The travel date 18.10. - 27.10.2025 will be accompanied by Dr. George Beccaloni, director of the Wallace Correspondence Project and a leading Wallace researcher. Under his guidance, you will have the opportunity to learn many research-backed details about the voyages and discoveries of Alfred Russel Wallace. And the cruise dates from 29.12.2026 - 07.01.2027 will be accompanied by coral reef expert and founder of Ocean Gardener, Vincent Chalias. Both sailings will be conducted on the Ombak Putih.

Day 1: Embarking on your Sailing Cruise Adventure 

• Your extraordinary sailing adventure begins as soon as you are greeted by your attentive guides at Sorong Airport, the gateway to Indonesia's last paradise of marine diversity.
• After a brief introduction, you will be taken in comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles to the harbor where your ship awaits.
• Here you will board an elegant traditional Phinisi yacht - a sailing vessel built according to centuries-old Indonesian maritime traditions. This impressive ship will be your comfortable floating home for the next ten days. It combines seafaring tradition with modern comfort.
• After a welcome drink, the yacht's crew will help you settle into your well-appointed cabin. As soon as the anchor is raised and the engines start, your journey begins toward the breathtaking southern islands of Raja Ampat National Park.
• The journey starts with a delicious outdoor lunch on the panoramic deck, where you can enjoy the first impressive views while tasting freshly prepared dishes with Indonesian and international flavors.
• In the early afternoon, you will stop at a pristine location with vibrant marine life for your first snorkeling excursion. As soon as you dive into the crystal-clear water, you'll get a glimpse of the kaleidoscopic underwater world that makes Raja Ampat the crown jewel of the Coral Triangle. Here you'll find colorful coral formations that house an amazing variety of reef fish.
• At the end of the day, you can refresh yourself before rejoining your fellow travelers on the spacious deck for sundowner cocktails. Comfortable seating allows you to observe the nightly natural spectacle while enjoying your drinks and watching the sky transform into a canvas of orange, pink, and purple hues reflected in the calm sea.
• Tantalizing aromas hint at culinary delights to come, as the yacht's chef prepares the first of many sumptuous dinners with fresh local ingredients and traditional Indonesian spices.
• End this perfect first day with conversations with your travel companions. The yacht's ambient lighting creates the perfect atmosphere for sharing stories, while gentle waves under the remarkably clear night sky provide a soothing soundtrack.
• Whenever you wish, you can retire to your cabin and look forward to the wonders awaiting you the next day in this island paradise.
   

Day 2: Misool's Limestone Wonderland 

• As dawn breaks, the spectacular seascape of eastern Misool reveals itself before you. As the first rays of sunlight rise above the horizon, illuminating the misty peaks and creating an ethereal landscape, early risers can see sea eagles circling overhead or flying fish gliding across the mirror-like sea surface. Their silver bodies sparkle beautifully as they catch the golden sunlight.
• After a delicious breakfast featuring tropical fruits, aromatic Indonesian coffee, and eggs prepared to your liking, today is dedicated to fully immersing in this natural wonder. Your guides will take you on an exploration tour to pristine beaches and lush forests that are home to exotic birds and rare plant species found nowhere else in the world. Watch for the region's unique birds such as parrots and hornbills or for rare orchids.
• The crystal-clear water around these islets offers spectacular coral formations with visibility often exceeding 30 meters - a wonderful snorkeling world with unparalleled marine biodiversity.
• For a different perspective, kayaks and paddleboards are available for you to explore the calm waters at your own pace. The silence of these secluded spots, interrupted only by the gentle splashing of your paddle and distant bird calls, creates moments of profound connection with nature.
• Lunch is served on board the ship between your activities in this surrounding paradise.
• Afterward, you can relax on deck with a book or return to the water to further explore the coral wonderland. The crew remains attentive throughout, ensuring your comfort and safety.
• After a day full of discoveries that has surely engaged all your senses, the crew will navigate to a secluded bay where you will anchor for the night, a protected water in spectacular surroundings.
• After your sundowner, you can enjoy a delicious dinner consisting of traditional Indonesian specialties and international favorites.
• After dinner, you have the opportunity to admire the uniqueness of the local night sky in one of the last remaining regions with a dark sky. Lean back on comfortable deck cushions and enjoy the extraordinary sight of the Milky Way spreading above you.
   

Day 3: Ancient Mysteries and Natural Wonders

• Your third day in paradise begins. A delicious breakfast gives you energy for a day that will combine natural wonders with cultural heritage.
• Your morning starts with an excursion through a huge dome-roofed sea cave, adorned with massive stalagmites and stalactites formed over many millennia. You dive into crystal-clear water where sunlight creates dancing light patterns on the sandy bottom. As you glide further in, the cave opens into a breathtaking chamber where ethereal blue light filters through hidden entrances, creating an almost mystical atmosphere. Find yourself floating in silent awe as you absorb the beauty of this primordial space that few have seen.
• Next, you'll visit one of the rarest phenomena on Earth – a secluded lake within a limestone island, filled with thousands of jellyfish. A short guided hike brings you to this remarkable inland saltwater lake, one of only twenty such ecosystems worldwide. Here you have the opportunity to snorkel among these unique creatures.
• Floating among thousands of pulsating, translucent golden organisms as they follow the sun's path is a truly extraordinary experience. These delicate jellyfish dance around you, and sometimes a gentle touch may brush against your skin. Don't worry; they don't sting.
• Then it's time for lunch, which you'll enjoy on board the yacht. Later, the afternoon takes you deeper into the cultural history of the region. By dinghy, you'll embark on an excursion to ancient sea cave cemeteries embedded in limestone cliffs – sacred sites for indigenous Papuan communities across generations.
• You'll discover skull cairns and burial sites – witnesses to long-forgotten funeral customs. These arranged remains, protected in rock alcoves, testify to sophisticated practices honoring ancestors.
• Nearby, another grotto reveals prehistoric cave paintings estimated to be 3,000-5,000 years old, created with natural pigments that have withstood salt air and monsoon rains. These artworks offer a connection to distant ancestors who once navigated these same waters.
• As the afternoon light softens, you return to your yacht where refreshments await you.
• During and after dinner, there are good opportunities to reflect with your fellow travelers on the day's experiences.
• Under a star-filled sky, your scientist on board may give an informal presentation about Raja Ampat's significance in terms of oceanic and human migration, thus helping to contextualize today's experiences within the broader framework of this extraordinary region.
   

Day 4: Bird of paradise and Underwater Synphonies

• Today you combine two of Raja Ampat's most extraordinary attractions – its legendary feathered inhabitants and world-famous coral reefs.
• After a quick light breakfast, you'll be taken by tender boat to a small, forested island. Here your local guide leads you on a forest trek to the magnificent Lesser Birds of Paradise – creatures that fascinated Alfred Russel Wallace during his expeditions in the 1850s and inspired his theories about evolution. Their harsh calls echo through the canopy before you discover these extraordinary birds gathering in their 'display trees.' Here, the male Lesser Birds of Paradise with chocolate-colored bodies, emerald green throats, and wire-like plumage perform their elaborate courtship ritual.
• After spending about an hour with these living jewels and observing their behaviors that most people only see in documentaries, you return through the humid forest and, with a bit of luck, have the opportunity to observe other local wildlife active in the morning light.
• Upon returning to the yacht, you'll be greeted with cool fruit juices before enjoying a well-deserved late breakfast. This relaxed meal offers time to share impressions and recharge for the afternoon adventures.
• As the sun reaches its zenith, the yacht positions itself at one of Raja Ampat's legendary diving/snorkeling spots – a pristine reef system that ranks among the richest on our planet, with visibility over 30 meters and huge schools of tropical fish. Your guides offer support for those who want to improve their snorkeling skills.
• After about two hours of exploration (with the option to return to the boat at any time), the crew welcomes you back on board with refreshing juices.
• In the late afternoon, the boat sets course for Batanta Island – one of the four main landmasses of Raja Ampat. From the yacht's deck, you observe how the seascape changes as you cruise through waters bathed in gold and amber tones by the setting sun. Keep your camera ready, as this passage is known for schools of spinner dolphins that sometimes ride the bow wave.
• As twilight falls, the crew prepares another delicious dinner with fresh local ingredients. Today's explorations certainly provide plenty of conversation material as you share highlights with your fellow travelers.
   

Day 5: Batanta's Jungle Treasures 

• The green island of Batanta offers a refreshing change and shows another facet of Raja Ampat's ecological diversity.
• After a good breakfast with tropical fruits, pastries, and Indonesian specialties, you stretch your legs on an adventurous hike through pristine rainforest largely untouched by human development. This path immerses you in an ecosystem teeming with endemic birds, butterflies, and fascinating insects, as they are adapted to Batanta's unique environment, which is spatially limited.
• The adventure begins in a coastal village where locals greet you with a warm smile and offer insight into the traditional way of life in these remote communities.
• From this cultural starting point, the path leads through increasingly dense forest where massive trees with buttress roots form a high canopy. The humid air carries the rich scent of fertile soil, while the forest resonates with bird calls and rustling leaves.
• After about 45 minutes of hiking, you begin to hear a rushing water sound that grows louder. Around a final bend reveals the first of two spectacular waterfalls, where a crystal-clear stream plunges about 20 meters down a rock face into an inviting natural pool. After taking plenty of photographs, you can cool off here with a bath under the cascade.
• For the more adventurous among you, there's the option to continue upstream on a slightly more challenging path. This additional 30-minute hike requires navigating rocky sections and using tree roots as steps, but rewards you with a second, larger waterfall of about 35 meters thundering into a deeper emerald pool amid pristine rainforest that truly few tourists get to see.
• After this experience, you return to your tender boats and yacht, where lunch awaits you.
• In the afternoon, you have the choice between guided snorkeling over vibrant coral reefs, self-directed exploration with kayaks and paddle boards, or simply relaxing on board in deck chairs, enjoying the landscape with your favorite beverage.
• During the afternoon, the crew weighs anchor and navigates northward. This creates one of the most photogenic moments of the trip as you cruise through Raja Ampat's picturesque island world, with the setting sun bathing the landscape in golden light, transforming limestone formations and creating perfect reflections on calm water.
• From the yacht's deck, you can observe flying foxes beginning their nightly foraging, or sea eagles returning to their cliff nests. And as you enjoy the moment when the last daylight bathes the clouds in vibrant colors, the bartender prepares your favorite cocktails.
• Enjoy your dinner under the stars :-)
   

Day 6: Cultural Connections and Pristine Waters 

• This morning your yacht is anchored in a protected bay, flanked by forested hills, with calm water reflecting the surrounding landscape.
• After a leisurely breakfast, you'll get a glimpse of one of the region's most sustainable industries with a visit to a pearl farm in a sheltered cove. A short ride by tender boat brings you to the farm's floating platforms, where you'll discover the fascinating processes behind cultivating these small gems and learn how sustainable pearl farming creates important jobs for local communities while preserving the ecological balance.
• For lunch, you return to the yacht while navigating to one of Raja Ampat's most pristine marine protected areas, where three uninhabited islands form a natural triangle enclosing a protected lagoon system, and another enchanting underwater world awaits you.
• After lunch, snorkelers can look forward to three different reef ecosystems: shallow coral gardens with enormous table corals, where turtles often rest between foraging; dramatic walls where the reef plunges into deep waters, attracting schools of fish and reef sharks; and protected channels with remarkable soft corals and sea fans in all colors.
• Your guides lead you in small groups to each location, helping you find easily overlooked treasures and thus explore the diversity of reef fish, from tiny neon-colored damselfish to impressive Napoleon wrasse.
• Those who prefer to explore the intoxicating nature from above can embark on their own adventure with sea kayaks and paddleboards. Others seeking relaxation can be dropped off at a powdery white beach to swim, search for shells, or simply relax with a book against a backdrop of turquoise water.
• Some guests may return to the yacht earlier to relax and observe seabirds, while others maximize their water time.
• In the late afternoon, everyone returns to prepare for the evening. With sunset, a gourmet beach barbecue awaits you on a perfect crescent of white sand.
• This special dinner under the stars, with your feet in the sand and the gentle sound of waves as natural accompaniment, creates a perfect blend of wilderness and refined comfort. Share with your companions the highlights of the day and the anticipation of what may come tomorrow in this extraordinary corner of the world.
   

Day 7: Limestone Panoramas and Rich Reef Currents 

• Today's expedition begins as the golden morning light bathes the dramatic limestone islands outside your cabin window. Today you'll explore this group of karst formations. These islands, shaped over millions of years by wind, rain, and tides, form some of the most dramatic landscapes of the archipelago.
• After breakfast, you'll head by tender boats to a secluded beach where your exploration begins.
• A short 20-minute climb leads you along a path shaded by tropical hardwoods and adorned with ferns and orchids that find purchase in seemingly bare rock. The final section leads to a limestone platform with panoramic views across the archipelago - dozens of emerald islands scattered across turquoise and cobalt blue waters, forming a labyrinth of channels and bays. This viewpoint offers an ideal photo opportunity to capture Raja Ampat's legendary beauty.
• Upon your return to the yacht, it's lunchtime, and during your meal, you relocate to a special place. Between the islands of Gam and Mansuar lies a location legendary for its extraordinary biodiversity, as the islands have created a natural channel where nutrient-rich currents support an explosive development of marine life.
• The area's famous three jetties mark some of Raja Ampat's most famous snorkeling spots. These simple wooden structures have become artificial reefs, colonized by colorful sponges, soft corals, and small fish that attract larger predatory fish. Near the reef, you might discover giant clams with iridescent mantles in blue, green, and purple hues. You have the opportunity to experience this underwater paradise.
• The coral formations here rank among the most diverse on our planet, with more coral species at this single location than, for example, in the entire Caribbean Sea. The sandy floor reveals its own microcosm – perhaps a camouflaged scorpionfish, a blue-spotted stingray, or a peacock mantis shrimp guarding its burrow.
• For those who prefer a less strenuous afternoon, a visit to the small traditional village next to the snorkeling spot is on the program. Here you can connect with community members and learn more about life in this remote maritime settlement, where traditional practices merge with modern life.
• As the afternoon light softens, you return to your yacht where refreshing drinks await you.
• On deck, there's surely another good opportunity today, during or after your expedition leader's presentation, to share your observations and discoveries of the day and put them in the closer context of Raja Ampat and its ecological significance.
• This intellectual engagement, complemented by an appealingly prepared dinner, creates a perfect transition into the evening as the yacht remains at anchor and you can observe the transformation of this seascape from vibrant daylight to a star-filled tropical night.
   

Day 8: The Legendary Fishbowl and Wallace's Legacy 

• This morning your yacht is anchored in Central Raja Ampat. Your guides explain what makes today's locations so special, highlighting Yenuba's famous 'Fish Bowl' – a natural coral amphitheater where hundreds of fish species gather in amazing density.
• As soon as you go underwater again after breakfast, you'll be amazed once more. Here you can observe more fish species than exist in the entire Mediterranean – from schools of fusiliers and snappers forming tornados of colors, to tiny anthias hovering above corals in clouds of orange and magenta. The topography creates perfect viewing conditions, with a shallow coral plateau dropping to a sand-covered bowl about 15 meters deep, thus earning its nickname 'Fish Bowl'.
• After returning to the yacht and during your lunch, the captain relocates your position.
• The afternoon is dedicated to snorkeling off Mansuar Island, known for its pelagic fish and sea turtles. This spot offers a dramatic reef wall that drops into deep water. You might encounter several turtle species – the hawksbill turtle, the green sea turtle, the olive ridley turtle, and occasionally the giant leatherback turtle. Beyond turtles, there are also jacks and barracudas here, while reef sharks patrol deeper. The interface between reef and sand is home to garden eels, stingrays, and perhaps passing eagle rays.
• Later you navigate through a mangrove-lined channel to the village of Yenbesir. In the village, you visit a replica of Alfred Russel Wallace's jungle hut – where this naturalist lived during his stay in 1860. This reproduction offers insight into the conditions this scientist endured. Your guides tell you details about Wallace's discoveries, particularly his documentation of the Birds of Paradise and his independent formulation of the theory of natural selection.
• After exploring Wallace's hut, you walk on a forest path and look out for cockatoos and hornbills. Your guides explain how Wallace's observations of the different animal communities on both sides of the 'Wallace Line' provided evidence for his biogeographical theories.
• Afterward, you return to your sailing yacht and to dinner.
• As night falls, you might join the captain for stargazing and learn how early explorers navigated these waters. Tonight offers space for reflection on how your experiences are connected to the historical tradition of natural history exploration that Wallace embodied.
   

Day 9: The Ultimate Bird of Paradise Experience 

• Today begins before dawn. After a quick snack, you dress in forest attire – long pants, lightweight long-sleeved shirts, and sturdy hiking shoes. Equipped with small daypacks, the tender boats take you to a forest edge landing site as the sky begins to lighten.
• The goal of this morning is to observe the incredible Red Birds of Paradise in their natural habitat. This species had special significance for Alfred Russel Wallace during his explorations, as it – like some other birds – exists nowhere else on Earth outside of Raja Ampat. Your guides explain the etiquette of forest observation – maintaining silence and moving deliberately to minimize impact.
• A 40-minute hike through morning mist leads deeper into the primary rainforest, with the path winding uphill and past tall trees, while the forest awakens around you with bird calls and the chorus of cicadas.
• Arriving at an observation point set up for optimal viewing, you settle into a natural blind and maintain silence. Soon you'll hear the first sign - a characteristic call echoing through the canopy. Then your eye will catch a movement when the first male Red Bird of Paradise arrives on his display perch in the crown of his favorite tree. What follows is truly spectacular – see for yourself :-)
• With a bit of luck, you might also observe the even more elusive Wilson's Bird of Paradise during its solitary courtship ritual. The Wilson's Bird of Paradise performs its dance on the forest floor and maintains a meticulously cleaned display court beneath an opening in the canopy that creates a spotlight effect. Enjoy watching!
• After about two hours, you return to the sailing yacht and might spot palm cockatoos, rainbow lorikeets, or other wildlife along the way. Back on board the yacht, you're greeted with refreshing fruit juices before enjoying a well-deserved late breakfast.
• During breakfast, the yacht relocates to your final snorkeling destination – the famous wall on eastern Gam Island. After a briefing, you enter the water for a grand finale to your underwater explorations. The vertical wall creates a different perspective, with countless coral species competing for space. Massive gorgonian fans stretch out, while colorful crinoids extend their feeding arms and schools of anthias form vibrant clouds against the background.
• Where the wall meets the deep blue, you might observe reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, or bumphead parrotfish. The complex topography of the wall includes caves and crevices that harbor cryptic species – perhaps a resting whitetip reef shark or a camouflaged stonefish.
• After this final snorkeling session, you return to the yacht, which begins its overnight passage to Sorong. The crew prepares a special farewell dinner with signature dishes from throughout the trip. It's your last evening: use it to deepen your connection with your fellow travelers or to take one last look at the spectacular starry sky and reflect on the natural wonders you've experienced in this remarkable corner of our planet.
   

Day 10: Farewell to Paradise

• Your adventure ends as you wake up anchored in Sorong harbor. After a final hearty breakfast together on deck, it's time to say goodbye to the crew and your fellow travelers who made this tour so special. Perhaps new friendships have formed as you disembark for your transfer to the airport or to your hotel in Sorong.
• The transition back to 'civilization' may seem abrupt after days in harmony with pristine nature, but take Raja Ampat's serenity with you. On your journey home, you might lose yourself in daydreams of crystal-clear waters, the hypnotic dance of jellyfish, and the symphony of colors of a healthy coral reef. You leave this place with memory cards full of images, but more importantly: with minds and hearts transformed by the natural wonders and cultural experiences of Raja Ampat – one of the last true paradises on Earth.
• The vibrant underwater landscapes, the warm smile of the locals, and the simple joy of disconnecting from digital distractions to reconnect with nature may have left a profound impression. Perhaps the greatest souvenir you take home is a renewed commitment to appreciate and protect our planet's remarkable biodiversity, inspired by the direct encounter with the ecological treasure that is Raja Ampat.

We hope you enjoyed your stay and wish you a safe journey home or onward journey. We look forward to welcoming you back as our guests soon. Sampai jumpa :-)