Spice Islands and Raja Ampat

Embark Coral Discoverer in Darwinat the commencement of this11-night voyage through the Spice Islands and Raja Ampat to Biak, West Papua. Become one of the very first to have experienced these rarely-visited islands, where villagers have remained shielded from the outside world and communities are only now emerging into the 21st century. 

The centrepiece of the expedition is a five day exploration through the nature lover’s paradise that is Raja Ampat. Harbouring over 75% of the world’s total coral and fish species, Raja Ampat’s pristine and brightly coloured reef systems offer perhaps the very best snorkelling and diving in the world today. On Misool, one of the famed ‘Four Kings’ of Raja Ampat, you will have the opportunity to snorkel through Tomorol Cave. While in Pulau Gam’s traditional Sawingrai village, you will join a local on a guided walk through the rainforest in search of the iconic Red Bird of Paradise.

Aboard Coral Adventurer you will retrace the footsteps of early explorers on approach to the island of Banda Neira, guided by the plume of smoke emerging from the island’s active Gunung Api volcano. The most treasured and valued commodities of their time, the world’s entire supply of nutmeg and mace was grown in the Spice Islands between the 12th and 15th centuries, and even today a stroll through Banda’s local spice markets offers a melting pot of aromas, colourful spices and vibrant characters. In Cenderawasih Bay, a protected Marine Park home to one of the world’s largest schools of Whale Shark, you'll seek out these amazing fish, some measuring up to 12 metres in length.

Cruising aboard Coral Adventurer, in the company of an experienced expedition team and all-Australian staff, you are sure to make the most of every minute discovering the very best that nature has to offer on this remarkable journey.