Indonesia's Coral Triangle
Whale sharks, karst islands and the richest reefs on earth
At the heart of the Coral Triangle lies the richest reef system on earth, and this expedition reaches both of its greatest prizes. Sailing round-trip from Sorong aboard the boutique SH Minerva, you first turn east into Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia’s largest marine national park, where whale sharks gather beneath the fishing platforms of Kwatisore and you can slip into the water alongside them. Then comes Raja Ampat itself, a labyrinth of mushroom-shaped limestone islands that Alfred Russel Wallace navigated in 1860, with the celebrated viewpoint at Piaynemo, the tidal channel known as the Passage, and the remote lagoons and jellyfish lakes of Misool. Between them lie Papuan villages, wartime relics and reefs of almost unbelievable abundance.
Itinerary highlights
Snorkel with whale sharks at Kwatisore in Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia's largest marine national park.
Explore Raja Ampat, the most biodiverse marine region on earth, at the heart of the Coral Triangle.
Zodiac cruise the limestone waterways of Kabui Bay and the tidal channel known as the Passage.
Climb to the famous karst viewpoint over the Fam Islands at Piaynemo.
Reach remote Misool, with its jungle-clad karst, hidden lagoons and a lake of stingless jellyfish.
Meet the Roon people of Cenderawasih Bay and visit Papuan island communities.
Add optional two-tank dives at world-class sites including Cape Kri, Blue Magic and Melissa's Garden.
Travel aboard a boutique expedition ship with an expert team, Zodiacs and a snorkelling programme.
Whale sharks, karst islands and the richest reefs on earth
At the heart of the Coral Triangle lies the richest reef system on earth, and this expedition reaches both of its greatest prizes. Sailing round-trip from Sorong aboard the boutique SH Minerva, you first turn east into Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia’s largest marine national park, where whale sharks gather beneath the fishing platforms of Kwatisore and you can slip into the water alongside them. Then comes Raja Ampat itself, a labyrinth of mushroom-shaped limestone islands that Alfred Russel Wallace navigated in 1860, with the celebrated viewpoint at Piaynemo, the tidal channel known as the Passage, and the remote lagoons and jellyfish lakes of Misool. Between them lie Papuan villages, wartime relics and reefs of almost unbelievable abundance.
Itinerary highlights
Snorkel with whale sharks at Kwatisore in Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia's largest marine national park.
Explore Raja Ampat, the most biodiverse marine region on earth, at the heart of the Coral Triangle.
Zodiac cruise the limestone waterways of Kabui Bay and the tidal channel known as the Passage.
Climb to the famous karst viewpoint over the Fam Islands at Piaynemo.
Reach remote Misool, with its jungle-clad karst, hidden lagoons and a lake of stingless jellyfish.
Meet the Roon people of Cenderawasih Bay and visit Papuan island communities.
Add optional two-tank dives at world-class sites including Cape Kri, Blue Magic and Melissa's Garden.
Travel aboard a boutique expedition ship with an expert team, Zodiacs and a snorkelling programme.
What's Included
- 10 nights aboard the boutique SH Minerva in an en-suite stateroom (Oceanview, Balcony and Suite categories)
- Included expedition activities: cultural visit to Roon Island, whale shark snorkelling and village visit at Kwatisore, snorkelling and Zodiac cruising at Misool, and a guided tour of Sorong
- Zodiac cruises and snorkelling with the expedition team throughout
- Programme of expert lectures and briefings
- All meals aboard the ship
What's Included
- 10 nights aboard the boutique SH Minerva in an en-suite stateroom (Oceanview, Balcony and Suite categories)
- Included expedition activities: cultural visit to Roon Island, whale shark snorkelling and village visit at Kwatisore, snorkelling and Zodiac cruising at Misool, and a guided tour of Sorong
- Zodiac cruises and snorkelling with the expedition team throughout
- Programme of expert lectures and briefings
- All meals aboard the ship
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FAQs
Yes. Kwatisore in Cenderawasih Bay is one of the few places on earth where whale sharks gather reliably year-round, drawn to the traditional fishing platforms. Snorkelling alongside them is an included highlight of the voyage, though as with all wild animals encounters cannot be guaranteed.
The Coral Triangle is the most biodiverse marine region on earth, and Raja Ampat sits at its very heart, with more recorded reef fish and coral species than anywhere else. The reefs here remain exceptionally healthy, which is why divers and snorkellers regard it as the finest in the world.
No. Snorkelling and Zodiac cruising are included throughout, but scuba diving is an optional extra, offered as two-tank dives at world-class sites such as Cape Kri, Blue Magic, Melissa’s Garden and the Passage. Certification is required and dives are booked separately.
It is a round-trip from Sorong in West Papua, the gateway town to Raja Ampat, so you fly in and out of the same airport. International flights are not included.