Indonesia’s Coral Triangle in Luxury

Raja Ampat & Cenderawasih Bay - Indonesia’s Coral Triangle

Prices From £8,000pp
April to May | 11 nights

Raja Ampat & Cenderawasih Bay - Indonesia’s Coral Triangle

Aboard: SH Minerva

Journey deep into the heart of Indonesia’s Coral Triangle on an extraordinary expedition through Cenderawasih Bay and Raja Ampat aboard the elegant SH Minerva. From remote Papuan islands and jungle-clad limestone karsts to dazzling coral reefs and glassy turquoise lagoons, this voyage reveals one of the most biologically rich marine regions on Earth. Along the way, explore by Zodiac, kayak and snorkel, discover secluded beaches and traditional villages, and experience unforgettable encounters with the wildlife that thrives both above and below the waterline.

Highlights include the chance to swim alongside whale sharks at Kwatisore, explore the spectacular karst landscapes of Misool and Kabui Bay, and snorkel among vibrant reefs alive with turtles, rays, reef sharks and immense schools of tropical fish. Cultural experiences add another dimension to the journey, with visits to Papuan communities, historic churches and traditional villages, while optional diving offers access to some of Raja Ampat’s most celebrated underwater sites. This is a truly immersive expedition combining world-class marine wildlife, remote island scenery and fascinating local culture in one of the planet’s last great tropical wildernesses.

Highlights

  • Explore the remote islands, reefs and lagoons of Cenderawasih Bay and Raja Ampat
  • Swim alongside whale sharks in the clear waters of Kwatisore
  • Discover some of the richest marine biodiversity on Earth
  • Look for manta rays, turtles, reef sharks and colourful tropical fish
  • Cruise through spectacular limestone karsts, hidden bays and turquoise waterways
  • Enjoy exceptional snorkelling, kayaking and Zodiac exploration
  • Visit traditional Papuan villages and experience local culture and customs
  • Enjoy optional world-class diving at some of Raja Ampat’s most celebrated sites

What's Included

  • Return flights between Denpasar and Sorong
  • Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port 
  • One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
  • All meals onboard
  • 24-hour room service
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
  • Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • Standard WiFi
  • Onboard gratuities and port taxes
  • One selected shore excursion/expedition activity per port of call
  • Complimentary waterproof backpack and refillable water bottle



Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Bali to Sorong
1 - 2Days

Bali to Sorong

Arrive independently in Bali and make your way to your included hotel in Sanur for an overnight stay. The following day, transfer to Denpasar Airport for your flight to Sorong, the gateway to the spectacular islands and clear waters of Raja Ampat.

On arrival in Sorong, transfer for embarkation aboard SH Minerva and complete the final preparations for your expedition. Once settled on board, you will set sail into one of the most biologically diverse marine regions on Earth, marking the beginning of your voyage through Indonesia’s extraordinary Coral Triangle.

Pulau Manim, Numfoor, Papua
3Day

Pulau Manim, Numfoor, Papua

As your adventure truly begins, your first visit takes you to Pulau Numfoor, a coral-fringed island on the northern side of Cenderawasih Bay. Its interior is formed from limestone and ancient coral terraces cloaked in tropical forest, while small villages are scattered around the coastline.

Numfoor also has an important wartime history, having served as a major Pacific air base during the Second World War and the site of a significant 1944 campaign. Today, that turbulent past contrasts with the island’s peaceful shores and lush surroundings.

Pulau Padaidori, Papua
4Day

Pulau Padaidori, Papua

Continue today to Pulau Padaidori, one of a remote cluster of tiny islands and atolls lying off Papua’s northern coast. Largely uninhabited, this secluded stop is characterised by white-sand beaches, swaying coconut palms and calm sapphire waters.

Beneath the surface, colourful coral gardens support abundant tropical fish, while mangrove forests provide shelter for crabs, snakes and other coastal wildlife. It is a wonderfully untouched setting in which to experience the rich marine environment of this remote corner of Indonesia.

Pulau Roon & Pulau Row, Cenderawasih Bay
5Day

Pulau Roon & Pulau Row, Cenderawasih Bay

Begin the day on Pulau Roon, a rainforest-covered island known for its traditional stilt villages and rich local culture. An included visit to Jende village offers the chance to meet members of the Roon community, enjoy a traditional welcome and cultural performance, and visit the historic Old Church, where a Bible dating from 1898 is preserved. You will also see aspects of everyday island life, including sago processing, handicraft making and traditional fishing practices, before enjoying refreshments prepared by local residents.

Later, continue to remote Pulau Row, where untouched landscapes and abundant marine life are joined by fascinating Second World War history. Wrecks of aircraft and vessels lie beneath the surrounding waters, gradually being reclaimed by coral and creating an atmospheric underwater environment. The reefs of Cenderawasih Bay support an impressive variety of fish and other marine species, including several types of shark, making this another rewarding stop within Indonesia’s extraordinary Coral Triangle.

Kwatisore, Cenderawasih Bay
6Day

Kwatisore, Cenderawasih Bay

Today promises one of the great wildlife highlights of the expedition as you explore Kwatisore, within Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia’s largest marine national park. The area is renowned for its resident whale sharks, which are frequently drawn to traditional fishing platforms known as bagans. Following a safety briefing from National Park rangers, you will have the extraordinary opportunity to enter the calm, clear water and snorkel alongside these gentle giants, the largest fish in the ocean.

After returning to the ship for lunch, the afternoon offers a very different perspective on this remote region with a visit to a local village. A traditional welcome and group dance introduce you to the community before there is time to explore, observe everyday village life and discover locally made handicrafts. It is a memorable combination of world-class marine wildlife and authentic cultural encounters in the heart of Cenderawasih Bay.

Pulau Mansinam
7Day

Pulau Mansinam

Today you will visit Pulau Mansinam, a low-lying coral island set in Doreh Bay near Manokwari. The island holds an important place in Papuan history, particularly for its connection with the arrival of German missionaries in 1855. During your visit, enjoy a series of local cultural presentations, from traditional rituals to regional dances, including the distinctive Tumbur Tanah Dance associated with communities of the Arfak Mountains.

Mansinam is also surrounded by beautifully clear tropical waters rich in marine life. With your expert guides, take the opportunity to snorkel among colourful fish and coral, adding another memorable underwater experience to your journey through Papua.

Kabui Bay, Waigeo Island, Raja Ampat
8Day

Kabui Bay, Waigeo Island, Raja Ampat

Begin the day exploring the extraordinary limestone scenery of Kabui Bay by Zodiac, cruising through the narrow channel between Gam and Waigeo known as “the Passage”. Naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace travelled through these waters in 1860, and the landscape remains remarkably evocative, with jungle-clad karst cliffs and mushroom-shaped islets rising from calm tropical seas. Later, continue to Pulau Kri for snorkelling among vibrant coral reefs, where manta rays, turtles, nudibranchs and a dazzling variety of reef fish may all be encountered.

For those wishing to explore beneath the surface in greater depth, optional diving is available at some of Raja Ampat’s most celebrated sites, including Mioskon, Blue Magic, Mayhem Reef and the Passage. These world-class dives are known for wobbegong sharks, reef sharks, seasonal manta rays, pygmy seahorses, barracuda, trevally and huge schools of tropical fish, all set against an exceptional backdrop of hard and soft corals. With both snorkelling and diving opportunities, today offers a superb showcase of the extraordinary marine biodiversity for which Raja Ampat is renowned.

Pulau Penemu & Pulau Fam, Raja Ampat
9Day

Pulau Penemu & Pulau Fam, Raja Ampat

Begin the day at Pulau Penemu, also known as Piaynemo, where a climb of around 300 wooden steps leads to one of Raja Ampat’s most famous viewpoints. From the top, enjoy sweeping views over Hidden Bay, its star-shaped lagoon and the dramatic karst islets scattered across the water. The largely uninhabited island also features limestone cliffs, rolling hills and striking rock formations, while the surrounding reefs offer excellent snorkelling.

Later, continue to Pulau Fam, a quieter corner of Raja Ampat where time ashore and a warm village welcome provide a glimpse of local island life before returning to the water. Snorkelling and optional diving reveal rich coral reefs teeming with marine life, with sites such as Galaxy Reef and Melissa’s Garden known for schooling barracuda, colourful corals and abundant smaller species. In the afternoon, the reefs and jetties around Mansuar offer further opportunities to spot turtles, reef sharks and dense coral gardens in beautifully clear water.

Pulau Mansuar & Pulau Kri
10Day

Pulau Mansuar & Pulau Kri

Spend the morning exploring Pulau Mansuar, a long limestone island cloaked in jungle and edged by rich coral reefs that extend towards neighbouring Kri. Small traditional villages are scattered around the coastline, offering a glimpse of life in this remote part of Raja Ampat, while the surrounding waters provide further opportunities for snorkelling among colourful corals and abundant reef fish.

Later, continue to Pulau Kri, where clear tropical waters and exceptional marine biodiversity make every swim rewarding. Above the water, quiet beaches and lush greenery create a wonderfully peaceful setting, while beneath the surface the reefs teem with vibrant fish and coral life. Optional diving is available at renowned sites including Manta Ridge, Sawandarek Jetty, Yenbuda Jetty and Cape Kri.

Pulau Misool
11Day

Pulau Misool

Today is devoted to the extraordinary limestone landscapes of Pulau Misool, where sheer karst formations, mangroves and sheltered turquoise lagoons create some of Raja Ampat’s most striking scenery. Explore Balbulal Lagoon by Zodiac and kayak, weaving between narrow channels and jungle-clad islets, with opportunities to spot sea eagles overhead and rays moving through the clear shallows. Snorkelling may include the remarkable Lenmakana Lake, home to harmless freshwater jellyfish, or nearby reefs rich in nudibranchs, clams, shrimp and colourful coral life.

Later, continue to Yapap, a secluded lagoon framed by towering limestone karsts and white-sand shallows. Its calm, glassy waters are perfect for swimming, snorkelling, Zodiac cruising and photography, offering a wonderfully peaceful way to experience the wild beauty of southern Raja Ampat, and a fitting conclusion to your voyage.

Sorong - Disembark & Cultural Tour
12Day

Sorong - Disembark & Cultural Tour

Arrive back in Sorong in the early morning and disembark the ship, bringing your expedition through Cenderawasih Bay and Raja Ampat to a close. Before continuing onwards, enjoy one final opportunity to experience West Papua with a guided introduction to Sorong and its surrounding landscapes.

Travel through the city to Taman Wisata Alam Sorong, a protected natural area dedicated to conserving the region’s distinctive flora and fauna. Continue afterwards to Rumah Etnik Sorong, where traditional architecture, cultural displays and local performances offer an insight into the customs and heritage of Papua’s coastal and inland communities. There will also be time to browse locally made handicrafts before transferring to the airport for your included flight back to Denpasar, Bali.

A view from Above

All Aboard

SH Minerva
Luxury  first class vessel

SH Minerva

Recently launched (November 2021) the beautiful SH Minerva is an elegant 5-star boutique ship that has been created in a Scandi-design style to provide ultimate comfort and enjoyment. This intimate ship carries just 152 guests and has been built to allow for exploration in off the beaten path destinations, including the Polar regions. With a PC5 ice-strengthened hull combined with extra-large stabilisers, all journeys are smooth and comfortable.

All areas of the vessel have been decorated and furnished in a sophisticated and elegant style, with wide open public spaces and unobstructed views throughout the ship. Features of this luxury vessel include a wonderful al-fresco dining area surrounding a heated outdoor pool, a wellness area with state-of-the-art gym, jacuzzi and sauna with breathtaking sea views, a beautiful main restaurant, welcoming club lounge and supremely comfortable observation lounge.

The 76 staterooms are equally stylish. From the standard staterooms to amazing suites, each room is luxurious, cosy and expertly designed. Each room features a luxury en-suite bathroom and living area, whilst higher category rooms also feature balconies, spacious walk-in wardrobes and separate living rooms.

Too much to choose from? This is where we come in

Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect Indonesia adventure for you.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

With a lifetime of unforgettable nature and adventure based travel under his belt, Simon shares his passion, enthusiasm and hands-on experience to help create the perfect itinerary for every client.

Sally Nevitt Sales Team Leader

Sally pairs a real love of adventure travel with a natural gift for looking after people. She knows exactly what makes a trip unforgettable, and with her warmth and endless patience she'll guide you from your first enquiry right through to the moment you're safely home again.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike has more than fifteen years hands-on experience in the industry, travelling to some of the most incredible wild places on the planet. His far-reaching knowledge and invaluable skills will ensure that your wildlife travel adventure is a dream come true.

Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

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Outside the uk
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Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43
+ 44 1625 5811 43 Call us - 0800 195 3385

Chat Now

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

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