Route Description - Raja Ampat South (Misool)
Take in the harmony of the remotely idyllic Misool, with its globally unmatched thriving healthy reefs. Check out a spot of light cave diving at Goa Farondi with its resident Bumphead Parrot fish. Trek to the lookout points of the infamous and photogenic Love Lagoon followed by Penemu, where you'll get a chance to see the impressive coconut crab population. Dive on the limited access, world-class dive site of Magic Mountain, with a chance to find some of the largest Mantas found in Raja Ampat. Make some new local friends whilst visiting one of many villages located in the Dampier Strait during sunset Dive on some of the best muck diving the ocean has to offer under several of the jetties located in the regency. Enjoy your final sunset with us during a farewell beach BBQ.
DAY 1 SORONG TO WAISAI
Day one starts with your pickup from either your hotel or the airport. If we are picking you up from your hotel, it is generally around 07:30 – 08:00, if you are arriving on the day of departure, it is important that your arrival time is before 07:30. We will then head directly to Sorong Port, where you will be taken to the vessel.
Once onboard you will be met by the Cruise Director and a welcome drink. After you have been shown to your rooms and unpacked your luggage, it's time for a welcome briefing before we have some lunch, then you have some time to relax and soak up the amazing surroundings en route to our clearance point, and then onwards to our first dive of the trip.
Our ‘welcome dive' is usually conducted at the nearby island of Saonek Kecil. The waters are generally calm, and is a perfect spot to get the diving going. After the sun sets over the eastern Indonesian sky, we will go looking for unusual critters in Saonek Besar, where you might also make your very first encounter with the iconic Tasselled Wobbegong Shark.
DAY 2.1 DAMPIER STRAIT
Whilst in the central Dampier Strait we will conduct 4 dives. The typical schedule is morning dive, breakfast, mid-morning dive, lunch, afternoon dive, afternoon snack, night dive, and dinner…. DIVE, EAT, SLEEP REPEAT!
DAY 2.1 DAMPIER STRAIT
Next up, Cape Kri Dive Site, arguably the top house reef in the world, was made famous by Raja Ampat pioneer Max Ammer.
DAY 3 PIANEMO (A.K.A. PENEMU)
The iconic limestone pinnacles have become synonymous with the Raja Ampat experience and Pianemo lagoon/lookout is just one of many such stunning formations.
We will then head to a lesser-known corner of Raja Ampat, an area known as Dayang, at the western end of Batanta island. As you relax and later enjoy a great night's sleep, we will set sail for the southern islands of Raja Ampat.
DAY 4 BATANTA
On day 4 we will head to a lesser-known corner of Raja Ampat, an area known as Dayang, at the western end of Batanta island. The Dayang Dive Site takes place over a shallow, sandy reef which is actually a magnet for Manta Rays, which come to this area to feed as well as conduct routine visits to their “cleaning stations” or “manta spa”. This is still a bit of a new area for diving itineraries in Raja Ampat as this cleaning station was only discovered a few years ago. In the afternoon as you relax, we will set sail for the southern islands of Raja Ampat, the biggest crossing of the trip will have you waking up tomorrow morning in Misool.
DAY 5 WAYIL – MISOOL
Misool is a huge island, with an overwhelming multitude of smaller, satellite island clusters. There are in fact numerous “regions” within this area itself. If being surrounded by limestone pinnacles does not instill in you a sense of awe, doing a night dive amongst these towering peaks surely will! Today we will show you the dive sites around Wayil, where you will undoubtedly experience the feeling of being far, far away from the rest of civilization.
DAY 6 FIABACET – MISOOL
One of our dives today is at the iconic Boo Window Dive Site. Unique in topography, the reef has window-like swim-throughs and a great chance for some wide-angle photos. Secret: the sea fans here often conceal Pygmy Seahorses! Anchovy Dive Site is one of my personal favorites on this day.
DAY 7 WARAKARAKET – MISOOL
The diving in this part of Misool is filled with the pristine coral life in the heart of Misool and Giant Manta Rays, close to the Eco Resort. Whale Rock Dive Site and Tank Rock Dive Site are both abundant in beautiful soft coral and schools of fish, and conditions and logistics with Misool Eco Resort will decide which of the sites are dived.
DAY 8 DARAM
On the penultimate day of the trip, we will start at Andiamo Dive Site. Another spectacular site to end your southern Raja Ampat journey. Here you will see Pygmy seahorse, hunting Giant Trevallies, and Barracuda galore. The final dive of your trip will conclude at Warna Berwarna Dive Site, you can expect lots of sea fans, schooling Fusiliers, and Bumphead Parrot Fish.
Our journey to Sorong may take around 18 hours depending on currents and prevailing weather conditions. But after an incredible trip, our crew will make sure you're comfortable while they prepare a night of food, song, and dance to party the night away with you while we set sail for Sorong.
Our journey to Sorong may take around 18 hours depending on currents and prevailing weather conditions. But after an incredible trip, our crew will make sure you're comfortable while they prepare a night of food, song and dance to party the night away with you while we set sail for Sorong.
DAY 9 DISEMBARK IN SORONG
La Galigo will be anchored up in the morning around 5:00 A.M. in Sorong, in preparation for you to catch your flight, or check in to your hotel. Guests are welcome to stay onboard until 11:00 A.M.