This is a rare opportunity to explore one of the last wild places on earth: the islands surrounding Waigeo in the Raja Ampat archipelago, a lost world along the coast of Indonesia’s West Papua province. Snorkeling here is world-class, with extravagantly rich coral reefs and the immense abundance of the Pacific marine ecosystem around us, from the tiniest bright-colored nudibranch to huge pelagic fish. Topside, we relish a world of dramatic limestone islands, dazzling aquamarine lagoons, and rare birds—even the red bird of paradise. With our expert marine biologist Trip Leader, we discover this realm aboard a 100-foot Indonesian schooner. We rarely see other boats—this is a true dream journey in a snorkeler’s paradise!

Itinerary at a Glance

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Day 1
Sorong, Indonesia

In Sorong, we board our yacht and cruise into the heart of Raja Ampat, possibly the richest coral reef ecosystem in the world.

Days 2-6
Penemu / Waigeo / Uranie Islands

We explore around the limestone isle of Penemu, each snorkel revealing a brilliant spectrum hidden beneath the sea surface, from nudibranchs, frogfish, and opulent lionfish to the quiet, bearded wobbegong shark. From our North Waigeo anchorage, we snorkel the rich Alyui reefs and on Uranie Island, we visit a spectacular beach-lined bay and hike to the summit for a 360-degree view of Raja Ampat’s beautiful mushroom-shaped rock islands. The avian life is wonderful, and we awake each dawn to a chorus of bird calls. Lorikeets, parrots, kingfishers, eagles, and hornbills are commonly seen here. Each evening we anchor in a serene setting of turquoise waters and green islands and watch for manta rays feeding around the boat.

Days 7-12
Wayag Island / Gam Island

At Wayag, a stunning island of jungle-covered rock outcrops, we snorkel through mangroves and among schools of silver sardines and juvenile reef fish. We see leatherback turtles feed on jellies at Gam Island and enjoy fabulous drift-snorkeling near Manta Point and South Kri. On an island hike, we look for the red bird of paradise, first made known to the Western world by pioneering naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, who made his famous voyage here in 1860. Depart on Day 12 from Sorong.

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 3, Moderate. It is relaxed enough to allow ample time for photography, snorkeling, and exploration by dinghy. On any trip of this nature, however, it is impossible to predict what the weather will have in store and activities often vary with each day. Because the primary focus of the trip is snorkeling, we require that trip members know how to swim and bring their own good quality, well-fitted equipment, including mask, snorkel, and fins. Try out your gear in a swimming pool before you go to make sure that it works for you and is comfortable. There is ample time for both scheduled snorkels and free snorkeling, and for the most part the water time is “at your own pace.” We will have a “refresher” snorkel in calm waters at the beginning of the trip, and there will be several drift snorkels (with some current) during the trip. We usually have two to three snorkeling adventures each day of two or three hours each. Our shore landings are “wet” (which involves stepping out of the dinghy and wading to shore). Kayaking experience is not necessary, and we should have the option to use our inflatable kayaks a couple of times throughout the trip. The cook on board prepares simple and tasty meals, a mix of Asian and Western styles with plenty of seafood. Note: Vegetarians who do not eat seafood may find their choices somewhat limited.

Explanation of Trip Levels