Marine Life
Manta Sandy
A cleaning station where oceanic mantas circle in the current, possible to snorkel with on the first afternoon.
Private Charter Itinerary
Discovering Raja Ampat
A 7-night journey through the most biodiverse marine region on the planet.
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Sorong Roundtrip
Route
7 Nights
Duration
246 NM
Distance
Nov to Mar
Season
The Journey
Where the Pacific Meets the Indian Ocean
This 7-night circuit of northern and central Raja Ampat covers the region's defining landscapes: the soaring karst pinnacles of Wayag, the shallow green lagoons of Penemu, the manta cleaning station at Manta Sandy, and the coral-draped underwater passages of Kabui Bay.
The pace is deliberately unhurried. Each stop earns two or three days at anchor, leaving time for snorkeling, water sports, village walks, and the kind of slow, unscheduled exploration that Raja Ampat rewards. Scuba diving is available with an onboard PADI instructor. In order to fit the best sites into one week, this itinerary includes some overnight crossings.
— Nikko Karki, Indo YachtsSeven nights is enough for the principal stops if the weather holds. Wayag is the photo every guest brings home; Penemu's stairs get you the wider view.
Karst pinnacles rise from still water at dawn, Wayag.
Experiences
Journey Highlights
The encounters and landscapes that define this route through Indonesia's far east.
Landscapes
Wayag's Karst Peaks
Limestone pinnacles draped in jungle, rising from turquoise shallows. Three days at anchor here are never enough.
Wildlife
Birds-of-Paradise
A jungle trek near Kabui Bay offers possible sightings of the greater bird-of-paradise in its natural canopy.
The Route
Sorong to Sorong
- Day 1
Sorong
- Day 1
Arborek
- Days 2 to 4
Wayag
- Day 5
Penemu
- Days 6 to 7
Kabui Bay
- Day 8
Sorong
Click to enlarge
Day by Day
The Route
01
Day
Sorong, Arborek
The Journey Begins
Board the yacht in Sorong and embark for Arborek, stopping en route at Manta Sandy, a cleaning station where manta rays can sometimes be seen circling in the current. On arrival, snorkel at Yenbuba jetty and stroll through Arborek village. Cruise overnight to Wayag.
Cruising
53 NM
Embark
Morning
Highlight
Manta Sandy
02
Day
Arborek, Wayag
Arborek to Wayag
Cruise the morning leg to Wayag, its karst pinnacles rising from still water as you arrive. The next three days here cover snorkeling, kayaking across emerald lagoons, and relaxed beach time. There is no schedule, only the tide.
Cruising
53 NM
Activity
Snorkel & Kayak
Highlight
Karst Lagoons
03
Day
Wayag
The Summit Climb
Between snorkels in Wayag's glittering shallows, climb its renowned peak for a panoramic view over the karst archipelago. The walk takes around 30 minutes and the payoff is difficult to overstate.
At Anchor
Wayag
Highlight
Karst Summit
04
Day
Wayag, Penemu
Last Day in Wayag
Spend a final morning on the water with wakeboarding, paddleboarding, and a last snorkel in Wayag's clear shallows. Lift anchor in the afternoon and cruise overnight south to Penemu.
Cruising
47 NM
Highlight
Water Sports
05
Day
Penemu, Raja Ampat
Seahorses and Hidden Lagoons
Kayak or paddleboard across Penemu's shallow green bay, then climb the 316-step wooden staircase to a lookout over the surrounding islands. Take a tender ride to Batu Rufus to snorkel with black tip reef sharks, then on to Melissa's Garden, where pygmy seahorses are possible to spot. Cruise overnight to Kabui Bay.
Cruising
39 NM
Activity
Snorkel & Trek
Highlight
Melissa's Garden
06
Day
Kabui Bay
The Mushroom Islands
Kabui Bay marks the northern entrance of The Passage, home to the Mushroom Islands. Spend two days exploring here, with a tender ride to Hidden Bay, a shallow lagoon enclosed by thousands of small rock islands.
At Anchor
Kabui Bay
Highlight
Hidden Bay
07
Day
Kabui Bay, Sorong
Underwater Caves and Birds-of-Paradise
Snorkel The Passage's shallow underwater caves, soft corals perfect for photography. Trek through jungle for a possible sighting of the greater bird-of-paradise, then enjoy a beach BBQ. Cruise overnight to Sorong.
Cruising
54 NM
Highlight
Beach BBQ
08
Day
Sorong Harbor
Journey's End
Arrive in Sorong harbor in the morning. Enjoy a final breakfast on deck at anchor, then disembark and transfer to the airport. Fly direct to Bali, or continue east to your next destination.
Arrival
Morning
Disembark
After Breakfast
Depart
Sorong (SOQ)
Your Charter Team
Guided by Those Who Know These Waters
Raja Ampat is large, and the temptation is to see all of it. Often the better trip comes from choosing a few places and giving them real time, the way guests who anchor three days at Wayag rarely wish they had moved on sooner. Tell us whether your group would rather cover ground or settle in, and we will shape the route around the answer.
Recommended Yachts
Recommended for This Itinerary
Yachts equipped for a relaxed Raja Ampat week: family-friendly layouts and the snorkeling operations to make the most of the karst pinnacles.
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From the Journal
Dispatches from Indonesia's most extraordinary waters. Yacht features, expedition reports, and the stories behind our most memorable charters.
Practical Reading
Charter Guides
Everything you need to know before chartering in Indonesia. From costs and logistics to destination comparisons and packing lists.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to charter in Raja Ampat?
November through March gives the calmest seas and best visibility in northern Raja Ampat. October and April are shoulder months with reliable conditions. The wet season brings occasional squalls but rarely affects the anchorages and often produces exceptional diving.
Can the route be adjusted?
Absolutely. This itinerary is a template, not a timetable. Your crew will adapt each day around your group's interests, conditions, and discoveries. More diving at Penemu? Extra days at Wayag? It's your voyage.
What diving experience do I need?
Certified divers can explore Raja Ampat's reefs with an onboard PADI instructor. Non-divers and first-timers can take Discovery Dives or snorkel alongside the group. Many of the best marine encounters here, including the mantas at Manta Sandy and the soft corals in Kabui Bay, are fully accessible from the surface.
Is this suitable for families with children?
The leisurely pace and diversity of activities make this one of the better itineraries for families. Snorkeling, kayaking, village visits, and the summit hike at Wayag work well for a wide age range. Most yachts welcome children aged 6 and above.
Interested in This Itinerary?
Please get in touch to discuss planning your private charter.