Coral Expeditions Australia (fleet) launches four new for the brand 18-night voyages to Indonesia's Raja Ampat and Maluku (Spice Islands) in early 2025.
This coincides with the current expeditions in March-April (Coral Adventurer ship) which are both already sold out due to high demand. These sailings are the first back to the region since 2020.
Jeff Gillies (the company's Commercial Director) said they had seen extraordinary demand for the region due to its "rich mix of marine life, spectacular coastal landscape and living cultural traditions.”
“The chance to swim with the majestic whale sharks is the major attraction, however many guests fall in love with the people of Papua and their traditions”.
The new voyages are scheduled for the peak summer season January-March 2025 and will be hosted aboard Coral Geographer. Each sailing will have fewer than 120 passengers and be accompanied by expert guides.
New voyage dates include:
- 18-night Darwin to Sorong (January 24th, 2025)
- 18-night Sorong to Darwin (February 11th, 2025)
- 18-night Darwin to Sorong (March 2nd, 2025)
- 18-night Sorong to Darwin (March 20th, 2025).
As is the case with most Coral Expeditions cruises in remote international regions, the line will charter a jet aircraft for transfers from Darwin to Sorong and return.
Key highlights of the itineraries include:
- 3 days in Raja Ampat, the archipelago of the “four Kings”
- discovering Wayag’s ‘gumdrop’ islands and being rewarded by the view from Pindito Peak
- swimming with the giant whale sharks at Cenderawasih Bay
- a welcome to Banda Neira by the Kora Kora canoes
- exploring the spice kingdoms fought over by Portuguese, English, and Dutch explorers
- learning the customs & cultures of West Papua and Indonesia, and experiencing local culture, including dance, handicrafts, and local cuisine.
With just 60 passenger staterooms available on Coral Geographer, it is anticipated that the expeditions will sell fast.
Prices start from US$17,590 per person.