Jakaré Itinerary

Raja Ampat Central and South 9N

Days 1-6: Misool Area

Arrival at Sorong, pickup at the airport, and boarding. Departure is expected at around 10:00. Welcome drinks and snacks are served while the cruise director briefs the guests on the safety, onboard organization, and overall itinerary and presents the crew. Guests are then shown their cabins to settle in, refresh, and get ready for the start of the cruise. Jakare sails to Pulau Misool, stopping on the way to perform the check dive in the afternoon.

In the Boo area, we will dive Boo Window, a reference dive site with extraordinary tunnels and openings piercing the rock from the surface. We will also dive in Magic Mountain and Yiliet Kecil, both sites known for their huge gorgonian sea fans and lots of reef fish and sea life, including turtles, reef sharks, and barracudas. 

In the Fiabecet area, we will dive the well-known and famous Fiabacet Ridge, where pelagic fish and turtles can be seen. This site offers great underwater ridges connecting the Tank Rock and Nudi Rock sites. Fiabacet Pinnacle and Whale Rock offer great soft corals and are rich in healthy fish life, including small creatures like seahorse Barbiganti and Denise pygmy. 

Around Wayil, we will dive into the breathtaking Neptune Fan Sea channel and its profusion of big gorgonian sea fans. We will also dive in Four Kings, where a very healthy fish life (both pelagic and coral fish) can be observed in a very specific underwater topography made up of four pinnacles.

At Pele, the most westerly site of the Waaf’s island group, deliver schools of anchovies and pelagic predators. Kaleidoscope, on Pele’s northwest side, is well known for its black coral, multicolored soft corals, and gorgonian fans. Manta rays have been spotted in this area.

Balbulol offers not only excellent diving sites but also an amazing landscape above water with limestone mounts and small hidden lagoons. The dive sites include Baby Rock, Balbulol Corner, and many others. Expect drop-offs, canyons, pinnacles, and healthy fish life with beautiful hard and soft corals in shallow waters. Guests may enjoy discovery of the surroundings with kayaks and SUPs, as well as superb snorkeling. Jakare leaves for Central Raja Ampat at around 18:00 for an overnight sail towards Piaynemo. 

Day 7: Piaynemo & Yangaffo

The south anchorage of Piaynemo is reached in time for the first morning dive at Keruo Channel. Keruo Channel is an easy wall drift dive with wall slopes covered in beautiful and untouched soft and hard corals. There are many different crabs, sea spiders, clams, shrimps, and sea urchins amongst the corals, as well as many varieties of reef fish with schools of barracudas, snappers, and more. Melissa’s Garden is a current dive made of fantastic pinnacles covered in soft corals and anemones of all different colors. The pinnacle is home to large schools of fusiliers, jackfish, and batfish. Giant trevallies are also spotted here, along with snappers and rainbow runners. In the shallower parts, there will be larger groups of sweetlips and lionfish, as well as many other reef fish of the area. 

After lunch, Jakare moves north to another anchorage close to the lagoon entrance. A walk on top of one limestone mount is organized for the guests to discover the breathtaking scenery of Piaynemo’s limestone islands. The ascent is usually followed by a refreshing swimming session in the lagoon. Alternatively, another dive can be organized at My Reef in Piaynemo. Jakare then leaves for Pulau Yangaffo, where a night dive can be organized. The anchorage is located in a beautiful and peaceful mangrove area where undisturbed nature can be observed.

Day 8: Arborek & Manta Ridge

Wake up with the sound of the white cockatoos and discover the inner mangrove with the kayaks at Pulau Yangaffo. Alternatively, an early morning dive can be organized, as there are a few very nice dive spots around (including Mangrove Ridge and Citrus Ridge). Breakfast is then served on the way to nearby Pulau Arborek. Jakare anchors just in front of the island. Arborek has a lot to offer and caters to every taste—diving, snorkeling, beach lounging, and a village walk.

Dive at Arborek Jetty—an easy and beautiful dive, starting or finishing at the jetty depending on the current. Giant clams can be found just in front of the jetty. A beautiful soft and hard coral garden with schools of fusiliers, groupers, and silver trevally was encountered even below the jetty. After diving at the jetty and visiting the beautiful and dynamic Pulau Arborek, Jakare sails toward Manta Sandy or Manta Ridge and stations there for the next dive. This cleaning station offers good opportunities to watch gracious reef mantas being cleaned in less than 12 meters of water. After the dive, Jakare will cruise eastward toward the nearby village of Yanbuba for a night dive or relaxation. Anchoring and overnight at Yanbuba.

Day 9: Yanbuba, Blue Magic and Friwen Dive at Yanbuba Jetty

These are easy dives that are very rewarding with turtles, schools of barracudas, snappers, trevally, sharks, and very nice corals (amazing staghorn and cabbage corals). Then sail toward Mioskon and dive Blue Magic and/or Sardine Reef. Both locations are non-emergent pinnacles located in the northwest of the Dampier Strait and offer current dives on dynamic reefs facing the current. The entire food chain is on open display here, from reef fish feeding on rich waters full of nutrients to big pelagics, including manta rays. 

After the last dive, Jakare will sail to the Friwen anchorage, located between Friwen and Waigeo. This location gives access to multiple activities, including swimming, amazing beaches, superb snorkeling, and village discovery. Just stay on board and relax, or discover Friwen and its surroundings with kayaks and SUP or using the dinghies. At the end of the afternoon, the crew prepares a beach BBQ. Guests get back to Jakare in the evening, after the beach BBQ. 

Day 10: Back to Sorong.

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