Marine Life
Whale Sharks
Swim alongside the world's largest fish at Triton Bay's Bugis fishing platforms, drawn to baitfish in the fishermen's nets. Encounters can run for hours.
West Papua, 12 Nights
Whale Sharks in West Papua
From Raja Ampat's reefs to the whale sharks of Triton Bay.
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Sorong to Kaimana
Route
12 Nights
Duration
565 NM
Distance
Nov to Mar
Season
The Journey
Raja Ampat to the Land of Whale Sharks
The full West Papua charter, from Raja Ampat south to Triton Bay's whale sharks. Twelve nights covering both regions: the principal dive sites and karst scenery in northern Raja Ampat, then south through Misool to Triton Bay for the whale shark encounters.
The route starts at Kri, where Cape Kri's reef holds the world record for fish-species diversity. At Mioskon and Blue Magic, oceanic mantas pass through. Wayag's lagoons offer the most photographed scenery in Raja Ampat. Misool's karst islets and dense soft coral cover anchor the southern leg before the open-water passages south.
Triton Bay's whale sharks gather at Bugis fishing platforms, drawn to baitfish in the nets; encounters can run for hours. To fit the breadth into twelve nights, the route includes two overnight crossings and above-average cruising on select transit days.
— Nikko Karki, Indo YachtsTwelve nights from Sorong to Kaimana gets you both Raja Ampat's full breadth and Triton Bay's whale sharks. The southern leg is two long open-water crossings; we brief on conditions before each.
Journey Highlights
What Awaits You
From Raja Ampat's biodiverse reefs to encounters with the world's largest fish.
Marine Life
Oceanic Mantas
Negative entry to twenty meters at Blue Magic seamount, where oceanic mantas with six-meter wingspans glide in from the blue. Wobbegong sharks rest in the shallows at Mioskon nearby.
Landscapes
Wayag Karst
Stand-up paddleboard through karst formations, then hike to the highest peak for the most photographed view in all of Raja Ampat.
The Route
Sorong to Kaimana
- Day 1
Sorong / Kri
- Day 3
Wayag
- Day 5
Misool
- Day 8
Pisang Islands
- Day 10
Triton Bay
- Day 13
Kaimana
Click to enlarge
Day by Day
The Expedition
01
Day
Sorong, Kri Island
Your Expedition Begins
Embark at Sorong and settle in as the scenery of Raja Ampat opens around you on the cruise to Kri.
Cruising
40 NM
Embark
Sorong
Highlight
First Dive at Kri
02
Day
Kri Island, Raja Ampat
Cape Kri & the World Record Reef
Dive Cape Kri, the reef where a world-record count of fish species was recorded on a single dive. Spend the day in the water and along the shore of one of Raja Ampat's most celebrated sites.
At Anchor
Kri Island
Activity
Diving & Snorkeling
Highlight
World Record Reef
03
Day
Mioskon, Blue Magic
The Manta Seamount
A short repositioning from Kri brings you to Mioskon and the Blue Magic seamount, where oceanic manta rays are often sighted gliding through the current.
Cruising
5 NM
Activity
Seamount Dive
Highlight
Oceanic Mantas
04
Day
Mioskon, Wayag
The Karst Archipelago
Cruise north through Raja Ampat's signature karst formations to Wayag, dropping anchor in a secluded bay. Paddleboard or kayak the lagoons, then hike to the highest peak for the panorama.
Cruising
66 NM
Activity
Hike & Paddleboard
Highlight
Wayag Summit Panorama
05
Day
Wayag, Sel Pele Bay
Critters & the Pearl Farm
Dive Sel Pele Bay, a seascape known for critter hunting. Trek the island to see its birds and wildlife, or visit the Atlas South Sea Pearl Farm to learn about pearl cultivation.
Cruising
28 NM
Activity
Critter Dive & Island Trek
Highlight
Atlas Pearl Farm
06
Day
Sel Pele Bay, Jef Fam Islands
Natural Pools & Rare Orchids
Jef Fam's sheltered bay suits any water sport you feel like. In the afternoon, take the speedboat to tour small natural pools and find rare orchids blooming on the island's cliffs.
Cruising
36 NM
Activity
Water Sports
Highlight
Cliff Orchids
07
Day
Jef Fam, Tomolol
The Cathedral Cave & Secret Lagoon
Enter Tomolol Bay in Misool to explore the cathedral-sized Tomolol Cave, swimming through or crossing it by paddleboard. A short climb beyond the cave reaches a secret lagoon. The reefs around Kalig and Fiabacet hold hundreds of dive sites in this ultra-protected, biodiverse area.
Cruising
80 NM
Activity
Kalig & Fiabacet Diving
Highlight
Tomolol Cave
08
Day
Tomolol, Pisang Islands
Into West Papua
Dive the clear water above the active reefs of the Pisang Island chain, then continue toward West Papua for speedboat exploration and treks across uninhabited islands in search of exotic birds.
Cruising
88 NM
Activity
Reef Dive & Island Trek
Highlight
Pisang Islands
09
Day
Pisang Islands, Kitikiti Waterfall
The Clifftop Waterfall
Take in the dramatic sight of Kitikiti as it plunges from clifftop rainforest straight to the sea. Swim beneath the waterfall and snorkel the nearby reefs, then cruise overnight to Triton Bay.
Cruising
101 NM
Activity
Swim & Snorkel
Highlight
Kitikiti Waterfall
10
Day
Kitikiti, Triton Bay
Swimming with Whale Sharks
Cruise Triton Bay's turquoise channels between towering limestone cliffs in search of whale sharks, slipping into the water with snorkels when they gather at the platforms where Bugis fishermen keep netted baitfish.
Cruising
75 NM
Activity
Whale Shark Snorkel
Highlight
Triton Bay
11
Day
Triton Bay, Namatote
More Whale Sharks & Limestone Cliffs
Continue the search for whale sharks among Triton Bay's limestone cliffs, with water sports in the calm bays and beach walks at your leisure, capped by an evening beach BBQ.
Cruising
28 NM
Activity
Dive & Snorkel
Highlight
Beach BBQ
12
Day
Triton Bay, West Papua
Final Day in Triton Bay
A final unhurried day in Triton Bay to kayak, snorkel, and look once more for whale sharks, before cruising toward Kaimana.
At Anchor
Triton Bay
Activity
Kayak & Snorkel
Highlight
Last Whale Shark Search
13
Day
Namatote, Kaimana
Farewell to West Papua
Enjoy a last breakfast on board, bid farewell to the crew, disembark, and transfer to Kaimana airport for onward flights via Sorong.
Cruising
17 NM
Disembark
After Breakfast
Depart
Kaimana (KNG)
Your Charter Team
Guided by Those Who Know These Waters
Whale sharks are the reason most groups come, but West Papua does not run to a schedule, and the trips that work best leave room for that. Triton Bay's reefs, a night dive for walking sharks, time with the bagan fishermen: any of these can become the day you remember most. Tell us what your group most hopes to see, and we will plan with the patience this region asks.
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Recommended Yachts
Recommended for This Voyage
Yachts equipped for the West Papua expedition: long-range hulls and the dive operations for both Raja Ampat and the Triton Bay whale shark encounters.
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Practical Reading
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Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to do this itinerary?
October to April offers the best conditions across both Raja Ampat and Triton Bay, with calm seas, excellent visibility, and the highest probability of whale shark sightings at the Triton Bay bagans. Avoid July and August when the southern swells affect Triton Bay.
How certain are the whale shark encounters?
Whale sharks gather regularly at the Triton Bay fishing platforms, drawn by baitfish held in nets by the Bugis fishermen. Sightings are highly probable within the optimal season. As with all wildlife, we do not guarantee encounters, but the conditions in Triton Bay are among the most reliable in the world.
What diving experience is needed?
Certified divers can explore Cape Kri, Blue Magic, Fiabacet, and Triton Bay's coral walls. The whale shark encounter at the bagans is by snorkel only, meaning non-divers can fully participate in the highlight of the voyage. First-time divers can complete Discovery Dives with onboard PADI instructors.
Can the route be customized?
Absolutely. Your cruise director will adapt every day to your interests, weather conditions, and what's happening with marine life. Want more time at Wayag? Additional dive days in Misool? Extra whale shark sessions? It's your expedition and we build the day around you.
Interested in This Itinerary?
Please get in touch to discuss planning your private charter.