Spice Islands & Raja Ampat Cruise

There are 17,000 islands in Indonesia, give or take. Some people estimate that it would take a lifetime to visit each one. Well, best get started then, and what better way than with a 16-day voyage to the crème de la crème—the Bandas, Raja Ampat and the Vogelkop Peninsula region of West Papua, three of Indonesia’s most intriguing destinations. From the comfort of the agile, 120-guest Coral Adventurer, watch for dolphins, whales and seabirds, or immerse yourself amidst schools of brightly-colored reef fish as you snorkel among the world’s richest coral gardens. Visit 17th-century Dutch forts and nutmeg plantations in the Spice Islands; admire prehistoric cave paintings and Red Birds of Paradise in Raja Ampat; swim over hulking Whale Sharks and sunken WWII fighter jets in West Papua’s fabled Cenderawasih Bay. Join Apex on this Spice Islands & Raja Ampat cruise among Indonesia’s island jewels.

• Day 1
• Day 2
• Day 3
• Day 4
• Day 5
• Day 6
• Day 7
• Day 8
• Day 9
• Day 10
• Day 11
• Day 12
• Day 13
• Day 14
• Day 15
• Day 16

• Saturday, March 18: Arrive Darwin, Australia

  Arrive in Australia’s only tropical state capital, the gateway to the Top End, as it is known, and take the afternoon at leisure to explore its waterfront and surprisingly cosmopolitan center. Return to the hotel to meet your fellow travelers and expedition team at a welcome dinner. Overnight at Hilton Darwin.

• Sunday, March 19: Darwin / Embark Coral Adventurer

  After breakfast, enjoy a visit to George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, a beautiful 100 acres showcasing tropical species including Aboriginal and Top End native plants. Walk amongst monsoon vine forest, mangroves, bottle-shaped Boabs, and a magnificent collection of native and exotic palms and cycads. Afterwards, head to the harbor to embark Coral Adventurer, your home away from home for the next 13 nights. Have lunch onboard, before setting off toward Indonesia. This evening, enjoy welcome drinks with the captain before dinner.

• Monday, March 20: At Sea

  As you cruise north today across the Arafura Sea, attend lectures on the flora, fauna, culture, and history of the upcoming Spice Islands, Raja Ampat and West Papua. Watch for frigatebirds, terns and boobies, as well as Spinner Dolphins, flying fish, and perhaps even the pelagic sea snakes for which this region is famous.

• Tuesday, March 21: Banda Neira

  In the middle of the 16,000-foot-deep Banda Sea, over 100 miles from the nearest major land mass, lie the Bandas, once the powerful center of the spice trade. Coveted for their bountiful nutmeg and mace, the Dutch traded Manhattan for one of these remote islands. As you approach Banda Neira, watch the thin plume of smoke wafting from Gunung Api’s summit. See Banda’s famous Kora Kora canoes in action in the port. Disembark and wander the sleepy, flower-filled streets, still lined with impressive remnants of colonial-era architecture. Explore Fort Belgica, built in the 17th century by the Dutch East India Company. The fort is well-preserved, providing a fascinating insight into the Dutch colonies, and the centuries-long battle with Britain for control of this spice-rich region. This evening, join the locals for a traditional dance performance, before enjoying a glass of champagne as the sun sets over the fort.

• Wednesday, March 22: Banda Neira & Hatta Island

  This morning, you may choose to return to shore for a town tour of Banda Neira, or snorkel over the nearby lava flow reef system. The Bandas are renowned for their excellent visibility and spectacular coral coverage. Because of the depth of the Banda Sea, they also boast robust populations of pelagic predators, notably Dogtooth Tuna and mobula rays. The Bandas are also home to the largest known Napoleon Wrasse population in Indonesia. After lunch, head for nearby Hatta Island. Here, just fifteen feet off the main beach, a spectacular drop-off harbors a truly staggering array of sea life. Large schools of fusiliers and Redtooth Triggerfish hang above reefs teeming with butterflyfishes, damsels, and multihued wrasses.  Those who prefer to stay on land may take a guided walk through the village and explore a local nutmeg plantation.

• Thursday, March 23: Molana & Saparua Islands

  Arrive early in the Lease Islands, north of the Bandas. Explore uninhabited Molana, actually a cluster of exposed coral reefs. Molana is home to a diverse beach scrub flora, endemic Moluccan Scrubfowl, numerous Pacific Monitor Lizards, and endangered Coconut Crabs. There are several ruins, dating from ancient times to a World War II Dutch hospital. Here, at the heart of the Coral Triangle, marine enthusiasts can be easily overwhelmed by the sheer diversity and abundance of fishes and corals, including clouds of damsels, Sweetlips, triggerfish and parrotfish. After lunch, head east to nearby Saparua, the most developed of the Lease Islands. Learn of Saparua’s fascinating colonial history at Fort Duurstede, built by the Dutch in 1691. In 1817, the fort was conquered by local leader Pattimura, who had all the Dutch soldiers killed. Witness a performance of traditional war dances with shields and swords.

• Friday, March 24: Seram Island

  Sawai is a hidden pearl of a village located on the central northern side of Seram Island. Set against a backdrop of towering limestone cliffs and valleys of Manusela National Park, with houses that extend out over the turquoise bay, Sawai is a good starting point for exploration of Ora Beach and the national park. Foremost among pastimes here is Seram’s magnificent birdwatching—it is home to 21 endemic bird species, including the spectacular Moluccan, or Salmon-crested, Cockatoo and the brilliant Purple-naped Lory. Later today, bid farewell to the Spice Islands and head northeast to Raja Ampat.

• Saturday, March 25: Misool Island, Raja Ampat

  Raja Ampat means Four Kings in the Indonesian language, referring to the four main islands of this extensive archipelago, and is perhaps best known as being the global bull’s eye of marine diversity—it is quite possibly the richest coral reef ecosystem on Earth. But terrestrial treasures also abound on one of its main islands, Misool. More than 1,000 prehistoric rock paintings have been discovered here. Walk through the cave systems with paintings depicting marine fauna and early man. Then, visit Yapap, with its magnificent natural primordial pool, adorned with impressive limestone karst formations that look more like chess pieces than rocks. Take a dip in the perfectly heart shaped Dafalen lagoon, perched just over the crystalline ocean, before returning to the ship for dinner.

• Sunday, March 26: Kofiau Island

  At the western edge of Raja Ampat lies remote Kofiau, comprised primarily of raised coral limestone hills covered in low, lush rainforest. As your Zodiacs near the village of Kampung Deer, a “flatform boat” with local dancers performing will greet you. Explore Kampung Deer, and, if you desire, hike to a nearby inland lake, watching for Blyth’s Hornbills and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos overhead, or perhaps even Kofiau Paradise Kingfisher and Kofiau Monarch, two birds entirely restricted to this far-flung island. Visit the village of Kampung Awat, and enjoy a Sasi opening ceremony and beach BBQ. Spend the afternoon snorkeling or birdwatching.

• Monday, March 27: Alyui Bay & Kawe Island

  On the western side of Waigeo island, Alyui is a wonderland of mangroves, pocket bays and coves to explore by Zodiac or kayak. The unique blend of nutrient-rich waters, geology and currents has created a kaleidoscopic assortment of corals and fish to marvel at, while hornbills and cockatoos sail overhead. This afternoon, visit Kawe Island and celebrate the crossing of the Equator.

• Tuesday, March 28: Wayag Island

  On the north end of Raja Ampat lies Wayag, an iconic mazeof karst ‘gumdrop’ islands and white sand beaches. Explore these islands by Zodiac. Those keen on a rigorous climb up Pindito Peak will be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama across Wayag’s coves and atolls. Alternatively, choose to relax with a swim, snorkel, or kayak paddle.

• Wednesday, March 29: At Sea

  Relax today as the ship heads east to the Vogelkop, or Bird’s Head, Peninsula of West Papua. Join the expedition team and guest lecturers for a presentation on the iconic Whale Sharks of Cenderawasih Bay. Reaching between 30 and 40 feet in length, and weighing around 9 tons, Whale Sharks are the largest fish in the ocean. In Kwatisore Bay, on Cenderwasih’s southern coastline, schools of Whale Sharks are known to gather around the local fishermen’s ‘bagans,’ or fishing platforms. The fishermen consider them a good omen, and keep them coming back with a steady supply of baitfish. Nowhere else on Earth can you experience such a density of Whale Sharks in such clear water.

• Thursday, March 30: Auri Islands, Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua

  Cenderawasih, or Bird of Paradise, Bay lies on the north-eastern side of West Papua. The marine life here has evolved in relative isolation due to ancient tectonic upheavals and sea level idiosyncrasies. The result? Many endemics, and frequent discovery of new species. Within the bay, Teluk Cenderawasih National Park covers 5,500 square miles of rich marine ecosystem, harboring Dugongs, dolphins, over 200 known species of fish and 150 species of coral. Spend the day in Auri’s spectacular karst islands within the park, snorkeling among rainbow reefs. See a magnificent array of fish, Green and Hawksbill Turtles, and a trio of American WWII fighter jets sunk in the shallows. On the islands, you may hike to a waterfall and enjoy some of the most beautiful white sand beaches in Indonesia.

• Friday, March 31: Kwatisore Village, Cenderawasih Bay

  This morning, head down to Kwatisore Village for the chance to swim with the renowned Whale Sharks of Cenderawasih Bay. Swimming in close proximity to these gentle giants is an experience that will not soon be forgotten. In the afternoon, go shore and enjoy dance and song performed by the children of Kwatisore Village. Learn about Papuan culture, participate in the dance, and enjoy a performance by the talented string band. Local handicrafts are available for purchase at the village market.

• Saturday, April 1: Disembark Coral Adventurer / Biak / Darwin

  This morning, bid farewell to Coral Adventurer as you disembark at Biak, one of West Papua’s biggest islands. Here, the famous Binsari Caves stand as a sobering reminder of the area’s role in World War II. Some 5,000 Japanese soldiers used the massive natural caves as a hideout for much of the war, until the Allied forces bombed them in 1944, killing more than 3,000 men. At noon, head to the airport for a charter flight to Darwin. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and gather this evening at the restaurant for a farewell dinner. Overnight at Hilton Darwin.

• Sunday, April 2: Depart Darwin

  After breakfast, transfer to the Darwin airport for your international flights home.

  Note: This itinerary is an indication of the destinations and activities we intend to offer. As with most expeditions, alterations may need to be made due to weather, sea conditions, or any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel. Flexibility is key to maximize the experience. Visits to Raja Ampat are subject to permissions to visit protected marine parks. These approvals may alter over time. If access to some areas is not possible, alternatives will be introduced to the itinerary.