Indonesia’s Spice Islands and Raja Ampat Aboard Aqua Blu

Arrive in Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital city, and transfer to the Swissôtel Jakarta PIK Avenue hotel (or similar). Enjoy the hotel facilities and rest up for your expedition. 

Travel by air from Jakarta to Ambon on the recommended flight*; transfers to the airport and luggage assistance will be provided. Board the elegant <i>Aqua Blu</i>, settle into your cabin and meet your fellow explorers at a welcome reception and dinner as the ship sets sail. <i>*If you are not purchasing the recommended group flight, please get in touch to confirm your arrangements.</i>

Spend the day relaxing on board where luxurious amenities await. Lounge on the deck with a book, soak in the views of azure waters or refine your photography skills with guidance from your National Geographic certified photography instructor. Engage in captivating talks from your expedition team about the wildlife, geology and cultures that will shape your journey. 

Spend the next several days discovering Raja Ampat, part of the Coral Triangle and home to one of the planet’s richest marine ecosystems. Arrive in Misool, the second largest island in Raja Ampat. In the Wayil Islands, discover breathtaking karst limestone peaks and hidden lagoons. Set out on kayaks or snorkel and dive in turquoise waters alive with sea fans, blue fusiliers, manta rays and trevallies. On Yillet island—or “pulau” in Indonesian—uncover soft coral reefs teeming with reef sharks, parrotfish, moray eels and colorful nudibranchs. Keep an eye out for cockatoos as you make your way to shore. Cap the day on a secluded beach relaxing or snorkeling close to shore before sunset cocktails. 

Visit Misool’s magnificent One Thousand Temples karst island and lagoon complex, where you’ll see ancient rock art estimated to be about 15,000 years old. Those up for an arduous climb will get the chance to swim in stingless jellyfish lakes. Living without predators, these moon, golden medusa and Cassiopeia jellyfish have developed stingless bodies. Traverse dramatic karst seascapes by Zodiac and delve into Tomolol Cave, a mesmerizing subterranean river system. Beneath the surface, snorkeling and diving reveal a kaleidoscope of marine life, from pygmy seahorses to barracudas and colorful gobies. 

Discover Daram, the easternmost island of Misool and the most remote part of the Misool Marine Reserve. It’s known for its exceptional marine life and is home to hawksbill and green turtles that nest on untouched beaches. Discover vast underwater landscapes, encountering lionfish, Christmas tree worms, clownfish and more–a haven for underwater photography enthusiasts. 

Step ashore on the uninhabited and privately owned forested island of Sabuda, a sanctuary of natural beauty that rises nearly 150 meters above sea level and is surrounded by a vibrant coral reef. Stroll along one of the island’s charming beaches or hidden coves and snorkel or kayak in tranquil, turquoise waters. 

Sebakor bay—or “teluk” in Indonesian—boasts stunning coastlines shaped by karst rock formations and narrow inlets. A mesmerizing network of shallow reefs and waterways, bordered by vast mangroves and rivers that wind deep into the Papuan mainland, make this area ideal for kayaking and Zodiac cruising. The crown jewels of Sebakor, though, are its offshore seamounts boasting vibrant reefs and abundant marine life. You’ll also explore a bat cave nestled in a natural rocky cathedral along the shoreline. Drift through crystal-blue waters on a Zodiac to spot the colony of bats clinging to the walls and ceilings. 

Arrive at the tropical haven of Momon, located on West Papua’s Bomberai Peninsula. Marvel at Kiti Kiti waterfall which cascades directly into the sea and swim to its plunge pool for an invigorating natural shower. Snorkel or kayak along the jungle-fringed coastline, keeping an eye out for hornbills and forest kangaroos.  

Discover Koon, a tiny but beautiful island in the Banda Sea. Here, you’ll snorkel or dive in the underwater realm of “Too Many Fish,” an area known for possible sightings of reef sharks, leopard sharks and hammerheads. Explore Gorong Island’s shallow reefs and dramatic drop-offs, accessed via a narrow waterway—a paradise for marine enthusiasts.

Begin your day with a sunrise breakfast aboard <i>Aqua Blu</i>, set against the dramatic silhouette of Pulau Manuk’s towering cliffs—a volcanic island that rises three kilometers from the ocean floor. Uninhabited by humans, this isle provides a haven for nature’s predators: fish-eating birds dive with precision into its pristine waters, and sea snakes and reef sharks gather at its underwater thermal springs. Be on the lookout for frigatebirds, gannets and other seabirds that nest in Manuk’s verdant treetops. Enjoy swimming or kayaking in the ocean before taking part in a cooking demonstration aboard the ship.

At Pulau Ai, one of the westernmost gems of the Banda Islands, immerse yourself in crystalline waters as you swim, snorkel or dive among coral gardens full of reef fish. Afterward, step ashore for a guided tour of Ai where you’ll learn about the island's storied past and visit its historic nutmeg storehouses, once vital to the lucrative spice trade. Be sure to keep your camera handy as you explore with your National Geographic certified photo instructor by your side. In the afternoon, journey to the shores of Pulau Run, an idyllic island that was a center for nutmeg trade in the 17th century and was famously traded for Manhattan in 1667 by the British and Dutch. In the evening, enjoy a cocktail party on these historic sands, watching the sun sink gracefully into the sea. 

Begin your day with an early morning swim in tranquil ocean waters, followed by snorkeling, diving or kayaking excursions. On the northern shores of Nusa Laut, explore the picturesque fishing villages of Ameth and Akon, where time seems to slow amidst the island's serene beauty. With luck, you’ll spot the elusive dugong, the Southeast Asian cousin of the gentle American manatee, in its natural environment. As your journey continues toward Ambon, take part in a cooking lesson that brings the flavors of the Spice Islands to life. Enhance your day with insightful onboard presentations from your naturalist guides, deepening your connection to the landscapes, cultures and wildlife you’ve encountered along the way.  

Disembark in Ambon after breakfast and transfer to the airport to fly to Jakarta on our recommended flight*; transfers to the airport and luggage assistance will be provided. Upon arrival, connect to your flight home.  <i>*If you are not purchasing the recommended group flight, please get in touch to confirm your arrangements.</i>