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Papua New Guinea: West Papua (Wewak to Darwin)

Papua New Guinea: West Papua (Wewak to Darwin)

From AUD $12,240

Description

Our voyage through West Papua, discovering the unique regions of the Spice Islands and Raja Ampat is an expedition like no other. Swim, snorkel and dive through crystal-clear waters, exploring colourful coral gardens and encountering a vast array of marine wildlife. We spend five days exploring the marine haven of Raja Ampat, sailing through a maze of limestone karst islands and showcasing the beautiful landscapes of this region.

Join us aboard our flagship vessel, Coral Adventurer over 13 exciting nights for the second portion of the New Guinea Circle cruise from Wewak to Darwin. Throughout this expedition, you will discover the very best nature has to offer, from the brightly coloured Bird of Paradise to the world’s most colourful coral reef systems and come face to face with villagers who until recently had been shielded from the outside world.

Trip Name
Papua New Guinea: West Papua (Wewak to Darwin)
Days
14
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Ship Length: 93.4 meters Passenger Capacity: 120 (60 staterooms) Built: 2017 Our brand new ship is built to take you closer to unspoilt vistas in comfort, style and safety. A culmination of two years of design and three decades of passion for expedition cruising – Coral Expeditions is proud to invite you to experience the Coral Adventurer. BIGGER IS NOT BETTER At a time when cruise ships get larger and glitzier, we remain stubbornly compact and intimate. Our ships are designed to take you to unspoilt destinations not accessible to large ships.  We want you to have the luxury of space, dine with whom you please, or find your quiet corner on deck.  So we have limited the Coral Adventurer to 60 spacious cabins.  This preserves the intimate atmosphere we are known for without sacrificing the stability and comfort of a true ocean going vessel. BUILT FOR DISCOVERY The Coral Adventurer features our trademark dual ‘Xplorer’ tenders cradled on a hydraulic platform slung off the back of the ship, enabling our guests to go ashore in comfort and ease.  The shallow draft of the ship enables us to go closer to shore than larger ships. Together with our renowned expedition team, our new ship will offer the most advanced expedition capabilities of any small ship afloat. BUILT FOR COMFORT With active stabilisers dampening sea motion, mostly balcony cabins, and interiors designed with the colours and textures of tropical Queensland, the Coral Adventurer is a comfortable ship.  She features promenade decks, generous communal areas that accommodate all guests, a passenger elevator, and an open kitchen where you can observe our chefs whip up small batch cuisine from locally sourced ingredients. BUILT FOR PERSONAL SERVICE The Coral Adventurer will continue our proud tradition of Australian flagged vessels with friendly and professional Australian crew.  Our onboard atmosphere remains refreshingly informal and intimate.  Take your seat at our bridge lounge, chat with the captain at your leisure or accompany our chefs on a market tour. Food and wine features * Single seating dining area with communal ‘wine table’ finished with Australian stone; serving buffet breakfast and lunch, and multi-course table d’hote dinners * Showcase galley visible to guests for fresh small-batch cuisine featuring Australian produce * Multiple indoor and outdoor bars, including our Explorer bar on the sundeck for sunset drinks with 180 degree views * Curated wine cellar featuring modestly priced boutique wines for daily drinking and exceptional vintage Australian reds. Guest comfort * All outside guest cabins with en-suite bathrooms; majority have private balcony * Active stabilisers to dampen sea motion * Gym equipped with elliptical trainers and treadmills * Passenger elevator * Wi-Fi available in all guest areas

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1: WEWAK
Board Coral Discoverer in Wewak at 4pm > be welcomed by the crew and relax on board as you get to know your fellow passengers > enjoy the magnificent coastline as you enjoy sunset drinks before your first of many delicious dinners
Day 2 - DAY 2: JAYAPURA
Overnight we cross into West Papua waters ahead of our arrival in Jayapura > formerly known as ‘Hollandia’ during World War II and now a melting pot of sights and smells > visit Lake Sentani, home to villagers famed for their distinctive art > cruise on a longboat to see the stilt towns built over the tranquil lake > be welcomed at Asei Village by the local dancers and their accompanying traditional instruments
Day 3 - DAY 3: MIOSUWUNDI
Awake this morning to the peaceful Island of Miosuwundi > meet the local families in their traditional village to learn about their remote lifestyle > enjoy a refreshing swim in the tropical waters
Day 4 - DAY 4: AT SEA
Spend a day at sea enjoying Coral Discoverer’s on board facilities > join the Expedition Team in the Lounge for an informative introduction to Raja Ampat > learn about the many wonderful experiences we will undertake over the coming days exploring the archipelago of the ‘Four Kings’
Day 5 - DAY 5: WAYAG
Cross the equator today into the northern hemisphere as we make our way towards stunning Wayag > experience the breathtaking views as we enter Wayag lagoon > explore the magical maze of limestone karst ‘gumdrop’ islands on the Xplorer and our zodiacs > after lunch enjoy water activities on the nearby beach or for the very fit climb to the top of Mt Pindito for the panoramic view
Day 6 - DAY 6: KAWE ISLAND, ALJUI BAY & PENEMU
Enjoy an early morning visit the monument to the equator at Kawe Island, if tides allow we will step ashore. We make our way into beautiful Aljui Bay on Waigeo Island for a morning of snorkelling or diving on one of the finest reef sites in the archipelago. Enjoy a cruise in this spectacular channel in the Zodiacs, and in the afternoon we visit Penemu in the Fam Island group. Climb the 320 steps to the lagoon lookout for great views and afterwards snorkel in the lagoon.
Day 7 - DAY 7: HIDDEN BAY
Awake in remote Hidden Bay > cruise through the scenic Wallace passage aboard Xplorer and our zodiacs > after lunch there is ample time to kayak, enjoy glass bottom boat tours, snorkel and SCUBA dive
Day 8 - DAY 8: YENSAWAI VILLAGE AND YENWAPNOUR VILLAGE
Board Xplorer and cruise into the village of Yensawai on the Island of Batanta. Be greeted by the local people who will guide you through their village and visit the primary school to see the children in full song. Visit the local market on the water front and board zodiacs for a cruise through the mangroves, before enjoying a short walk to the waterfall. Visit Gam Island and the village of Yenwaoupnor to be welcomed with cultural entertainment and sample food cooked traditionally in the underground oven.
Day 9 - DAY 9: YENWAPNOUR VILLAGE AND MESEMTA
For the fit and able there is an early 0530 start on a steep hike in search of the elusive Red Bird of Paradise hidden in the trees. Enter through the stunning channel leading to our late afternoon anchorage and finish the day with our famous BBQ on the sundeck overlooking beautiful Mesempta.
Day 10 - DAY 10: MESEMTA AND WAGMAB
Awaken at Mesempta to enjoy a visually spectacular cruise on Xplorer. Enjoy snorkelling and glass bottom boat tours in the sheltered lagoon. Visit Wagmab and snorkel or dive the magnificent coral gardens and steep reef walls. Enjoy interpretation by our guest lecturers.
Day 11 - DAY 11: BANDA AND SPICE ISLANDS
Today we explore the centre of the Spice Islands, where the world’s supply of nutmeg and mace has been traded for over 2000 years. See Gunung Api volcano and Banda’s famous Kora Kora canoes in action. At Banda town our guides will introduce us to the sights and smells of this historic area. We wander past the remnants of mansions constructed during Dutch colonialism on a town tour and visit historic buildings before visiting the markets. Refresh onboard before joining the locals for a traditional dance and music performance while enjoying a glass of champagne on top of Fort Belgica.
Day 12 - DAY 12: THE SPICE ISLANDS
An early morning option to snorkel or dive over the unique submerged lava flow > for those wishing a leisurely morning, return to Banda > enjoy the traditions of a bygone era with cinnamon tea and local delicacies at the waterfront hotel before we farewell the Spice Islands and set sail towards Darwin
Day 13 - DAY 13: CROSSING THE TIMOR SEA
Spend the day at leisure enjoying the on board facilities as we cross the Timor Sea and join our Expedition Team in the ship’s lounge for a recap of the expedition. Reminisce with your new found friends at the Captain’s Farewell Drinks.
Day 14 - DAY 14: ARRIVE DARWIN
This morning at 8:00am we arrive at Darwin’s Fort Hill wharf, marking the end of our great adventure discovering Raja Ampat and the Spice Islands.
Day 15 - Please Note:
This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition, we may make changes to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel. The itinerary includes the possibility of interaction with wild animals and this interaction is subject to the presence of this wildlife on the day.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
07-12-201920-12-2019AUD $12,240Coral Deck Stateroom
07-12-201920-12-2019AUD $13,240Promenade Deck Stateroom
07-12-201920-12-2019AUD $14,400Explorer Deck Balcony Stateroom
07-12-201920-12-2019AUD $14,840Bridge Deck Balcony Stateroom
07-12-201920-12-2019AUD $17,140Bridge Deck Balcony Suite
07-12-201920-12-2019AUD $18,360Coral Deck Stateroom Sole
07-12-201920-12-2019AUD $19,860Promenade Deck Stateroom Sole
07-12-201920-12-2019AUD $21,600Explorer Deck Balcony Stateroom Sole

Inclusions

    • Visit Lake Sentani, home to villagers famed for their distinctive art
    • Spend five full days exploring the nature lover’s paradise that is Raja Ampat
    • Paddle a kayak through the stunning surround of the Mesemta Channel
    • Take in the breathtaking views of the Wayag lagoon from Mount Pindito lookout
    • Take in the aromas, colours and characters of the Spice Islands

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