| Cruise |
Ombak Putih, Papua's Whale Sharks & Birds of Paradise ex Kaimana to Sorong |
| Cruise Line |
Sea Trek Sailing Adventures |
| Ship |
Ombak Putih |
| Destination |
South Pacific & New Zealand |
| Brief Description |
9 Night Cruise sailing from Kaimana to Sorong aboard Ombak Putih. |
| Type of Cruise |
Speciality |
| Departure Date |
11 Nov 2021 |
| Cruise Description |
9 Night Cruise sailing from Kaimana to Sorong aboard Ombak Putih.
Day 1
You will arrive in the West Papuan port town of Kaimana. Make your way to the harbour where the Ombak Putih will be waiting at anchor. Once you have settled into your cabin, your cruise director will familiarise you with the vessel’s facilities and safety procedures. Ready to start our adventure, we will weigh anchor, leave the harbour behind, and head towards Namatote Passage, stopping for a refreshing swim along the way before watching the sun set on our first day at sea.
Day 2
Today we will cruise through the Namatote Passage. Namatote’s cliffs are well known as a gallery of prehistoric art, boasting an impressive collection of cave paintings, glyphs and pictorial signs left by ancient nomads high upon the rock walls. We will then explore the undisturbed coves, caves, and lagoons of Triton Bay, where we will anchor for the night.
Day 3
Triton Bay is a place of unsurpassed natural splendour, where time and tides have sliced the limestone landscape into tall cliffs and numerous islands separated by lagoons and narrow channels. It is also home to fishermen who keep masses of baitfish in nets that attract a migratory group of whale sharks, which we may have the chance to swim and snorkel with. We can’t make any promises, as we don’t have these wild animals on a leash, but fingers crossed we will. We will also spend our time swimming from secluded beaches, snorkelling the vibrant turquoise waters and kayaking amongst the rocky outcrops. We can also enjoy watching the birdlife from the comfort of our tenders as we explore this extraordinary maze of karst islands, before visiting the village of Lobo, which is a friendly place at the foot of a 1000-metre-high cliff.
Day 4
Today we will round Cape Papisol to the Karawawi region, where we will stop to refresh ourselves before journeying on to the beautiful Kitikiti waterfall. Here, in the wilderness, a roaring river cascades down the jungle-clad mountains and crashes into the sea below. We can swim under the waterfall and explore the extraordinary reefs nearby before continuing north-west along the coastline of West Papua.
Day 5
Today we will visit the village of Sipitnanam, where we will meet the residents, who spend their days fishing the nearby waters and tending their nutmeg plantations. From there, we will make our way to the Pisang Islands. These tiny gems isolated in the vast waters of the Ceram Sea offer us a chance to relax and enjoy the sparkling white-sand beaches, clear waters, and vibrant reefs.
Day 6
This morning we will wake to see the sun rise over the picturesque chain of islands that makes up the Misool archipelago. The topography is typical of ‘karst dissolution,’ featuring a great number of tiny islets whose bases have been eroded over time by the relentless motion of the tides. We will spend the day maximising everything that this fascinating area has to offer by marvelling at both the marine wonderland under the water and the magnificent landscape above the surface. We can test out our paddling skills in the sea kayaks, watch for birds perched on the rocks, or just sit back and take in the glorious scenery. After a full day of island hopping, the Ombak Putih will spend a quiet night at anchor.
Day 7
A swim through Tomolol’s mysterious dome-topped cave is undoubtedly one of Raja Ampat’s most memorable activities. After an early breakfast, our tenders will take us into the heart of the bay to see this partially submerged cave where it is possible to swim, snorkel or simply float while gazing up at the cavernous grotto adorned with astonishing stalactites. The more adventurous can swim or paddle through the dark waters to the other mouth of the cave. After returning to the ship, we will use our tenders to explore more of this impressive maze of karst islands, both above and below the surface, complete with mysterious skull cairns in sea-cave cemeteries, and prehistoric ‘petroglyph’ cave paintings, estimated to be anything from 3,000 to 5,000 years old and depicting various human figures and huge human palms, fish, flowers and plants, tools and vessels. After a full day, the Ombak Putih will begin her overnight journey north.
Day 8
This morning will present an exciting opportunity for keen birdwatchers. While it is still dark, our tenders will ferry those of us who are feeling fit and adventurous to the village of Sapokren, where a local guide will take us on a challenging trek into the forest in the hope of seeing the Wilson’s bird of paradise. The male is red and black with a yellow mantle on his neck, light green mouth, rich blue feet and two violet tail feathers. The featherless crown is turquoise, ornamented with double black crosses. If we are lucky, we may be able to observe the male dancing from a distance of just five metres. Before the dance, he will clear the ground from any leaves or other obstacles that may disrupt his performance. On our way back to the boat, accompanied by the sounds of the jungle coming to life, we will be sure to spot a number of bird species along the way. We will spend the remainder of the day resting from the morning’s activities and enjoying the waters and reefs of Raja Ampat.
Day 9
Today we will follow in the footsteps of the ‘father of biogeography,’ Alfred Russel Wallace by rising early and walking into the forest on a pre-dawn quest to spot the remarkable red bird of paradise, one of the species that Wallace was most anxious to collect. With a little luck and the help of our knowledgeable guides, we might catch sight of this rare bird’s elaborate courtship display as dawn breaks over the forest canopy. After returning to the ship, we will turn our attention from the sky to the sea as the Ombak Putih makes her way through the Dampier strait, home of some of Raja Ampat’s premier reefs. If the currents are in our favour, we might see some of the area’s larger specimens of marine life, which are attracted to the strait’s nutrient-rich waters. We will end the day by mooring off Pulau Arborek in front of Arborek Village. Here, we can easily circumnavigate the tiny island by foot and gain a sense of the Asai culture, which is still kept alive by the villagers living in this isolated place.
Day 10
In the morning, we will find ourselves at anchor in the harbour of Sorong. After a final, hearty breakfast, we will say goodbye to the Ombak Putih and her crew. |
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| Sailing Dates |
| 03 Dec 2020 |
| 11 Nov 2021 |
| 05 Dec 2021 |
| Pricing |
| Please enquire for pricing |
Cruise Itinerary
| Date |
Port |
Arrive |
Depart |
| 11 Nov 2021 |
Kaimana, Papua New Guinea |
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| 12 Nov 2021 |
Triton Bay, Indonesia |
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| 13 Nov 2021 |
Triton Bay, Indonesia |
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| 14 Nov 2021 |
At Sea |
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| 15 Nov 2021 |
Papua New Guinea |
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| 16 Nov 2021 |
Misool Archipelago, Indonesia |
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| 17 Nov 2021 |
Raja Ampat |
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| 18 Nov 2021 |
Raja Ampat |
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| 19 Nov 2021 |
Raja Ampat |
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| 20 Nov 2021 |
Sorong, Papua New Guinea |
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All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.
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