Fast, secure, risk-free booking guaranteed.
November through February
Your tour starts in Sorong, Indonesia
12 days
With its crystalline waters, white-sand beaches, unspoiled coral reefs, and 1500 jungle-covered islets and cays, Raja Ampat is the definition of paradise on Earth. Squeezed in between the Pacific and Indian Oceans in Indonesia’s Papua, this archipelago is a tropical labyrinth—making it an ideal setting for a 12-day kayak tour with a luxurious yacht as your base. Apart from gliding in kayaks and paddle boarding around karst pinnacles rising from the depths, there’s an even better way to witness this undisputed center of marine diversity in the world: by diving and snorkeling. Flow through the ocean surrounded by over 1,200 different species of fish and venture to places few others have explored before!
Explore the richest coral reef biodiversity in the world
Kayak, snorkel, or dive to cathedral-sized caves, tropical islets, and mangrove forests
This equator archipelago is recognized as one of the best diving spots on Earth
We don’t use the word paradise lightly—but this is as close as you can get to it on Earth, and you’ll find it in Indonesia. Raja Ampat is a wondrous archipelago of thousands of islands straddling the equator, countless of which you’ll sail through over the course of 12 days on your luxurious yacht. The best way to witness Raja Ampat’s unique limestone formations and seascape is by paddling and diving—and that’s exactly what your days will be filled with. Along with your expert guides, attentive crew, and an incredible team, you’ll want to stay here forever!
Your guides will pick you up from the Sorong Airport. Meet the crew, have a safety briefing, and set sail for the southern end of Raja Ampat. You’ll cruise all night long in order to reach your destination, Misool Island.
Meals: Dinner
As the morning comes, you’ll find yourself on the southeastern tip of the Misool Island Chain. Spend the morning and the afternoon kayaking and diving.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
After a short sail to Farondi Island, spend the whole day exploring the area. Farondi is famous for its beach, but you’ll also see beautiful lagoons, mangrove passages, coral reefs, and caves!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Cruise to the next island in the Misool Island chain, Lenkafal, where you’ll be dropped off at the southeastern tip. Once you’ve had a hearty breakfast, head out for the day and explore the many nooks and crannies of the island. Get back to the yacht for lunch, after which you have the whole afternoon for snorkeling and kayaking.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Today you’re going to the Thousand Temple Islets, where you’ll discover thousands of intricate islands of all shapes and sizes. Paddle over shallow reefs and deep lagoons, under archways and through hidden passages in the limestone rocks.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
On day six of the tour, you’ll explore an incredible cathedral-like cave by kayak, stand up paddleboard, or flippers. This is possibly the most impressive cave of this Indonesian archipelago. Head to the Northern Islands of Raja Ampat in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Set sail for the Fam Islands, where you’ll have two kayak and dive outings. You’ll also have the opportunity to do a short hike to a 360-degree lookout of the surrounding area.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Wake up in Wayag, just north of the equator and paddle through the maze of uninhabited islands that make up this group. The scenery is, once again, incredible—whitesand beaches, beautiful atolls, and coral reefs. Paddlers can circumnavigate limestone islands rising from the sea. For those looking to stretch their legs, a hike to the top of one of the islands boasts exceptional views of the archipelago. If you’re up for some diving, you can expect a variety of corals and large schools of fish.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Just another day of kayaking and diving—but this time, you’ll get to go across the equator around the synonymous Equator Island. It belongs to a group featuring hidden lagoons and gorgeous beaches. Head to Alyui Bay and tour one of the pearl farms thriving in this area, where you’ll have the chance to purchase pearls.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Head to the southern shoreline of Gam Island and paddle into Mangrove Lagoon, winding your way through mangroves until you reach three inland marine lakes. Keep your eyes peeled for dugongs (sea cows), since they’ve been reported to live in the area. On the other side of the lakes, you’ll enter a new set of mangrove fingers, which eventually lead you back to the open ocean and your yacht.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Today you’re exploring Kabui Bay, a place where the rainforest meets the reefs on numerous limestone islets. A maze of islands and passageways will have you paddling in a circle route to meet the yacht where it dropped you off. You’ll even get to explore an island that has ancient petroglyphs on its rock faces. As the night approaches, set sail for Sorong and enjoy your last group dinner on board.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Reach Sorong by morning. Have a farewell breakfast with your crew before packing up and bidding goodbye to your team. Either board your flight departing no time sooner than 11 a.m., or feel free to stay a bit longer and ask your guides about recommendations for the area.
Meals: Breakfast
They really take into account everything, the pre-trip communication is excellent. They involve you in every step in the process, there is a lot of discussion about suggested routes and itineraries. And what we like about the trips that they offer, is the unique experiences and the unique places. A few of the places we’ve been to, we’ve been the first people to do that area in a kayak.
You really get the sense that they care about people and the Planet and the places they go. And they’re ideal guides, really. It’s really nice to see trips run so well.
Compared to other operators, Expedition Engineering is way more tuned into reading the guests’ abilities. There’s this feeling that you are always safe, they have your back. But at the same time, you can have fun, and maybe go try something that’s a little bit of a stretch, but a good one. And then you have this amazing, all-around experience.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, please refer to Indonesia’s travel restrictions and the official website of the Directorate General of immigration of Indonesia.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
This is a beginner-friendly tour and there are several choices regarding activities. Whether you want to kayak, snorkel, dive, or SUP in Raja Ampat, all of it is possible! There are going to be professional guides onboard, and they’ll teach you the basics if you haven’t tried one of the offered activities. Every activity is optional so it’s up to you how much exploring you want to do!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
Kayaking in Raja Ampat can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
A $550 deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
You’ll board your yacht in Sorong, the largest city and the capital of the Indonesian province of Southwest Papua. To get there, most people fly into Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong. Your guide will pick you up from the airport at the start of your trip and drop you off at the end of it.
This kayak and multisport trip in Raja Ampat was designed to be a carefree experience—all you have to do is show up. The Jakare yacht will take you all throughout this Indonesian archipelago, allowing you to move at ease and take your time exploring the area. You’ll have buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day of your trip, and the meals served will generally be authentic Indonesian recipes. Fifteen crew members, all of Indonesian and Papuan descent will make sure you have everything you need.
This is not your typical expedition boat. This is your modernly equipped and stylishly decorated home for two weeks, so you don’t have to sacrifice your comfort in order to sail and explore. The Jakare yacht, built in 2016 in traditional South Celebes Phinisi Style, is 35 meters long and 7.5 meters wide. It features a huge dining area for eating and relaxing, a covered open-air lounge with cushions and bean bags, and a large foredeck.
There are 3 types of cabins onboard. Two single cabins are perfect for solo travelers. There are two midship cabins featuring one double bed and one single bed. Finally, the rear cabin is the largest cabin and features a queen-sized bed as well as the ability to use a small separate cabin with 2 single beds. The rear cabin has a large window which opens up fully. All cabins have private ensuite bathrooms, individually controlled air conditioning units as well as small fans.