This wildlife cruise, on board a handsome yacht, takes you to remote Indonesian islands in search of their eye-catching birds-of-paradise, rare mammals, frogs and their equally enchanting coral reefs, sharks and dolphins.
Few birds fire the imagination like the remarkable birds of paradise. The incredible diversity of life that exists both above and below the water in the spectacular Raja Ampat archipelago is what makes this exotic destination so exciting.
Since 18th century reports first reached Europe of the mesmerising courtship dances of the extraordinary birds-of-paradise, they have been high on any naturalist’s list of most coveted wildlife. However, of the more than 40 known species distributed from the Maluku Islands (Moluccas) to eastern Australia, most are either restricted to inaccessible highland areas of New Guinea or are found on remote islands. Seeing them has always been a major challenge.
Until now. What better way to see the endemic birds of paradise of the Raja Ampat and Maluku archipelagos (Indonesia) than by island-hopping on a comfortable traditional Indonesian phinisi sailing vessel? Even better, why not combine the spectacular scenery and birds of these little-visited islands with snorkelling on many of their spectacular reefs and also seeking out other marine life and some rare endemic mammals?
This exceptional tour offers this combination: birds-of-paradise shimmering in the crown of tropical rainforests, whale sharks, dolphins, turtles and vibrant marine fish shimmering over tropical reefs, unique mammals such as Waigeo spotted cuscus and blue swallowtail butterflies. Avian highlights will include the extraordinary leks of the Wilson’s, red and lesser birds-of-paradise with a chance of the king bird of paradise too, in addition to many other rare and stunning birds such as claret-breasted fruit dove, blyth's hornbill, sulphur-crested cockatoo, eclectus parrot and glossy-mantled manucode.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Depart the UK
Depart from London Heathrow to Dubai International Airport.
Day2: Fly to Jakarta
Today we fly to Jakarta and on arrival we have day use of a room at a hotel near the airport.
Day3: Fly from Sorong to Kaimana
We take a flight via Sorong to Kaimana, where we are met by our friendly local team and transferred a short distance to a comfortable hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to rest and relax.
Accommodation: Kaimana Beach Resort
Day4: Board yacht & set sail for Triton Bay
This morning we transfer to our yacht Katharina, our base for eight nights while we explore the Raja Ampat archipelago. Today we enjoy our first of many swims and snorkels over the healthy coral reefs in the clear, azure waters where we can admire the abundant marine life. We may also observe our first birds of this famed region, such as cockatoos or the impressive Blyth's hornbill, in the canopy of a forested island.
Accommodation: Katharina yacht, 9-nights
Day5: Explore West Papua & the Namatote Passage
Today we spend the morning exploring through the undisturbed coves, caves, and lagoons of Triton Bay before heading north through the Namatote Passage. We stop to enjoy the impressive cave paintings high on the cliffs and take in some excellent snorkelling locations. We also hope to take a shore excursion in the rainforest for a wide range of Papuan birdlife, treefrogs, various lizards and impressive butterflies. We keep our eyes peeled for cetaceans today too, as Indo-Pacific bottle-nosed dolphins frequent the area.
Day6: Snorkel with whale sharks in Triton Bay
This morning we set off early to visit local fishing platforms in the bay, where magnificent subadult whale sharks are regular visitors. We stand a good chance of being able to snorkel at a sensitive distance or watch from the tender boat as the largest fish in the world swims below us.
After lunch, we explore the peaceful bays and jagged limestone outcrops by a mixture of tender, kayak and paddleboard, taking in more snorkels over coral reefs, looking for dolphins and hopefully manta rays and a wide range of other marine wildlife.
Days7-8: Birdwatching & snorkelling in West Papua
Today we awake close to the virgin rainforests of a remote corner of West Papua. We start our day visiting a beautiful waterfall where some early morning birdwatching will hopefully treat us to sightings of eclectus and red-cheeked parrots, white-bellied sea eagle, spotted kestrel and many more. There will also be a wealth of different plants and invertebrates to discover. We may even find signs of tree kangaroo or other rare mammals. Later in the day, we enjoy more snorkelling from stunning white sand beaches and dazzling coral reefs.
On the following morning we head ashore for a walk looking for local birdlife before visiting a local village and meeting its residents, who will welcome us into their village, sharing with us their way of life which consists or fishing and growing nutmeg. Later we snorkel over remote coral reefs which offer some of the best snorkelling in the archipelago, with shallow waters and many spectacular species to look out for.
Day9: Explore Misool for lesser bird-of-paradise
Today we start before dawn with a dingy ride and walk near the village of Kapatcol, to visit one of the leks of the lesser bird-of-paradise. In the afternoon, we hope to enjoy some excellent snorkelling on the nearby coral reefs. Home to many exciting marine species such as mantis shrimps, pygmy seahorses, clownfish and turtles.
On our return in the evening, we go in search of some of the other special birds of the region, and hopefully we might also find the king bird-of-paradise.
Day10: Explore Misool for lesser and king bird-of-paradise and snorkelling
This morning we have another early start to hopefully enjoy further sightings and photography of the lesser birds-of-paradise at its lek. The king bird-of-paradise also has a lek in the area, so if we have had good sightings of the lesser, we may try to observe this colourful yet elusive species too. In the afternoon, we plan to snorkel on a local reef full of stunning fish and a great variety of other marine life, before heading back into the forest for more birding. The reef here is bursting with life and species such as giant moray eel, blue-spotted stingray, lionfish, bumphead parrotfish, unicorn surgeon fish and several of the smaller shark species are all possible to find.
Day11: Explore Pulau Waigeo for Wilson’s bird-of-paradise and snorkelling
Early this morning we set off in search of the striking Wilson’s bird of paradise at its ground level lek site on the densely forested island of Pulau Waigeo. Although under the low light of the forest canopy, this bird-of-paradise uses shafts of light from above to set its metallic colours aflame, hopefully rewarding us with a memorable display. We also seek the glossy-mantled manucode and many other birds of the virgin forest on the island. We spend the afternoon on a nearby island exploring its forest trails, birdwatching and snorkelling from its inviting beaches. Colourful nudibranchs, huge Napoleon wrasse and incredible wobbegong walking shark are all found in this region.
This evening we discover some of the nocturnal wildlife of the island as we set off in search of the superbly camouflaged Papuan frogmouth and the beautiful Waiego spotted cuscus in the forest canopy. We then return to the boat for dinner.
Day12: Explore Mioskon Island for red bird-of-paradise
Starting well before dawn, we go ashore to meet with our local guides, who lead us through the forest to the lekking trees of the red bird-of-paradise, where we hope to witness their outlandish courtship display. The male of this remarkable species has a long cape of red feathers on his back, which he quivers at the frenzied peak of his display. In addition to other forest birds, we may encounter a non-lekking bird-of-paradise, the glossy-mantled manucode.
After a late breakfast on the boat, we move to another nearby island where we can snorkel and relax. Come late afternoon, we enter the forest once again in search of more endemic bird species. As dusk approaches, we can enjoy the spectacle of the thousands of great lying foxes leaving their communal day roost on the island to set off for a night of foraging on the nearby fruit trees.
Day13: Return to Jakarta & depart
This morning we arrive back in Sorong Harbour. After saying our farewells, we transfer to the Sorong Airport to take our flight back to Jakarta, where we take the shuttle to our nearby airport hotel to rest. Returning to the airport in the afternoon, we then check in for our onward flight back to the UK.
Day14: Arrive UK
Please note: This itinerary is based on both flight schedules and bird-of-paradise lek sites at the time of planning which are subject to change.
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 14 daysfrom £11,795 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 12 daysfrom £11,095 pp
Terry has held a lifelong fascination for wildlife and as an ecologist is fascinated in how plants and animals exist and fit together, their behaviour and their impact on each other.
His self-taught knowledge of British wildlife has led him into voluntary survey work for the RSPB, Bat Conservation Trust, Vincent Trust and British Butterfly Conservation, as well as funding raising for many wildlife charities. Alongside this, he organised day trips and weekends away for birdwatchers from local ornithological societies in the south east of the UK. Eventually his interest led him to return to university and study a host of courses including British Cetaceans, Biological Field Studies and finally a degree in Environment and Conservation.
