2023 SOLAR ECLIPSE & NEW GUINEA CRUISE

DAY 1: Apr. 14- ARRIVE JAKARTA

Arrive Jakarta the capital of Indonesia. Meeting assistance and transfer to Hotel

DAY 2: Apr. 15- JAKARTA / SORONG – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Sorong. Upon arrival at the Sorong airport, you will be met by boat crew and transferred to the harbor, approx. 20-minute drive. Settle down before – we depart Sorong to cruise onward to the islands of Raja Ampat. Lunch will be served on deck. If time allows, we will stop for snorkeling or try a check dive before serving sundowners to the backdrop of a magnificent sunset. Tonight, dinner will be served under the stars.

DAY 3: Apr. 16- DAMPIER STRAIT – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning, you’ll awake to the sound of tropical birds calling from the depths of the jungle. Mioskon Bay is a spectacular anchorage where you can spend the morning snorkeling in the mangroves, or kayaking across mirror still waters, hugging the verdant coastline. Famed for its abundant fish-life and vibrant coral slopes, the Kri peninsula offers some of the most exquisite underwater vistas in Raja Ampat.

DAY 4, 5 & 6: Apr. 17 to 19- MISOOL – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning, the yacht will reach the southeast end of Misool. You’ll awake to a shimmering pastel sunrise and enjoy a decadent breakfast on deck, with tea and coffee served by your crew. This chain of tiny islands carves the area into hundreds of narrow channels concealing lagoons, coves, cliffs and limestone overhang, caves and endless pristine beaches. Here in Raja Ampat’s southernmost island, you’ll spend four days exploring Misool’s treasures. The surrounding dive and snorkel sites have been voted some of the best in the world: Boo Windows, Magic Mountain and more, a myriad of exhilarating and relaxing underwater pursuits. Above water, you’ll explore the ethereal “Gua Sacral” ancestral caves of Tomolol, a former burial site of indigenous Papuans. Swim through a cathedral-like cave coated in orchids and discover ancient cave paintings edging the crystal blue surface. There’s a pearl farm nearby where you can see how the local’s forge a living in these remote parts. Powder sand beaches await your footprints, and you can claim one as your own for as long as you like, hunting for shells or picnicking in the shallows.

DAY 7: Apr. 20- DARAM – MISOOL – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today is the day of the eclipse. We will have sailed overnight to the southernmost eastern point of the Raja Ampat archipelago on the path of the eclipse. Our crew will have settled a beach set up to enjoy this magnificent spectacle of mother nature. It is known that the marine life is behaving very differently during an eclipse and our most intrepid divers will have the chance to experience this once in a lifetime chance on the dive sites surrounding Daram. Others will be able to experience the eclipse from the white sand beach of the island. The rest of the day is dedicated to activities around the island. Overnight, Aliikai Voyage will cruise to Koon.

DAY 8: Apr. 21- KOON – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, we’ll arrive at the tiny island of Koon, to the east of Seram, which is a veritable aquarium for underwater aficionados. Coconut palms dot the island, which is encircled by a blindingly white beach melting into turquoise seas. The coral reef fringing the island is well protected and acts as a haven for fish. Overnight, you will cruise to Run in the southern region of Raja Ampat.

DAY 9: Apr. 22- RUN & NAILAKKA– Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Head ashore to Ai Island, where the ruins of Fort Revenge can still be seen deep in the jungle. We will also cruise to Run Island – the first British overseas colony. This tiny piece of land was once the subject of a long and bloody conflict between European colonial powers and was transferred to the Dutch in exchange for New York! We will explore the island to see the forgotten ruins of old forts, enjoying picnic lunches and exploring the coral wall.

DAY 10: Apr. 23- BANDA BESAR – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning, head to Banda Besar to see the historical nutmeg plantations – once the most expensive spice in the world. Walk past ancient almond trees and take the opportunity to see how the locals make a living, while observing various species of endemic birds. After lunch, you can do one or two wonderful dives at Batu Kapal, and later visit a small village on Pisang Island, which is surrounded by the pristine beaches and beautiful reef.

DAY 11: Apr. 24- GUNUNG API – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

We invite the fit and ambitious to make an early morning ascent of Banda’s Gunung Api volcano. This is perhaps the most famous of the Banda Sea ‘Ring of Fire’ volcanos. First recorded in the 14th century, it last erupted in 1988. While this is a challenging climb up a narrow track to an elevation of about 640 metres, the reward when reaching the top of the ‘Fire Mountain’ is well worth the effort and you can revel in a stunning and unforgettable view.

DAY 12: Apr. 25- BANDA NEIRA – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Early in the morning, the Banda Islands will emerge on the horizon. This morning you can dive at “Bird Rock” at Suanggi Island, and on arrival at Banda Neira, you can head ashore to the historical town. Every building here could be a museum – there are cannons in the front of colonial houses and 17th century inscriptions on the walls. You’ll visit the impressive Fort Belgica, an old church and a former governor’s palace, a jail and local museum.

DAY 13: Apr. 26- SAPARUA & MAMALA – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Saparua is the largest island in the Lease chain to the east of Ambon. This morning you may head ashore to explore the small town of Saparua and visit the Duurstede Fort, built by the Portuguese in 1676. While you enjoy lunch back onboard, the yacht will sail to Mamala Island, where you can explore underwater sites on the eastern coast, which offers some striking walls with overhangs, inhabited by an array of macro marine life.

DAY 14: Apr. 27- AMBON / JAKARTA / DEPART- – Breakfast

Early this morning, we arrive in Ambon port in plenty of time for a morning flight departure. After a final decadent breakfast on deck, our crew will assist you in disembarking and transfer you back to the airport to catch your flight home.

OR EXTEND YOUR STAY IN BALI AND OTHER SIGHTS OF INDONESIA.