Paradise Passage

Depart on your overnight flight bound for Manila, Philippines — your gateway to the island-scattered Philippine archipelago and the start of an unforgettable expedition cruise to Raja Ampat.

Arrive in Manila today and settle into your included overnight hotel ahead of tomorrow's embarkation. The capital of the Philippines is a teeming, sprawling metropolis whose creative, exciting energy infuses everything from its art to its food. Explore the city's museums, Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and Intramuros — the old Spanish walled town at the heart of the city — and sample some Filipino cuisine in all its bold sour, sweet, and tangy glory before a restful night ashore.

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the pier and board SH Minerva, where every guest enjoys a private balcony or oceanview stateroom. Meet the Captain and crew, settle in, and toast the start of your Philippines to Raja Ampat expedition as the ship sets sail this evening, bound for the open ocean. Meals: B, D

Marinduque, a peaceful island in the heart of the Philippines, is known for rolling hills, pristine beaches, and vibrant traditions. Small fishing villages welcome visitors and preserve time-honored crafts and festivals, including the famous Moriones Festival. Surrounding waters host rich coral reefs and diverse marine life, ideal for snorkeling and diving. Inland, verdant forests and hidden waterfalls offer quiet exploration, blending natural beauty and cultural heritage in a serene island escape. Meals: B, L, D

Tucked away in Western Leyte, the Cuatro Islas are a serene tropical escape, offering a distinct charm on each of the four islands. Apid, the most populated, offers a cultural touch with its fishing community and traditional mat weaving. Digyo is the smallest, known for its stunning sandbars and quiet beauty. Mahaba features a long beach, marine sanctuary, and sea turtles, while Himokilan enchants with a curving sandbar and a hidden tidal pool. Meals: B, L, D

After crossing the Bohol Sea, you arrive at tiny Balicasag Island, about six kilometres southwest of Panglao, where the sea drops away into deep submarine cliffs surrounded by soft and hard corals and multicoloured shoals. Afterwards, head to Tagbilaran, a gateway to Bohol's jungly interior, home to tarsiers — nocturnal primates less than 16 cm tall with disproportionately large eyes — which can be seen at the conservation centre and sanctuary. Bohol is also famous for the Chocolate Hills, a striking quirk of geology. Meals: B, L, D

Casulian Island (also known as Corregidor Island) lies off Siargao's southern coast. Rolling palm-covered hills lead to a summit with sweeping Pacific Ocean views, while pristine white-sand beaches and secluded turquoise coves ring the shoreline and vibrant coral reefs thrive in the surrounding waters. Visitors flock here to hike the scenic hilltop trails and snorkel among the colourful marine life, making it one of Siargao's most sought-after destinations. Meals: B, L, D

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by from the ship's observation decks, mingle with fellow guests over your shared experiences of this incredible trip, or head to the library, stocked full of reference books. Get an expert's view in one of the onboard lectures, or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from the onboard professional photographers. Meals: B, L, D

A second easy day at sea as the ship continues its crossing toward West Papua. Relax on deck, book a treatment at the spa, or sit in on another lecture from the onboard experts as anticipation builds for the extraordinary waters of Raja Ampat ahead. Meals: B, L, D

The bustling port city of Sorong in West Papua is known as the gateway to the crystalline waters of Raja Ampat, the world's most biodiverse marine habitat, home to over 1,500 species of fish and 75 percent of the world's known coral species. In town, the Buddhist pagoda of Sapta Ratna stands tall on a hilltop overlooking the harbour, and local fishing boats come in with their catch at the bustling Pasar Jembutan Puri fish market. From here the ship continues into Kabui Bay, one of Raja Ampat's most scenic areas, shaped by a narrow waterway between the limestone islands of Gam and Waigeo known as The Passage. Cruise this natural corridor via Zodiac, following in the footsteps of naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, who travelled this route in 1860 and described its scenery as one of the most picturesque in the region — the calm water, dramatic rock formations, and abundant marine life make this area outstanding for snorkeling, with well-known dive sites such as Mioskon, Mayhem, and The Passage nearby. Meals: B, L, D

Pulau Penemu is one of Raja Ampat's most striking landscapes, with towering limestone pinnacles rising straight from the water. A short hike up to the Piaynemo peak viewpoint rewards you with wide views over lagoons and limestone islets, and just offshore the Piaynemo Geosite is one of the area's best known snorkeling and diving zones, with dense coral diversity and abundant fish life — two dives are scheduled today, at Melissa's Garden and Batu Rufas. From here you continue to the Fam Islands, a small cluster of islets in the Raja Ampat Geopark, with Pulau Pam as the inhabited centre. Three villages sit near hidden lakes, and the local community produces high quality virgin coconut oil, supporting both livelihoods and cultural traditions. Fam's reefs are among the most pristine in the region, with rich coral gardens and marine life that can include reef sharks, ribbon eels, turtles, schooling fusiliers, and manta cleaning stations. Meals: B, L, D

You head to Pulau Kri, one of Raja Ampat's most important hubs of marine biodiversity. At Cape Kri, known for exceptionally high fish diversity, you'll snorkel with the guidance of the expedition team, where you may encounter manta rays, sea turtles, mollusks, reef fish, and brilliant corals in every direction. Pulau Mansuar is a long, narrow island crowned by a high limestone ridge and blanketed in dense tropical jungle, whose surrounding reefs link it to neighboring Kri. In traditional palm-leaf-roof homes, just over a hundred residents live a measured, sea-and-forest rhythm of daily life. A walk across the island can take you to the salt lake Telaga Yenauiyau, a perfect place to enjoy a fresh coconut and listen to the jungle — keep an eye out for the impressive coconut crab among the palms — and snorkelers will love the underwater world here, where hundreds of colorful fish swirl above the corals. Those who wish can also go diving at Yenbuda Jetty. Meals: B, L, D

One of the most remote islands in Raja Ampat, Pulau Misool captivates with its untouched nature — white-sand beaches, emerald hills, and labyrinths of karst limestone cliffs create truly cinematic scenery. The island is surrounded by some of the richest coral reefs on the planet and lies within the protected Misool Marine Reserve, celebrated for extraordinary biodiversity. One of the region's great natural treasures is the Yap Islands lagoon, hidden among towering karst formations, with turquoise water and a soft sandy bottom ideal for swimming and snorkeling. You can also swim in Lake Lenmakana among rare freshwater jellyfish that have no stinging tentacles, and explore reefs and limestone shorelines where manta rays, reef sharks, vivid mollusks, shrimp, and a wide variety of tropical fish are often seen. Nearby lies Balbulol Lagoon, home to the famous heart-shaped "Love Lake," a hidden gem set among the dramatic karst formations of Misool, where towering limestone spires rise directly from the turquoise sea, creating a maze of narrow passages and peaceful, sheltered coves. Meals: B, L, D