Kira Kira Liveaboard, Indonesia

Day 1:
Onboarding, meeting the crew & briefing. Following lunch and a short tour and explanation about the vessel, your safety on board and intended plans for the voyage, we set off in the direction of the famous Dampier straight, the first of many areas we will visit during the trip. While we move to the Dampier area you can relax and take in the sights, before an afternoon check dive around the small island of Friwin.

Day 2:
The morning starts with a light breakfast followed by the first dive at Mioskon. After this, we will dive around Blue Majic, one of the most popular sites in Raja Ampat. It is well known for great biodiversity, the reef is overgrown by beautifully colored soft and hard corals. The third dive will be at Chicken Reef where the sun is often masked by a magnificent array of schooling Glassfish. Then after a substantial supper, the chance to chill under the starlit sky, listening to the gentle ocean sounds.

Day 3:
We start diving at the village of Yanbuba, observe hunter groups of Trevally, feeding on millions of small fish under the jetty. You may find giant Manta Rays, as they circle their cleaning stations or a vast array of macro species hidden in the lush coral slopes. A second dive can be organized at the famed Arborek Jetty. Between dives you can visit the village that owns the jetty, meet the locals and see some of the conservation projects based here. For the third dive of the day the long reef of Lalosi. There are some beautiful colored corals which offer a secure home to Wobbegong sharks and the wonderful walking shark. Sailing overnight to Misool.

Day 4:
In East Misool you will discover three fantastic dive sites, No Contest, Love potion, and Three Rocks. You will enjoy the sight of sheer vertical walls and fantastic coverage of soft corals, lots of fish with schools of Platax, aggregations of Snapper and Bump Head Parrotfish. We spend the night in the hidden lagoon, a very special anchorage inside an almost closed bay surrounded by high rocks. In the late afternoon, we take the speedboat into another lagoon located further into the rocks where we can swim, listening and searching for the native Cacatoes.

Day 5:
After a short morning navigation, we reach South East Misool and start another great day of diving in the vicinity of Misool Eco Resort, Boo Rocks with 2 large opening windows in the lava stone that completely pierce the island from the surface to 5 meters deep, Fiabacet and Fantasea, other excellent dive sites, again, expect an explosion of colors and fish density. Kira Kira will then sail further south and to the West and overnight in the Wayilbatan area. An optional night dive may be available.

Day 6:
In the Wayilbatan area we enjoy a complete diving day at 3 fantastic dive sites, Barracuda Rock, Wedding Cake and Neptune’s Sea Fan. These dive sites offer an impressive range of marine diversity and topography, huge Gorgonian Sea Fans, overhangs and caves, forests of Black Coral, Trevally, Turtles, Eagle Rays, Pygmy Seahorses and much, much more. In the afternoon, we take time for some kayaking amongst some of the most spectacular hidden lagoons in the area.

Day 7:
We will navigate to Pele in the very South East of the Misool area. Along the way, we will dive the famous dive site named Four Kings, four incredible pinnacles, each covered in more soft coral and colorful tunicates than the last... The range of colors on this site is simply amazing. We will then continue on to Pele where we will dive 2 of Pele’s more famous sites, Kaleidoscope, and Pulau Kecil. Late that afternoon we will set sail for overnight navigation to Penemu and the Fam islands.

Day 8:
Early in the morning, we arrive at Penemu‘s famous reefs, home to one of the largest populations of fish in the area, very impressive, especially in a brisk current. After breakfast, we dive at Melissa’s Garden, an extraordinary dive site famous for its extensive hard coral fields. In the afternoon, we have time for a short trek to admire more of Raja’s wonderful lagoons and landscape. We spend the evening under the stars enjoying a BBQ on a deserted tropical beach.

Day 9:
Short navigation to the Yanggefo area, where we find some of the most stunning dive sites in West Waigeo, Citrus Ridge, Mayhem, and Way Pretty Shallow. In the right conditions, expect some of the highest voltage diving in Raja Ampat, massive schools of fish, Barracuda, at least three species of Fusilier, Trevally, Bump Head Parrotfish,  wobbegong Sharks and more... In the afternoon, we dive at Mike's Point, during World War II, the US Air Force mistook this rock for a  camouflaged Japanese ship and bombed it repeatedly. The top side of the island is blown away, but underwater the reef has come back to life in an amazing way.

Day 10:
We save the very best for last. During our final diving day, we discover two fabulous dive sites, Blue Magic and Cape Kri. Both of these sites offer some of the largest concentrations of big fish in Raja Ampat... Large schools of hunting Trevally, Chevron Barracuda, Bannerfish, Giant Sweetlips, Yellow Fin Tuna, and big Red Snapper congregate on these sites. Large Grey Reef Sharks can also be seen at Cape Kri. In the afternoon, we have time to relax on one of Kri’s secluded beaches.

Day 11:
Check-out from the yacht.

Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons

Day 1:
Onboarding, meeting the crew & briefing. A check dive/snorkel near Sebayur Kecil before late afternoon beach activities. Take a walk on the sands, a swim in the shallows or jump in a Kayak whilst looking forward to a delicious fish supper and the first of many breathtaking sunscapes.

Day 2:
Ultimate Underwater Formations - After a light breakfast we do two amazing dives/snorkels around the small Islands that make up the Komodo World Heritage Site, explore beauties such as Tatawa Besar and Tatawa Kecil and many, many more... Enjoy lunch, Kayak, relax on the beach, take a walk in the wild countryside and await late afternoon/nightfall where you will be guided into the darkness for one of Komodo’s best night/critter dives on Pulau Siaba. A rare chance to search the Staghorns at Sunset for the romancing Mandarin Fish or decrypt the ever changing shape of the Mimic Octopus.

Day 3:
Big White Sails & Manta Tales - Start the day with an early morning drift along the shores of Siaba, a rare opportunity to visit the reef before others do, enjoying the myriad of fluorescence left from the night before and the steady arrival of frenzied
feeding fish. After breakfast and with favorable winds we endeavor to hoist the sheets for a short sail past Pulau Mauan, diving if the currents permit. Thereafter, we await the arrival of the intrepid population of Manta Rays that inhabit the reefs of Karang Makassar. Snorkel or dive with the most graceful creatures the park has to offer before we set sail south, to the traditional village of Komodo.

Day 4:
Walking With Dragons - In the early morning, we will be entering the Komodo National Park. Escorted by a local Ranger in search of the fabled beast, the Komodo Dragon, the largest lizard on the planet. This is the only place in the world you can see them in their natural habitat and enjoy the fascinating panorama of the island. Lunch follows and two dives/snorkels perhaps exploring the underwater seascapes of Loh Namu and Loh Liang or even the famous Batu Tiga, before anchoring for the night in one of the incredible bays around Padar Island. For the intrepid, a steep but short hill climb reveals one of the best panoramas these ancient lands have to offer. Dinner and drinks and a night under the star filled the sky.

Day 5:
Hot Rocks - Enjoy the sunrise over the vast volcanic seascape whilst we await the perfect tide movements to visit Batu Bolong, an incredible rock formation teeming with vibrant colors and life, rated amongst the best Komodo delivers, a dive on the North or South of this pinnacle rocks. Gili Lawa Darat sets the scene after lunch, The Passage, a thrilling drift through the channels of these current born islands, a Kayak around the Mangroves or try your hand at the Wakeboard, hike the hill or just relax with a cold beer.

Day 6:
Moncong On - An early morning breakfast sail towards the distant Batu Moncong sets us up for a day of deep walls, and exposed seamounts. Two of the least explored dives on the boundary of the National Park with epic sunset views of Gunung
Api Sangean in the background. An action packed day and chilled evening moored in this dramatic location precede what is the best left to last.

Day 7:
World Class Diving - A three dive/snorkel program will be tailored around the currents that make the waters of Komodo a Mecca for all diving/snorkeling enthusiasts. With over 1000 fish species and 300 different corals we will explore the sites around Gili Lawa Laut, dive/snorkel The Cauldron, Crystal Rock and the world-famous pinnacle Castle Rock. Finish the day with incredible tropical sundown, a secluded kayak over the shallow reefs and perhaps another of our famed beach BBQs.

Day 8:
Check-out from the yacht.

Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons

Day 1:
Onboarding, meeting the crew & briefing.

Days 2-9:
Departing & check dive. Safari according to the planned route.

Day 10:
2 dives on the last day. Return to the port.

Day 11:
Check-out from the yacht.


Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons

Day 1:
Onboarding, meeting the crew & briefing.

Day 2:
With favorable seas, we wake up next to the island of Suanggi, a fire like sunrise and Banda Neira’s 'Gunung Api’ volcano reaching to the clouds at distance. Suanggi hosts a large colony of sea birds; Frigates, which, if your cruise director has not
done so already, will wake you up. After coffee, a check dive on one the islands sheltered reefs to become familiar with our operation, and for us to assess the abilities and requirements of the dive group. Breakfast, followed by two extremely special dives, if very lucky, a chance to see Hammerhead sharks patrolling the wall drop-offs and deep ridges. After three dives, we set sail into the sunset for Banda Neira, looking out for Sailfish breaching, Dolphins and Whales, that are common during this two hour crossing. The night is spent on anchor in the heart of the historic Banda islands.

Days 3-5:
The Banda region is made up of small clusters of islands and a towering volcano, where we will spend three days exploring, diving nine or ten incredibly different locations. Riddled with imperial history relating to the conflicts between the British, Dutch and Portuguese, land missions, spice trading locations, and forts visits are not to be missed. Pulau Ai and Pulau Run are just a short sail from Banda Besar and home to some very exciting dive sites, ranging from furied drift dives to mystic secluded bays, the currents are generally quite strong in these areas making for excellent and rich reef life. A famous dive site by the name of 'Lava Flow' sits very close to Banda Neira, directly beneath the volcano, created by the flow of lava that rushed into the ocean and destroyed everything in its path. With only twenty years passed, since the eruption, the condition and rapid growth of the newly made reef will take your breath away. Batu Kapal, a two dive location, with its astonishingly varied topography is another clear favorite in this region.
For our final day in Banda, we sail southeast, to Pulau Hatta, once occupied by the Dutch. Sitting atop an extremely deep trench of 5000m, it is a fantastic spot to conclude activities in this area.
 
Day 6:
Our second overnight voyage on this itinerary, taking approximately nine hours from Pulau Hatta to Pulau Manuk, a remote volcano in the middle of the ocean, famous for Sea Snakes and active sulfur plumes. Currently dormant, with no recorded eruptions since first study, plumes of sulfuric gas seep out of large volcanic rocks around the island, home to another large colony of birds. The diving here can be extremely unique, with large congregations of Chinese Sea Snakes living on its pristine reefs, curiously swimming towards divers and snorkelers. 'Bubble reef' is a truly special location where sulfur runoff can be seen underwater, where Barrel Sponges resemble, mystic potion cauldrons, smoking and bubbling away... The dives here filled with wilder macro species and your bigger pelagics. The 'Big Ridge' running along the east side of the island makes for a very adventurous wall dive. 'Coconut Corner' is also a fantastic dive and another chance to witness the earth’s core bubbling through the sands. A swim or snorkel between dives is most welcome, be prepared to say hello to the curious Sea Snakes that are almost guaranteed to swim up to. Pulau Manuk is without question the most remote area we attempt to visit on the itinerary. Thereafter, we begin our third overnight crossing to Pulau Koon, the divide between Raja Ampat and the great Banda Sea.

Day 7:
A fourteen to sixteen hour, overnight crossing brings us to Pulau Koon, a small island sat southeast of mainland Seram, and, the midpoint of our trip. With a large reef plateau jumping right off of the island, the most exciting feature here is, without a doubt, the huge amount of schooling and hunting fish species, that can be seen at the very aptly named ‘Fishmarket’. Slowly moving along the wild and vivid coral slopes in the currents and back eddies, being approached by curious Mackerel and Tuna, surmises a not so typical day. After two dives on this absolutely fantastic reef, late afternoon, we begin our crossing to Misool, Raja Ampat. 

Day 8-10:
Arrival Misool, home to the best coral growth on planet earth. Huge Gorgonian Sea Fans, big pinnacles and button islands, we have reached a true diver paradise. The final three days of the voyage will be spent here, and with it being home to literally hundreds of dive sites, not one trip will ever be the same. We aim to visit our favorite sites whilst here, safety and weather depicting. Incredibly healthy coral formations, pygmy sea horses, huge pelagic fish, Oceanic Mantas and much, much more, this place has it all... A fantastic time to see the blooms of Silverside baitfish, responsible for initiating large feeding frenzies. Dive sites such as ‘Magic Mountain’ and ‘Four Kings’, ‘Wedding Cake’ and ‘Goa Farondi’ are just a few to names, to add to the perfection Misool has to offer. Exploring the turquoise lagoons by kayak is always a great little adventure after a diving day. We set sail to Sorong on day ten, just as the sun is setting.

Day 11:
Check-out from the yacht.


Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons