Luxury Resorts and Liveaboard Expedition from Raja Ampat to N. Sulawesi

***RAJA AMPAT-HALMAHERA-NORTH SULAWESI***
19 wonder-filled days exploring the heart of the Coral Triangle in luxury.  From the vibrant reefs of Raja Ampat to the remote fishy waters of Halmahera and North Sulawesi.  Snorkel pristine reefs exploding with color and extraordinary marine life, unwind in world-class accommodations on land and aboard a luxury liveaboard.

This 3-part itinerary is so delicious that I can’t help thinking about it in terms of an exquisite banquet.  A feast for the senses with unsurpassed beauty that feeds the soul.  This unique itinerary begins and ends with heavenly boutique eco-resorts and includes 11-nights on the award-winning Coralia Dua liveaboard. 

April 22-25, 2028 The Appetizer…
Your journey begins with three nights at Papua Paradise Resort located in the heart of Raja Ampat.  The island of Birie is teeming with exotic bird life, lush jungle foliage and is surrounded by pristine reefs. On past visits schooling fish, wobbegong sharks, mating cuttlefish and a graceful mantas have been seen within a few swim strokes from the jetty. Snorkel excursions to nearby reefs will allow an opportunity for more underwater explorations.  

Built in traditional style, the resort features 26 overwater bungalows with spacious verandas overlooking the turquoise house reef. Meals are served buffet style with a wide selection of Indonesian and International dishes. The resort offers the only luxury spa in Raja Ampat.

Designed as a sweet beginning and a way to unwind from long travels. During your stay you can enjoy snorkeling, massage, early morning bird walks and serene evenings watching the sunset from your private balcony.
Your stay at Papua Paradise Includes:

• Transfer from Sorong airport to the resort
• Three nights in a Deluxe fan-cooled overwater bungalow. 
• Guided snorkel excursions
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

April 25-May 6, 2028  The main course, pièce de résistance
11-night voyage through Raja Ampat, Halmahera to Lembeh onboard  the luxurious Coralia Dua Liveaboard.

The Coralia is my favorite liveaboard. Luxuriously spacious, elegant cabins, amazing meals and a fantastic crew.  I’ve seen a guest or two shed a tear when it was time to say goodbye. Personally, after spending a full month onboard, I was clinging to the rails “don’t make me go.” The Coralia team understands that comfort, safety and quality of experience makes for a very special experience.

 Raja Ampat is located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, home to the world’s most biodiverse coral reefs. 75% of the world’s coral species and a whooping 1,700 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.

Fusiliers, butterflyfish, parrotfish, surgeons, bannerfish, triggerfish and squadrons of jacks and barracuda are typical sights. Other underwater highlights may include a variety of octopus, cuttlefish, wobbegong sharks, turtles, mobulas and majestic mantas.

Halmahera, west of Raja Ampat features dramatic volcanoes and beautiful beaches. The pristine reefs and walls offer a profusion of soft corals exploding with anthias and schools of fish. The nutrient rich currents enable the proliferation of an astounding number of fish including surgeonfish, bumphead parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, jacks, sharks and rays!

Lembeh is world famous for the best “muck” snorkeling.  Go slow and enjoy the treasure hunt to spot black sand habitats to find cryptic critters like seahorses, cuttlefish, leaf fish, scorpionfish and frogfish! Be warned, muck snorkeling is very addicting.

The rhythm of the days on a liveaboard snorkel trip are fun and flexible.  Perhaps you’ll want to start your day watching the sunrise and stretching on the upper deck. After a breakfast of mouth-watering goodies (watch out for the homemade cinnamon buns) there will be a snorkel briefing and slip into the water for a leisurely morning snorkel.  After lunch and time for a rest, it’s time to explore a new underwater wonderland. Dinner and star gazing is a wonderful way to end the day.

Each guided snorkel session lasts approximately 2 hours. Any time you want to take a break there will be a skiff nearby where you can take a rest or return to the comfort of the Coralia Dua.   When possible, there will be a dusk or night snorkel.

The day-to-day itinerary will be based on the prevailing conditions. The focus will be on quality time on beautiful, shallow reefs ideal for snorkeling. On May 6 you will be transferred between the Coralia and the Coral Eye Resort.

May 6-10, 2028 Dessert!
Four nights  at the Coral Eye Resort on Bangka Island
This is the super yummy dessert course of the trip. A stay at Coral Eye is the perfect end to an amazing adventure.
Coral Eye is a beautifully designed boutique hotel that blends high-end comfort with a fabulous house reef. Bangka is a snorkeler’s paradise, situated on a palm-fringed white sand beach.
Bangka’s archipelago offers a diversity of marine environments from volcanic pinnacles, pristine coral reef slopes to sandy slopes, mangroves and walls.  You’ll snorkel reefs with stunning coral gardens, prolific schools of fish and sandy patches with cryptic critters.

You could spend all your time on the amazing house reef right in front of the resort but your time here includes UNLIMITED massages and UNLIMITED snorkeling! This means up to four guided boat snorkels a day plus unaccompanied house reef access 24/7.   

All meals & snacks, drinking water, coffee and tea are included.  Breakfast includes freshly baked bread, homemade tropical jams and preserves, eggs made to order, cereals, home baked muffins, seasonal fruit platters, fresh juices, tea and moka coffee.  The Coral Eye prides themselves for using the freshest, locally available ingredients to prepare a wide variety of dishes that combine European and Indonesian flavors.  

May 10, 2028. Departure from Manado
Transfers from the Coral Eye Resort to Manado International Airport are provided. If you can’t tear yourself away from the Coral Eye it may be possible to extend your stay at this island paradise, if you plan in advance.

RAJA AMPAT to N. SULAWESI EXPEDITION COST BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY:
$11,960 per person based on double occupancy in a deluxe cabin with king bed or two twin beds
$12,960 per person based on double occupancy in a master cabin with king bed and private balcony
This departure is sold out. To waitlist, please contact Carol.May@icloud.com or  Wendy@snorkelingetc.com

PRICE INCLUDES:
3 NIGHTS AT PAPUA PARADISE April 22-25, 2028
♦ 3 nights at Papua Paradise in a deluxe bungalow
♦ Transfer from Sorong airport to Resort
♦ Coffee, Tea, Iced Tea & Drinking Water
♦ 2 days of guided boat snorkels, free time on the house reef

11 NIGHTS ABOARD THE CORALIA DUA April 25-May 6, 2028
♦ All meals, snacks, coffee, tea and drinking water
♦ $350.00 in Port, fuel and park fees, Raja Ampat National Park fees and fuel surcharge

4 NIGHTS AT THE CORAL EYE RESORT May 6-10, 2028
♦ All meals and afternoon snacks at the Coral Eye
♦ Unlimited snorkels at the Coral Eye- up to 4 guided boat snorkels per day (including a night snorkel) plus unaccompanied house reef access 24/7.
♦ Unlimited spa treatments at the Coral Eye Resort
♦ Transfer back to Manado Airport

PRICE EXCLUDES:
♦ Port, fuel and park fees that exceed $350.00
♦ Additional hotel nights
♦ Massages at Papua Paradise and on board the Coralia Dua
♦ Laundry
♦ Trip cancellation and medical insurance. (essential)

Trip leaders, Carol May and Chris Wilkinson:

Carol and Chris are have been leading Snorkeling Etc trips since 2017 throughout Indonesia, Palau and the Solomon Islands. They are certified marine mammal naturalists and have 20 years guiding and organizing multi-day outdoor expeditions.
Their background as marine science teachers give them a deep understanding and appreciation of the marine environment. They are passionate about snorkeling and enjoy helping people understand and appreciate the incredible biodiversity found beneath the surface, whether observing reef fish, searching for cryptic macro life, or encountering large pelagic species.

Chris and Carol are also skilled photographers. Carol’s underwater photography has won numerous awards including the journal of Wildlife photography. Chris is a devoted GoPro user with a special focus on pelagics.
If you don’t already know Chris and Carol, you’ll find out why they receive rave reviews as trip leaders.

Chris and Carol look forward to welcoming you on board!
For further information and an application please contact Carol.May@icloud.com or Wendy@Snorkelingetc.com