10N11D – Raja Ampat South to North
Potential Itinerary for an 11 day / 10 night trip in Raja Ampat (Misool to Wayag to Dampier Straits)
Arrive at Sorong Airport. Our crew will be waiting outside the arrival hall, they will escort you to the Pearl of Papua. After a 15 minute ride you will be onboard the vessel, cabin allocation and ship orientation will take place before departure, take this time to familiarize yourself with the facilities and make yourself comfortable. Lunch and dinner will be served while heading towards Raja Ampat National Park. Sorong to Misool is roughly a twelve hour journey.
Check Dive at Pulau Matan, time permitting.
Misool is one of the most fascinating areas of Raja Ampat. It contains some of the most amazing underwater seascapes imaginable – deep ravines and canyons give way to unsurpassed coral coverage and unrivaled color. Don’t be surprised if you encounter Gorgonian Sea Fans exceeding 3 meters in diameter! That said, while the reefs are truly breathtaking down in Misool, remember to check the blue every now and again as it is quite common to encounter oceanic manta rays, reaching up to seven meters in length, on many dives. Brace yourself, the diving is about to get incredible.
One of the dives, Magic Mountain, is a fairly reliable cleaning station for oceanic manta rays. Because of this we will dive the site twice in order to afford you the best opportunity to encounter these gentle giants.
Day Two: Daram – Misool
- Dive 1: The Candy Store
- Dive 2: Andiamo
- Dive 3: Andy’s Ultimate
- Dive 4: Daram
Day Three: Boo – Misool
- Dive 1: Magic Mountain
- Dive 2: Boo Rocks
- Dive 3: Boo Window
Day Four: Fiabacet – Misool
- Dive 1: Tank Rock
- Dive 2: Nudi Rock
- Dive 3: Yelit Kecil
Day Five: Farondi – Misool
- Dive 1: Anchovies
- Dive 2: Goa Farondi
Upon completing our second dive of the day, we will begin the long journey from Misool to Penemu (fourteen hours).
Spread over nearly 700 square kilometers of ocean, just above the midway point on Raja Ampat’s north-south axis, Fam and Penemu’s vivid coral gardens revel in the nutrient rich water brought forth from the Dampier Straits. As such, the hard coral seascape at Melissa’s Garden is virtually unrivaled.
After having fun drifting away with current at Penemu, the Pearl of Papua will head towards Wayag – approximately a nine hour journey.
Climb to Pianemo
Dive 1: My Reef
Dive 2: Melissa’s Garden
Dive 3: Barracuda
The Pearl of Papua will moor in front of Mt. Pindito. After completing the first dive you will have the opportunity to hike up to the top so bring your cameras, shoes and a hat – the views are spectaular! Upon descending our speed boats will cruise around the bay exploring hidden areas, thus affording you an up close view of the spectacular limestone karst formations. All three dives in this area are fantastic – from oceanic mantas to sprawling coral formations to pygmy seahorses, you can see it all.
Climb Mt. Pindito
Dive 1: Pelagic Rock
Dive 2: Karang Hitam
Dive 3: Eagle Rock (West)
En route to the Dampier Straits, we will pass the islands of Yangefo and Arborek. Arborek is a small island inhabited by about 130 local Papuans. Here you will have the opportunity to take a more intimate look at their lives as well as explore an authentic village.
There are a few excellent sites in this area. Mayhem is not to be missed, with its vibrant benthic life and a plethora of fish about you are sure to love the dive. Another option for dive site on day eight and nine is Tanjung Putus and Batanta, where the mangroves located beautifully in Raja Ampat.
Dive 1: Mayhem
Dive 2: Citrus Ridge
Dive 3: Tanjung Putus – Mangroves
Dive 4: Teluk Kabui – Mangroves
The Dampier Straits contain some of Raja Ampat’s most action packed dives. There are a number of wonderful sites in the area, many of which are exposed to and best-dived when the current is running. Encounters with Oceanic Mantas, various Sharks, Bumphead Parrotfish, schools of Barracuda, Oceanic Triggerfish, and Big-Eyed Trevally are quite common. The sheer number of fish is literally astounding. At times shoals are so thick the sunlight is practically blocked out.
Finally, what better way to end your diving expedition than to have a barbeque on an uninhabited island? The crew will prepare a wonderful meal for you to enjoy as you watch thousands of fruit bats begin their journey to neighboring islands in search of food.
Dive 1: Arborek Jetty
Dive 2: Cape Kri
Dive 3: Mike’s Point
Barbeque at the island
We can’t get enough of Dampier Straits! Today you will dive at Chicken Reef and Sardine Reef, these dive spots offer an unforgettable diving experience where you may spot huge schools of fishes being stalked by barracuda and trevally. And if you’re lucky even a few manta rays!
After completing your second dive of the day, the Pearl of Papua will begin her return voyage to Sorong. It is roughly a seven hour journey. Upon arriving in Sorong you will have the opportunity to purchase some souvenirs for your family and friends.
Dive 1: Chicken Reef
Dive 2: Sardine Reef
After breakfast, prepare for disembarkation. Official check out time is 10 AM. From here you will be transferred to your next destination. Your diving journey has ended and we certainly look forward to welcoming you onboard again.