest of the three islands accompanied by a local ranger. Here we will enjoy water activities and relaxing on an uninhabited atoll.

Our voyage ends in the US island territory of Guam with its significant WWII sites, cultural traditions of Indigenous Chamorro people that blend with the island’s Spanish colonial heritage.

Disembark Coral Geographer at 8:00 am and bid farewell to newfound friends, the Master and crew.