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Raja Ampat with Wendy & Iris

Feb 23, 2024 - Mar 3, 2024

$2,225 USD

25% due at booking

Raja Ampat with Wendy & Iris

Feb 23, 2024 - Mar 3, 2024

$2,225  USD

25% due at booking

Together, Wendy & Iris have over a decade of experience in managing conservation-focused diving operations in Raja, which made them not only fluent in bahasa Indonesia but also incredibly knowledgeable about the best (hidden) dive sites, empty beaches and secret sunset spots. Their mission is to inspire others to dream big & connect with others, while showcasing the very best that Raja Ampat has to offer –  from the local Papuan culture to the intricate marine life.

Wendy has been working with organisations such as Greenpeace and Oceanographic Magazine, and Iris’ photography’s been published in NatGeo Magazine. Carrying a vast bank of knowledge on marine conservation, diving and photography, Wendy and Iris are always keen to share their knowledge – whether that’s through a workshop or while chatting after a dive. This exclusive, one-off trip is packed with extra value such as workshops, unique dive sites and fun visits to viewpoints. A smaller boat doesn’t only make this trip more budget friendly, it also adds a family-feel vibe on board – you’ll likely leave with new friends!

10 days, 9 nights

8-12 people

Liveaboard - Ayo Raja Ampat Divers

All meals included

February 23rd, 2024

March 3rd, 2024

Inclusions

Accommodation - liveaboard, shared cabins

25-28 scuba dives

Accommodation – quad share, twin share or private

Airport/hotel transfer

Ferry tickets (Sorong - Waisai return)

Guide

Delicious meals and snacks, unlimited coffee, tea, drinking water

Welcome margaritas

Beach BBQ

Deck and cabin towels

Underwater photography workshop

Manta ray identification lecture

Indonesian language beginner’s class (depending on demand)

Raja Ampat culture & history lecture (depending on demand)

Fish identification workshop (on board and underwater)

Benthic identification workshop (on board and underwater) (depending on demand)

Visit to local village(s) with opportunity to join traditional basket weaving workshop

Visits to viewpoints & hidden beach

Bird trekking to see the bird or paradise with guide

Exclusions

Travel and dive insurance (required)

Flights

Gear rental

Raja Ampat Marine Park fees (+- 50 USD)

Port and fuel fees

Soda drinks/alcohol on board

Crew tip

Your host

Wendy Mitchell

With close to a decade spent working in and on the water, much of that time in Indonesia, Wendy feels incredibly lucky to have seen and experienced everything those years entailed. For her, working as an instructor and cruise director allows her to instill life-changing skills and share her drive for environmental awareness and conservation. Wendy has spent several years running trips in Raja Ampat and working on land-based operations, instructing and managing dive shops. With a camera in hand, capturing what she loves most has become another powerful way for her to share her experiences and convey them to a wider audience, highlighting our wonderful natural world, the precious species within it, and how quickly it’s changing. Wendy has worked for organizations like Greenpeace and had her writing and imagery published in Oceanographic Magazine.

Iris Uijttewaal

Spending almost a decade in Indonesia, working in remote places and living among local communities, Iris kept feeling a pull towards Raja Ampat’s crystal clear waters hosting unparalleled coral reefs, and the simple pleasures that uncomplicated island-life brings –. Every time she cruised into the archipelago’s waters it felt like coming home. Fascinated by the local culture, she playfully picked up Indonesian mere months after she first set foot in Indonesia, which opened doors in the world of marine conservation, where she connects science to the local community. Also an avid designer and storyteller, she is passionate about bringing today’s marine science findings to an audience beyond the science community through design, photography and writing. With over 1300 hours spent diving Raja Ampat’s waters, Iris will ensure you’ll have the best possible experience both on board and underwater.

Itinerary

Day 1. Welcome to Raja Ampat

Iris and Wendy will meet you in Sorong and we will travel as a group back to Waisai where we will board our traditional phinisi that we will call home for the next 10 days. We will find our rooms, organize diving equipment, have lunch and prepare for our first dive. This dive will be at Pulau Mioskon and is a opportunity for everyone to get used to being back in the water, test their equipment and get a glimpse of what Raja Ampat has to offer. As the sun begins to set we will enjoy a margarita and get to know each other – Let the ADVENTURE begin! That evening we will begin the overnight crossing to Misool.

Day 2. Misool, Daram Island, photography workshop

After crossing the Ceram Sea, we will wake up to be surrounded by the karst limestone islands and blue water of the southern region, we will be in the north of the Misool marine reserve. Today we will be diving around the Daram Island group with a smorgasbord of options at our fingertips. Descend into the sea fan clad reefscapes of the region, here we will complete three dives for the day and get a true fishy welcome to the south. 

The evening will be filled with a photography workshop by Wendy and Iris.

Day 3. Wayil Island, afternoon hike

We will spend the day diving the rich waters of Wayil Island group, dropping down for three dives around the area, with many sites to choose from. Wayil offers a true mix of wide angle photography opportunities as well as some unique macro species. Here we have the chance to see the Raja Ampat pygmy seahorse, a red and white denise pygmy found in this southern region of West Papua. As the afternoon approaches we will visit land and hike to the top of one of the islands to a viewing point that encompasses the 360 views of the stunning marine park expanse! In the evening we will have a workshop on Indonesian language for beginners for anyone who would like to join!  

Day 4. Misool marine park

We will spend time in the central section of Misool marine park, diving some of the most spectacular sites Misool has to offer. Here if we get lucky we have the chance to see oceanic manta rays, these ocean giants visit several different dive sites in the area and are a truly spectacular species to encounter. We will do four dives in the area at sites like Shadow Reef, Eagles Nest, Juliet Kecil and jump for a night dive.

Day 5. Boo Island group

We will spend time around the Boo Island group. Here the reefscapes are everything you imagine when you think of Raja Ampat, stacked to the surface with a multitude of different species all competing for space amongst the reef, it’s not uncommon to find yourself surrounded by fish as you make your way along the steep slopes. Here we will complete three dives. 

In the evening we will share a lecture on the population and identification of manta rays in Raja Ampat. 

Day 6. Misool, Balbulol Island group

Will be our final day diving in Misool before we cross to the central area again. The Balbulol island group will be our target. Karst limestone islands shoot from the sea, with shallow turquoise lagoons inside, we will dive a few of the caves found around the area, and weave through some of the black coral gardens that hang off the vertical walls. This will be a two dive day as we begin our overnight crossing. 

We will be sharing a lecture on the History of Raja Ampat and its culture.

Day 7. Piayneom

We will be exploring the beautiful region of Piayneom, housing some exceptional dive sites. We will complete four dives here, one of my favorites being Melissa’s garden, a stunning display of hard corals combined with an explosion of reef fish diversity! Here we can also take a trek to a viewing platform to look over the lagoons! A night dive along the slopes of Batu Rufus never fails to disappoint, making our way through the soft coral gardens and down the slope searching for nocturnal critters.

Day 8. Dampier Straight, Arborek, night dive

We will move into the heart of the Dampier Strait calling into a small island called Arborek. This island is very special to Iris and Wendy as we have spent several years on the island. Here we will check for manta rays and spend some time in the local lillage, meet some of the friendly kids and learn from the women a few of their techniques in weaving. We will jump in for a night dive around the jetty and search for some of Arboreks finest macro critters!

Day 9. Cape Kri, Sardine and Chicken reef

We will be in the perfect position to experience some of the best diving the Dampier Strait has to offer, diving Cape Kri, Sardine and Chicken reef, experiencing the crashing thud of fish thunder in the current laden dive sites of the region. That night we will dive one of Wendy’s favorite macro dive sites, a mucky sand flat, full of critters to wrap up another epic day!

Day 10. Final dives and return to Sorong

Blue Magic will be our final dive site of the trip, a seamount that pops up out of nowhere hosts a huge amount of marine life, jacks can swarm in front of you, making you think twice about where your buddy is and it’s one of the more sharky sites of the region, gray reef sharks sit out infront as the current slams into the seamount and the occasional visit from oceanic manta rays is possible! As this is our final day we will travel back to Waisai, pack our belongings, settle our bills (don’t forget to tip the local boat crew) and disembark back to Sorong that afternoon at around 1.30 pm. 

As you have been diving alot, it’s recommended you stay one night in Sorong after the trip!

This schedule is general in nature and we will be optimizing it to the weather and sea conditions during our trip. Wildlife is never a guarantee, the only guarantee we can provide is a margarita as we cheers to a great time spent together!

Trip Photos

Important Notes

*Divers will need to have a minimum diving certification of Advanced open-water and 20 dives. This will ensure you will get the most out of the overall experience.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cancel a Pending trip, your deposit and any additional payments will be fully refundable.

If you wish to cancel a confirmed trip, some fees may apply.

Cancellation of a confirmed trip 61+ days before the commencement of your trip, your deposit will be transferrable to another trip. If you cancel a confirmed trip 60 days or less before its commencement then payments will not be refundable.

View our Terms & Conditions for more about our Cancellation policy.

Gear rental (per person per trip)

Complete set (BCS, mask, fins, regulator – computer and torch not included) 150 USD
BCD 50 USD
Regulators 60 USD
Computer 40 USD
Mask 25 USD
Fins 30 USD
Boots 25 USD
Wetsuit (we recommend to bring a shorty or a rashie & boardshorts) 30 USD
Torch 30 USD

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