Aqua Blu Raja Ampat Cruise
Sailing towards the edge of the Pacific Ocean, this 8-day Raja Ampat cruise expedition is a visual spectacle with unmatched marine diversity on show at some of the best dive and snorkel sites on Earth. Indonesia’s Raja Ampat features beautiful limestone karst island clusters that enthrall explorers with secret lagoons, bays and beaches. During this Indonesia cruise aboard the 30-guest luxury yacht Aqua Blu, explore the world’s most biodiverse environments and also tuck into perfect private hideaways.
Enjoy world-class wildlife excursions both on the ground and underwater. Go in search of birds of paradise that exist nowhere else on Earth. These winged wonders live alongside 350 other bird species, including forest kingfishers and king parrots, making the region a mecca for birders. Scour beaches for turtle species including the Pacific leatherback, the largest of all living turtle species on Earth. And don either dive gear or a snorkel and fins to discover the underwater delights of this Marine Protected Area.
Start the trip by relaxing at Swiss-Belhotel before boarding the ship on day 1, then begin enjoying various highlights of the itinerary. Tour “The Passage”–a narrow passage between Waigeo and Gam Island that Alfred Russell Wallace traveled through in 1860, experience Yangeffo Island, enjoy water activities at Wofoh Island, dive at Figure Eight Rock or snorkel at the Ranger station to spot black tip reef sharks while visiting Wayag Island, take in traditional dancing at the Papuan village of Yensawai on Birie Island and visit Mayabilit Bay.
The alternative Spice Islands to Raja Ampat itinerary completes a positioning route, offering some unique stops for a blend of Aqua Blu’s regularly occurring itineraries. Motor from the Spice Islands to Raja Ampat to experience centuries-old traditions at the former center of the global spice trade, then explore endemic and rare bird species in the most diverse marine habitats in the world.
Passage is aboard Aqua Blu, a luxury long-range explorer yacht with a military past, specifically refurbished for cruising among Indonesian waters. This vessel is an AdventureSmith favorite for private charter cruises due to her private yacht feel and size. Enjoy her fine appointments, 5-star Indonesian cuisine with menus developed by a world-renowned chef, and state-of-the-art safety equipment for a unique way to cruise Indonesia.
Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Indonesia cruises, Southeast Asia cruises and Pacific Island cruises.