Seven Seas 13D12N

Seven Seas crew will transfer the Guests from the Airport to the ship. After a nice Welcome briefing by our Cruise Director, cabin allocation and ship orientation will take place, Guests can familiarize themselves with the vessel, set up equipment, and get comfortable.

Once sought by Columbus and Marco Polo, the Banda Islands were the original Spice Islands and the most coveted destination on earth, particularly by the Dutch and Portuguese who colonized the islands and exported the indigenous nutmeg and cloves. History tells of a violent past under colonial rule. Now, the seas around these tropical paradise islands are coveted for their spectacular diving and snorkeling on some of the world’s richest reefs, unspoiled corals, and large pelagic fish.

Steep drop-offs, impressive hard coral, and some fast currents make this area absolutely breathtaking. Schools of jacks are a familiar sight, as are large tuna, many turtles, Napoleon wrasse, groupers, rays, sharks, and large lobsters. Great visibility is a blessing here, and there are also some special critter sites.

The Banda Sea is surrounded by islands from the large islands of Buru, Halmahera, Ambon, and Seram in the north towards Gorom, Kei, and Aru in the east, the islands of Tanimbar, Wetar, and Reong, and a series of smaller islands such as Babar and Moa, touching East Timor in the south. Ambon Bay is host to some of Indonesia’s best critter diving. The nearby island of Halmahera is still largely unexplored and has recently produced some stunning sites.

Gunung Api is an isolated volcanic peak rising from the heart of the Banda Sea. Surrounded by crystal clear waters, this uninhabited island is home to thousands of nesting seabirds. Exuding sulfur both above and below the landmark, the water is also home to extraordinary numbers of banded kraits (sea snakes), which have become a special attraction for divers. It’s not unusual to have swarms of these non-aggressive sea snakes around you while diving on Gunung Api.

The legendary Raja Ampat archipelago to the northwest, Cenderawasih Bay to the north, and Triton Bay to the south, the variety of experiences available in West Papua range from unforgettable scuba dives, sea kayaking/SUP paddling across a constellation of beautiful islands, world-class hiking, and bird-watching opportunities, and so much more. Known as the Bird’s Head Seascape, this ecological treasure trove covers more than 225,000 square kilometers and is home to the world’s most biodiverse coral reefs. Exploring Raja Ampat and the surrounding Seascape is one of our signature trips aboard the Seven Seas – let us show you the very, very best of this amazing paradise in Eastern Indonesia.

The islands of Raja Ampat invite you to explore, experience, and immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of the Coral Triangle’s crown jewel. From Wayag, Misool, Batanta, to the Fam Islands and Wagmab Island chain (just to name a few) – the variety of activities available in and around this natural wonderland is among the most diverse to be found on any liveaboard dive trip.

Explore the iconic islands of Wayag by sea kayak, pausing to take a swim on a secluded beach before paddling into a wonderland of shallow coral reefs and hidden coves. Karst limestone cliffs project like castle walls from the sapphire blue water – arguably one of the best places on earth to explore by sea kayak or stand-up paddleboard.

Further south, the beehive-shaped karst islands of the Wagmab Island chain offer a stunning network of kayaking and dive spots.

Divers dream of the legendary dive spots around Misool, where an encyclopedia’s worth of marine creatures can be found. The rocky islands to the Southeast of Misool offer excellent snorkeling as well as the chance to explore networks of caves and underground rivers.

An enormous atoll can be found in the Pacific waters to the north, around Ayau Island.

With so many highlights spread over such a wide area, and with land access difficult or non-existent, the Seven Seas liveaboard offers the perfect platform for getting the most out of your time in Raja Ampat.

You’ll wake up in a new, jaw-dropping destination every morning – spend the day diving, trekking the rainforest, sea kayaking, stand-up paddling, or just pausing to take in another stunning panoramic view from the comfort of our upper lounge while sipping a sunset drink or enjoying a pre-dinner snack.

Our core itinerary usually requires the full fourteen days of cruising, allowing enough time to explore several of the highlights of Raja Ampat as well as allowing time to explore new areas away from the typical route.

For most divers, Raja Ampat is truly the trip of a lifetime – an unforgettable opportunity to experience one of the most incredible marine environments on the planet.

With more species than anywhere else on earth, diving in and around Raja Ampat can feel like the underwater equivalent of bird watching, You’ll have a chance to see species that you’ve not found anywhere else. From rare invertebrates and coral species, all the way up to whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, and even migrating orcas, sperm whales, and baleen whales. Raja Ampat offers the ultimate variety of dive sites to suit even the most experienced underwater explorer.

From the unforgettable reefs of the Fam Island group, the pelagic fish and manta rays of the Dampier Strait, the incredible critter & macro diving at Batanta and Aljui Bay, to the beautiful coral gardens and snorkeling spots around Misool, you’ll have the chance to fill up your camera’s memory card (or your memory bank) with something you’ve never seen underwater before.

Our newest cruises have ventured to Triton Bay, where divers and snorkelers have the chance to dive and snorkel with whale sharks (and sometimes dolphins) below the traditional ‘Bagan’ used by local fishermen to catch small fish.

With new dives and snorkels discovered on many of our voyages here, your divemasters aboard the Seven Seas invite you to experience an unbelievable variety of dive spots in Raja Ampat.

Check out. Seven Seas crew will transfer the Guests to the Airport.