Route Description - Raja Ampat Central and South
12 Days 11 Nights
Day 1 | Embarkation in Sorong
Guests are collected from their hotel or Sorong Airport and transferred to the boat. Calico Jack sets sail at approximately 11:00 AM, or once all guests are on board, cruising through Sele Strait towards the eastern part of Misool. The journey takes around 12 hours. Over the next six days, the cruise will focus on exploring the southern reaches of Raja Ampat, particularly the Misool area, with 16 to 18 dives scheduled.
Day 2 | Balbulol, Daram Area, Boo Island – 4 Dives
The day is spent diving the renowned sites around Balbulol, such as No Contest, Dangerous Kayak, Love Potion, Number 9, and Pet Rock. In the Daram area, guests explore Candy Store, Warna Berwana, and Andiamo—vibrant reefs filled with large sponges, soft corals, and sea fans. Later, dinghies take guests to a lagoon nestled among rocky outcrops. At dusk, the calls of Palm Cockatoos echo through the rainforest canopy as they settle in for the night.
Day 3 | Warokaraket/Boo Island – 4 Dives
Diving continues around Warokaraket and Boo Island, with highlights including Shadow Reef, Jamur Boo, and Yellit Kecil or Besar. Jamur Boo is especially notable for its natural “windows” that pierce the reef from surface to depth. Yellit Kecil is famed for sightings of numerous Nembrotha nudibranchs. A night dive at Shadow Reef—also known as Magic Mountain—offers one of Raja Ampat’s top-rated underwater experiences.
Day 4 | Wayilbatan – 4 Dives, Lagoon Exploration
Diving in Wayilbatan showcases the area's rich marine biodiversity and unique underwater landscapes. At Wedding Cake, guests encounter batfish, trevallies, barracuda, and elusive pygmy seahorses. In the afternoon, the hidden lagoons are explored via kayak and paddleboard. Four Kings, a dive site featuring four coral-encrusted pinnacles, is also visited.
Day 5 | Yilliet – 3 Dives
A short navigation brings the group to the Fiabacet area, where sites like Batu Kecil (Tank Rock), Nudi Rock, and Whale Rock await. These vibrant reefs are bursting with marine life, from pygmy seahorses and nudibranchs to reef sharks and swarms of reef fish. This region is known for its stunning coral gardens and biological richness.
Day 6 | Wagmab – 3 Dives
Farondi Island, located 20 km from Misool, offers dramatic topography with tunnels, caverns, and walls. The western face features two large caves beside a shallow reef, and a rugged cliff stands on the island’s northern edge. Goa Besar, to the south, is home to shelved coral gardens, soft coral trees, and night-dwelling species such as snapper and sweetlips. After the third dive, the vessel sets course northward for an overnight sail to Penemu Island.
Day 7 | Penemu Island – 3 Dives, Lagoon Tour & Trekking
The morning begins at My Reef, where divers enjoy one of the most fish-populated sites in the area. Further exploration includes Melissa’s Garden, famous for its expansive hard coral reefs, and Galaxy, teeming with marine life. Guests take a short boat trip to Penemu for a hike up to the iconic viewpoint overlooking the star-shaped lagoons of Piaynemo. Kayaking and paddleboarding through the limestone karst landscape round off the day.
Day 8 | Wofo – 3 Dives, Beach BBQ
The boat arrives at Wofo Island, the cruise’s northernmost point. Dives include Wofo’s Black Forest, with its deep black coral fans and colorful shallow reefs, the wall of Wofo Tembok, and Teman Wofo. The evening is spent onshore with Calico Jack’s signature beach BBQ under the stars.
Day 9 | Gam – 3 Dives
Anchored in the mangrove-lined channels between Gam and Yangeffo, guests dive sites such as Citrus Ridge, Mayhem, and Way Pretty Shallow. These locations are known for strong currents and thrilling encounters with dense fish populations, making for high-energy dives.
Day 10 | Arborek – 4 Dives, Manta Rays, Local Village Visit
The day begins with a dive at Lalosi, a hard coral seamount rich in biodiversity, especially during strong currents. The group then visits Manta Sandy, one of the region’s most consistent manta ray cleaning stations. In the afternoon, guests go ashore to visit the village of Arborek, gaining insight into traditional island life. The day concludes with a night dive under the Arborek Pier.
Day 11 | Dampier Strait – 2 Dives
Final dives take place in the morning at Cape Kri, famous for hosting some of Raja Ampat’s densest fish populations. Afterward, there’s time to unwind on a secluded beach at Kri before the vessel returns to Sorong in the evening.
Day 12 | Disembarkation in Sorong
Following breakfast and a final exchange of photos and farewells, guests are transferred to the airport or their hotel, marking the end of the expedition with Calico Jack.