Snorkeling Raja Ampat

Days 1-3
Sorong, Indonesia / Waisai / Dampier Strait / Penemu

Boarding our boat in Waisai, near Sorong, we head out for snorkeling adventures in amazing ecosystems, from shallow bays with rare shrimp gobies and nudibranchs to underwater limestone rock islands covered with tunicates, sponges, and corals. Sailing into the Dampier Strait, we snorkel on Friwinbonda Island, where the hard coral reefs teem with reef fish. En route to Mansuar Island, we have our first chance to snorkel over soft corals with large schools of barracudas and turtles. On Penemu our idyllic anchorage is in a turquoise bay surrounded by vertical limestone cliffs.

Days 4-6
Wayag Island / Uranie Island

We drift-snorkel along the lagoon channels at stunning Wayag and explore the hidden lagoons by dinghy in search of orchids, juvenile sharks, and rays. From our anchorage at Uranie, we make an optional short scramble to the top of the island for a spectacular 360-degree view of Raja Ampat’s crystalline waters.

Days 7-8
Alyui Bay At

Alyui Bay, we enter the mysterious world of invertebrates as we drift through forest-lined waterways. We enjoy tropical sunsets in this scenic bay, listening to the chorus of parrots, hornbills, and herons as they return to rest at night.

Days 9-12
Waigeo Island / Gam Island

Cruising the lagoons, we visit mangroves and snorkel the passage separating Waigeo and Gam islands, first discovered by the British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, one of the “forgotten fathers” of the theory of natural selection and evolution. The islands of Waigeo and Batanta are home to the magnificent Wilson’s bird-of-paradise and the red bird-of-paradise, both found only here, as well as hundreds of other colorful bird species. Depart on Day 12 via Sorong.