fbpx

Raja Ampat Explorer South Cruise

Raja Ampat Explorer South Cruise

From AUD $32,995

Description

Life’s Different After Raja Ampat
Journey from the Spice Islands to the heart of the Coral Triangle, where ancient cultures, volcanic landscapes, and kaleidoscopic reefs come together in one of the world’s most extraordinary marine frontiers. Each day aboard True North invites discovery  – diving among black coral forests, exploring sacred caves, meeting the people of remote islands, and walking through rainforest alive with birds of paradise. This is more than a voyage through Raja Ampat –  it’s a passage into transformation. Because life is different after True North.

Trip Name
Raja Ampat Explorer South Cruise
Days
11
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Length: True North - 50 metres/True North II - 35 meters Passenger Capacity: 36/22 Built/Refurbished: 2005/2023 True North is built for access to remote environments, operating in shallow coastal waters and river systems where conventional expedition ships cannot enter. Daily operations revolve around direct engagement: multiple adventure boats, an onboard helicopter, and a strict avoidance of long sea days ensure that time is spent actively exploring rather than transiting. Interiors mirror high-end lodge standards with panoramic lounges, an alfresco bar, refined dining, and cabins equipped for comfort and immediacy to the landscape. Crew involvement is constant and hands-on, creating an experience defined by flexibility, varied activities and immersion in wilderness rather than passive sightseeing. True North II delivers the same expedition model in a more intimate format, carrying just 22 guests and maintaining the purpose-built shallow navigation that allows direct access to rivers, coastlines and isolated anchorages. Its layout consolidates social spaces into a combined saloon and lounge, supported by a dining room designed for a refined, communal atmosphere. Cabins retain private facilities and in-house entertainment, while a full suite of adventure boats and regular helicopter operations mirror the capabilities of the larger vessel. The smaller scale enhances personal attention and reinforces the brand’s defining approach: constant activity, close crew interaction and immediate entry into remote environments.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 01 Darwin to Ambon
Your adventure begins in Darwin, where you’ll board a private charter to Ambon - gateway to West Papua and the legendary Spice Islands. The True North crew will welcome you aboard as we set sail toward Banda. Settle in with a welcome cocktail and dinner on deck as the ship glides into the twilight, leaving the familiar world behind.
Day 2 - Day 02 Banda Islands
Today we step back in time to the fabled Banda Islands - once the epicentre of the global spice trade. Traditional war canoes lead True North into Banda Harbour, where nutmeg and history mingle in the air. Explore Banda Neira’s plantation and historic fort, where stories of trade, conquest, and adventure echo through the centuries. Snorkel or dive on a coral-encrusted lava flow born from the island’s active volcano, Gunung Api, before sunset drinks at Fort Belgica - a 17th-century fortress overlooking the harbour. As the sky glows red over the Banda Sea, you’ll feel the past and present collide in perfect harmony.
Day 3 - Day 03 The Fakfak Coast
Awake to the mysterious beauty of the Fakfak coastline - a remote stretch of jungle, waterfalls, and secret lagoons. Cruise the hidden waterways of the Bomberai Peninsula, watching for hornbills in the canopy and iridescent fish below. Cool off beneath the Mommon Waterfall, where fresh water tumbles from the jungle into the sea, then explore Sebakor Bay’s spectacular system of water-filled caves.
Day 4 - Day 04 Misool & the SE Marine Park
Welcome to Raja Ampat - the “Four Kings,” and the global epicentre of marine biodiversity. Here, every moment beneath the surface feels like discovery. Snorkel and dive among the reefs of the SE Misool Marine Park, where schools of fish, soft corals, and giant sea fans thrive in kaleidoscopic colour. Explore Nudi Rock, Wayilbatan Channel, and Boo Windows - three of Raja Ampat’s most celebrated sites. In the late afternoon, we’ll visit Misool Eco Resort before gathering on Kalig Beach for sunset drinks surrounded by limestone cliffs and the gentle hum of the tropics.
Day 5 - Day 05 Farondi & Tomolol Islands
Begin the day exploring Farondi Island’s spectacular caverns - where light filters through underwater caves in shades of turquoise and gold. Dive among oversized sea fans and swirling fish before cruising through the dramatic limestone formations of Balbulol Island. After lunch, join a guided snorkel through the sacred Tomolol caves - an unforgettable drift through vast limestone chambers where fresh and salt water merge in silence. As evening falls, enjoy drinks and nibbles aboard an adventure boat as we weave through the Karst Islands.
Day 6 - Day 06 Gam Island & Cape Kri
An early start takes you deep into the jungle of Gam Island for a once-in-a-lifetime encounter — the red bird of paradise in full display. Few sights in nature rival this moment. Later, dive or snorkel at Cape Kri, home to the world record for most fish species recorded in a single dive — 374 in total, documented by ichthyologist Dr Gerry Allen. The afternoon brings exploration of the Dampier Strait and its blue-water mangroves, alive with kingfishers and hornbills. Another perfect day ends with dinner on deck as the sounds of the jungle fade into night.
Day 7 - Day 07 Penemu & Yeben Islands, Wallace Channel
Today the adventure boats explore Penemu and Yeben - islands of white beaches and clear lagoons. After lunch, cruise through Wallace Channel, a narrow waterway bursting with life. This lush corridor of rainforest, orchids, and butterflies inspired the naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace’s revolutionary ideas on evolution. Glide quietly through this living ecosystem, where the connection between land and sea is beautifully complete.
Day 8 - Day 08 Wofoh Island, Eagle Rock & Aljui Bay
Wake to the black coral forests of Wofoh Island. Snorkel or dive among vibrant coral gardens before heading to Bougainville Strait, where manta rays often gather at Eagle Rock. Swim alongside these graceful creatures as they glide through the water in effortless harmony. In the afternoon, visit the pearl farm at Aljui Bay to learn the art and science behind these luminous treasures. Evening brings a night dive beneath the farm’s jetty - a world of wobbegongs, ghost pipefish, and the rare walking shark found only in Raja Ampat.
Day 9 - Day 09 Wayag Archipelago
Prepare for two unforgettable days in the Wayag Islands — Raja Ampat’s most iconic landscape. Snorkel and dive among reefs that shimmer with life, or take the adventure boats through a maze of limestone peaks rising from turquoise lagoons.
Day 10 - Day 10 Wayag Archipelago
Cross the equator in true True North style, celebrated at our famous Equator Party, then spend the next day at our Wayag Beach Party — a barefoot picnic on the sand, complete with swimming, paddleboarding, and laughter among friends. These are days that stay with you — bright, wild, and eternal.
Day 11 - Day 11 Sorong
Enjoy a final breakfast on board before a private transfer to Sorong Airport for your charter flight back to Darwin. As you leave this island world behind, you’ll know that what you’ve experienced is more than a voyage — it’s a reminder that life will always feel different after True North.
Day 12 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
29-08-202708-09-2027AUD $32,995Ocean Class - Twin
29-08-202708-09-2027AUD $38,595Ocean/River Premium Cabin
29-08-202708-09-2027AUD $41,595River Class - Double
29-08-202708-09-2027AUD $46,595Explorer Class - Stateroom

Inclusions

    • Clean progression from historic Banda to rainforest Fakfak to reef-dense Misool to pinnacle Wayag creates one of the most geographically and culturally varied arcs in Indonesia.
    • Wildlife density peaks across multiple biomes: birds of paradise on Gam, manta congregations at Eagle Rock, black coral forests at Wofoh, high-energy reef systems at Cape Kri.
    • Two-day immersion in Wayag delivers the itinerary’s signature payoff: lagoon mazes, limestone peaks, equator crossing, and the beach sequence that anchors the emotional culmination of the voyage.

Map