Trip Highlights
Raja Ampat is at the heart of the Coral Triangle and considered by many to be the best marine destination on Earth.
Our Raja Ampat liveaboard trips and itineraries were developed specifically for snorkelers who want to experience Raja Ampat's incredible marine habitats.
Travel comfortably aboard a traditional Indonesian schooner with spacious common areas and two tenders with sturdy dive ladders.
About This Trip
This special liveaboard snorkeling journey through Raja Ampat, Indonesia was named one of National Geographic Traveler's 50 Tours of a Lifetime in 2010! Located in Indonesia's West Papua Province, the Raja Ampat Archipelago is at the heart of the most biodiverse marine region on Earth—the Coral Triangle. Largely unexplored by scientists until recently, new marine species are being discovered here on a regular basis. Coral reefs in Raja Ampat are not only the world's most biodiverse, but they are also some of the most pristine. More than 500 species of coral and more than 1,300 species of fish have been recorded here.
Our trip takes you on an exploration of this remote archipelago aboard the Dancing Wind, an elegant and comfortable liveaboard ship. Selecting ideal snorkeling sites daily, we will immerse ourselves in diverse and unique marine habitats, exploring multiple islands. Morning excursions will provide opportunities to see the equally diverse bird life, including the magnificent Red Bird of Paradise, Kingfishers, and Sea Eagles.
In addition to snorkeling in aquamarine waters, we also explore some of the larger islands of the region including Waigeo whose lush green forest is inhabited by many varieties of bird and animal life. We enjoy strolling along white sand beaches, and at Gam Island there is a possibility to see beautiful Birds of Paradise. With daily diverse snorkeling opportunities, combined with a mix of island exploration, this is one of the best snorkeling expeditions possible.
Our entire experience on this Oceanic Society trip on the Dancing Wind was top notch and amazing. The coral, the fish, the guides, the naturalist, the crew and the ship were all excellent. Every day we were treated to a great variety of snorkel sites, hikes and boat excursions. Love to snorkel, love the water, then this is the trip for you!
Conservation Impact
Founded in 1969, Oceanic Society is America’s oldest nonprofit organization dedicated to ocean conservation. As pioneers of “eco travel,” our expeditions have been designed to support our mission. They not only positively impact our travelers, but also the people, places, and wildlife we go to see. A portion of your trip fees for this expedition will support organizations we visit or collaborate with in Indonesia, including Planet Deep, The Coral Triangle Center, and the Misool Foundation. Over the 13 years we have been leading trips in Indonesia, we have supported groups working on coral reef restoration, marine protected area design and management, plastic pollution solutions, and shark conservation. Over the years, we have provided thousands of dollars in park fees that support the protection of marine areas like Raja Ampat and Komodo National Park.
Dates & Prices
Nov 2-13, 2025
Contact Us to BookApril 1-12, 2026 (aboard Hatiku)
Book This TripApr 15-26, 2026
Join WaitlistOct 3-14, 2026
Book This TripOct 19-30, 2026
Book This TripNov 1-12, 2026
Book This TripWhat's Included
Transfers upon arrival and departure, accommodations, daily meals as indicated in itinerary, activities and excursions with a naturalist.
Click here for more detailed trip cost information or read our full expedition terms and conditions.
What's Not Included
Airfare to or from destination, optional trip extensions, trip cancellation or travel insurance, visas when applicable, alcoholic beverages, gratuities, and optional upgrades. Price varies based on cabin selection. There is a single supplement fee of $2,900, with limited quantities available; 2 upper deck cabin upgrades are available for an additional $495/person (not available as a single). For the April 1, 2026 voyage on Hatiku, one master cabin is available for an additional $1,675/person (double occupancy only).
Itinerary
Sample Itinerary
Arrive into Jakarta on your own and stay overnight. If you are originating from North America, please note that you will be crossing the International Date Line. You’ll want to arrive at least 24 hours in advance to adjust to the time change and give yourself a buffer period before your flights to Sorong.
Today is the official start of our trip. Everyone will board an early morning flight just past midnight to Sorong, West Papua, where we will be transferred to the privately-chartered Dancing Wind, our home for the next 11 nights. Once everyone is checked in, we will set sail.
We’ll spend each day snorkeling and exploring the archipelago’s reefs and tropical landscapes. Each day we will spend 4-6 hours in the water, visiting some of the most pristine, diverse, and colorful coral reefs in the world. Here we may come across soft and hard coral walls, colorful nudibranchs, abundant schools of fish, and productive reef ecosystems full of butterflyfish, angelfish, snappers, groupers, parrotfish, sea turtles, and possibly marine mammals and sharks. We do our best to keep the itinerary flexible depending on external factors such as tides, wind, and weather. Possible snorkeling destinations may include reefs adjacent to Batanta, Penemu, Waigeo, Aljuy Bay, Gam, Fam, Kawe, Wayag, Friwinbonda, Mansuar, and Kri Islands. For those interested in bird watching, there will be some opportunities to go on early-morning outings to look for unique birds and to enjoy the beautiful scenery. We will also visit a lek (mating display site) of the endemic Red Bird of Paradise on Gam Island to see male birds perform their mating displays.
At the conclusion of our trip, the group will disembark in Sorong, West Papua and transfer to the airport in time for our flights back to Jakarta (or Bali). Depending on your return flight schedule, you may fly home this evening or stay overnight (on your own). Please inquire about our post-trip extensions to snorkel in North Sulawesi or trek in Borneo.
Ship
Hatiku Liveaboard
Hatiku Cabins Experience the Hatiku Liveaboard, one of the premier vessels in our fleet alongside her sister ship, Dancing Wind. Following 2024 upgrades, Hatiku now offers a maximum of 12 guests across six cabins, including a luxurious Master Cabin on…
Dancing Wind Liveaboard
Dancing Wind is a classic Indonesian phinisi built from handpicked teak and ironwood in Kendari, South Sulawesi, and given a modern makeover in design and facilities to make it a comfortable and stylish liveaboard. It is a spacious vessel and has been…
Naturalist(s)
Your expedition will be led by one or more of the following expert naturalist guides:
