Trip Highlights
Sail through remote islands by luxury liveaboard, exploring turquoise lagoons and secluded bays far from the usual tourist routes, perfect for adventure and photography.
Explore Triton Bay’s kaleidoscope of vibrant reefs while searching for the gentle giants of the sea, whale sharks that frequent these pristine waters.
Snorkel Raja's colorful sloping reefs and healthy ecosystems teeming with schooling fish, reef sharks, and fascinating macro life.
About This Trip
This expedition combines the remote, lesser-visited beauty of Triton Bay with the well-known, spectacular reefs of Raja Ampat, offering the best of both worlds. Tucked away in the southern region of Papua, Triton Bay is a vibrant marine wonderland where gentle whale sharks are known to frequent the bay. Often described by leading marine biologists as a “species factory,” this area boasts vast fields of soft corals, towering sea fans, and clouds of plankton-feeding fish, all nourished by nutrient-rich river waters. The shallow reefs are alive with reef sharks, schooling fish, mantas, and fascinating macro creatures hiding in every nook and cranny, perfect for snorkelers of all levels.
Raja Ampat is a world-renowned snorkeling paradise where reefs stretch as far as the eye can see, alive with constant movement and color. This region offers endless opportunities to explore diverse marine habitats, with hidden channels and vibrant coral gardens that make every snorkel a new adventure.
This luxury liveaboard expedition allows you to explore this entire region in comfort, traveling from the tranquil lagoons and hidden bays of Triton Bay to the diverse islands of Raja Ampat.
Conservation Impact
Founded in 1969, Oceanic Society is America’s oldest 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to ocean conservation. Our expeditions directly support our mission while benefiting travelers, wildlife, and the places we visit. With every booking, we sponsor the removal of 200 lbs. of plastic waste from the ocean, and earnings from the trip are reinvested into Oceanic Society’s global research and conservation programs.
For many years now, Oceanic Society has partnered with the marine conservation nonprofit, Planet Deep, to design unique expeditions within the Coral Triangle region. A portion of your trip fees for this expedition will support our partnership, ensuring that our collaborative expeditions contribute to cetacean conservation and support the inclusion of oceanic habitats in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This gives our expeditions additional conservation value alongside (and at no sacrifice to) our in-water time.
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
Airfare, alcoholic beverages, meals not listed in the itinerary, airport taxes, any activities not described, and gratuities. Room upgrades and limited single cabins are available with a $5,995 supplement fee.
Itinerary
Sample Itinerary
Please note: This itinerary may operate in reverse on select departures, running Sorong–Kaimana instead of Kaimana–Sorong (or vice-versa).
Arrive at Kaimana Airport (KNG) and transfer to your liveaboard, Damai 2. Settle in and enjoy your first views of this remote paradise. Prepare to set sail to Triton Bay.
Spend your time exploring Triton Bay’s stunning coral gardens, soft corals, and colorful shallow reefs. Triton Bay is famous for its kaleidoscope of colours along the reef at Signature sites like Little Komodo. Watch for reef sharks, schooling fish, and, with luck, whale sharks. Small coves and calm bays are perfect for photography, snorkeling, or simply floating above the vibrant coral landscape.
Snorkel near Momon and enjoy the spectacular waterfall plunging directly into the sea. Gentle currents allow for easy swimming while observing reef fish and colorful corals. Tender boat excursions let you explore hidden coves or take photos behind the falls.
Explore the shallow reefs around Pulau Pisang. The channels between islands are full of schooling fish, small reef sharks, and eagle rays. The sandy shallows and sponge gardens are perfect for macro enthusiasts and underwater photography.
Arrive at Misool, your first port of entry to Raja Ampat and a hotspot of marine diversity. Snorkel among small islands and sandbars with colorful soft corals and healthy reef ecosystems. Look out for manta rays cruising near cleaning areas, reef sharks gliding along reefs, and large schools of fish creating mesmerizing displays.
Visit the calm waters around Farondi and explore shallow lagoons. A guided snorkeling excursion near Tamulol Cave is easy and safe for all ages. Observe rays and reef fish, or simply float in the warm, crystal-clear waters while taking in the dramatic cliffs and tropical scenery. Nearby, we will attempt to look into the jellyfish lake, as this is very dependent on the village’s mood.
Snorkel the calm lagoons and shallow coral slopes of Penemu. Sandy channels, hidden bays, and wide coral plateaus provide excellent conditions for spotting reef sharks, schooling fish, and colorful soft corals. The highlight of Penemu is a lagoon tour in the tender boats amongst these turquoise waters and limestone bays. For the energetic, there is a short walk to the top of one of the hills to be rewarded with an amazing view over the lagoon with Damai moored in the distance. Early risers can enjoy birdwatching in the morning via a zodiac ride around the islands.
Float above the shallow cleaning stations at Manta Sandy and watch graceful mantas glide overhead. Shallow reef slopes are perfect for spotting reef fish and soft corals. Visit Arborek Village in the late afternoon to meet locals, browse handmade goods like sunhats, or search for the Red bird of paradise.
Snorkel the calm, shallow reefs around Kri, renowned for having one of the highest species counts of fish in all of Indonesia. Explore vibrant coral gardens, encounter schools of colorful fish, and keep an eye out for reef sharks, turtles, and even bumphead parrotfish. As you follow the Dampier Strait, watch for many whale species while floating in the tranquil waters and taking in the iconic scenery.
Cruise into Sorong. Enjoy your last views of Raja Ampat as you reflect on the amazing snorkeling, marine life encounters, and pristine landscapes experienced on this journey.
Ship
Damai I
The Damai I is a boutique liveaboard ship that offers a high level of comfort for exploring Indonesia’s waters. It was built in South Sulawesi in 2009 by Pak Hadji Baso, one of the most respected master boat builders in the traditional Indonesian boat…
Damai II
The Damai II is a boutique liveaboard ship that offers a high level of comfort for exploring Indonesia’s waters. It was built in South Sulawesi in 2011 by Pak Hadji Baso, one of the most respected master boat builders in the traditional Indonesian boat…
Naturalist(s)
Your expedition will be led by one or more of the following expert naturalist guides:
Trip Extensions
Select departures can be combined with our Raja Ampat to Halmahera: Remote Reefs Adventure expedition for an extended journey through Indonesia’s Raja Ampat region. Receive $500 off when you book both trips.
