• Dore Atri
  • Triton Bay divers
  • Baliem
  • Baliem
  • Baliem
  • Korowai
  • Korowai
  • Manta

Dive cruise 9 days Epica liveaboard Raja Ampat - Misool & Dampier

The Epica liveaboard is a simple former fishing boat. She will take you for 9 days to the most beautiful dive sites in the Dampier strait, north Raja Ampat and Misool in the south. Starting point and finish is Waisai, the capital of the island of Waigeo.

The Epica sails along Dampier Strait, where you have top-notch dive spots like Cape Kri, Gam Islands, the canal and much, much more ... Almost three quarters of the famous hard coral, 1,400 species of reef fish, 13 species of marine mammals and 5 of the 7 known sea turtles are waiting for you here! The days around Misool will bring a network of hidden coves, thriving lagoons, impressive cliffs, striking caves, photogenic limestone overhangs, mangrove corridors and stretches of sparkling beaches.

Target prices 2025

€ 2.350 per person

Departures

2025
20 oct
8, 16, 24 nov
2, 13, 21, 29 dec

2026
21 mrt
8 apr
6 mei
18 oct

In- and excluding

Inclusief:
•Ontbijt, lunch en diner
•Fruit en snacks
•Koffie, thee en water
•Handdoek en linnen
•16-18 duiken volgens programma
•transfers van Sorong airport naar Raja Ampat en vice versa

Exclusief :
•Entrance & harbour fee Raja Ampat (ca € 170)
•Duik- en snorkeluitrusting
•(fris- en alcoholische) dranken
•Fooien (aanbevolen 10% van de pakketprijs)
•Uitgaven van persoonlijke aard
•Vluchten
•Reis- en annuleringsverzekeringen
•Boekingskosten en bijdrage Calamiteitenfonds €30 per boeking
•Bijdrage SGR € 5 per persoon
•CO2 compensatie € 22 per persoon

Extra informatie liveaboard:

Aanbetaling na reservering bedraagt 50%
Annuleringskosten tot 45 dagen voor aankomst bedragen € 150 per persoon.
Annuleringskosten vanaf 45 dagen voor aankomst bedraagt 100%


Day 1 From Sorong to the liveaboard, the check dive

Welcome to the “4 Kings” – as you get on your Phinisi Schooner your adventure will start directly in the heart of Raja Ampat. Meet the crew, listen to a safety briefing, get a tour of the boat and get settled on board as we start our journey. Just a short navigation away lies Mioskon island – this small island is located between the larger islands of Gam, Waigeo and Kri and the waters surrounding it is perfect for your first diving sessions in Raja Ampat. Get your first feeling of the amazing waters of the region and be prepared to be stunned by the biodiversity of marine life that will greet you as you enter the water. For Divers/Snorkelers: Mioskon, Friwen, Lau Lau, Batu Lima Other Activities: Coconut crabs, flying foxes, beach visit

Day 2 till 4 Misool

Welcome to Misool – this chain of tiny islands in the southeast of the main island creates a network of hidden coves, thriving lagoons, impressive cliffs, striking caves, photogenic limestone overhangs, mangrove corridors and stretches of sparkling beaches. The area is also a controlled MPA of 1220 Square kilometers and a role model for conservation in partnership with the local community. The islands around Misool are grouped into several island clusters: Balbulol, Daram Wayilbatan, Yilliet –each satellite island group offers a full-day itinerary with several sites, so the places mentioned in this itinerary are only a few examples and there are plenty of alternatives – regardless of the exact sites chosen, Misool is sure to leave you with a lasting impression. For Divers/Snorkelers: Farondy, Three Sister Rock, Blue Hole, Magic Mountain, Boo Windows, Nudi Rock, Fabiacet, Gamfi, and Kaleidoscope. Other Activities: Heart-shaped “Love Lagoon” (underwater) cave exploration prehistoric cave paintings Kayaking/SUP/Tender explorations Pearl farm visit friendly Jellyfish Lake.

Day 5 Penemu

A cluster of rocky limestone domes makes up the Penemu Islands. Draped with tiers of green vegetation, the islets encircle a shallow green bay and a walking trail along the rocky hills leads to a look out with magnificent views of the lagoon, its outlying islands, and the ocean beyond. Take out the dinghy to discover the lagoons and limestone scenery at sunset nearby or take to a paddleboard or a kayak and enjoy the waters at your own pace. Here we also have Melissa’s Garden – an extraordinary site famous for its amazing display of hard coral fields. This place is home to one of the largest populations of fish in the area. Especially during a brisk current, you can see an enormous parade of fish and marine animals. After, venture out to some of the most celebrated snorkeling and diving sites in the area, where turtles float over intricate coral gardens and meet large schools of game fish congregating in nutrient-rich currents. For Divers/Snorkelers: Melissas Garden, My Reef, Batu Rufus, Keruo Channel, Anitas Reef Other Activities: Piaynemo viewpoint, Rufus viewpoint, explore lagoon.

Day 6 till 8 Dampier Strait

Dampier Strait is a true beauty with its white sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, iridescent reefs, and a backdrop of lush rainforest. The strait that flows between Waigeo and Batanta is rapidly becoming known as having some of the most spectacular diving and snorkeling in Raja Ampat as a result of the nutrient-rich ocean currents passing through. The area also offers various land excursions into the jungle and mangroves and the chance to get u early to see the Birds of Paradise to perform their morning ritual. Other bird sightings in this area include Cockatoos, Huge Hornbills, Frigates, Eagles and Colorful Parrots. For Divers/Snorkelers: Blue Magic, Carpe Kri, Chicken Reef, Yenbuba Jetty, Sawandarek, Manta Sandy, Arborek Jetty, Citrus Ridge, Mayhem. Other Activities: Bird Watching with a local Papuan guide, Russell Wallace hut, White beaches and visit local village.

Day 9 Back to Sorong

Every story comes to an end. But wait – we’re not quite done yet. You liked Blue Magic? Good, because we are diving it again. Very early in the morning. Back on board, we gently prepare you for your departure. This includes a debriefing, delicious food, a group photo and plenty of time to gather your items while pondering how your belongings ever fit in your backpack when you left home. After lunch we say our tearful goodbyes and drop you off at the harbour or, if you decide to over night in Raja Ampat, to teh Scuba Republic resort. If you are returning to Sorong the same day, you will be ready to board the ferry by 2pm. Expected arrival in Sorong is 4pm.

Epica liveaboard

The Epica is a traditional fishing boat, completely refitted for diving with sustainably planted trees, the Epica is an open, breezy boat with two decks and a little sun deck on top of the captain’s cabin. With a length of 24m she may not be the biggest boat in the area, but definitely one of the faster ones! The lower deck sits just above the ocean and contains 7 guest cabins with bunk beds. The doors slide open on the sides of the vessel. You may keep your doors open during the night to let in the cool sea breeze and wake up to the morning sun tickling your nose. Cabins are basic and without frills but are equipped with power sockets and fans for your convenience. Two shared bathrooms provide freshwater showers, shampoo, and soap to keep up with basic hygiene. Conveniently located at the stern on the lower deck is our dive prep area. Here we fill the tanks, set up equipment and get ready for our dive adventures. Often, we get to jump directly from the Epica onto the sites. Others may require us to take a quick trip in our tender. The upper deck serves as a common area where you can lounge in a bean bag, take a nap in the hammock and browse through fish books. This is also where all our buffet style meals are served. A big table provides ample room to gather in the evening for a round of cards. Epica cruises Raja Ampat all year round and offers different itineraries depending on the season and length of the cruise. They have one thing in common – they are designed to make the most of your experience in Raja Ampat when traveling on a budget! meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is an archipelago in West Papua (former Irian Jaya) and consists of 610, mostly uninhabited islands. The four largest islands are Waigeo in the north, Salawati (southwest of Sorong), Batanta (north of Salawati) and Misool in the southwest. The name Raja Ampat is also based on these four islands and literally translated means "the four kings".

Raja Ampat is a relatively unknown area in Indonesia, but this destination is well known among divers. This is due to the wide range of various fish species and fantastic coral reefs, varying from hard to soft coral. But the islands themselves are also impressive. The Raja Ampat Islands have quiet lagoons with crystal white sand and water that varies from bright green to bright blue.

Diving is especially popular in the Dampier Strait. Here you will find numerous dive spots with an incredible amount of coral and fish. Cape Kri, Blue Magic and Manta Point are real eye-catchers.
Misool is also loved for its wide variety of fish and coral.

Raja Ampat is open all year round, but from mid-July to mid-September you are more likely to experience rain and high waves. Misool is closed between mid-June and mid-September.
Raja Ampat has dozens of dive resorts and homestays. The homestays often use local diving schools, such as the Arborek dive shop. The more luxurious diving resorts offer not only more comfort, but also more safety. Sorido Bay resort, Raja Ampat Biodiversity and Papua Explorers are our favorites in the Dampier Strait, Papua Paradise Eco resort off Batanta Island. The Scuba Republic is an excellent middle class resort.

A fast public ferry runs twice a day between Sorong and Waisai on Waigeo Island. Waigeo also has an airport with a daily flight to Sorong.

Liveaboards

Liveaboards usually offer weeklong dive cruises in northern Raja Ampat (Dampier Strait and the northern Wajag karst islands. Longer, often 10-day trips also cover the southern part around Misool. Most liveaboards operate Raja Ampat cruises between September and March April, then dock and sail in the waters around Komodo for the summer season.

Video Raja Ampat snorkel cruise

Sorong

Sorong

Sorong is the westernmost city on the island of New Guinea. The city is located on the Sele Strait of the Pacific Ocean on the Vogelkop Peninsula. It is the base for trips to the Raja Ampat Islands.

Two hours' drive south of Sorong is the rainforest in the Klasow valley with all kinds of strange birds. You will find different types of Paradise birds and the endemic Cassoway, a peacock or smaller ostrich species.

Sorong is the logistical center of the oil and gas industry around West Papua, which manifests itself in growing wealth and economic prosperity. The city has over 50,000 inhabitants, making it one of the larger cities of Papua. Most of the inhabitants are transmigrants from Sulawesi, Java and other islands.

Directly off the coast is the island of Jefman, which until 2012 had the airport of Sorong. The new airport has daily connections with Jakarta, Makassar, Manado, Ambon and several cities in Papua, among others.

Sites to see

The city has a nice beach promenade and some historical buildings dating from the Dutch oil period. It’s a city full of contrasts. The following sights are close to the city:

Cape Cassuwary: 3 km from Sorong, beach with coralreefs;
Crocodile island, 500 metre out of the beach;
The island Kafiau;
The island Matan;
The hot springs of Klaijili, 60 km from Sorong;
A protected forest area, 15 km from Sorong;
Sorong is the most important gateway for trips to the nearby Raja Ampat-islands and the coralreefs of the Coral Triangle.
(source: Wikipedia)

Waisai

Waisai

Waisai is a city (kota) on the south coast of the island of Waigeo. Waigeo is located on the equator off the coast of the Bird's Head, the far northwest of the island of Papua. The city is located in the west of the Indonesian province of West Papua (Papua Barat) and is the administrative center of the Raja Ampat Islands. It is a traffic hub for travelers visiting this archipelago. There is an airport that is accessible via larger towns nearby such as Manado and Sorong. There is also a ferry service with Sorong. There are several tourist facilities with two beaches and centers for recreational divers.