Aqua Expeditions has launched its first-ever seven-night voyages to South Raja Ampat aboard the 60-metre Aqua Blu following the success of its North Raja Ampat itineraries.
The first long-range ocean explorer yacht to be permanently based in East Indonesia, Aqua Blu offers an exclusive and tailor-made experience, with access to some of the country’s wildest, most remote corners, all delivered with Aqua’s regional expertise and the highest standards of luxury, design, and cuisine.
As one of the first luxury operators in Raja Ampat, Aqua is renowned for its deep local knowledge and consistently outstanding guest experiences across the archipelago.
Setting sail for the first time from 19 to 26 December 2026, rates start from US$11,200 (around AU$17,252) per person, based on double occupancy. The new South Raja Ampat itinerary complements Aqua Blu’s other expeditions in the region, like the seven-night North Raja Ampat voyage. For travellers eager to experience it all, Aqua Expeditions also offers two distinct 14-night itineraries that weave together the best of both North and South Raja Ampat, an immersive deep-dive into one of the most ecologically and culturally rich corners of the planet.
Venturing deep into the lesser-explored reaches of the 300,000-acre Misool Marine Reserve aboard Aqua Blu, guests journey to legendary dive sites like Fibiacet, explore the wildlife-rich forests of Kapatcol, snorkel through the Blue Water Mangroves, and enjoy a curated program of guided excursions led by expert naturalists, including hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, tender rides, and diving.
The South Raja Ampat expedition begins and ends in Sorong, the gateway to the region. From there, Aqua Blu heads to the One Thousand Temples karst island complex, a maze of limestone spires and turquoise lagoons, where guests can kayak into the cathedral-like Tomolol Cave, explore jellyfish lakes, and glimpse petroglyph-covered sea caves.
The voyage continues at Daram Island, where diving takes place amid coral gardens teeming with reef sharks, pygmy seahorses, and critically endangered hawksbill turtles. One of the standout sites, Candy Store, lives up to its name with a kaleidoscope of soft corals in electric shades of pink, purple, and orange. Also, within the Misool Marine Reserve is the little-known island of Sabuda, where calm, glassy waters reveal schooling reef fish.
Day five includes a kayak through the narrow, limestone-lined channel of Neptune’s Sea Fan and an afternoon dive at Fibiacet, one of Indonesia’s most biodiverse underwater sites. On day six, guests venture inland to Kapatcol for birdwatching in forests home to Lesser and King birds of paradise, then continue to the Blue Water Mangroves and Crocodile River in search of basking saltwater crocodiles. The final full day is spent exploring Boo Island, known for its glassy lagoons, karst cliffs, and famed dive sites and the island of Kofiau, boasting exceptional marine diversity, including orcas.
With just 15 individually designed suites and an exclusive 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, the Aqua Blu combines rugged expedition capabilities with elegant design, refined social spaces, and innovative cuisine curated by renowned chef Benjamin Cross, drawing inspiration from Indonesia’s fabled spice trade route.
Seven-night South Raja Ampat:
- 19 to 26 December 2026
- 2 to 9 January 2027
- 16 to 23 January 2027
- 30 January to 6 February 2027
- 27 February to 6 March 2027
14-night North & South Raja Ampat:
- 12 to 26 December 2026
- 26 December 2026 to 9 January 2027
- 9 to 23 January 2027
14-night South & North Raja Ampat:
- 19 December 2026 to 2 January 2027
- 2 to 16 January 2027
- 30 January to 13 February 2027
- 13 to 27 February 2027
