Mutiara Laut, a 150-foot classic two-mast schooner, has announced new itineraries and week-long excursions to Raja Ampat and other destinations in Indonesia’s Flores Sea for spring and summer 2024. Mutiara Laut offers seven cabins, an onboard chef, adventure sports facilities and luxury amenities, including an indoor-outdoor lounge and dining spaces.
Located in West Papua, Raja Ampat is one of Indonesia’s natural wonders. Raja Ampat National Park is an expansive network of islands, with the four main islands being Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool. There are more than 1,500 islands in the archipelago, offering an ideal opportunity for scuba diving to explore reefs and shipwrecks. Travelers can swim alongside whale sharks and manta rays. The archipelago’s forests and mangroves are home to rare bird species, including the Birds of Paradise. The islands are also home to the Asmat tribe, known for their woodcarvings and art.
A six-night sample itinerary aboard Mutiara Laut focusing on Raja Ampat includes:
- Day 1: Sorong – Upon arrival at Domine Eduard Osok Airport, guests will be met by the ship’s crew, who will arrange the transfer to the harbor to board Mutiara Laut. Once onboard, guests will be served a welcome drink, after which the schooner will depart Sorong for the Dampier Strait. After lunch, guests will arrive at the mangrove forests of Mioskon Bay. They can enjoy a kayak or swimming expedition along the mangroves or go snorkeling among the coral reefs.
- Day 2: Kri Peninsula – Guests will enjoy a dive or snorkel that leads to Sardine Reef, Mike’s Point and Cape Kri, where coral gardens are home to an array of reef fish, sharks, turtles and manta rays. Heading toward land, guests can visit the town of Yenbekwan to get a glimpse of island life.
- Day 3 & 4: Wayag Islands – Over the next two days, Mutiara Laut will sail through the Wayag Islands. Guests will have a chance to kayak to hidden coves or a secluded beach. Next up is an island peak trek, following which guests can view the sunset while the crew prepares a meal on a deserted beach.
- Day 5: The Passage, Waiego – Accompanied by the cruise director, guests will visit the island of Gam. After a 45-minute trek to the bird-watching platform, guests will spend time in search of the exotic bird. Afterward, the crew will prepare breakfast while surrounded by the mushroom-shaped islands of Kabui Bay. The bay marks the entrance to the narrow channel known for its strong currents that flow through at each tide. On occasion, the waters are frequented by stingless jellyfish, which stay close to the surface to feed on plankton, allowing guests to swim with these creatures.
- Day 6: Arborek & Batana – Guests can dive or snorkel in the Dampier Strait and wait for manta rays to pass by. After lunch, they will head ashore and dock at Arborek Village. Guests will walk through small villages to 200 to meet with the locals and purchase their handmade crafts. Later on in the day, Mutiara Laut will sail onward for a final night in Raja Ampat, where guests can watch a sunset over the islands.
- Day 7: Arborek to Sorong – Early in the morning, Mutiara Laut will return to Sorong. After breakfast, the crew will escort guests to the local airport on their return flight home.
Expeditions to the Komodo National Park and Banda Islands are also available.
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