Bali to Raja Ampat & Papua New Guinea 2025

Your expedition begins in beautiful Bali where, having arrived independently, you will make your way to the group hotel in Denpasar for your included overnight stay. Tonight you can meet the rest of your group and some of your expedition team during the welcome dinner, before getting a good night’s rest before the adventures that lie ahead.

The following morning, you will have time to explore the cultural and historical delights of Bali’s capital before your group transfer to the port to board your expedition ship. Settle into your comfortable cabin and meet the captain and the rest of the expedition team as we set sail for Sumbawa Island and our tropical adventure begins.

You may wish to arrive in Bali a couple of days before your expedition begins to sample some of the sights of this beautiful province. Our team will be happy to help you arrange this.

The first adventure on your South Pacific expedition cruise will take you to mountainous Sumbawa Island to discover a memorable blend of laid-back island life and spectacular landscapes of volcanic ridges, terraced rice fields, tangled jungles, picturesque sandy beaches and stunning coral reefs and remote bays that are just begging to be explored. During your time here you will have the chance to experience some of the time-honoured traditions of the area and immerse yourself in the local culture as you enjoy meet the creators of the famed intricate hand-woven ikat fabric and observe ancient tribal rites.

Today might see you tick off a bucket list experience as we visit Komodo National Park. Brace yourself for encounters with the iconic Komodo dragons, the world's largest living lizard, as they roam freely in their untamed habitat. We will take a walk along a forested pathway to a viewing area for a closer look at these prehistoric reptiles which can grow up to 10 feet in length and weigh up to 300 pounds.

Immerse yourself in the park's unparalleled biodiversity, as we also seek out sightings of elegant yellow-crested cockatoos and Timor deer, the favourite prey of the dragons. You will also have chance to discover the vibrant marine life and pristine coral gardens of the island’s underwater realm as you snorkel off splendid Pink Beach, an awe-inspiring experience often described as “swimming in an aquarium”

Enjoy an authentic expedition day today as we arrive along the spectacular white sandy beaches and turquoise waters of the coral reef fringed Kodia Island. Spend the day exploring by land and sea, with options for walks and hikes through the dry forests in search of the area’s impressive numbers of birds and iconic wildlife, along with memorable snorkelling and beachcombing excursions.

Famously described by legendary underwater explorer and conservationist Jacques Cousteau as an “underwater nirvana”, Wakatobi is a cetacean highway and home to breathtaking coral walls. Today you will have the opportunity to discover this for yourself as snorkel excursions unveil a stunning variety of marine reef dwellers, offering underwater photographers the chance to capture the peculiar macro universe thriving in depths as shallow as 20 feet. Noteworthy sightings may include vibrant Frogfish, elusive octopuses, Marbled Snake Eels, Cockatoo Waspfish, majestic Flying Gurnards, a myriad of crab species, and captivating anemones.

Today’s adventures take us to the captivating and off-the-beaten-path Buru Island, situated at the crossroads of the biogeographic zones of Australia and Asia, where we will step ashore to discover the hidden gems of this picturesque island that boasts a remarkable diversity of fauna. A significant number of bird and mammal species can be seen here that are found nowhere else on earth, with 10 endemic bird species and 4 endemic mammals as well as a number of near-endemic species. Accompanied by your team of expert naturalists and guides, the morning will be spent traversing through the lush forests and along the remote shores in pursuit of elusive wildlife including the Blue-fronted Lorikeet and much more. There will also be chance to experience the hospitality of local communities as we enjoy some village visits.

Today we arrive at the largest and main island of Indonesia’s Maluku province, a relatively undiscovered gem that is a delight to explore. Seamlessly blending stunning tropical island scenery with biologically rich flora and rare wildlife, Seram is home to at least 6 endemic or near endemic mammals and 33 endemic bird species! The island is also home to Hatu Saka, Indonesia’s deepest cave, and Sapalewa, the world’s longest underground river. Today we will hope to venture into the jungle to look for the endemic Salmon-crested/Seram or Moluccan Cockatoo (the largest of the white cockatoos), Thrush, Oriole, Honeyeater, Myzomela and Friarbird, as well as visiting a stilt house village to learn about the culture and way of life here. Though headhunting is no longer practised, traditional weapons including bow and arrow are still used for hunting.

Today we will arrive at Misool Island, the aquatic wonderland of Raja Ampat's second largest island, and perhaps its most renowned. During your time here we will aim to explore the island’s labyrinth of caves and passages hidden among verdant forests featuring rock art dating back more than 5,000 years, snorkel in its spectacular coral gardens in search of Dugong, Bumphead Parrotfish, Clownfish, Manta Rays, Ghost Pipefish, Harlequin Shrimp, Pygmy Seahorse, learn about the island’s culture and heritage, and hike up to the viewing platforms to enjoy the spectacular vistas of the heart-shaped lagoon of Karawapop.

Our plan for the next two days is to enjoy an in-depth exploration of some of the 1,500 tiny, jungle-cloaked islands that make up the spectacular Raja Ampat archipelago off the northwest tip of Bird’s Head Peninsula in West Papua. Lapped by stunning turquoise waters, this incredibly picturesque area is home to a magical underwater world with a bounty of rainbow corals and shoals of multi-coloured fish that are a joy to explore via a snorkelling excursion or Zodiac boat cruise. Believed to contain the most biodiverse marine habitat on the planet, the waters here are home to around 600 species of hard coral and 1,200 types of reef fish!

On land, the wildlife spotting opportunities are just as impressive. As we scour the intriguing ocean-carved limestone formations and jungles of this tropical paradise, spotting the brilliant Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise and Red Bird-of-paradise will be high on our agenda, and we will time our excursions for early morning to give us the best chance of seeing these remarkable birds in their natural habitat and, hopefully, witnessing their rarely-seen mating dance around their ‘lekking’ trees. Other activities could include beachcombing, forest walks and visiting villages and engaging in cultural exchanges with locals.

Early this morning we will arrive alongside Manokwari, the capital of West Papua, where we will wake surrounded by lush rolling hills and the impressive spine of the Arfak Mountains. There are a number of options to enjoy today, one of which will see you rise early to travel high into the Arfak Mountains to the Pegunungan Arfak Nature Reserve. Here you can explore the higher elevations and misty tropical montane rainforests with their exceptional suite of endemic plants, animals and birds, keeping a particular eye out for the Western Parotia and Vogelkop Bowerbird. A highlight will be a visit to some of the area’s viewing hides for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe the Magnificent Bird-of-paradise that is often seen here.

It's time for another bucket list experience as we make our way to Kwatisore Bay in Cenderawasih Marine Park, one of the best places in the world to snorkel with whale sharks! We aim to visit the local fishermen’s Bagans (handmade floating platforms) where these iconic animals are known to congregate, for the chance to swim with these magnificent gentle giants. This spectacular 15,000-square-kilometre marine park is also home to some of the finest coral reef examples in the world and 18 tropical islands, which we will explore, where 209 species of fish and 4 species of turtle can be seen. We also plan to visit a village where the locals live by a unique mix of traditional, Dutch and modern influences.

Our next adventure brings us to Cenderawasih Bay’s Schouten Islands where we will make land at the seldom-visited Biak Island to discover just why this area is known as having the highest endemic biodiversity in Papua. Home to 17 endemic birds, some fo the species we may encounter include the Long-tailed Honey-buzzard, Red-capped Flowerpecker, Yellow-bibbed Fruit-dove, Geelvink Imperial-pigeon, Biak Black Flycatcher and Numfor Paradise-kingfisher and Leaf Warbler.

After a wonderful morning of birding, we will sail on to the pristine and isolated Rusbasbedas Island to discover its white sand beaches, shear drop-offs and enormous corals teeming with brightly coloured fish make that make it a paradise for snorkellers and beachcombers.

A warm welcome awaits us as we arrive on the charming and rarely visited Liki Island to share in the local customs and traditions of the villagers, including enjoying some of the island's culinary delights. Part of the Koemamba Islands in formerly Dutch New Guinea, during our time on Liki we will also enjoy nature walks in the forest on the lookout for wildlife, and can take a snorkelling excursion along the edge of the abundant coral reef.

Following our early morning arrival, we'll set our course for the tranquil haven of Lake Sentani, nestled within the breathtaking Cyclops Strict Nature Reserve near Jayapura, the capital of Papua. This serene freshwater expanse mirrors the towering emerald peaks that encircle it, offering a picturesque backdrop. Lake Sentani is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, boasting famous artifacts, intricate traditional motifs, exquisite pottery, masterful woodworking, and stunning bark paintings.

Our journey begins at the lake's edge, where we'll board traditional longboats to explore its myriad islands. As we glide past charming stilt houses, we'll immerse ourselves in the local culture, witnessing captivating dance performances and observing talented artists as they craft intricate bark paintings and bride money.

After a morning filled with cultural discovery, we'll return to the ship for a leisurely lunch before continuing our voyage towards Vanimo in Papua New Guinea. This marks the beginning of our international arrival into Papua New Guinea, where new adventures await.

Your final day of exploration will see you enjoy some time to fully appreciate the remarkable Sepik River, the longest in Papua New Guinea, getting to know all about the birds, wildlife and people that call it home. Flowing from the highlands to the Bismarck Sea, we will explore the river via Zodiac boat, following tributaries and channels in search of local wildlife. We will then make our way to Kopar Village to experience village life and enjoy their traditional Dragon Dance. The world-renowned artists of the region travel long distances to meet the ship and there will be the opportunity to purchase unique carvings, and more, directly from them.

Arrival into Madang, the self-appointed ‘Prettiest Town in the South Pacific’, sadly signals the end of our voyage. Disembark and join your included flight to Cairns where your itinerary will conclude. Alternatively, extend your adventure and stay onboard to enjoy a ‘Secrets of Melanesia’ voyage. Please enquire for full details.