Epic Raja Ampat part II. Luxury liveaboard & Partial Solar Eclipse April 12-22, 2023

Raja Ampat is one of the most extraordinary places to snorkel on the planet. If you are an avid snorkeler this is a part of the world you must visit. I have been to Raja Ampat over a dozen times and my enthusiasm to return only gets stronger with each visit. Every time you enter the water it’s a different and exciting experience. There is no such thing as too much time in Raja Ampat. It’s a vast region stretching over 15,000 square miles.  The remarkable array of vibrant soft corals, sea fans, sponges and hard coral gardens are stunning.  The prolific marine life ranges from the tiniest pygmy seahorses to magnificent blue whales.
Fusiliers, butterflyfish, parrotfish, surgeons, bannerfish, triggerfish and squadrons of jacks and barracuda are typical sights. Other highlights include sweetlips, walls of batfish,  mandarin fish, wobbegong sharks, turtles and majestic mantas.

Indonesia is in the heart of the Coral Triangle. 75% of the world’s coral species and a whooping 1,000 species of fish are found here.  Snorkeling in Indonesia is unique not only for the sheer volume of marine life but also due to the variety of accessible marine habitats including vibrant coral gardens, sea mounts and magical mangroves.
Raja Ampat or “Four Kings” refers to four main islands located off the northwest coast of West Papua: Misool, Salawati, Batan, and Waigeo.

ITINERARY:
April 12  
Our liveaboard adventure begins on April 12th. If you joined Raja Ampat part I at Misool Eco Resort you will have spent a restful night in Sorong on April 11th. Crew from the White Manta will meet you the morning of the 12th and transfer you directly to the boat.

For those arriving Sorong on April 12th, you will be met at the airport by crew from the White Manta and transferred directly to the boat.

April 12-19
The morning of April 12 we board the luxurious White Manta and begin our voyage exploring the wonders of Raja Ampat.
From the comfort of our liveaboard we’ll explore the beautiful shallow reefs and mind-blowing coral and marine life of Raja Ampat.
Raja Ampat has literally hundreds of diverse snorkel sites to choose from.  Each day we’ll travel to the best snorkel sites available based on real-time conditions. We will have the flexibility to optimize our snorkel experiences by maneuvering to the most fishy and sheltered areas.

The rhythm of the days on a live-aboard snorkel trip is fun, easy and flexible.
Our day to day itinerary will vary to make sure we are at the best site at the best time. It’s all about maximum exposure to discover a variety of marine life in the best possible conditions. We’ll snorkel shallow reefs, explore dramatic walls covered with enormous fans and soft corals. We’ll check out sea mounts for majestic mantas. We’ll explore beautiful and eerie mangroves. Marine life will include everything from the nudibranchs, clouds of jeweled colored anthias, butterfly fish, parrot fish, swirling schools of jacks and barracudas, tasseled wobbegong sharks. Our knowledgeable White Manta guides will use their eagle eyes to look for cryptic critters like scorpionfish, stonefish, hiding octopus and maybe even a seahorse.

Our capable captain will position us to make sure we are in the best places at the optimum time. We have the luxury of time, when we find a spectacular site we love, we have the flexibility to stay. We can follow our hearts and the fish!

On some days we’ll have a zodiac or land tour as well. When possible there may be a dusk or night snorkel.  Evenings are spent enjoying each other’s company and hanging out under the bright stars as we travel quietly to our next amazing snorkel site.

One of my favorite things about being at sea is the feeling of being so present. It’s one of the few times in my life I’m not preoccupied with the past or the future. Time seems suspended and it’s all about being in the here and now, fully immersed in beauty and nature.

April 20. Eclipse Day
The White Manta will be monitoring weather conditions and will position the boat for the best viewing possible. Depending on our exact location the partial solar eclipse should be 90-94% visible. Let’s hope for a cloudless day.
The duration is 3 hours, 8 minutes, 33 seconds, beginning at 12:07 pm and ending at 3:55pm.
Maximum coverage of the sun will happen at 1:43pm. I’ll provide information about filters to use for safe viewing.
There should be some pretty special and weird lighting effects visible. And let’s see what the fish have to say about this! For vision-dependent species that use shadows to spot predators, solar eclipses can have “significant effects” on marine animal behavior.

April 21 
Our underwater explorations continue this morning, the White Manta begins the journey back to Sorong where we will anchor for our final night onboard.
April 22
Disembark. The White Manta will transfer us back to Sorong airport in time for onward flights.

The White Manta Liveaboard:
This expedition takes place on the beautiful new 24 passenger M/V White Manta Explorer.

Accommodations on White Manta Explorer include fourteen beautifully furnished en-suite staterooms averaging 215 sq ft
The cabins and bathrooms are ample ala a hotel room!
The Upper Deck features six cabins with a queen and single bed and large picture windows.
The Main Deck features four twin bedded cabins and a large picture window
The Lower Deck features two twin bedded cabins and two cabins with queen and single bed. These cabins have a lighted virtual window.

The White Manta is loaded with amenities, a large dedicated camera room, indoor and outdoor dining areas and 24-hour satellite WIFI connection. One the yummiest features is the enormous sundeck, decked out with comfortable day-beds.

Snorkel excursions are conducted in small groups focusing on attentive and personalized service. The sizable dive deck has lots of storage area for your gear.  Those of us with creaky bones will love the large, stable dive platform where we board the skiffs.
Meals are served in one of the two dining areas – an outdoor alfresco area and an indoor air-conditioned room. Chef-prepared meals will feature a blend of Western and Asian cuisine. We won’t go hungry as there are 4 gourmet meals a day.
Dietary requests are happily catered to.
The 20 warm and professional crew members on board are eager to share their knowledge and provide first-class service above and below the water.

This departure is currently sold out. To be waitlisted, please contact Wendy@SnorkelingEtc.com

RAJA AMPAT EXPEDITION COST:
$5975.00 per person based on double occupancy.
$7975.00 for single occupancy on the lower deck.

**Due to the dramatic increase in fuel prices the White Manta has imposed a $150 per person fuel surcharge as of April 18, 2022 and this amount will be added to your final invoice** 

Trip costs include:
♦ Transfers to/from the White Manta from Sorong airport or hotel.
♦ 10- night accommodations on the White Manta.
♦ $250.00 for Port, fuel and Raja Ampat National Park fees.
♦ All meals, snacks, coffee, tea, soft drinks and drinking water during the 10 night expedition.
♦ Warm towel and drink after every snorkel.
♦ All water-based and land-based activities while on board the White Manta.

Trip costs exclude:
♦ Airfare.
♦ Gratuities.
♦ Additional hotel nights.
♦ Satellite Wi-Fi.
♦ Nespresso coffee, Alcoholic beverages.
♦ Massages.
♦ Laundry.
♦ Trip cancellation and medical insurance. (essential)

“This is the best coral I have experienced and the marine life was varied and plentiful.
The trip was as close to perfect as I could imagine. Amazing coral and fish and wonderful crew and snorkeling companions. I loved every minute of it.”
-Helen Glasgow

“Wendy, you are a marvel. (10+) I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all you do to make the trip run smoothly. I know you love being in the water. And always with a big smile and gentle laugh carrying that joy forward in every conversation, your intention to make our time just as memorable and enjoyable. It works!”
-Flo McAlary

I hope you will be able to join me on this exceptional journey to experience the beauty and wonders of Raja Ampat!
Contact:  Wendy@SnorkelingEtc.com

 

 

 

 

Wendy Simon
Snorkeling Etc. Inc.
CEO/and Fellow Snorkel Addict
Santa Cruz, CA.
831 254-5001
Wendy@SnorkelingEtc.com