The Raja Ampat, or “Four Kings,” archipelago encompasses more than 9.8 million acres of land and sea off the northwestern tip of Indonesia’s West Papua Province. Located in the Coral Triangle, the heart of the world’s coral reef biodiversity, the seas around Raja Ampat possibly hold the richest variety of species in the world. The area’s massive coral colonies show that its reefs are resistant to threats like coral bleaching and disease —threats that now jeopardize the survival of corals around the world. In addition, Raja Ampat’s strong ocean currents sweep coral larvae across the Indian and Pacific Oceans to replenish other reef ecosystems. Raja Ampat’s coral diversity, resilience to threats, and ability to replenish reefs make it a global priority for marine protection.
Day 1 : Sorong.
Arrive in Sorong at the newly built Dominique Edward Osok airport. Our representative will be waiting outside the arrival hall and ready to escort you to the ship for immediate boarding. Our Safety Briefing, Safety DVD, Crew Introduction, Necessary Dive Paperwork, Cabin allocation and ship orientation will take place before departing Sorong Harbour. During the journey to our first dive site take this opportunity to familiarize yourselves with the vessel and make yourself comfortable.
Meals : Lunch, Dinner
Dive : Check Dive at Black Rock or Yum Slope
Day 2 : Penemu Island
Melissa’s Garden, Barracuda Reef, Galaxy, Anita’s Garden. All of these dive sites offer world class diving, fantastic corals and a huge amount of fish. Because the substrate at Melissa’s Garden is exceedingly delicate, absolute attention to good buoyancy is required. Also this is a good chance to trek to one of the most famous view points in the region.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Dive : 3 day dives + 1 night dive + trekking.
Day 3 : Yanggefo Island
Myhem, Citrus Ridge, Gam Ridge, and Mangroves. This area offers some truely unique environments to dive in. The vibrant orange soft corals of Citrus Ridge provide a stunning back drop to this site, home to barracudas, bumphead parrot fish and sea snakes are common here. Myhem offers schools of bat fish, surgeon fish and snappers with the occasional Wobbegong sleeping under the coral heads. Gam Ridge is a good place to spot Eagle and Mobula rays. The Mangroves offer some stunning photo opportunities, diving late in the day around 4 pm when the sun is low in the sky gives some stunning shafts of light in the mangrove shallows.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Dive : 3 day dives + 1 night dive
Day 4 : Airborek Island
Manta Sandy, Manta Ridge, Airborek Island & Jetty. Manta Sandy and Manta Ridge are two of the most reliable Manta congregation spots in the Dampier Strait. Here you can look at the majestic animals somersaulting through the water while they are cleaned by several species of Wrasse and even Butterflyfish. The Jetty at Airborek offers unique photo opportunities of the long wooden pillars covered with soft corals and seafans, if your lucky the local kids will be at play, jumping in the water eager to get on your photo reel. Airborek Jetty offers one of the best night dives in Raja Ampat where Blue Ring Octopus, Harlequin Shrimp and Wobbegong are often seen.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Dive : 3 day dives + 1 night dive
Day 5 : Dampier Strait + Swingkrai
Mikes Point, Sardine Reef, Mioskon and Friwinbondan. Before dive activities begin we have an early rise, we go in search of the Red Bird of Paradise at Sawingkrai Village on Gam. We then continue to Mike’s Point. Schooling sweetlips, patroling black tip reef sharks and interesting macro subjects such as small octopus and shrimp thrive in these craggy coral niches. Sardine Reef. Actually sardines are not found at this site but you won’t miss them. Fusiliers, Surgeonfish, Trevally, Rainbow Runners, Sweetlips and Bannerfish crowd the open water and swarm over a reef decorated with sea fans. Mioskon Reef is home to hundreds of lined snappers that usually cover the slope, schools of glass fish hide in coral bommies and Wobbegongs are very common here. Friwinbondan offers an good night dive with Nudibranches, many shrimps and if your lucky a Walking Shark (Epaulette shark)
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Dive : 3 day dives + 1 night dive + trekking
Day 6 : Kri island
Cape Kri, Cape Mansuar, Located in the Dampier Strait on Mansuar & Kri Islands. This site is one of the top dives in Raja. Cape Kri is recorded as having the most amount of fish species counted on a single dive by reknown icthylologist Dr Gerald Allen. Cape Mansuar is not far behind with large schools of barracuda, surgeon fish, bumphead parrotfish and many friendly turtles. A perfect way to end your trip.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Dive : 2 morning dives
Day 7 : Sorong
After breakfast, prepare for disembarkation. Be ready to leave the boat and you will be transferred to Sorong Airport. Your diving journey has ended and we shall look forward to welcoming you onboard again.
Meals : Breakfast
Dive : no dive
Note: please email us if you need a full set of dive gear at least 1 week before departure