+++ Raja with Sonja+++

ITINERARY

From your home country, you will need to fly to Sorong Airport (SOQ) which is located in West Papua – Indonesia. Sorong Airport can be reached from the following Indonesian international airports: Jakarta, Denpasar, Manado, or Makassar/Ujung Pandang. We always recommend to arrive in Sorong a few days or at least one night before to be on the safe side. We are happy to assist with all internal flights, accommodations etc. in Indonesia. Contact marcel@behind-the-mask.com if you would like any assistance.

SORONG-RAJA AMPAT TRANSFER

We will co-ordinate your arrival and collect you from the airport or your hotel and bring you direct to the vessel. There are several good hotels in Sorong should you wish to overnight before or after your Raja Ampat cruise. Sorong is a small city so most of the hotels are located within 10 – 20 minutes to Sorong Harbour, while Sorong Airport is only located 10 minutes by car from the harbour.

DAY 1

Check-in on board Mermaid II. As guest arrivals take place all through the day depending on flights, you are welcome to board when you arrive and spend some time unpacking and setting up your equipment, etc. Following the boat and safety briefing, Mermaid II will start cruising to the area of Misool. The first cruising will be done overnight. It is almost impossible to put together a daily itinerary due to the magnificent diving everywhere Mermaid II goes. No trip is the same, with so many different sites to visit and explore. If there is somewhere in particular you really have your heart set on, please discuss with the Cruise Director who will do their utmost to get you there – conditions, ship and your safety allowing!

DAY 2-4 +++11 DIVES

Misool area with literally hundreds of dive sites around this magnificent area, you will be in divers’ paradise for a few days. Soft corals and gorgeous gorgonians, home to the much sought after pygmy seahorse! Pinnacles with masses of fish. Islands you will thoroughly enjoy in the Misool area include the Balbulol, Sagof,Wagmab, Farondi, Wayilbatan, Warakaraket, Fiabacet, Yillet, Kalig and Pele Islands.

DAY 5-7 +++12 DIVES

Dive around Penemu Island and visit the viewpoint. Or dive around the island of Kawe, a great place for schooling fish with beautiful reefs covered in black coral bushes and a very good chance to have encounters with Manta Rays. Heading to the central part of Raja Ampat dive around the island of Yanggefo, with beautiful mangrove areas, stunning reefs covered in orange and purple soft corals and submerged reef with lots of schooling fish. Arborek and Sawanderek Villages are some of the most beautiful islands to visit and great to dive under their jetty! The jetty pillars are covered in soft corals – a photographer’s delight and also good for macro such as signal gobies, nudibranchs, pipefish, blue ringed octopus and more. The Mantas are then calling us to visit the famous Dampier Strait in the central part of Raja Ampat. Here Mantas hang out at their cleaning stations along with all the schooling fish that the sites have to offer. At some of the sites in the Dampier Strait, the macro marine life is amazing with critters such as the seamoth, Pontohi pygmy seahorse, pipefish and more. The Dampier Strait is also well known for an incredible amount of schooling fish. There are several pinnacles with zillions of fish. The tips (capes) of several islands are also home to lots of schooling fish – barracudas, bigeye jacks, snappers, zillions of fusiliers and surgeonfish and much more. As if that weren’t enough, here you can find lots of wobbegong sharks!

DAY 8 +++2 DIVES

Two dives in Dampier Strait. More of the same. Fish, fish, fish, glorious corals andall! Then back to Sorong Mermaid II must go. The crew will take care of rinsing your equipment and there’s time to pack during this 4-5 hour run.

DAY 9

After breakfast, Mermaid II staff will transfer you to the airport. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to changes beyond the operator’s control. The exact itinerary, route and amount of dives for your cruise may be adapted to best suit the weather conditions, tides and currents, season and other prevailing events.

THE MERMAID II

M/V Mermaid II is a 33 meter, twin engine steel motor yacht. One of the most comfortable dive boats in Asia, she easily accommodates 18 guests in 8 deluxe cabins and 2 guests in a lower deck budget cabin. All deluxe cabins are located on the main deck and offer a choice of either double bed only or twin bed configuration. Each deluxe cabin offers large panoramic sea view windows. individually controlled air conditioning and ensuite bathrooms. Below deck the budget cabins have twin bunks, vanity sink, air conditioning and share a bathroom with one other cabin via adjoining doors.

There is a wide stern dive platform with two exit ladders and fresh warm water showers. The dive deck is huge with plenty of room to gear up, individual boxes for your dive gear, camera tables and loads of rinse tanks. Enjoy fresh fluffy towels after each dive and hot chocolate after your night dives !

The dining room is at the front of the main deck where delicious buffet style Asian and western meals are served. The saloon is large and spacious with comfortable lounges, big windows, bar fridge, and complimentary fresh roast coffee, tea, soft drinks and juices. Multimedia entertainment centre including large flat screen TV for briefing and movies, large library and a full selection of marine life books.

There are two outside decks–the shade covered party deck with its comfy cushioned lounge suite around nearly the whole deck and the sun platform in front of the wheelhouse give you the choice to sun bake or not !

RAJA AMPAT

The best time to dive Raja Ampat is from October to April. During this time you will be able to explore the Northern and Southern Part of Raja Ampat. The water temperature in Raja Ampat is between 27 – 30 Celsius. We recommend 3mm long wetsuit to dive in Raja Ampat unless you are warm quickly.

THE MARINE PARK

The Raja Ampat Marine Park covers a large area with more than 1’500 islands listed. Therefore, a liveaboard is an ideal way to explore this fantastic destination. Here you will explore one of the last frontiers of unspoiled diving and snorkelling. The archipelago’s pristine reefs are not only vibrant, but the region also proves to have the highest coral reef biodiversity for its size in the world. Raja Ampat holds more than 1’320 fish and 550 coral species and all that is yet to be discovered. Raja Ampat is the epicentre of global marine biodiversity and considered to have the best coral reef diving on the planet. From unusual wobbegong sharks to majestic giant mantas to tiny pygmy seahorses, Raja Ampat has it all! If you are snorkelers or have non-diver family members or friends and you are not sure if this will be a trip that they would enjoy, we have good news: there are many activities for you too!! There are plenty of excellent sites in this fabulous destination, which not only great for diving but also for snorkelling. This marine park is listed among the world’s best-snorkelling destinations. This area is also remarkable for its stunning above water scenery. The famous natural landmark of Raja Ampat is of the mushroom-shaped limestone formations covered in dense vegetation rising out of the turquoise seas. A visit to Pianemo or Wayag viewpoints for extraordinary views and photo opportunities of these iconic natural wonders. During our trip to Raja Ampat, we will also visit local villages on some islands and explore the beautiful lagoon by speed boat.