SWAN HELLENIC LUXURY CRUISES - ASIA

PRAJA AMPAT & CENDERAWASIH BAY

Cruising INDONESIA’S CORAL TRIANGLE

"We're thrilled to be partnering with Swan Hellenic and to pass along rates this good to our clients. Raja Ampat is one of those places every traveler should see at least once, and this itinerary adds Cenderawasih Bay's whale sharks and five full days among the reefs and lagoons of Raja Ampat itself." — Rick

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14

Days

156-192

Guests Max

Expert

Discovery Team

33

Included Meals

DAY BY DAY

Your complete itinerary — 14 days, Sorong to Sorong, Papua (roundtrip)

This voyage begins with an overnight flight to Sorong, West Papua, followed by an included pre-cruise hotel night, before boarding the ship the next day. From Sorong the voyage sails through the remote waters of Cenderawasih Bay and the coral-rich islands of Raja Ampat, returning to Sorong for disembarkation. Some island landings and the order of ports may shift slightly based on conditions on the day.

Click the ▾ arrow on any day to see full details and included meals

1Day

Depart Home

North America · Overnight flight · May 16

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Depart on your overnight flight bound for Sorong, West Papua — your gateway to the remote waters of Cenderawasih Bay and Raja Ampat, and the start of an unforgettable expedition cruise through Indonesia's Coral Triangle. Sorong roundtrip route map

2Day

Sorong

West Papua, Indonesia · Overnight hotel included · May 17

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Airport transfers includedCruise Plus pre-cruise hotel night

Arrive in Sorong today and settle into your included overnight hotel ahead of tomorrow's embarkation, part of the Cruise Plus package that bundles the charter flights, transfers, and pre-cruise stay into a seamless start to the voyage. Sorong is a busy port city and a key logistical hub for eastern Indonesia, serving as the gateway to the crystalline waters of Raja Ampat, the world's most biodiverse marine habitat. Use the free time to rest after your journey, or take a stroll through town before boarding the ship tomorrow.

3Day

Embark in Sorong

West Papua, Indonesia · Boarding SH Minerva · May 18

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Breakfast · DinnerGroup transfer to the ship included

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 Raja Ampat and Cenderawasih Bay expedition as the ship sets sail this evening, bound for the remote islands of northern Papua. Sorong, Papua

Meals: B, D

4Day

Pulau Manim, Numfoor

Papua, Indonesia · May 19

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Breakfast · Lunch · DinnerShore excursion included

Pause at Pulau Numfoor, an oval, coral-rimmed island on the northern side of Cenderawasih Bay. Its interior is built from limestone and coral terraces topped by tropical forest, with coastal villages dotted around the shore. The island served as a major Pacific War air base and the site of a 1944 campaign, a layer of history that still lies beneath its quiet surface today. Pulau Manim, Numfoor

Meals: B, L, D

5Day

Pulau Padaidori

Papua, Indonesia · May 20

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Breakfast · Lunch · DinnerShore excursion included

Pulau Padaidori is part of a cluster of tiny, mostly uninhabited islands and atolls off the northern Papuan coast. This remote stop pairs secluded beaches with a rich, protected marine ecosystem in calm, clear waters, where schools of tropical fish move among colorful coral gardens. Mangrove forests shelter snakes and crabs among their tangled roots, while swaying coconut palms line the white-sand shore. Pulau Padaidori

Meals: B, L, D

6Day

Pulau Roon & Pulau Row

Cenderawasih Bay, Papua · May 21

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Breakfast · Lunch · DinnerTwo stops, one day

Roon Island is cloaked in lush evergreen rainforest and home to roughly 1,100 members of the Roon tribe, with a captivating seaside village built on stilts. Visit the historic Old Church, home to a Bible published in 1898, and keep an eye out for birds-of-paradise, cockatoos, and eclectus parrots as you walk through the village. The coral gardens and reef walls surrounding the island are ideal for snorkeling. From here the ship continues to Pulau Row (also known as Pulau Rouw), a remote island where nature, local culture, and WWII history meet — sunken American and Japanese aircraft and vessels now form part of the surrounding reef, and the bay's waters here are rich with fish life, including several shark species. Pulau Roon, Cenderawasih Bay

Meals: B, L, D

7Day

Kwatisore

Cenderawasih Bay, Papua · May 22

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Breakfast · Lunch · DinnerShore excursion included

A signature day in Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia's largest marine national park. Kwatisore is the bay's best-known spot for close whale shark encounters, where the gentle giants gather beneath local fishing platforms drawn by the day's catch. After a safety briefing from National Park rangers, swim or snorkel alongside these enormous, docile fish, then spend the afternoon visiting a nearby village for a traditional welcome dance and a look at local handicrafts. Kwatisore, Cenderawasih Bay

Meals: B, L, D

8Day

Pulau Mansinam

Papua, Indonesia · May 23

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Breakfast · Lunch · DinnerShore excursion included

Mansinam sits in Doreh Bay near West Papua's coastal capital Manokwari and is tied to the history of Christianity in Papua, linked to the arrival of German missionaries in 1855. Expect lively local cultural presentations, from ritual traditions to dance, including performances from Arfak Mountain tribes. This low-lying coral island is ringed by crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life, making it a favorite stop for snorkeling with the expedition team. Pulau Mansinam, Papua

Meals: B, L, D

9Day

Kabui Bay

Raja Ampat, Indonesia · May 24

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Breakfast · Lunch · DinnerShore excursion included

Cruise by Zodiac through Kabui Bay's limestone waterways and the narrow channel between Gam and Waigeo, often called "the Passage." Follow in the footsteps of naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, who travelled this route in 1860 and wrote admiringly of its scenery, which still feels like a river running through karst cliffs and mushroom-shaped islands. For those who wish, dive at world-class sites nearby such as Mioskon, Blue Magic, Mayhem, and the Passage itself. Kabui Bay, Raja Ampat

Meals: B, L, D

10Day

Pulau Penemu & Pulau Fam

Raja Ampat, Indonesia · May 25

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Breakfast · Lunch · DinnerTwo stops, one day

Pulau Penemu is one of Raja Ampat's most striking landscapes, with towering limestone pinnacles rising straight from the water. A short hike leads up to the Piaynemo peak viewpoint for wide views over lagoons and limestone islets, and just offshore the Piaynemo Geosite is one of the region's best-known snorkeling and diving zones. From here the ship continues to Fam, a quieter corner of Raja Ampat with warm village welcomes ashore and rich reef snorkeling in the surrounding waters — a fitting spot to slow down after a full day of exploring. Pulau Penemu, Raja Ampat

Meals: B, L, D

11Day

Pulau Mansuar & Pulau Kri

Raja Ampat, Indonesia · May 26

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Breakfast · Lunch · DinnerTwo stops, one day

Pulau Mansuar is a long, high ridge of limestone covered in jungle, fringed by rich coral reefs that link it to neighboring Kri Island. Just over a hundred residents live along its shore in traditional leaf-roofed homes across several small villages. Nestled at the vibrant heart of Raja Ampat, Kri Island packs a punch with crystal-clear waters and some of the richest marine biodiversity on Earth — colorful coral gardens, schools of exotic fish, and, above water, lush greenery and serene beaches. Pulau Kri, Raja Ampat

Meals: B, L, D

12Day

Taudore Island & Boo Kecil, Pulau Kofiau

Raja Ampat, Indonesia · May 27

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Breakfast · Lunch · DinnerTwo stops, one day

Lavishly forested Pulau Kofiau is especially prized by birdwatchers, with chances to spot endemic species such as the Kofiau paradise kingfisher and Kofiau monarch. Nearby Pulau Taudore lies within the Kofiau–Boo Islands Marine Protected Area, a reserve of reefs, small islands, and coastal waters that also serves as a corridor for whales and dolphins. At Boo Kecil, explore a famously clear lagoon by Zodiac or kayak, and snorkel among thriving coral gardens alive with reef fish, turtles, and the occasional reef shark. Taudore Island, Raja Ampat

Meals: B, L, D

13Day

Balbulol Lagoon & Yapap, Pulau Misool

Raja Ampat, Indonesia · May 28

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Breakfast · Lunch · DinnerShore excursion included

Misool is known for steep limestone outcrops, hidden caves, mangroves, and bright reef shallows. Cruise by Zodiac through karst channels with time to snorkel in sheltered water, then visit Yapap, a secluded lagoon surrounded by towering limestone karsts with glassy turquoise water and a white-sand seabed — ideal for swimming and photography. Nearby Balbulol Lagoon is home to the heart-shaped "Love Lake," a hidden gem set among Misool's dramatic karst spires, and you can also swim among the stingerless freshwater jellyfish of Lake Lenmakana. Balbulol Lagoon, Pulau Misool

Meals: B, L, D

14Day

Sorong, Papua

Indonesia · Disembarkation · May 29

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Breakfast included

Arrive in Sorong in the early morning for disembarkation, with the reefs and islands of Raja Ampat and Cenderawasih Bay still fresh in mind. Take a last look at the water and the jungle-edged coastline as you step ashore, then continue onward with the sense of having reached one of the most biodiverse corners of the planet. Ask Rick and Tracey about extending your stay before flying home. Meals: B

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Route Overview

Sorong to Sorong, Papua – A roundtrip voyage through West Papua's Coral Triangle

Swim with whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia

SH Minerva – 156-192 Guests

Experience the untouched wonders of West Papua and Raja Ampat onboard the boutique expedition ship SH Minerva through fifteen ports of call. Sail from Sorong into Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia's largest marine national park, calling at Numfoor, Padaidori, Roon, Row, and Kwatisore, where the gentle giants of Cenderawasih Bay gather beneath local fishing platforms for close whale shark encounters. Continue on to Mansinam and the limestone waterways of Kabui Bay, then into the heart of Raja Ampat itself — Penemu, Fam, Mansuar, Kri, Kofiau, and the karst lagoons of Misool. Snorkel and dive vibrant reefs, cruise limestone lagoons by Zodiac, and visit remote island villages on your eleven-night voyage. This voyage concludes back in Sorong, Papua, gateway to one of the most biodiverse corners of the planet.

Special Group Discount Pricing From:

$10,000

Per person, Any Balcony

Truly inclusive luxury expedition voyage aboard SH Minerva

Contact Rick & Tracey to book

DEPART FROM HOME ON

May 16, 2027

14 Days · 13 Nights

Sorong, Papua → Sorong, Papua

SH Minerva

Raja Ampat & Cenderawasih Bay Expedition Map

Click to enlarge

WHAT'S INCLUDED

✔ All meals onboard

✔ Complimentary beer, wine & spirits, any time

✔ 24-hour room service

✔ One selected shore excursion at every port of call

✔ All expedition landings

✔ Lecture programs by expedition team & guest speakers

✔ Gym, sauna & pool

✔ 24/7 self-service laundry

✔ Group transfers included

✔ Gratuities, port taxes & Wi-Fi included

WHY BOOK WITH RICK & TRACEY?

✔ Personal service from first call to final travel documents

✔ Expert advice on the right cruise, ship and cabin for you

✔ Firsthand destination expertise across Southeast Asia and the Pacific

✔ Rick & Tracey have sent thousands of travelers across all seven continents

✔ Rick & Tracey have visited all seven continents — at least twice

✔ Access to exclusive offers and added value not available to the public

✔ We're available before, during and after your trip — always a real person

Rick & Tracey
Your Travel Experts

✔ Special exclusive group pricing · No fees, no markups!

Exclusive Pricing

Exclusive Non-Public Rate

Private group rates on this Swan Hellenic Raja Ampat & Cenderawasih Bay departure — not published on our site or anywhere else online.

Your private rate is available on request, or view it directly on our private rates page.

Private Balcony

Best available Balcony stateroom & below

Cabin Features

269 sq ft cabin with private balcony with seating for two
Two single beds or a double bed
Bedroom with separate living room area
Flame-effect fireplace
Luxurious bathroom, robes & slippers
Smart HDTV with satellite entertainment
Stocked complimentary minibar
In-room safe
Individually controlled air conditioning
Complimentary 24-hour room service
Complimentary self-service laundry
Gratuities, port charges & Wi-Fi included

Ship	Route	Public Fare	Save Up To	Single	3rd/4th Guest	Details
MinervaBuilt 2021	Raja Ampat & Cenderawasih Bay ExpeditionMay 16 – 29, 2027 · 13 nts	$11,725	$1,725	+50%	Adult pays 50% · Minor pays 35%	View Rate → Inquire