Trip Highlights
In Batanta–Mansuar, snorkel world-class sites like Cape Kri, swim with manta rays, watch hornbills and parrots at dawn, and search for Bryde’s and Omura’s whales in the Dampier Strait migration corridor.
Explore the remote Koon Islands, home to vibrant reefs and one of the Banda Sea’s most critical fish spawning sites, protected through a community conservation agreement supported by our visit.
Visit the Lease Islands Marine Protected Area, a pristine sanctuary where sightings of pygmy blue whales are possible during mating and calving season.
About This Trip
Indonesia is one of just 17 "megadiverse" countries, home to extraordinary biodiversity, much of it found nowhere else on Earth. More than 75% of the world’s coral species and over half of its coral reef ecosystems are located within Indonesian waters, along with the world’s largest mangrove forests. While these numbers are staggering, our expedition brings them to life—offering an immersive, hands-on experience that fosters deep appreciation and lifelong memories.
This luxury liveaboard journey was designed to showcase the Coral Triangle's astounding variety of reef species and coral habitats through snorkeling or scuba diving at world-class sites. In addition to exploring thriving marine ecosystems, onboard cetacean experts from Planet Deep will lead conservation-focused “whale patrols” while traveling between locations, during which sightings of blue, Bryde’s, and Omura’s whales are possible.
Above water, guests enjoy speedboat excursions through limestone labyrinths, early-morning birdwatching in lush coastal jungles, and other activities—providing a complete view of this unique seascape.
Your home for this journey is the Fenides, a privately owned luxury liveaboard built specifically for these waters. With only five guest cabins (maximum 10 guests), the ship combines comfort, personalized service, and access to the most remote corners of this marine paradise.
Wildlife Highlights
At the heart of the Coral Triangle Region, this expedition offers unmatched opportunities to observe marine biodiversity. The region hosts over 2,000 species of reef fish, with more than 1,300 species recorded in Raja Ampat alone. Whether snorkeling or diving, you’ll encounter hard and soft coral gardens teeming with life—angelfish, butterflyfish, clownfish, bumphead parrotfish, manta rays, walking sharks, and hammerheads, to name a few.
Macro life is equally rewarding, with sightings of pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, cleaning shrimp, and other vibrant “reef critters.” Other reef dwellers include sea turtles, giant clams, cuttlefish, eels, and octopuses.
While transiting between destinations, we conduct marine mammal surveys in known cetacean corridors. These “whale patrols” contribute to vital data collection on up to 16 cetacean species, including blue whales, Bryde’s and Omura’s whales, pilot whales, and several dolphin species.
Conservation Impact
Founded in 1969, Oceanic Society is America’s oldest nonprofit organization dedicated to ocean conservation. Our expeditions are intentionally designed to support ocean conservation while delivering transformative experiences for our travelers.
A portion of your trip fee supports Planet Deep, a nonprofit focused on oceanic cetaceans and marine protected areas in the Coral Triangle. Data collected during our “whale patrols” informs conservation action to protect key habitats such as whale calving grounds and migration corridors. Over time, this data contributes to global initiatives like the IUCN’s Important Marine Mammal Areas. We also collect information on marine debris to understand its impact on ocean life.
As with all Oceanic Society expeditions, all proceeds support our global research and conservation programs.
Dates & Prices
What's Included
All accommodations, activities, and meals as described; ground transportation to each destination, airport transfers; and a dedicated Oceanic Society naturalist.
What's Not Included
International airfare, marine park fees (i.e. Raja Ampat, Alor, Komodo) or in-country airfare to/from Sorong. Room upgrades and limited single cabins are available with a $5,550 supplement fee. Click here for our full expedition terms and conditions.
Itinerary
For a detailed itinerary, please email expeditions@oceanicsociety.org
Sample Itinerary
Arrive in Ambon by air and board Fenides, your home for our expedition. After a safety briefing, orientation, and ship tour, we begin cruising toward Nusa Laut. Our first “whale patrol” offers the chance to spot blue whales and other marine life en route.
Spend the day exploring Nusa Laut’s magnificent coral gardens and drop-off walls, now part of the newly established Lease Islands Marine Protected Area. This MPA protects reefs, seagrass, and mangroves that support oceanic dolphins, abundant reef fish, and endangered dugongs.
Anchor at Taluti Bay for snorkeling and diving in this little-explored area of Ceram Island, known for mountainous rainforest and deep reef drop-offs. Depending on conditions, we may reroute to Suanggi, near Banda Neira. Ceram and Banda were historically part of the Spice Islands, with native trees of valued nutmeg, cloves, mace and black pepper. Here there are spectacular shallow reef sites that give way to steep drop-offs into the deep blue. Cruise overnight to Koon.
Spend the day at Koon Island, a critical fish spawning aggregation site protected under a 2,500-hectare marine conservation agreement with local stakeholders (who benefit directly from our visit). Snorkel or dive steep walls and gentle slopes teeming with marine life—from tuna and trevally to sharks. Koon is one of the most important fish spawning sites in the region, with more than 30 coral fish species using this area to spawn on different moon phases, resulting in incredible fish variety and abundance. Cruise overnight to southern Raja Ampat.
Explore Misool, where biodiversity is thriving under a 1,220 km² no-take marine reserve. Biomass has increased 250–600% in just six years, with 25x more sharks and a 25-fold increase in manta sightings. Access is limited within the park, and we’ll coordinate with our fellow conservationists at the Misool Foundation to visit top snorkeling and dive sites. Overnight cruise to Wayil.
We’ll spend our full day today in spectacular Wayil (Raja Ampat). Conditions-permitting, our first snorkel or dive will be in the passage of Wayil batan: Neptune’s Sea Fan wall, known for massive gorgonian fans. Later, explore other reef sites and take a speedboat excursion through limestone islets and mangrove-lined channels. Keep an eye out for orchids and rainforest wildlife. Cruise north overnight.
Snorkel or dive at the West Batanta manta cleaning station—often with 10+ mantas in view. Explore legendary reefs like “Larry’s Dream” and cruise through the Dampier Strait migration corridor, where cetaceans such as Bryde’s, Omura’s, pilot, and sperm whales may be sighted.
Snorkel or dive Cape Kri and surrounding sites, where up to 374 fish species have been recorded in a single dive. The area offers unmatched abundance and species richness. In the afternoon, resume whale patrol through the Dampier Strait. Overnight at Pulau Wuzwarez, where hornbills are often seen at dusk.
Begin the day with an optional early-morning birdwatching excursion by speedboat to look for parrots, cockatoos, and kingfishers in the jungle. Our final dive and snorkel of the trip will be at one of the stunning coral reef sites near Batanta. After breakfast, continue whale patrol en route to Sorong. While at sea, the friendly crew will wash, dry, and prepare your equipment for travel. Once we arrive in Sorong at our overnight anchorage, we will prepare for the farewell Captain’s Dinner.
Ship
Fenides Liveaboard
Fenides Liveaboard is a 41-meter phinisi style schooner and luxury liveaboard of exquisite design and style. She is purpose-built to explore the most exotic and remote islands of the Indonesian archipelago with a maximum of 10 guests only (in 5 cabins)…
Naturalist(s)
Your expedition will be led by one or more of the following expert naturalist guides:
