Treasures of Indonesia part 1: Central and Northern Raja Ampat September 21-29, 2023

Shhhh…don’t tell anyone. While most liveaboards are in other parts of Indonesia, we’ll be gleefully exploring the phenomenal reefs of Raja Ampat without the crowds. The end of September is a fantastic time to snorkel in Raja Ampat.  It’s after the rainy season and just before high season. The sea is full of life. This is an active time for baitfish and the mobulas and schooling fish that like to snack on them.

Raja Ampat is one of the most extraordinary places on the planet to snorkel. 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.

Our voyage will focus on the best of Central and Northern Raja Ampat.  The following “Forgotten Islands voyage” from Raja Ampat to Saumlaki will also include Misool, in the southern part of Raja Ampat and much, much more.

ITINERARY:

September 21, 2023 The morning of the 21st  we board the luxurious Damai1 and begin our voyage exploring the wildly diverse marine environments of of central and northern Raja Ampat.
From the comfort of our liveaboard we’ll explore the beautiful shallow reefs and mind-blowing coral and marine life.
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. The capable Damai 1 captain will position us to make sure we are in the best places at the optimum time. The highly regarded guides from the Damai will guide us and happily share their knowledge with our group with a 4:1 snorkeler to guide ratio.

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.

We will 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!
Cape Kri and Sawanderek can be jaw dropping uber-fishy. What’s more fun than being in a fish mob so thick you can’t see the reef!

Eagle Rock at Kawe is a great snorkel site. It’s named for the majestic eagles circling above the small, rocky islands. Underwater we may encounter creatures like wobbegong sharks, sweetlips, barracudas, tuna, bumphead parrotfish and Manta rays.

One of my favorite areas of Raja Ampat is Aljui Bay. Looking from the surface of this unassuming bay, you are given no clues what treasures lie beneath. But during just one snorkel I’ve found a bounty of cryptic critter including sea horses, a blue ring octopus, flying gunards, leaf scorpionfish and tasseled wobbegong sharks. Not only is this area a gold mine for the weird and wonderful, it also has some of the most exquisite soft corals in all of Raja Ampat.

Uninhabited and incredibly picturesque, Wayag Island in the north is an icon of Raja Ampat.  We’ll enjoy snorkeling the pretty sloping reefs and take a zippy zodiac tour through the unique Karst islands that resemble mushrooms sprouting from the sea.

September 29, 2023
Disembark. The Damai will transfer us back to Sorong airport in time for your onward flight.

The Damai 1 Liveaboard:

Our expedition takes place on the intimate and elegant Damai I liveaboard that holds a maximum of 14 passengers. The elegant wooden vessel 130 ft long, 26 ft wide. The professional and experienced crew of 18 will make sure we have the most exceptional expedition possible. The vessel has been designed with three large deck areas for relaxing in sun or shade and enjoying rejuvenating massage and spa treatments.  The camera room has separate workstations, and an integrated 110v and 220v charging station for each photographer.

There are  2 custom designed high speed tender boats used to transfer guests to and from the snorkel sites safely and comfortably.

The Damai has 7 comfortable cabins. All offer individual air conditioning and an en-suite bathroom complete with a hot water shower, a separate toilet cubicle, hand basin, mirror, hairdryer, towels and toiletries. Amenities include body wash, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and hand soap. All cabins have a writing desk and chair.

The comfortable well appointed standard cabins have a port hole or window and can be configured with a double or twin beds.
Cabin size ranges from 161 to 237 Sq. ft.

The spacious master cabins have panoramic windows and king size bed that can also be set up as two single beds.
Cabin 5, on the lower deck is massive at 430 Sq. ft.   Cabin 6 on the main deck is 377 Sq. ft. and has a private balcony.

Cabins come equipped with round twin plug 220/110V outlet. Adaptors are available on board.
The vessel is equipped with an antenna booster linked to a 3G hotspot so there will be opportunities to stay in touch during your adventure at sea.

We won’t go hungry. The Damai offers 3 gourmet meals a day all Chef prepared. Snacks are provided between snorkels as well. All food restrictions and requests can be accommodated. There is indoor and outdoor dining. On a clear evening we can dine under the stars.
The Damai offers complimentary beer and soft drinks and one glass of table wine with dinner.

RAJA AMPAT EXPEDITION COST:
$5175 per person in a standard cabin based on double occupancy.
$5675 per person in master cabin 5 or 6 based on double occupancy.

This departure is sold out. Please contact Wendy@Snorkelingetc.com to waitlist.

Trip costs include:
♦ Transfers to/from the Damai from Sorong airport or hotel
♦ 8 nights onboard the Damai 1
♦ Harbor fees
♦ All meals, snacks, coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer and drinking water during the  8-night expedition
♦ One glass of wine with dinner
♦  All water-based and land-based activities while on board the Damai 1
♦ One complimentary spa treatment
♦ Laundry

Trip costs exclude:
♦ International and domestic airfare.
♦ National Park Fees. To Be Determined and to be paid on board.
♦ Crew Gratuities.
♦ Trip cancellation and medical insurance (essential).
** Dive Damai reserves the right to impose a fuel surcharge if the price of fuel rises above $130 a barrel

“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