Banda, Ambon & Forgotten Islands
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Ambon Bay, Banda Islands, Nusa Laut, Manuk, Forgotten Islands: Nil Desperandum, Dusborgh, Nila, Damar, North and South Terbang, Dai, Dawera, Saumlaki. Visit historic museum, an old Dutch fort and a nutmeg plantation.
Day 1
Gazing out over the ocean, the legendary Spice Islands await. Your deep-sea exploration of the Banda Sea and Forgotten Islands begins upon arrival in Saumlaki, the likely embarkation point for your time aboard the magnificent Coralia liveaboard. Once welcomed aboard the yacht, you will settle into your cabin and prepare your dive equipment. The cruise director will hold a full orientation, covering safety procedures and detailing the spectacular dive expedition ahead. Dinner is served as the yacht sets sail overnight towards the first dive site.
Core Days
This Coralia diving tour is a classic cross-Banda Sea transit trip, blending high-voltage pelagic action and world-class macro diving. The remote chain of the Forgotten Islands, including Nil Desperandum, Nila, Damar, Dai, and Dawera, offers diving in gin-clear waters with spectacular wall dives on impossible drop-offs. The nutrient-rich currents here can bring large pelagics, including dogtooth tuna, reef sharks, and possibly sailfish or even schooling hammerheads.
The Coralia also explores the historic Spice Islands, including the Banda Islands and Nusa Laut. The pristine and colourful corals here attract hundreds of different species of fish. Keep a lookout from the boat as dolphins and whales are known to pass through the deep Banda Sea. Land excursions are an important part of this route, offering a chance to visit an old Dutch fort, explore a nutmeg plantation, and tour a historic museum, connecting you with the rich past of the region.
The final section of the dive adventure focuses on Ambon Bay, a destination celebrated globally for specialist muck diving. The inner bay sites are teeming with critters. The expert dive guides on the Coralia will assist in searching for the holy grail of fish, the rhinopias, along with frogfish, ghost pipefish, and endemic species like the Ambon scorpionfish. Night dives may reveal extraordinary cephalopods, including the wunderpus or mimic octopus, alongside numerous colourful nudibranchs, cuttlefish, and various rare shrimps.
The final morning includes 2 concluding dives, after which the yacht begins its repositioning cruise back to port.
Final Day
Enjoy a final breakfast before disembarking in Ambon.
Cenderawasih Bay
Trip highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, great macro life/ marine diversity
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Cenderawasih Bay: Pulau Purup, Roon, Pulau Rippon, Tanjung Mangguar, Kwatisore Bay, Bagans, Tridacna Atoll, Manokwari.
Trips that use Sorong Harbour will also visit Pulau Amsterdam.
Day 1
The Coralia liveaboard experience begins upon your arrival in Manokwari, the designated embarkation point. You will be greeted by the team and brought to the yacht for boarding. Settle into your cabin and ready your dive gear while the cruise director conducts a full safety and itinerary orientation. Dinner is enjoyed as the vessel sails overnight toward the first dive location; cylinders will be full for your first splash tomorrow.
Core Days
Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia's largest protected marine area, offers an extraordinary dive experience defined by its geographical isolation and high endemism. The highlight is the consistent interaction with whale sharks in Kwatisore Bay. These enormous fish habitually congregate beneath local bagans (fishing platforms), providing divers and snorkellers with a rare opportunity for close-range observation and photography.
The Coralia tour is structured to provide varied scuba diving across geological and historical features. You will investigate well-preserved World War II wrecks near Manokwari, including a large Japanese freighter and a coastal patrol boat, both now entirely transformed by coral growth. Exploring sites like Pulau Rippon, Purup, Roon, and the extensive Tridacna Atoll reveals lush hard coral slopes teeming with fish life.
The bay’s unique conditions have fostered an exceptional level of endemism, allowing divers to spot fish species exclusive to Cenderawasih. Look for the vibrant flasher wrasse and the cryptic dottyback, found nowhere else in the world. Furthermore, the area around Tanjung Mangguar provides opportunities for encounters with various turtle species and dolphins.
This remote region also offers rewarding muck diving. The silty seafloors are home to specialised critter life-pygmy seahorses, tiger prawns, nudibranchs, and sea snakes are frequently found. Exploring this pristine environment aboard the Coralia liveaboard guarantees immersion in the full biological and historical spectrum of this protected marine area.
The final morning includes 2 concluding dives, scheduled close to the harbour to maintain the required no-fly surface interval.
Final Day
A farewell breakfast is provided before you disembark in Manokwari.
Komodo & Sumbawa (Whale Shark Special)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs/manatees, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Sumbawa: Sangeang, Satonda, Saleh Bay; Bima, Komodo: GPS Point, Tanduk Rusa, Gazer Beach, Karang Makassar, Tatawa Besar, Siaba Kecil, Batu Bolong, Gili Lawa: Crystal Rock, Castle Rock, Shotgun, The Passage; Wainilu, Loh Liang Bay, Pink Beach, Torpedo Alley, Padar: Three Sisters, Secret Garden; viewpoint hiking trail, Komodo dragon visit
Day 1
Your Coralia liveaboard adventure commences upon your arrival at Labuan Bajo harbour. After being welcomed aboard by the crew, you will have time to ready your dive equipment and relax from your journey. The cruise directors will conduct a full orientation, detailing safety procedures, vessel amenities, and the planned itinerary. The evening is dedicated to an overnight crossing to the first dive location, with dinner served in the saloon, in anticipation of your inaugural descent the following morning.
Core Days
Diving the extensive region covering Komodo National Park and Sumbawa is a rewarding, high-energy pursuit for divers. This spectacular area sits within the Coral Triangle, where the powerful Indonesian Throughflow dictates the high biodiversity, presenting a perfect blend of exhilarating pelagic encounters and specialist macro diving. Choosing the Coralia for this diving trip grants access to a vast and varied underwater landscape that few other regions can offer.
The Coralia route expands beyond Komodo to include the quieter, distinctive dive sites off Sumbawa. At Sangeang Island (Gunung Api), an active volcano, the black volcanic sand provides a premier location for muck diving. The signature Hot Rocks site is an exceptional feature, where geothermal activity releases streams of bubbles from the seafloor, providing a unique underwater sight. For big animal enthusiasts, Teluk Saleh (Saleh Bay) is a special destination that offers the memorable chance to snorkel or dive with whale sharks, which are often found feeding close to traditional bagan fishing structures in the calm waters.
Within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Komodo, the focus shifts to world-renowned drift dives fuelled by nutrient-rich currents. In the north, Gili Lawa features electrifying pinnacles and passes such as Crystal Rock, Castle Rock, and Shotgun, where you can expect schooling trevallies, tuna, and white-tip reef sharks. Essential stops include Karang Makassar, Tatawa Besar, and the famous Manta Alley, known as reliable cleaning and feeding stations for magnificent manta rays. The south offers compelling topography, including the volcanic walls of Rinca's Horseshoe Bay at dive sites like Cannibal Rock and Yellow Wall of Texas. For the macro specialist, the sandy and rubble bottoms of Wainilu, Siaba Kecil, and Torpedo Alley are ideal hunting grounds for elusive pygmy seahorses, frogfish, rhinopia, ghost pipefish, and numerous species of nudibranchs.
Land excursions provide a break from the water, offering a chance to witness the unique terrestrial ecosystem. The Coralia liveaboard includes a guided trek on Rinca Island to the prehistoric habitat of the Komodo dragons at Loh Liang Bay. You will also hike the spectacular viewpoint trail on Padar Island, rewarding you with panoramic views over iconic bays, before unwinding on the beautiful, pink-hued sands of Pantai Merah.
Final Day
A last relaxed breakfast is provided on board before disembarkation at Labuan Bajo.
Komodo National Park
Trip highlights: shark action, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs/manatees, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities
Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Komodo: Karang Makassar, Tatawa Besar, Siaba Kecil, Batu Bolong, Gili Lawa: Crystal Rock, Castle Rock, Shotgun, The Passage; Wainilo, Loh Liang Bay, Pink Beach, Torpedo Alley, Padar: Three Sisters, Secret Garden; Rinca: Horseshoe Bay, Cannibal Rock, Yellow Wall of Texas, Manta Alley, viewpoint hiking trail, Komodo dragon visit
Day 1
On the day of embarkation you will be greeted by the team at Labuan Bajo Airport and transferred to the yacht. You will have time to settle in, prepare your gear and relax from your travels. The cruise directors will then also give you an orientation about the amenities on board, the safety features and procedures, and the cruise itinerary. Typically, the afternoon and night is used to make your way to the first dive destination. An amazing dive vacation in Komodo onboard the Coralia liveaboard is about to begin. Take a seat in the air-conditioned saloon and enjoy dinner while the boat leaves port. The first dive will be the next morning.
Core Days
Komodo National Park, of myth and legend where dragons roam, is surrounded by rich nutrient-rich waters where a kaleidoscope of colour and life awaits intermediate and advanced scuba divers. Expect to see schools of reef fish gathered around amazing hard and soft coral formations that attract big hunters like barracuda, trevallies, tunas and reef sharks. The strong currents attract mantas, dolphins, sunfish and eagle rays. Look out for critters too as they will be everywhere, from submerged walls to sandy flat bottoms, expert dive guide will help locate them - pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, frogfish, rhinopia, nudibranchs, ribbon eels, sea apples and blue-ringed octopus, to name just a few.
In the morning you’ll hear a knock on your door to let you know it’s time for a quick breakfast - croissants, fresh fruit and coffee to kick start your day, ready for the 1st dive of the morning. Then the briefing for the first dive will take place in the restaurant, before you go to the dive deck and get your things ready (wetsuit, dive computer, camera). The rest of your dive gear will be waiting for you in the tender. A ride will take you to the first site. The guides will check the current and maybe modify the dive plan if necessary. And then it’s time to hop in and enjoy the dive. After, the tender will pick you up and take you back to the main boat for some dry towels and the next meal. From then on it is 'eat, dive, relax, and repeat'. There will be 3 or 4 dives per day. The 4th dive may be a night dive or a sunset dive, depending on what works best. On some days there might be a land excursion visiting a nice viewpoint or another place of interest.
Please note that only 2 dives will take place on the last full day of the trip. In the afternoon the yacht starts cruising back to port.
Final Day
Last chance to enjoy croissants and hot drinks before you travel to Labuan Bajo airport, according to your after-trip plans.
Komodo National Park & Flores (11 Days / 10 Nights - 31 Dives)
Trip highlights: shark action, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs/manatees, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities
Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Flores: Sabolan, Pulau Raja; Komodo: Sebayur, Karang Makassar, Tatawa Besar, Siaba Kecil, Gili Lawa: Crystal Rock, Castle Rock, Shotgun, The Passage; Wainilo, Lasa, Pink Beach, Torpedo Alley, Padar: Three Sisters, Secret Garden; Rinca: Horseshoe Bay, Cannibal Rock, Yellow Wall of Texas, Manta Alley, viewpoint hiking trail, Komodo dragon visit
Day 1
On the day of embarkation you will be greeted by the team at Maumere Airport and transferred to the yacht. You will have time to settle in, prepare your gear and relax from your travels. The cruise directors will then also give you an orientation about the amenities on board, the safety features and procedures, and the cruise itinerary. Typically, the afternoon and night is used to make your way to the first dive destination. An amazing dive vacation in Komodo and Flores onboard the Coralia liveaboard is about to begin. Take a seat in the air-conditioned saloon and enjoy dinner while the boat leaves port. The first dive will be the next morning.
Core Days
Komodo National Park, of myth and legend where dragons roam, is surrounded by rich nutrient-rich waters where a kaleidoscope of colour and life awaits intermediate and advanced scuba divers. Expect to see schools of reef fish gathered around amazing hard and soft coral formations that attract big hunters like barracuda, trevallies, tunas and reef sharks. The strong currents attract mantas, dolphins, sunfish and eagle rays. Look out for critters too as they will be everywhere, from submerged walls to sandy flat bottoms, expert dive guide will help locate them - pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, frogfish, rhinopia, nudibranchs, ribbon eels, sea apples and blue-ringed octopus, to name just a few.
The sites around Flores have some absolutely world class diving with amazing critters like hairy frogfish and Halimeda ghostpipefish, rhinopias, tiger shrimps, wonderpus, octopus, bobbit worms, pygmy seahorses. Superb macro life, amazing coral and benthic diversity, and schooling fish are the main marine attractions. Whitetip reef sharks, bamboo sharks, schools of fusiliers, surgeons and rabbitfish, giant trevally, turtles, oversized bumphead parrotfish. Spanish Dancers and other fascinating nocturnal critters can be seen on several dives.
In the morning you’ll hear a knock on your door to let you know it’s time for a quick breakfast - croissants, fresh fruit and coffee to kick start your day, ready for the 1st dive of the morning. Then the briefing for the first dive will take place in the restaurant, before you go to the dive deck and get your things ready (wetsuit, dive computer, camera). The rest of your dive gear will be waiting for you in the tender. A ride will take you to the first site. The guides will check the current and maybe modify the dive plan if necessary. And then it’s time to hop in and enjoy the dive. After, the tender will pick you up and take you back to the main boat for some dry towels and the next meal. From then on it is 'eat, dive, relax, and repeat'. There will be 3 or 4 dives per day. The 4th dive may be a night dive or a sunset dive, depending on what works best. On some days there might be a land excursion visiting a nice viewpoint or another place of interest.
Please note that only 2 dives will take place on the last full day of the trip. In the afternoon Coralia starts cruising to port.
Day 11
Last chance to enjoy croissants and hot drinks before you travel to Labuan Bajo airport, according to your after-trip plans.
Please note that the trip sometimes runs in reverse - check above for details.
Raja Ampat National Park
Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat: Dampier Strait and Cape Kri, Mioskon, Arborek, Mansuar, Yangeffo, Pemenu, Wofoh, Aljui Bay, Wayag, Misool: Wayilbatan, Fabiacet, Boo, Daram, Yuliet, Sagof, Sagof, Wagmab, Farondi, village visit, viewpoint hiking trails, bird watching
Day 1
Board the Coralia liveaboard in Sorong. Settle into your cabin, set up your dive gear, and ease into the rhythm of the boat as it slips from port. After a safety and itinerary briefing in the air-conditioned saloon, enjoy dinner while the vessel cruises towards Raja Ampat’s first dive sites. The underwater adventure begins tomorrow morning.
Core Days
Raja Ampat holds a reputation among scuba divers that few places on earth can match. From the Coralia liveaboard, you drop into water that feels fully alive. At Mioskon, the current brings in schools of bumphead parrotfish; these heavyweight grazers move past with prehistoric calm. Blue Magic delivers what the name promises: manta rays gliding up from deep cleaning stations, often joined by grey reef sharks patrolling the blue. Then there is Melissa’s Garden, where hard and soft corals stack so thickly that the reef seems to bulge with life. Pygmy seahorses cling to fan corals. Wobbegong sharks lie flattened against ledges, their ornate camouflage almost too perfect.
Further south, Misool offers a different flavour. Here, Boo Windows lets you swim through a limestone arch into a lagoon where turtles rest on the sandy bottom. Fiabacet cracks and crevices hide epaulette sharks and tiny crustaceans that demand a macro lens. By the central days, you will notice how the Coralia’s guides read the tides and currents to show you sites like the Passage, a narrow mangrove channel where reef sharks hunt in the shallows and archerfish spit above the surface.
Between dives, the boat threads past karst islands that rise like green teeth from turquoise water. Schools of trevallies and barracudas appear on safety stops. Soft coral crabs and nudibranchs reward close inspection. Blacktip reef sharks patrol the edges of Dampier Strait, where the diving feels consistently strong, current-swept and full of action.
On the last full day, the schedule allows 2 dives only, as the Coralia begins the cruise back towards Sorong. That final afternoon on deck is a quiet chance to watch islands slide past and remember the week’s best moments.
Final Day
Wake to fresh croissants and hot drinks before a final transfer to Sorong airport, carrying the weight of a week spent deep inside Raja Ampat’s wildest reefs.
Raja Ampat National Park Central
Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat: Dampier Strait and Cape Kri, Mioskon, Arborek, Mansuar, Batanta, Dayang, Penemu, Yangeffo, village visit, viewpoint hiking trail, bird watching
Day 1
Sorong marks the beginning of your exploration into Raja Ampat's biodiversity hotspot aboard the Coralia liveaboard, your dedicated vessel for this unique diving expedition. Once welcomed aboard by the crew, you will prepare your dive equipment while the cruise director conducts a full orientation and safety briefing. Dinner is served as the yacht departs, sailing overnight toward the first of Raja Ampat's spectacular dive locations, ensuring your cylinders are full and ready for your first splash tomorrow.
Core Days
Raja Ampat Central offers divers an immersion into the world’s most biologically rich marine park. This particular Coralia diving tour focuses on the core region, where the Dampier Strait acts as a nutrient highway. The iconic reefs of Sardine Reef and Chicken Reef exemplify the exhilarating action here - you will find yourself surrounded by walls of schooling fusiliers, snappers, and sweetlips, all overseen by patrolling reef sharks and barracudas. Diving the sloping reefs of Arborek and Mansuar reveals green turtles grazing on soft corals, along with regular sightings of majestic oceanic manta rays at busy cleaning stations.
Venturing slightly further afield to sites like Batanta, Melissa’s Garden, and Yangeffo offers a contrast, providing outstanding macro and critter opportunities. Look closely to discover unique endemic species like tasselled wobbegongs resting beneath coral heads and the epaulette shark walking across the reef. The experienced guides of the Coralia are experts at locating the tiny treasures of the black sand and rubble, from mushroom coral pipefish and ghost pipefish to colourful nudibranchs.
The topside environment is just as crucial to the experience. You will take the necessary viewpoint hiking trail on Penemu to capture the renowned lagoon vista and also participate in dedicated excursions for bird watching. The adventure is grounded in cultural appreciation, with a visit to a local village, offering a view into the lives of the islands’ residents. This Coralia liveaboard ensures a complete exploration of Raja Ampat’s Central diving region.
Final Day
Last chance to enjoy croissants and hot drinks with the Coralia before you travel to Sorong airport, according to your after-trip plans.
Raja Ampat National Park North
Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat: Dampier Strait and Cape Kri, Mioskon, Yangeffo, Pemenu, Wofoh, Aljui Bay, Wayag, Kawe, village visit, viewpoint hiking trail, bird watching
Day 1
The anticipation builds upon your arrival in Sorong, the gateway to the world's richest marine ecosystem and the embarkation point for your dive safari aboard the Coralia liveaboard. Once on board, you will settle into your cabin and prepare your dive gear. The cruise director will then hold a comprehensive orientation, covering safety procedures and detailing the spectacular cruise ahead. Dinner is served as the yacht sets sail overnight towards the first dive site, marking the true start of your Raja Ampat scuba adventure.
Core Days
This Coralia trip is a deep dive into the exceptional marine life and iconic geography of Raja Ampat’s northern region. Scuba divers are taken to the Dampier Strait, a marine superhighway renowned for its powerful currents that attract large schools of pelagic fish. Sites like Kri Island and Mioskon offer phenomenal, high-energy dives where the underwater landscape explodes with barracuda, trevallies, and snappers, all gathering around pristine coral formations. You will also spend time in the more secluded, northern areas, where the famous mushroom-shaped karst islands of Wayag await.
The expedition continues north to Wayag and Penemu. Here, you will take a necessary viewpoint hiking trail climb to capture the iconic panorama of the surrounding lagoons, providing an unforgettable visual landmark of Raja Ampat. Dive sites around Kawe feature extensive coral gardens and offer reliable chances to encounter the majestic oceanic manta rays.
For those with an interest in specialist marine life, the protected waters of Aljui Bay, Wofoh, and Yangeffo are exceptional. These dive areas are home to a concentration of unique critters, where experienced Coralia guides will help locate endemic species like the walking epaulette shark and the elusive wobbegong. You will also experience local life with a visit to a village and partake in dedicated excursions for bird watching. This comprehensive northern expedition provides a complete appreciation for the biodiversity and distinct beauty of the region.
2 concluding dives on the final morning, then the Coralia yacht begins its journey back to port.
Final Day
Enjoy a last chance for hot drinks and breakfast before disembarking in Sorong.
Raja Ampat National Park North & Central
Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat: Dampier Strait and Cape Kri, Mioskon, Arborek, Mansuar, Penemu, Wofoh, Aljui Bay, Kawe, Batanta, Dayang, Yangeffo. Village visit, viewpoint hiking trail, bird watching.
Day 1
A magnificent region of Raja Ampat awaits, and your exploration begins upon arrival in Sorong, the embarkation point for your dive safari aboard the Coralia liveaboard. Once welcomed aboard the yacht, you will settle into your cabin and prepare your dive equipment. The cruise director will then hold a comprehensive orientation, covering safety procedures and detailing the spectacular safari ahead. Dinner is served as the yacht sets sail overnight towards the first dive site.
Core Days
This north and central Raja Ampat trip explores the area's explosive biomass and iconic dive sites. The Dampier Strait is the beating heart of the region, where the strong, clean water flow supports life on a grand scale. Sites like Sardines, Mioskon, and Mansuar deliver a constant spectacle: huge schools of reef fish and schooling pelagics, providing exhilarating dives punctuated by sightings of reef sharks and oceanic manta rays at cleaning stations. Trust the professional team on the Coralia to position you perfectly for these unforgettable encounters.
Moving between the central and northern sections, the Coralia provides access to a diverse range of marine environments. Around Batanta, Dayang, and Yangeffo, the focus shifts to specialised macro subjects. Experts will lead searches for the region's endemic species, such as the tasselled wobbegong and the distinctive walking epaulette shark, alongside rare nudibranchs and ghost pipefish. You will dive the black coral forests of Wofoh, or explore Aljui Bay, which is famous for unusual muck diving among the black sand. Further north, the nutrient-rich waters surrounding Kawe promise further interaction with mantas.
The complete Raja Ampat experience extends to land. Topside, the Coralia tour incorporates a climb to the iconic viewpoint hiking trail on Penemu, offering a world-famous perspective of the islands. You will also participate in a village visit for cultural insight and dedicate time to bird watching excursions, complementing your spectacular underwater time. This allows for a complete appreciation of the biodiversity and distinct beauty of the region.
Final Day
Enjoy a farewell breakfast before disembarkation in Sorong.
Raja Ampat National Park South & Central
Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat: Dampier Strait and Cape Kri, Mioskon, Arborek, Mansuar, Yangeffo, Pemenu, Misool: Wayilbatan, Fiabacet, Boo, Daram, Yuliet, Sagof, Wagmab, Farondi. Village visit, viewpoint hiking trail, bird watching.
Day 1
The adventure begins the moment you arrive in Sorong, where your ultimate dive expedition through Raja Ampat's southern and central zones starts aboard the Coralia liveaboard. Once welcomed aboard the yacht, you will settle into your cabin and prepare your dive equipment. The cruise director will then hold a comprehensive orientation, covering safety procedures and detailing the spectacular itinerary ahead. Dinner is served as the yacht sets sail overnight towards the first dive site.
Core Days
This spectacular cruise perfectly combines the iconic dive sites of central Raja Ampat with the remote, soft-coral splendour of Misool in the South. Scuba divers will find themselves exploring the Dampier Strait, where sites like Cape Kri, Arborek, and Manta Sandy are famous for phenomenal fish density. These exhilarating dives showcase huge schools of fusiliers, snappers, and trevallies, along with resident blacktip reef sharks, setting the stage for the region's incredible biodiversity.
Misool, the heart of southern Raja Ampat, presents a dramatic landscape of limestone karsts both above and below the water, renowned for having the world’s most pristine soft corals. The dive sites here, including Wayilbatan, Boo, Yuliet, Sagof, and Wagmab, are famous for their stunning topography and dense, colourful marine life. Look for massive sea fans draped across pinnacles and unique macro subjects like pygmy seahorses, while experiencing the vibrant reef systems that teem with life.
Across both regions, the Coralia ensures a complete scuba exploration. You will visit Yanggelo for its combination of reefs and potential macro spots, and take a necessary viewpoint hiking trail climb on Penemu to witness the famous panoramic vistas of the mushroom islands. The experience is enhanced by land-based activities, including a village visit and dedicated excursions for bird watching, allowing you to appreciate the full ecosystem of the national park. Trust in the expertise of the Coralia dive liveaboard to navigate this vast, rich expanse.
On the final morning, we complete the essential 2 concluding dives, adhering to no-fly restrictions before the yacht begins its cruise back to port.
Final Day
Enjoy a final breakfast before disembarking in Sorong.
Raja Ampat, Banda Sea & Ambon
Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat: Dampier Strait and Cape Kri, Mioskon, Arborek, Mansuar, Pemenu, Misool: Wayilbatan, Fabiacet, Boo, Daram, Yuliet, Sagof, Wagmab, Farondi; Koon, Banda Islands, Nusa Laut, Ambon Bay
Day 1
The ultimate scuba adventure, traversing the legendary waters of Raja Ampat and the historic Banda Sea, begins upon arrival in Sorong, the embarkation point for your time aboard the magnificent Coralia liveaboard. Once welcomed aboard the yacht, you will settle into your cabin and prepare your dive equipment. The cruise director will hold a full orientation, covering safety procedures and detailing the spectacular itinerary ahead. Dinner is served as the yacht sets sail overnight towards the first dive site.
Core Days
This Coralia expedition offers an epic diving experience, combining the unparalleled biodiversity of Raja Ampat with the remote, nutrient-rich waters of the Banda Sea and Ambon. Divers start in Raja Ampat, exploring the Dampier Strait at high-energy sites like Cape Kri, Arborek, and Mansuar. Here, vast schools of fish attract pelagics like blacktip reef sharks, while the south, particularly Misool, including sites like Wayilbatan, Fabiacet, Boo, Daram, and Farondi, presents a feast of breathtaking soft coral gardens and iconic limestone topography.
The Coralia liveaboard then crosses the deep trenches of the Banda Sea, a region famous for its potential megafauna encounters; keep an eye out for dolphins and whales from the deck. Diving at Koon and the Banda Islands, including Nusa Laut, provides spectacular reef diving on pristine, colourful walls that attract hundreds of fish species. The area is known for unique critters and a high chance of spotting the endemic Ambon scorpionfish.
The final days are dedicated to Ambon Bay, a world-class destination for specialised muck diving. The inner bay sites are teeming with critters, offering expert guides the perfect terrain to search for the prized rhinopias, various frogfish, ghost pipefish, and numerous species of rare octopus, including the wunderpus or mimic. Furthermore, you may find tiny crustaceans such as bumblebee, harlequin, and tiger shrimps, alongside colourful nudibranchs.
On the final morning, we complete the essential 2 concluding dives, before the yacht begins its repositioning cruise back to port.
Final Day
Enjoy a final breakfast before disembarking in Ambon.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
Savour the galley team's delicious creations in the comfort of the air-conditioned restaurant or the refreshing outdoor dining areas. Guests will enjoy a variety of meals throughout the day, starting with a 'small' breakfast before the first dive, of cereals, muesli, fresh fruit, bread, and pastries. After the first dive, a 'big' breakfast buffet is served, featuring eggs cooked to order, along with options like pancakes, porridge, and Indonesian noodle soup. The buffet may also include 2 or more dishes such as potatoes, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice), or mee goreng (Indonesian noodles).
Lunch follows the second dive, with a buffet blending international and Indonesian cuisine, including rice or pasta, a selection of vegetables, salad, curry, fish or meat dishes, and soup. After the third dive, snacks like cake, fried banana, fresh fruit, and cookies are provided. Dinner is served buffet-style after the fourth dive, again offering a mix of international and Indonesian flavours.
Vegan and vegetarian options are always available, and additional snacks such as cookies and a fruit bowl are provided throughout the day. Once per cruise, guests can enjoy a mouthwatering barbecue night. Complimentary beverages onboard the Coralia liveaboard include water, coffee, tea, and soft drinks, with a selection of beer, wines, and spirits also available for purchase. As a take-home souvenir, each guest receives a reusable water bottle.
