Starting in Fall 2012, Amanresort’s custom-built boat will embark on new cruises in Raja Ampat (or “The Four Kings”), a marine region in Indonesia’s northeast seas that comprises some 25,000 square miles. The 105-foot cruiser—named the Amanikan—has teak decks with sunbathing loungers and three king-size cabins with private bathrooms. A 10-person crew includes a private chef and a dive instructor, who leads scuba divers through the tropical waters celebrated for biodiversity: teeming with 1,300 different species of fish, 603 species of hard coral, and 15 species of mammals.
It’s not just the underwater world that begs to be explored; private islands like Gam and Yangello have pristine beaches and mangroves. The 105-foot boat will take guests on five- or seven-night trips, available from November 15, 2012 through February 27, 2013, embarking from Sorong, which is accessible by air from Bali, Singapore, Jakarta, or Makassar. The all-inclusive rates range from $33,500 for one couple on the five-night expedition to $50,600 for three couples on the seven-nighter. (From April through October 31, 2012, the Amanikan operates the Komodo Expedition from Amanwana on Moyo Island east of Bali.) For more information, visit www.amanresorts.com.