Day 1 : Embarkation Day- (1 check dive)
Between 9-930am, one of our drivers will collect you from your hotel* and bring you to the harbour in Sorong. The specific time of pick up will be confirmed over Whatsapp by your Cruise Director the night before you sail!
After settling into your cabin, there will be time to meet the crew, get comfortable with life onboard and attend the trip briefing. As Eliya slowly leaves Sorong behind, we begin our journey south toward Misool.
In the afternoon, we will conduct a relaxed check dive around Pulau Matan, a small island surrounded by white sand beaches and healthy reefs where wobbegong sharks often rest beneath coral ledges.
Back onboard, the first sunset over Raja Ampat marks the true beginning of the adventure.
*If you plan to take the early morning flight we can also arrange a pick up from the airport, as long as you land no later than 10am. We highly recommend planning on arriving the night before embarkation to avoid any undue stress or risk of flight delays.
Day 2: (3 day dives + 1 sunset/ night dive)
After an overnight crossing, we will wake up surrounded by the dramatic limestone formations characteristic of Southern Raja Ampat. The Daram Archipelago is a remote cluster of rocky islets and uninhabited islands located on the eastern side of Misool.
Exceptional diving awaits us on famous sites such as Living Colours, Candy Store or Andiamo. Spectacular sea fan forests cover the reefs while schools of batfish and jacks cruise through the blue. The marine life is dense, vibrant and incredibly rich, offering a spectacular introduction to the world-class diving of Southern Raja Ampat.
After the afternoon dive, Eliya will continue her journey deeper into Misool’s main dive area. Later in the evening, we will organise either a sunset or night dive on a reef known for encounters with the elusive Raja Ampat walking shark, along with a variety of fascinating nocturnal critters.
Day 3: (3 day dives + 1 sunset/ night dive)
Today we will be diving in the heart of the Misool Marine Protected Area. Decades of conservation efforts and careful management have transformed this region into one of the true jewels of the diving world.
The diving here is simply phenomenal. Everywhere you look, life flourishes in astonishing abundance. Giant sea fan forests grow along current-swept ridges while vertical walls are covered in soft corals and massive sponges. These reefs support an extraordinary density of marine life.
Schools of barracuda and jacks patrol the blue water while napoleon wrasses and bumphead parrotfish roam the reefs below. Majestic manta rays are frequently encountered on several cleaning stations, and shark populations continue to grow year after year.
Combined with postcard-perfect landscapes, hidden lagoons and crystal-clear waters, Misool truly feels like a diver’s dream. Dive sites for the day will be selected according to conditions, with the aim of visiting some of the signature reefs that have made this area legendary among divers worldwide.
Day 4: (3 day dives)
Today we continue exploring this incredible region with three dives on carefully selected reefs around Misool.
Once the afternoon dive is completed, Eliya will turn her bow north toward Central Raja Ampat. We will enjoy another spectacular sunset at sea before continuing our overnight crossing through the heart of the archipelago.
Day 5: (3 day dives + Viewpoint)
Welcome to Central Raja Ampat. The landscapes are different here, and so is the diving.
While still spectacular, there is a clear visual shift between the steep slopes covered in sea fans and soft corals typical of Misool, and the shallower hard coral gardens that dominate this region. This is also the favourite playground of the iconic wobbegong shark, more commonly encountered here.
The islands of Penemu sit at the heart of a maze of limestone islets and nutrient-rich currents that support spectacular reef systems. Among the highlights is Melissa’s Garden, famous for its vast fields of pristine hard corals and frequent encounters with napoleon wrasse, reef sharks and schooling fish.
In the late afternoon, we step ashore for a short hike to the iconic Piaynemo viewpoint. From the summit, a breathtaking panorama unfolds across Raja Ampat’s world-famous limestone seascape.
Day 6: (3 day dives + 1 sunset/ night dive)
Today we venture deeper into the western reaches of Waigeo Island, where isolated reefs and submerged seamounts attract an abundance of marine life.
Sites such as Mayhem are known for their intense fish action, with schools of barracuda and jackfish patrolling the blue while giant trevallies and dogtooth tuna hunt among vast clouds of fusiliers. One of the area’s most unique dives combines mangrove forests and coral reefs, creating a habitat unlike anywhere else in the world.
Some local communities actively protect the waters surrounding their villages and jetties, creating thriving marine sanctuaries rich in life. Diving beneath one of these village jetties, whether during the day or at night, is truly one of the most unique experiences Raja Ampat has to offer. Schools of fish gather in astonishing numbers beneath the structures, while the seabed reveals an incredible variety of rare and fascinating critters.
Day 7: (3 day dives + 1 sunset/ night dive)
The Dampier Strait is one of Raja Ampat’s most celebrated diving regions. Powerful currents fuel an extraordinary concentration of marine life, creating some of the richest reefs in the archipelago.
Depending on conditions and tides, we may explore iconic sites such as Cape Kri, Blue Magic, Sardines Reef, Chicken Reef, Mioskon, Sawandarek and many more. Massive schools of fish, reef sharks, turtles, manta rays and thriving coral gardens are common encounters.
As darkness falls, attention shifts toward the smaller and more unusual critters, often encountered along a sandy slope nicknamed “The Crazy Zoo”, considered one of the best night dives in the region. Hidden among the sand and rubble, a fascinating variety of nocturnal creatures emerges after sunset, turning the dive into a true macro safari.
Day 8: (2 day dives)
Our final diving day is reserved for a memorable farewell to Raja Ampat. Two last dives will be selected, offering a final opportunity to experience the extraordinary biodiversity of the archipelago.
Once back onboard, equipment is rinsed and secured as Eliya begins her return journey toward Sorong.
Day 9: Disembarkation Day (Depart by 10am)
After breakfast, guests begin disembarkation in Sorong. Departures may take place from 5:00 AM onwards, with all guests leaving the vessel by 10:00 AM.
Transfers can be arranged either to Sorong Airport or to hotels within the city for guests continuing their travels through Indonesia.
From hidden lagoons and towering limestone islands to reefs overflowing with life, Raja Ampat offers a rare glimpse into one of the most extraordinary marine environments left on Earth. Both above and below the surface, every part of the journey is shaped by the richness and remoteness of the archipelago.
