Where: Raja Ampat Islands – Papua/Indonesia

When: October - March

11-night trips

Boat: Peter Hughes M/V Paradise Dancer
This is the largest yacht in the Dancer Fleet coming in at 57 meters (188 feet) in length. Constructed out of wood, she is a three masted motor schooner inspired by the majesty of the US Schooners circa 1800.

The interior style is that of a “floating boutique resort” and features high end amenities guests expect of the Dancer Fleet! All of the state rooms are larger than traditional liveaboard state rooms (at 180 sq. ft. each, more than 60% larger than an average liveaboard cabin) and each cabin has private ensuite facilities and air conditioning. There is also a 470 square foot "Master and Commander Suite" at the stern of the main deck that features a king size bed, separate sitting area with a sofa, and table with chairs that reminds guests of the "captains quarters" from the schooner design that inspired her.

Diving:

The Raja Ampat archipelago encompasses nearly ten million acres of land and sea off the north-western tip of Indonesia’s West Papua Province. Named after the four sultans who presided there, Raja Ampat is considered the world's bull's-eye for coral biodiversity. It is home to more than 1,000 species of fish, 101 of which were previously unknown in Raja Ampat and four that are new to all of Indonesia, 537 species of coral species, which is more than half the world’s total, as well as about 700 species of molluscs.

Whether you prefer macro photography or big fish action, this area is for you. The big fish you can expect to see include giant mantas, Mobula rays, huge schools of surgeon fish and barracudas, along with Wobbegang sharks, giant tawny sharks and variety of others. Macro junkies will love the blue ringed octopus, numerous types of pygmy seahorse, ghost pipefish, frogfish, mandarin fish and a huge variety of strange and wonderful crustaceans.

One of the great things about this area is the variety of reefs and their topography. There are vertical walls, reef flats, slopes, ridges, sea mounds, mucky mangroves, lagoons and pinnacles, all of which are affected by varying degrees of current. Due to these currents, Irian Jaya is not really considered a destinations for absolute beginners. The visibility is normally very good in the Raja Ampat Islands, ranging from 20 to more than 40m.

Sample Package (12 night trip)

Flights from London or Manchester to Manado via Singapore, UK airport taxes, 1 night stopover in Manado, return flight from Manado to Sorong with Merpati or Lion Air, 11 nights onboard the Paradise Dancer, roundtrip airport transfers in Sorong, all meals and beverages (including alcohol), 9 1/2 days of diving with 3-4 dives per day. Port & Marine Park fees are included.

Package Price: from £2,950 per person

Based on low season rates, double occupancy and subject to availability.