Eliya Itinerary

Raja Ampat South and Central 9N

Day 1: Embarkation Day (1 check dive)
Between 9-930am, one of our drivers will collect you from your hotel* and bring you to the harbour in Sorong. The specific time of pick up will be confirmed over Whatsapp by your Cruise Director the night before you sail!
After settling into your cabin, there will be time to meet the crew, prepare dive equipment and attend the trip briefing. As Eliya departs Sorong and begins her voyage south, the first limestone islands gradually appear on the horizon.
In the afternoon, we will complete a relaxed check dive around Pulau Matan, a small island surrounded by clear waters and healthy reefs where turtles and wobbegong sharks are regularly encountered.
As night falls, the first sunset at sea marks the beginning of our expedition through Raja Ampat.

*If you plan to take the early morning flight we can also arrange a pick up from the airport, as long as you land no later than 10am. We highly recommend planning on arriving the night before embarkation to avoid any undue stress or risk of flight delays.

Day 2: (3 day dives + 1 sunset/ night)
Following an overnight crossing, we arrive in the Daram Archipelago, a spectacular chain of rugged limestone islands located on the eastern side of Misool. The reefs here are famous for their colourful soft corals, enormous sea fans and dense marine life. Dive sites such as Candy Store, Andiamo and Living Colours often deliver fast-paced action with schools of fusiliers, barracudas, batfish and hunting predators moving through the currents.

The underwater scenery is equally impressive, with dramatic reef structures covered in vibrant coral growth from shallow slopes down to deeper walls. After the afternoon dive, Eliya continues deeper into Misool Marine Protected Area. In the evening, we may organise either a sunset or night dive in search of walking sharks, decorator crabs and other nocturnal reef inhabitants.

Day 3: (3 day dives + 1 sunset/ night)
Today we dive in the heart of the Misool Marine Protected Area, one of the most successful marine conservation zones in Southeast Asia. Years of protection have allowed these reefs to recover into some of the healthiest ecosystems in the world. Fish biomass is exceptional, coral coverage remains remarkably intact and encounters with large marine life are increasingly frequent. Steep underwater ridges covered in soft corals descend into deep blue water while massive sea fans line the current-swept walls. Schools of barracudas, jacks and snappers gather above the reef while bumphead parrotfish and napoleon wrasses patrol below.

Manta rays are commonly encountered around cleaning stations, and every dive reveals an extraordinary density of marine life. Between dives, the scenery above the water is equally unforgettable, with hidden lagoons, towering karst islands and crystal-clear anchorages surrounding the vessel.

Day 4: (3 day dives + Land Excursion or Optional Night Dive)
Today we continue exploring the remote southern reaches of Raja Ampat with three dives selected according to tides, visibility and marine life activity. Each reef in Misool offers its own personality. Some are dominated by dramatic soft coral-covered walls while others feature shallow coral plateaus teeming with reef fish and macro life.

Depending on the boat’s location and weather conditions, the afternoon and evening program may vary. We may visit one of Misool’s iconic viewpoints overlooking the maze of limestone islands, head to a secluded beach for sunset drinks and a swim surrounded by juvenile blacktip reef sharks, or organize an additional night dive to continue exploring the reef after dark.

Day 5: (3 day dives)
Our final day in Misool allows for three more dives across carefully selected reefs before Eliya begins her long journey north toward Central Raja Ampat. As the southern islands slowly disappear behind us, we cross the heart of the archipelago overnight beneath some of the clearest night skies in Indonesia.

Day 6: (3 day dives + Viewpoint)
This morning we arrive in Central Raja Ampat, where the scenery and reef systems begin to change noticeably. Compared to the steep soft coral walls of Misool, the reefs here are often characterised by extensive hard coral gardens, shallow plateaus and limestone island formations scattered across turquoise lagoons. The Penemu region hosts some of the area’s most famous dive sites, including Melissa’s Garden, renowned for its pristine coral coverage and abundant fish life.

Wobbegong sharks are frequently encountered resting beneath coral ledges while schools of sweetlips, snappers and fusiliers gather across the reef. In the late afternoon, we go ashore for the short climb to the Piaynemo viewpoint, where one of Raja Ampat’s most iconic panoramas unfolds across dozens of limestone islands.

Day 7: (3 day dives + 1 sunset/ night)
Today we explore the western side of Waigeo, an area known for isolated reefs, submerged seamounts and nutrient-rich currents attracting large pelagic life. Dive sites such as Mayhem often deliver intense fish action, with giant trevallies, dogtooth tuna and large schools of jacks hunting through dense clouds of baitfish. One of the highlights of the region is a unique mangrove ecosystem where coral reefs develop directly beneath the roots of the trees, creating an extraordinary blend of habitats rarely seen elsewhere.
Some local villages also protect the waters surrounding their jetties and coastlines, creating vibrant marine sanctuaries filled with fish life and unusual critters. Night dives beneath these jetties often become some of the most memorable dives of the trip.

Day 8: (3 day dives + 1 sunset/ night)
The Dampier Strait is widely regarded as one of the richest diving regions in Raja Ampat. Strong currents moving between the islands create ideal feeding conditions for both reef and pelagic species. Depending on tides and conditions, dives may include sites such as Cape Kri, Sardines Reef, Blue Magic, Chicken Reef, Mioskon or Sawandarek. Large schools of fish gather across thriving coral reefs while reef sharks, turtles and manta rays patrol the surrounding waters.

As darkness falls, attention turns toward the smaller and stranger creatures emerging across sandy slopes and coral rubble. A night dive in the area known as “The Crazy Zoo” offers exceptional opportunities for macro photography and unusual critter encounters.

Day 9: (2 day dives)
Our final diving day offers one last opportunity to experience the extraordinary diversity that defines Raja Ampat. Two final dives will be selected according to conditions and recent marine life sightings before Eliya begins her return journey toward Sorong.

Day 10: Disembarkation Day (Depart by 10am)
After breakfast, guests begin disembarkation in Sorong. Departures may take place from 5:00 AM onwards, with all guests leaving the vessel by 10:00 AM. Transfers can be arranged either to Sorong Airport or to hotels within the city for guests continuing their travels through Indonesia.

Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics, and local regulations.