Undiscovered Indonesia - Sulawesi to Raja Ampat

Indonesia is a country of superlatives. Spread over 17,000 islands, it is the largest archipelago in the world and home to the most diverse marine-life on the planet. Its warm, tropical waters teem with more than 3,500 species of fish, alongside a wealth of whales and dolphins and an abundance of other marine-life. Dramatic volcanic landscapes, lush rainforest, shimmering coastlines and pristine beaches provide a backdrop to a fascinating tapestry of cultures and ethnicities, with over 700 languages spoken today. To explore this wonderful region we have exclusively chartered MV Mermaid I for an 11-night wildlife cruise. The vessel features seven en suite and air-conditioned passenger cabins, accommodating a maximum of only 14 guests, looked after by an attentive crew and experienced captain dedicated to making every moment on board memorable.

Our adventure begins with a flight to Manado, on the western tip of Sulawesi, where we will spend two nights in order to recover from the flight and visit Tangkoko National Park, home to Black Crested Macaques and Spectral Tarsiers, as well as a variety of forest birds such as Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher, Knobbed Hornbill, Minahasa Masked Owl and Green Imperial Pigeon. We will then board MV Mermaid I and begin our exploration of Sulawesi's coral-rich waters. We will keep our itinerary flexible, travelling by day and anchoring early each evening, spending our time slowly meandering across the straits between islands. We will initially travel out of the Lembeh Strait, then cross the Molucca Sea towards the west coast of Halmahera. This wide, deep channel is an excellent spot for finding Humpback, Sperm and Pygmy Blue Whales and we will be scanning the surrounding waters throughout our crossing.

Boo and Kofiau Islands are the outliers of Raja Ampat, an incredible archipelago consisting of more than 1,500 precipitous, jungle-clad islands, with white sand beaches and secret lagoons, all surrounded by clear turquoise seas. Boo and Kofiau are rarely visited, yet their shorelines are home to some of the region's very best reefs. Kofiau is also home to the endemic Kofiau Monarch and Kofiau Paradise Kingfisher, which we hope to be able to find (please note that this is subject to confirmation by the boat crew and the local residents).

From Kofiau, we will travel slowly through the islands of Raja Ampat, absorbing the spectacular karst scenery and occasionally going ashore, perhaps visiting Sawanderek for birding and a village tour. Cetaceans will be our main focus during our peaceful days at sea and we are likely to see a variety of whales and dolphins during our cruise. Whilst nothing is certain in the world of whale-watching, possibilities include Spinner, Spotted and Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins, Sperm Whale and both False Killer and Killer Whales. We also have a reasonable chance of finding some rarer, little-known species such as Bryde's and Omura's Whales. Other marine-life includes flying fish and tuna which we should see regularly, as well as turtles. If we are very lucky, we might even find a Whale Shark or Dugong which are also found in these waters. 

Many of the islands remain cloaked in forest and are home to a wealth of exciting and iconic birdlife. We will therefore explore on land where possible and will make a special effort to see both Wilson's and Red Birds-of-paradise, although Red Bird-of-paradise can be tricky to find!

Indonesia is home to the richest coral reefs in the world and daily snorkelling excursions using Mermaid I's two inflatable tenders will be offered and are likely to be a real highlight of the cruise for many. There is an almost overwhelming diversity of tropical reef fish to be found here, including countless butterflyfish, angelfish, triggerfish, surgeonfish and anemonefish, all of which should keep even the most avid snorkellers enthralled!

At the end of each day we will relax, reflect on our sightings, and discuss the bewildering diversity of reef animals with our expert tour leader and marine biologist, Dr. Chas Anderson. Then, after dark, far from the city lights, we will enjoy the stunning views of the night sky before retiring to bed.

Finally, after 11 days at sea, we arrive in Sorong, where we will disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport ahead of our flight back home. Indonesia is, of course, a long way from Europe, so your holiday does not have to end here. Should you wish to extend your stay, either in Raja Ampat or elsewhere in Indonesia, we would be very happy to assist.