Expert-Led Raja Ampat
Who: Couples, Families, Groups and Solo Travellers

11 Days

From £5,890pp

A Raja Ampat Adventure with Award-Winning Experts

Emily C, Jacqui and Rachel are here to help give you the inside track.

On this 11-day adventure, sail Raja Ampat aboard luxury liveaboard Tiger Blue. Led by National Geographic wildlife expert Jack Randal award-winning underwater photographer Jenny Stock, get a deeper cut of the world's most biodiverse marine region, spending surface intervals jungle trekking, bird spotting and kayaking this spectacular archipelago.

Itinerary at a glance:
  • Hone your underwater photography skills with award-winning underwater photographer and documentary maker Jenny Stock
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the region's incredible wildlife with National Geographic wildlife expert Jack Randal
  • Enjoy the luxurious Tiger Blue, a traditional Indonesian phinisi (elegant wooden sailing yacht)
  • Dive the colourful, pristine reefs in Raja Ampat, the epicentre of global marine diversity
  • Walk in the footsteps of naturalist Alfred Wallace to spot Birds of Paradise and countless other species

Why Book with Original Diving?

Just a few of the extra touches that come as standard on an Original Diving holiday...
100% Carbon Off-setting
UK Departure Assistance
Fast Track UK Check-in
Fast Track UK Security
UK Airport Lounge Access
Pre-booked Airline Seats
See More

When To Travel

jan

feb

mar

apr

may

jun

jul

aug

sep

oct

nov

dec

Average temperature -
Average rainfall -

All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you

This sample itinerary is intended to give you a flavour of what we can do

Days 1–2: International Flight

Toast to your upcoming adventure in the departure lounge before boarding your overnight flight to Sorong.

Depending on which route you take, you will transition through Southeast Asia or the Middle East en route, landing in Sorong two days later.

Day 3: Sorong and Mios Kon

Upon arrival you will be met by one of our representatives on the ground and transferred to Sorong harbour to board Tiger Blue, your home for the next seven nights. The journey will take around 20 minutes.

One of the most beautiful liveaboards to sail Indonesia, Tiger Blue is a traditional Indonesian phinisi (elegant wooden sailing yacht) with all the luxurious amenities. Once you've settled into your cabin, you will meet your fellow sailors and the on-board experts Jack Randall and Jenny Stock. A National Geographic wildlife expert, Jack will take guests on a journey to identify and learn about the exotic wildlife you encounter while Jenny, an award-winning underwater photographer and documentary maker, will make sure you capture the perfect shots.

This afternoon you will set sail for Mios Kon for your first dive of the trip. As far as introductions go, Mios Kon is pretty spectacular with vibrant corals in every colour topped with clouds of fish, from huge schools of snappers to expertly camouflaged wobbegong sharks lurking on the coral's seabed.

Back on the boat, sip on sundowners as you watch flying foxes emerge from their daily slumber, before dining on a delicious dinner under the stars.

Day 4: Yenbuba and Cape Kri

The early bird catches the worm, or in this case, early divers catch the corals with your first dive of the day at Yenbuba Jetty.

With stunning soft corals under the jetty as well as giant clams, moray eels, reef sharks and more, there are plenty of opportunities to perfect your photography skills under Jenny's guidance. Return to the boat for breakfast and prepare for your second dive at Suandarek, another jetty dive with flurries of fish to admire.

This afternoon, prepare for the record-breaker with your final dive of the day at Cape Kri. This site is the most biodiverse location in the world, with a record-smashing 374 species of reef fish recorded in a single dive. Expect to see white-tip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, groupers, tuna, turtles, trigger fish, cuttlefish, porcupinefish… you get the idea.

Spend the evening enjoying tutorials with the resident experts or relax on deck stargazing with a beer.

Cape Kri is a diving bucket-list destination and exploring with expert guides makes a huge difference in navigating the mind-boggling amount of activity on display.
Image of Jacqui Brooks
Jacqui Brooks

Day 5: Pyanemo Viewpoint and Kayaking

Test your sea legs on dry land today as you venture to Pyanemo Island.

This morning the boat will moor at Pyanemo Island for you to climb the short wooden staircase for breath-taking views across this group of small, lush islands. Grab a coconut from a local seller and take a dip in the crystal-clear water. You can also take a kayak out to explore the hidden lagoons and coves around the islands.

After lunch back on-board Tiger Blue, head back under the waves to encounter the marvellous marine life residing at My Reef site. Later on, you will be dropped at Melissa's Garden for your final dive of the day, where brightly coloured soft corals and sponges cover the ocean floor in magnificent formations. Keep your eyes peeled for nudibranchs and anemone fish, as well as spot rabbitfish, sea snakes, angelfish, lionfish and pygmy seahorses.

Fill in your logbooks over a beer back on board, picking Jack's brain over all the magnificent marine life encountered that day.

Day 6: Swim the Equator at Kawe and a Sunset Beach Bonfire

Fingers crossed for manta ray sightings on this morning's dive at Eagle Rock, named for the majestic eagles circling above the small, rocky islands.

This over-hang is at around 20 metres and is home to a wealth of marine life, such as butterfly fish, groupers, damselfish, wrasse, trigger fish, pufferfish and schools of barracuda.

Later this morning you will have the opportunity to cross the equator underwater snorkelling or diving at Kawe. Popular with manta rays, seahorses and myriad fish, this is a unique location to experience.

This afternoon Tiger Blue will set sail for Wofoh, where you will moor and enjoy a barbecue and bonfire on Sunset Beach.

A bonfire party on the beach with new friends and cold beers is a pretty great way to spend an evening!
Image of Jacqui Brooks
Jacqui Brooks

Day 7: Pulau Pef and The Kabui Straits

Stay above water today with a kayaking tour around Pulau Pef.

Characterised by small inlets, bays and crystal-clear lagoons, Pulau Pef is the perfect island to paddle around and see the giant ancient trees and their mangrove roots reaching into the water. See prehistoric hand paintings on the limestone cliffs, painted by the Aboriginal Australians before the land masses separated.

After lunch, you will be taken on a dinghy trip along the Kabui Straits, where Jack will tell you all about the endemic wildlife thriving in the area.

Kick back and relax with dinner back on deck.

Day 8: Citrus Ridge and Arborek Village

Head back underwater this morning to explore one of the most beautiful dive sites of Raja Ampat, Citrus Ridge.

As the name alludes, the sloped reef is carpeted in yellow, orange, pink, purple and green soft corals and home to a huge variety of marine life. See thousands of glassfish, lurking wobbegongs and schools of barracuda, surgeonfish and batfish.

The second dive of today is at Mayhem, an aptly named site with, you've guessed it, a bustling mix of marine life. Enjoy exploring the large submerged pinnacle with schools of fusiliers, snappers, mantis-shrimp and batfish on a backdrop of colourful corals.

Sail to Arborek and drop anchor to dive Manta Ridge. Mantas are spotted along the sloping reef, often measuring up to four metres from wing tip to wing tip. It is a majestic sight to see these beautiful rays gliding through the water, passing through school after school of fish to find the cleaner wrasses they rely on below the ridge.

After this encounter, take a sunset walk around the village of Arborek before returning to Tiger Blue for dinner.

Day 9: Bird of Paradise in Yenbeser

This morning you will be dropped near the village of Yenbeser to enjoy walk into the hills and see the stunning resident Bird of Paradise.

An early start will be rewarded with sightings of the Red Bird of Paradise and countless other species, with wildlife expert Jack leading the way. Visit the hut of 19th century naturalist and explorer Alfred Wallace, who published papers on the theory of evolution and natural selection with Charles Darwin.

Walk through the jungle where you will find kayaks to paddle back to the boat. This afternoon, enjoy your last underwater experience in Raja Ampat snorkelling at Batu Lima. Spot fusiliers, unicorn fish, black tip reef sharks and hunting trevallies in the shallows, and swim between rocks encrusted with brilliant orange hard coral, covered in purple and pink soft corals swaying in the water.

Enjoy your final evening and dinner on-board.

Day 10: Arrive Back in Sorong to Head Home

Tiger Blue will sail through the night to arrive back in Sorong Harbour this morning. Say goodbye to your fellow guests as sadly it's time to head back to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Day 11: Arrive Home

You will land back in London this morning after an epic Indonesian adventure.

All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you

This sample itinerary is intended to give you a flavour of what we can do
£

A Rough Idea of Price

While all of our holidays are completely tailor-made and prices will vary based on things like time of year and level of accommodation, we want to give you as good an idea of how much this itinerary will cost. The below prices are based on two people sharing.

This Itinerary

If you would like to book the exact itinerary mentioned above, with economy flights, during mid-season and staying in our preferred room category at our preferred hotels.

From

£6,930pp

Bare Necessities

If you would like to pare back the above itinerary by travelling at non-peak times, staying in a standard room and removing some or all of the guided activities.

From

£5,890pp

Bells & Whistles

If you are looking for something extra special and would like to add business or first class flights, stay in top room categories at some of the most luxurious hotels we work with, and add more activities and guiding.

From

£8,315pp

Emily C, Jacqui and Rachel are our experts for this itinerary and as seasoned travellers they have the inside track on the most memorable adventures.

Rachel Gaw
Image of Jacqui Brooks
Call us on 1-800-652-1972