Trip Highlights
The Damai vessels are specifically designed for cruising in tropical waters and are setting new standards for safety and comfort in Raja Ampat.
About This Trip
Join us aboard the intimate Damai II for an expedition designed to get you snorkeling in the phenomenal variety of habitats that make the Raja Ampat archipelago so special. We’ll explore shallow reefs with abundant fish, blue water mangroves rich with soft corals and macro life, and known habitats for iconic Coral Triangle species ranging from colorful mantis shrimp to breathtaking manta rays and otherworldly tasseled wobbegong sharks.
Beginning and ending in Sorong, stops on our itinerary include the Dampier Straits, Kri Island, Gam, Wayag, Alyui Bay, Penemu, Batanta, and more. A maximum of 13 guests in 7 cabins and two on-board snorkel guides make for an intimate experience aboard this boutique wooden ship.
We had an extraordinary time cruising around the archipelago of Raja Ampat for 12 days on the beautiful Damai 11 offered by The Ocean Society. From the moment we stepped aboard, we were greeted by a warm, friendly, and exceptionally helpful and informative staff. We really enjoyed staying on the traditional wooden Indonesia boat, with a comfortable room, dining area, lounge, and covered deck. Mika, the boat manager, was outstanding and organized, preparing us for the varied adventures each day. Our guides Dalton and Andy were extremely knowledgeable and always willing to share their knowledge.
The islands are spectacular, the ocean is healthy, and the coral reefs and fish are abundant. We recommend that if you have ever considered going on a trip to Raja Ampat, that you do so! We plan to return next year.
Conservation Impact
Founded in 1969, Oceanic Society is America’s oldest 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ocean conservation. As pioneers of “eco travel,” our expeditions have been designed to directly 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 the various organizations we visit or collaborate with in Indonesia, including Planet Deep, The Coral Triangle Center, and the Misool Foundation. Over the 11 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. Trip fees and donations from past travelers have also supported our ability to work with (and supplement the pay of) exceptional local guides who join almost all of our groups. 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
What's Included
Transfers upon arrival and departure, accommodations, daily meals as indicated in itinerary, activities and excursions.
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. Two master cabins are available for an additional fee. Limited single supplements are available for a fee of $3,100.
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 to Sorong, West Papua, where we will be transferred to the privately-chartered Damai II, 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
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:
