Raja Ampat Explorer South Cruise

Your adventure begins in Darwin, where you’ll board a private charter to Ambon - gateway to West Papua and the legendary Spice Islands. The True North crew will welcome you aboard as we set sail toward Banda. Settle in with a welcome cocktail and dinner on deck as the ship glides into the twilight, leaving the familiar world behind.

Today we step back in time to the fabled Banda Islands - once the epicentre of the global spice trade. Traditional war canoes lead True North into Banda Harbour, where nutmeg and history mingle in the air. Explore Banda Neira’s plantation and historic fort, where stories of trade, conquest, and adventure echo through the centuries. Snorkel or dive on a coral-encrusted lava flow born from the island’s active volcano, Gunung Api, before sunset drinks at Fort Belgica - a 17th-century fortress overlooking the harbour. As the sky glows red over the Banda Sea, you’ll feel the past and present collide in perfect harmony.

Awake to the mysterious beauty of the Fakfak coastline - a remote stretch of jungle, waterfalls, and secret lagoons. Cruise the hidden waterways of the Bomberai Peninsula, watching for hornbills in the canopy and iridescent fish below. Cool off beneath the Mommon Waterfall, where fresh water tumbles from the jungle into the sea, then explore Sebakor Bay’s spectacular system of water-filled caves.

Welcome to Raja Ampat - the “Four Kings,” and the global epicentre of marine biodiversity. Here, every moment beneath the surface feels like discovery. Snorkel and dive among the reefs of the SE Misool Marine Park, where schools of fish, soft corals, and giant sea fans thrive in kaleidoscopic colour. Explore Nudi Rock, Wayilbatan Channel, and Boo Windows - three of Raja Ampat’s most celebrated sites. In the late afternoon, we’ll visit Misool Eco Resort before gathering on Kalig Beach for sunset drinks surrounded by limestone cliffs and the gentle hum of the tropics.

Begin the day exploring Farondi Island’s spectacular caverns - where light filters through underwater caves in shades of turquoise and gold. Dive among oversized sea fans and swirling fish before cruising through the dramatic limestone formations of Balbulol Island. After lunch, join a guided snorkel through the sacred Tomolol caves - an unforgettable drift through vast limestone chambers where fresh and salt water merge in silence. As evening falls, enjoy drinks and nibbles aboard an adventure boat as we weave through the Karst Islands.

An early start takes you deep into the jungle of Gam Island for a once-in-a-lifetime encounter — the red bird of paradise in full display. Few sights in nature rival this moment. Later, dive or snorkel at Cape Kri, home to the world record for most fish species recorded in a single dive — 374 in total, documented by ichthyologist Dr Gerry Allen. The afternoon brings exploration of the Dampier Strait and its blue-water mangroves, alive with kingfishers and hornbills. Another perfect day ends with dinner on deck as the sounds of the jungle fade into night.

Today the adventure boats explore Penemu and Yeben - islands of white beaches and clear lagoons. After lunch, cruise through Wallace Channel, a narrow waterway bursting with life. This lush corridor of rainforest, orchids, and butterflies inspired the naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace’s revolutionary ideas on evolution. Glide quietly through this living ecosystem, where the connection between land and sea is beautifully complete.

Wake to the black coral forests of Wofoh Island. Snorkel or dive among vibrant coral gardens before heading to Bougainville Strait, where manta rays often gather at Eagle Rock. Swim alongside these graceful creatures as they glide through the water in effortless harmony. In the afternoon, visit the pearl farm at Aljui Bay to learn the art and science behind these luminous treasures. Evening brings a night dive beneath the farm’s jetty - a world of wobbegongs, ghost pipefish, and the rare walking shark found only in Raja Ampat.

Prepare for two unforgettable days in the Wayag Islands — Raja Ampat’s most iconic landscape. Snorkel and dive among reefs that shimmer with life, or take the adventure boats through a maze of limestone peaks rising from turquoise lagoons.

Cross the equator in true True North style, celebrated at our famous Equator Party, then spend the next day at our Wayag Beach Party — a barefoot picnic on the sand, complete with swimming, paddleboarding, and laughter among friends. These are days that stay with you — bright, wild, and eternal.

Enjoy a final breakfast on board before a private transfer to Sorong Airport for your charter flight back to Darwin. As you leave this island world behind, you’ll know that what you’ve experienced is more than a voyage — it’s a reminder that life will always feel different after True North.

Itineraries are subject to change.