The seven- and 12-night cruises immerse passengers in some of the world’s most uncharted lands, home to jungles, cave systems, rich underwater ecosystems, and indigenous communities.
Snorkelling and diving excursions will allow for possible sightings of whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, and other rare wildlife, while private tenders will take passengers deep into the jungle to discover local villages, interact with members of the Asmat tribe, and offer the chance to spot endemic forest kangaroos.
‘In the spirit of unending exploration, we are thrilled to introduce our latest voyage to the Asmat region of West Papua,’ said Francesco Zugaro, founder and CEO of Aqua Expeditions. ‘This rarely seen corner of the world is bursting with natural beauty, biodiversity, and cultural significance. Through four limited edition sailings, we invite guests to embark on extraordinary adventures, unlocking the secrets of this remarkable destination.’
The sailings start from $12,290 per person for seven nights and $19,640 per person for 12 nights.
The Spice Islands and West Papua
The seven-night Ambon to Kaimana voyage which will take place November 1-8, 2025 consists of a dual-destination itinerary combining the best of the Spice Islands programme already offered by Aqua Blu with West Papua.
Departing from Ambon, the ship will sail along the island’s scenic northern coast en route to the Banda Islands. Here, passengers can stroll through the Dutch Fort Belgica which towers over the island of Banda Neira. This is followed by the three remote island groups of Koon, Gorong, and Watubela — a diving spot with colourful coral reefs and where there are occasional sightings of leopard sharks and hammerheads.
The next stop, Teluk Sebakor, is home to mangrove forests and karst limestone islands, as well as a shoreline cove inhabited by a colony of screeching bats.
Next is the forested outback of Cape Pepisol where passengers trek almost a mile up-river to the Karawawi village.
The journey ends in Triton Bay where passengers can swim with whale sharks and visit Kiti Kiti waterfall at Momon.
Two West Papua & Asmat tribe sailings
There are two seven-night round trip voyages to Kaimana in 2025, taking place November 8-15 and November 15-22.
Starting in the town of Kaimana, the vessel heads south to Triton Bay and Namatote, known for rich seascapes, pristine coral reefs, and thriving underwater ecosystems where over 1000 species of marine life can be found. Aqua Blu then sails on to the Asmat region, a remote part of West Papua. Private tenders will speed passengers up the waterways and deep into the jungle toward the traditional villages inhabited by the Asmat people — one of largest tribes in Papua known for their rich heritage and traditions, including ancestor worship and the use of rituals to maintain the balance of the natural world.
As with the first itinerary, the final stop is at Momon.
Asmat tribe and Raja Ampat
Aqua’s newest 12-night itinerary, its Kaimana to Sorong voyage, brings together the best of the West Papua and Raja Ampat itineraries. Taking place November 22-December 4, 2025 it offers a mix of culture, wildlife and underwater adventure.
Featuring two nights in the Asmat region, passengers will have the chance to visit the tribe’s communal houses and observe their unique arts, crafts, and traditional dances. There will be two days of discovering the magnificent One Thousand Temples – karst islets eroded by the ocean and rain leaving behind steep spires of limestone. Tenders will take travellers through jellyfish lakes and cave systems before rounding out the expedition in the marine protected area Mayalibit Bay for a canoe excursion, a hike to spot rare birds of paradise on Waigeo Island, and a swim down the Kali Biru River.
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited.
Add Seatrade Cruise News to your Google News feed.  |
