SeaTrek from the Spice Islands to the Dragon Islands with Vincent, Coral Scientist & Pioneer

Description

This 16-day voyage of discovery is an epic journey covering nearly over 1,000 miles (1,800km) as we make our way from Ternate in the northern Spice Islands all the way to Komodo in the south.
Led by Australian coral scientist, Vincent Chalias, this trip has been designed for the true adventure traveller, this cruise will give guests the chance to do a shipborne equator crossing, to see birds of paradise and black-crested macaques in the wild, see the Goldenwing butterfly (one of the world’s largest, visit Dodinga village where Alfred Russel Wallace has his epiphany about the Theory of Evolution through Natural Selection, cross the seldom visited Sula Archipelago and visit with the peoples who inhabit these remote isles, swim in a lake filled with stingless jellyfish, see rare and endangered birds and fish species, visit an island where pinisi boats are under construction, before finishing up in the Komodo National park where you will walk with the legendary dragons, and enjoy endless amounts of snorkeling each day as we wind our way across the mighty seas of Indonesia.

Trip Name

SeaTrek from the Spice Islands to the Dragon Islands with Vincent, Coral Scientist & Pioneer

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Yacht Length overall: 42 metres Passanger Capacity: 24 Led by Captain Jufri, with a crew of 14, Ombak Putih means ‘White Wave’ in the Indonesian language. Her keel was first laid down in Kalimantan in 1995, and she became operational in 1997. At 42 metres long, she is the larger of our two ships, providing accommodation for up to 24 guests in 12 comfortable cabins. Approximately 400 square metres of public space is divided over her two main decks, including a large salon, as well as covered and open areas, allowing plenty of room for our guests to spread out, relax, and enjoy as much company or solitude as they wish. Twelve superior cabins en-suite bathrooms, Salon & bar.Outdoor covered dining area, Rooftop lounge. Kayaks, Stand,up-paddle boards (SUP). Snorkelling equipment. Fishing gear, Three tender boats. Full complement of crew; engineering and service. SLEEPING CONFIGURATION 6 x double bed cabins 2 x triple cabins (one double bed and one upper single bunk - bunk ideally suitable for child 12 or under) 4 x twin bunk cabins (one above the other)

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 & 2

Visit the village of Dodinga: the very place where Wallace was living when, in a fit of malarial delirium, he discovered the mechanism which drives evolutionary change – natural selection. Dodinga is a pretty little riverside village with friendly people, colourful houses, and the ruins of an old Portuguese fort, and its importance in the history of science cannot be understated.Visit the Guraici Archipelago, a chain of islands with white sandy beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and some lovely local villages. We will spend a full day here snorkelling, swimming, and beachcombing. The islands are part of a government-controlled conservation area, designed to protect the reefs and the many beautiful marine species that live there.

Day 2 - Day 3 & 4

We will explore the deep forest of Bacan Island, where Wallace first saw what he called “the most beautiful butterfly in the world”, the Golden Birdwing. During our trek, the other species that we might see here include cuscus, the black-crested macaque, and some hornbills. We will be searching for some very special species of butterfly, some unique birds, and some quirky mammals.Visit the island of Obi with its steep hillsides covered in clove and nutmeg forests, reaching back to the rich and heady days of the spice trade. We will go ashore and walk through the villages and plantations and see the fruits and spices growing on the trees and drying in the sun, ready for market, in the same way it has for centuries.

Day 3 - Day 5 & 6

We have two days of snorkeling, culture, and history as we find ourselves in the middle of the Banda Sea in the remote and breathtaking Sulu archipelago. We will feast on some history and culture as we visit the local village market and visit the ruins of a 17th-century Dutch Fort, which once protected the spice trade along these routes.We are in for some rich cultural experiences. We will go ashore on Taliabu Island, where we will be treated to a traditional war dance known as the ‘cakalele’ by local warriors. We will also have a chance to explore the local village and meet the people of this remote isle.The Bokan islands are an area of unsurpassed beauty, and today will be a day of marine exploration and relaxation as we snorkel, swim, paddle around the glorious reef, beach, and island with giant clams scattered around the area.

Day 4 - Day 7 & 8

We have the rare privilege to swim in a small marine lake filled with stingless jellyfish, one of only 20 lakes of its kind in the world.We will visit the bustling Indonesian island port town of Banggai, a place filled with activity and commerce. Here on Banggai island we will visit the local market, explore the neighbourhoods, the sultan’s palace, and the Maleo bird egg museum, and all from our fleet of brightly-coloured motor rickshaws, which will be on the dock awaiting our arrival.The last of the day’s highlights will be a snorkel on a local reef where we will see the most elegant, but very threatened, Banggai Cardinal Fish – a darling of saltwater aquarium lovers worldwide. We will snorkel on one of the local reefs around a Bajau “sea gypsy” community whose famous as Southeast Asia’s nomadic cultures.

Day 5 - Day 9 & 10

We spend time in the Wakatobi National Park, a very hard to reach archipelago filled with fascinating culture and also one of Indonesia’s best national parks, with outstanding underwater life natural beauty.You will enjoy a personalised tour of the island of Wangi-Wangi, with highlights that include a seaweed farm, meeting with a traditional weaving community, and the ruins of a centuries’ old Dutch fort, a relic of the ancient Spice Trade.We drop anchor at an uninhabited atoll where guests have the chance to beach-comb, snorkel, paddleboard, or kayak.

Day 6 - Day 11 & 12

We visit a famous local blacksmith where the local craftsmen use hand-operated bellows on the furnace in the blacksmith’s shop to produce machetes and knives that are highly sought-after right across Indonesia.Stop by an uninhabited sea mount in the middle of the Flores Sea that is home to tens of thousands of seabirds. It’s rich in upwelling nutrients and a perfect habitat for fishing and raising their young.Bonerate is rarely visited by tourists outside of SeaTrek, and seeing this open-air boatyard is an experience to be savoured. We will walk amongst the hulls and hulks of a huge unlaunched flotilla of pinisi ships being built on a remote island archipelago. We will meet the shipwrights and discover their age-old traditions of shipbuilding that they have practiced for centuries.

Day 7 - Day 13 & 14

Giants will loom large in your day-to-day: Komodo dragons, flying foxes, and manta rays, three of the biggest and most impressive animals in Indonesia.Entering the Komodo National Park, you will have a hands-on experience at a coral conservation project on Hatamin Island, where you will learn about the work and get a chance to create your own coral rack and place it in the sea.As the sun starts to set, we will gather on the deck and be witness to a most spectacular event as thousands of flying foxes leave their mangrove forest homes en masse on their nightly fruit-foraging missions.

Day 8 - Day 15 & 16

We have the chance to hike a scenic route of Gili Lawa Darat, or you can stretch your legs on the beautiful white-sandy beach. After the hike, we will be back on board for a mission: to count how many turtles we can spot with our own eyes in Siaba Besar island, which is famous as turtle heaven.We will take you for a privately arranged, ranger-led walk around the island of Rinca, where we will see not only Komodo dragons, but also their preferred menu of prey – monkeys, deer, pigs, and buffaloes.The crew will prepare a beach BBQ for us as we all feast, sing and dance the night away by a roaring fire under the stars.On our final day, we will wake as the boat is cruising slowly, making its way to the town of Labuan Bajo. After a final Indonesian breakfast on the boat, we will say farewell to our crew, who have looked after us so well for the past sixteen days, and transfer to Komodo airport for our flight and our onward journey.

Day 9 - Please Note:

Our mission is to provide the best experience possible for our guests given the current conditions and when unexpected opportunities for adventure may present themselves along our cruise routes. Sometimes weather conditions, tides or other local factors dictate that we need to vary from the published route, and at times there are special opportunities to explore and discover new locations, events and activities. These explorations will always be a definite enhancement to the published itinerary and will be undertaken after discussion and agreement among guests. Ultimately, the boat captains and your tour leader will make decisions to maximize trip safety and your overall enjoyment, so please come prepared to be flexible!

Day 10 - D A Y 1 0

- Today is a day for all of us water babies. - Snorkelling comes first thing in the morning at Tomia where we will snorkel in front of a magnificent house reef. - In the afternoon, we will explore a nearby uninhabited atoll where guests have the chance to beach-comb, snorkel, paddleboard, or kayak.

Day 11 - D A Y 1 1

- In the morning, we will wake up to an uninhabited sea mount in the middle of the Flores Sea, rich in upwelling nutrients and a perfect habitat for fish and raising their young. We will spend some time here for snorkelling and some exploring before sailing onwards for overnight cruising towards the southern tip of Sulawesi.

Day 12 - D A Y 1 2

- Another full day of underwater adventure and exploration awaits us today. The whole day, we will spend exploring one of the most beautiful collections of reefs and atolls with palm fringed white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters. - The choice is yours entirely whether you would like to kick back and relax on board while watching the endless horizon dazzles with luminous blue waters, lounging on the sand, exploring the shallow reefs on kayaks or paddleboards, or lose yourself in the frenzy of the rich reefs.

Day 13 - D A Y 1 3

- Today we will walk amongst the hulls and hulks of a huge unlaunched flotilla of pinisi ships being built on a remote island archipelago. We will meet the shipwrights and discover their age-old traditions of shipbuilding that they have practiced for centuries in this forgotten corner of the world, using basic plans, wood, and a collection of simple tools and age-old techniques. - Bonerate is rarely visited by tourists outside of SeaTrek, and seeing this open-air boatyard is an experience to be savoured. As we walk through the village and along the beaches and meet the locals, you will gain a new appreciation for island life and for the kind of boat you have been cruising with for the past thirteen days.

Day 14 - D A Y 1 4

- Giants will loom large in your day today: Komodo dragons, flying foxes and manta rays, three of the biggest and most impressive animals in Indonesia. - Our morning will be spent drifting with Manta Rays, the gentle giant as they glide by feed in the current at their go-to local cleaning stations. - In the afternoon, we will take you for a privately arranged, ranger-led walk around the island of Rinca, where we will see not only Komodo dragons, but also their preferred menu of prey – monkeys, deer, pigs, and buffaloes. - This evening, as the sun starts to set, we will gather on the deck and be witness to a most spectacular event as thousands of flying foxes leave their mangrove forest homes en masse on their nightly fruit-foraging missions.

Day 15 - D A Y 1 5

- Rising early, you will have the chance to hike a scenic route of Gili Lawa Darat, or you can stretch your legs on the beautiful white-sandy beach. After the hike, we will be back on board for a mission: to count how many turtles can we spot with our own eyes in Siaba Besar island where it’s famous as turtle heaven. - In the late afternoon, we will have relaxing beach time where you’re more than free to do pretty much anything you’d like ranging from snorkelling, paddleboarding, kayaking, or just beach combing. - Tonight, the crew will prepare a beach BBQ for us as we all feast, sing and dance the night away by a roaring fire under the stars.

Day 16 - D A Y 1 6

- Our final day, we will wake as the boat is cruising slowly making its way to the magnificent town of Labuan Bajo. After a final Indonesian breakfast on the boat, we will say farewell to our crew, who have looked after us so well for the past seventeen days, and transfer to Komodo airport for our flight and our onward journey.

Day 17 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Whether it’s swimming with whale sharks & mantas rays, or leisurely gliding along a stunning tropical reef surrounded by myriad fish and corals, snorkelling lies at the very heart of what we do at SeaTrek. We do it well and we do it often – usually twice a day for an hour or more at a time. No matter if you are a novice or a seasoned pro, our tour leaders will ensure that you have everything you need to have some of the best underwater experiences of your life.
Our tour leaders are a wealth of information on the regions we visit and will prepare you for each activity with on board talks and presentations to give you a greater understanding of the different experiences you will have each day. They will also act as your cross-cultural bridges to all the people we meet along the way, so feel free to ask them to translate when talking to local Indonesian people on your travels.