- Duration 12 days
- Difficulty 2/5
- Group Size 11
Indonesia: Halmahera to Raja Ampat
20 – 31 March, 2024
Indonesia, is a string of volcanic islands with some of the last frontiers of unspoilt snorkeling and dive sites. Discover the hidden beauty of these wonderful shallow reef areas with some of the highest diversity and ‘fishiest’ areas of the Coral Triangle adjacent to Raja Ampat. From the surface we have the chance to see passing pods of pilot whales and dolphins in one of the region’s most important areas for cetaceans. While cruising from Halmahera to Raja Ampat we will explore the many islands of this spectacular World Heritage Site, with the opportunity to engage in a whole host of activities such as: visits to remote villages, snorkeling on beautiful coral reefs, searching for giant manta rays, whale and dolphin watching, searching for endemic birds and rare endemic fish. This is a purpose-designed snorkeling trip with the idea that finding good snorkeling on a dive site can be frustrating. Halmahera and Raja Ampat are quite simply two of the best, most pristine and most bio-diverse marine habitats anywhere on the planet. They are truly spectacular. We are also able to offer limited diving at some of the snorkel sites to certified guests. There will also be ample time for swimming, as well as simply enjoying the stunning scenery and the pleasure of cruising across the tropical seas on our splendid, traditionally built pinisi ship, the Damai II.
In collaboration with The Oceanic Society.
The map is a visual representation of the locations included in this trip. Click over the image to zoom into the map. For more information, please refer to the itinerary for this expedition.
Trip Details
General Information
PRICE $12,250.00 Per person sharing in Master cabins
PRICE $11,250.00 Per person sharing in Twin cabins
Arrival: Ternate, Indonesia, 20 March, 2024. Trip begins (We will organize the flights from Jakarta to Ternate)
Departure: Sorong, Indonesia, 31 March, 2024. Trip ends (We will organize the flights from Sorong to Jakarta)
Cabin Configuration
2 Master cabins
4 Twin bed cabins
INCLUDED
- Accommodation on a shared or single cabin basis.
- All meals unless otherwise stated.
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure.
- Park and harbour fees (+-US$775 pp).
- Gratuities to the guide and crew.
- Diving fees.
- One Pete Oxford Expeditions trip leader.
- One local tour leader.
NOT INCLUDED
- Round trip international airfare to Jakarta.
- Internal airfare within Indonesia, Jakarta to Ternate returning to Jakarta from Sorong. We will book these flights & invoice you.
- Travel insurance – highly recommended.
- Early check-in or late check-out in hotels.
- Personal expenses, such as laundry, telephone, internet and alcoholic beverages.
- Any COVID 19 related costs.
VIEW ITINERARY
A Day 1, March 20th, 2024: Ternate; board the Damai II
After arriving in Ternate (usually in the morning) the only thing we know for sure is that we have to be in Sorong on the 31st of March. The rest is basically up to us! It will be pretty incredible. We will have local experts on board and make our choices based on weather, currents and group interest. The boat is classic, comfortable and fun, the snorkeling is absolutely world class and the area, scenery and people are amazing. Underwater the corals and fish are so diverse and colourful that they are dazzling.
There are 10 times more species of coral than in the Caribbean! There are soft corals, sea fans, tunicates, sponges, crinoids, hard corals. It is a three-dimensional wonderland creating homes for crustaceans, sea urchins, sea stars, molluscs, from tiny intricate nudibranchs to massive giant clams! Among the molluscs are a whole suite of cuttlefish and octopus – my favourites!
There are incredibly more than 1500 species of fish, ranging from tiny jewels, the anthias, in bright synchronous clouds above the coral, to a whole range of brightly coloured wrasse and parrotfish. There are tangs, snappers, sweetlips, moray eels, unicornfish, stunning clownfish living in huge anemones, schools of barracuda, maybe some sharks and all the way up to giant manta rays.
There are mangroves, clear water mangroves, an other-worldly experience where the dense root systems are strewn with soft corals, harbouring archerfish and upsidedown jellyfish.
We will hopefully find some sea snakes which are very laid back but fabulous. We will go ashore, visit some locals, look for whales and dolphins, do some bird watching and so it goes on.
Finally, after a thorough exploration of Halmahera and Raja Ampat we have to leave – only to start missing it already!
L Day 12, March 31st, 2024: Departure from Sorong
We will depart to the airport in Sorong for the flight back to Jakarta and our onward international flights home. The trip ends in Sorong.
