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Sailing towards the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the Raja Ampat 7-night cruise expedition is a visual spectacle with unmatched marine diversity on show at the best dive and snorkel sites on Earth.
Known for its unique topography, Raja Ampat captivates with the enigmatic beauty of its limestone karst island clusters. The archipelago – made up of over 1,500 islands – bewilders and enthralls explorers with dramatic landscapes that shelter secret lagoons, bays, beaches, and the magical blue river of Kali Biru. Surrounding these forested islands are some of the most biodiverse marine environments on the planet. Raja Ampat is known to harbor one of the richest coral reef ecosystems as well as a wide array of marine life, with new species being identified constantly.
Onboard our Raja Ampat luxury cruise, sail across mesmerizing turquoise and blue waters which constantly jostle for your attention and beckon you to dive down and under. Located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, the 20,000 square mile region is home to every kind of underwater habitat imaginable; pristine reef flats, secret bays, swift channels, deep drop-offs, shallow seamounts, mangroves, marine lakes, and protected coral gardens.
Come sail with us on Aqua Blu and experience one of the world’s most rewarding marine expeditions.
Day 1 - Sorong Harbour
Arrive at Sorong to a warm welcome. There will be a private transfer to Swiss - Belhotel Sorong to rest and relax, before embarkation at noon. Board Aqua Blu and cruise to Mioskon Island, while enjoying the world - class cuisine of chef Benjamin Cross for dinner.
Day 2 - Mioskon Island & Kabui Bay
Wake up to the beauty of Mioskon Island and head out for a relaxing snorkeling and diving excursion. In the afternoon, tour on tenders or kayak in ‘The Passage’ – a narrow passing between Waigeo and Gam Island, that Alfred Russell Wallace
travelled through in 1860. Enjoy the mangrove views and catch sight of saltwater crocodiles, hawksbill turtles, and hornbills before returning to Aqua Blu for sundowners and dinner.
Day 3 - Cape Kri & Yangeffo Island
Rise in the morning to birdsong for an early tender tour of Kabui Bay’s magnificent karsts. Afterwards, enjoy breakfast while cruising to Cape Kri. Snorkel or dive at a site which holds the world record for most species spotted in a single 90 - minute dive. On to Yangeffo Island, go on an exhilarating afternoon dive excursion at Mayhem reef or enjoy a sunset cocktail tender tour of the mangroves. Dine underneath the stars once you’re back onboard.
Day 4 - Aljui Bay & Wofoh Island
We’ll have an early departure to Aljui Bay, followed by an eye - opening visit to a pearl farm. Next, it’s off to Wofoh Island for diving, snorkeling, and water sports in the afternoon. Lay back and enjoy Aqua Blu’s Beach Club on a private beach,
sipping on bespoke cocktails and frolicking family fun as the sun sets.
Day 5 - Wayag Island
Witness the magnificence of Wayag Island’s limestone islets and lagoons as the sun rises. Jump in for a refreshing early morning swim and listen to the sounds of the surrounding nature. Attempt to spot the rare birds of paradise before a hearty breakfast onboard. Next, we’ll be diving at Figure Eight Rock or snorkeling at the Ranger station to spot black tip reef sharks. Spend the afternoon exploring hidden lagoons aboard kayaks at “Castaway” beach.
Day 6 - Dayang Island & Birie Island
We’ll be arriving early at Dayang Island, known for its plethora of marine life, especially Reef Manta Rays and occasionally Oceanic Manta Rays. Snorkelers and divers alike will revel in the close presence of such majestic creatures at the Manta
Cleaning Station. Cruise to Arborek Island for a cultural excursion at the Papuan village. Then, return onboard to dine beneath the stars.
Day 7 - Mayalibit Bay
Rise before sunrise to embark on a spectacular hike to spot the rare birds of paradise on the island of Waigeo. After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed snorkeling excursion at Friwinbonda Island. In the afternoon, test your sense of adventure by
heading inland on a local canoe before a refreshing swim down the shimmering blue Kali Biru river.
Day 8 - Sorong Harbour
Awake in Sorong and enjoy a delicious breakfast before your outbound flight.
Visit a Papuan village and get up-close with manta rays.
Home to a friendly and welcoming community of Papuan descent, the tiny Arborek Island (it takes just 10 minutes to walk around it) is also home to a significant manta ray reef complex. At low tide, a lot of the reef is exposed and it is in these shallow channels that the manta rays like to feed and get cleaned. All around Arborek Island are excellent snorkeling, kayaking and paddleboarding spots.
A rewarding and one-of-a-kind inner coastal waterway journey.
In this leg of the cruise, Aqua Blu charts a picturesque passage between the major island of Bantata and smaller clusters of islands between Dayang & Birie, stopping for a whole gamut of activities in the nature-rich area. Discover birds of paradise on inland forest walks, or dive to explore mangroves and a wreckage of World War II P47D fighter plane near Wai.
An expansive inland sea with unique sights and experiences.
Sailing into Kabui Bay, explorers have the oppotunity to discover remote local villages that are adorned spectacular caves. Some of these caves are full of bats, others have been used for burials in ancient times, and some may feature ancient rock art.
A marine sweet spot with impressive biodiversity in the nutrient-rich Dampier Strait.
Incredibly nutrient-rich because of the currents it receives from the Indonesian Thoroughflow, Cape Kri in the Dampier Strait supports an amazing number of reef fish that form part of a massive marine food chain in full display. You may well witness nature in full motion in a single dive or snorkel, with pelagic species such as whales trying to feed on smaller fish.
Cape Kri is also known for its manta ray cleaning stations, where these massive creatures queue up to get their skin, gills and teeth cleaned by parasitic copepods and a variety of small cleaner wrasse species — an amazing sight to behold.
The most iconic of the Raja Ampat islands with its surreal karst landscapes and atolls.
As you pull into Wayag, deep blue waters turn to turquoise and mushroom-shaped islets appear before your eyes. This is a protected cluster of islands on the edge of the Pacific where the mostly shallow waters are miraculously calm, as if Mother Nature has sculpted an elaborate landscape for creatures needing a respite from the harsh wilderness.
Presenting a brand-new cruise experience in the pristine East Indonesian Archipelago, Aqua Blu is a long-range explorer yacht sailing the region’s most prized destinations, including Komodo National Park, Spice Islands and Raja Ampat on unforgettable 7- and 12-night itineraries.
Where modern luxury meets naval heritage
With a grand legacy as the former British Naval Explorer HMS Beagle and later as the private yacht of a European aristocratic family, Aqua Blu is a compelling maritime statement. A 2019 refurbishment overseen by Dutch yacht design maestro Cor D. Rover brings the vessel to world-class cruising specifications. Guests can expect to embrace an distinguished sense of history and seafaring evolution when they set foot on this one-of-a-kind cruise ship.
Inside the four-deck, 15-suite Aqua Blu, Cor has tastefully paired with a brass-and-ivory interior theme with generous and inviting indoor and outdoor social spaces, including a sun deck.
Unlocking access to the Earth’s most intriguing destinations
Faster, further, greater safety and comfort — Aqua Blu’s naval pedigree makes it the perfect vessel to navigate East Indonesia’s vast seas. Having attained the highest international classifications (RINA, SOLAS, ISM) in safety, the vessel is additionally equipped with Quantum Zero Speed stabilizers for optimal comfort at rest or while sailing.
Aqua Blu’s range stands heads and shoulders above that of its peers in East Indonesia. Able to cover vast distances in a short span of time — and in any sea condition — the vessel enables explorers on board to experience the most varied, enjoyable and rewarding coastal cruise itineraries in this wild and stunningly beautiful region of the world.
Join Aqua Blu and be among the first to cruise East Indonesia like no ship has ever done before.
VESSEL HIGHLIGHTS
| Luxury star rating: | 5 |
| Guests #: | 30 |
| Crew #: | 25 |
| Ice Class: | NA |
| Speed: | 11 |
| Refurbished: | 1973 |
| Year built: | 1968 |
| Length: | 60m |
| Width: | |
| Draft: | 4 |
| Tonnage: | |
| Registry: | Indonesia |
| Elec Outlets: | 2 Flat & 2 Round |
We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.
