“A truly extraordinary adventure” - Ellen P.
Raja Ampat Liveaboard Kayak & DIVE Experience
- Raja Ampat
- 12 Days
- 2/5 Difficulty
Join an unforgettable 12-day Raja Ampat liveaboard expedition through Raja Ampat’s remote islands, combining sea kayaking, SUP, diving, and snorkelling in one of the last paradises on earth. Travel aboard a luxury yacht as you explore hidden lagoons, crystalline waters, white-sand beaches, and unspoiled coral reefs in this extraordinary Indonesian archipelago.
As seen in:
Trip Details
Destination
Raja Ampat, West Papua
Season
November to March
Duration
12 Days (10 Days Kayaking)
Next available dates
- March 4-12, 2027
Trip Type
Liveaboard
Difficulty
2/5
Price
€7,500 Euros p/p
Welcome to the Most Biodiverse Ecosystem on Earth
A Raja Ampat liveaboard adventure offers travellers an unforgettable way to explore one of the most biodiverse marine regions on the planet. A kaleidoscope of natural wonders, Raja Ampat is the definition of paradise on Earth and a dream destination for those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, this remote Indonesian archipelago is home to more than 1,300 species of fish and 600 types of coral, offering unparalleled opportunities for sea kayaking, snorkelling, diving, and island exploration in an environment that remains largely untouched.
From the moment you land in Sorong until your departure, our experienced guides and yacht crew handle all logistics, safety, and planning, allowing you to focus fully on your Indonesia adventure in Raja Ampat. Your journey unfolds over two distinct weeks: the first exploring the remote limestone islands and hidden lagoons of the Misool region, and the second discovering the dramatic landscapes and rich marine ecosystems of Northern Raja Ampat. Throughout the journey, your luxury liveaboard serves as a comfortable floating basecamp, seamlessly transporting you from one extraordinary location to the next.
Each day on the Raja Ampat liveaboard adventure offers up to three guided excursions, with the freedom to kayak through limestone karsts and mangrove forests, stand-up paddleboard across glassy turquoise bays and cathedral-sized caves, snorkel vibrant coral reefs, or dive world-class sites teeming with marine life. On land, guided walks may reveal the region’s most iconic resident – the elusive bird of paradise – and dramatic viewpoints overlooking the archipelago. Throughout, this extraordinary island landscape becomes your playground, shaped by tides, conditions, and daily exploration – an immersive, unforgettable Raja Ampat liveaboard expedition into one of the world’s most extraordinary natural environment.
Download Brochure
Download to share and explore full itineraries, key info, FAQs, and guide details.
Trip highlights
Sea Kayak Exploration
Explore this tropical labyrinth by kayak, gliding between jungle-covered islets and cays, through winding mangrove channels, and into hidden coves where vibrant reefs lie just beneath the surface. A kayakers’s dream, you’ll paddle across luminous turquoise waters with jagged limestone karsts, explore cathedral-sized caves, and enjoy pristine white-sand beaches.
World-Class Diving & Snorkeling
Discover an underwater wonderland where crystal-clear waters reveal vibrant coral gardens and an astonishing diversity of marine life. Snorkel alongside sea turtles and colourful reef fish, or dive with majestic manta rays and reef sharks across world-renowned sites. From tranquil lagoons to thriving outer reefs, every outing offers a glimpse into one of the planet’s most spectacular marine environments.
Luxury Liveaboard Experience
Combining expedition adventure with exceptional comfort, you’ll spend 12 unforgettable days aboard a traditional Phinisi liveaboard. Relax in air-conditioned ensuite cabins, enjoy delicious chef-prepared meals in open-air dining spaces, and unwind on spacious sun decks between adventures. With every detail handled by the experienced crew, you can simply enjoy waking up each day in another breathtaking corner of the archipelago.
Wildlife & Island Discovery
Raja Ampat’s wonders extend far beyond its reefs. Venture ashore to visit remote Papuan villages, search for the iconic birds of paradise on guided jungle walks, and explore untouched islands scattered across the archipelago. Hikes to spectacular limestone viewpoints reveal sweeping vistas over emerald islets and turquoise lagoons, showcasing the extraordinary beauty and biodiversity of this remarkable region.
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Cathedral like cave
Today we will explore an incredible cathedral like cave by kayak, stand up paddle board or flippers. This is the most amazing cave Raja Ampat has to offer. The afternoon will see us making our way north to the Northern Islands of Raja Ampat.
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
End of Trip
Morning arrival into Sorong. Enjoy a farewell breakfast before packing up and bidding goodbye to the boat crew. The trip concludes with a transfer to the airport.
We arrive into Sorong in the early hours of Day 12. It would be best to book flights that depart Sorong after 11am.
Map
Accommodation
About the Jakare
The Raja Ampat liveaboard used for our kayak expedition is the Jakare. She is a sailing ship built in 2016 in traditional South Celebes Phinisi Style. It is made of several tropical wood species including teak, ironwood and merbau. The ship is modernly equipped and stylishly decorated. The boat is 35 meters long and 7.5 meters wide, there is plenty of space. It has been specifically designed with comfort in mind. She is a luxury floating home that feels more like a hotel than a boat.
Key Features
- Tastefully appointed cabins that feature individually controlled air conditioning and private ensuites
- 1 Large Suite, with semi-private swim deck
- Two large decks for lounging and cocktail hour
- A huge dining area for meals and relaxing
- A covered open air lounge with cushions and bean bags
- 2 Tenders available for diving and snorkelling outings
- Diving Compressor and diving equipment
- 2 Stand Up Paddle Boards
A full fleet of good quality, expedition style kayaks. Singles and doubles available, all with rudders and bulkheads.
Ship exterior
Lounge Area immediately behind the dining area is a large sheltered lounge with cushions and bean bags. This space also benefits from the open sides and are the perfect place to relax or read a book.
The Foredeck is primarily used as a place to get ready for an outing. All dive, snorkel and kayaking gear is stored here. Guests can get ready under the shade of a huge awning. There is also a large table which provides the perfect place to conduct briefings before an outing.
There are also 2 large sun decks which are perfect places for a morning yoga session or a sunset cocktail.
Ship Cabins
There are 3 types of Cabins onboard Jakare. The two cabins in the bow are perfect single travellers. They feature 2 single beds. The midship cabins feature 1 double bed and 1 single bed. These two cabins work well for couples but can also be used by single travellers (Maximum 2 guests). The rear cabin is the largest cabin and features a king size bed. It has a large window which opens up to a semi private swim deck, allowing unbelievable views and a nice airy feeling to the cabin.
All cabins on the Raja Ampat liveaboard have a private ensuite with toilet, hot shower and sink. They all have individually controlled air conditioning units as well as small fans, and a large number of cabinets and closets.
Ship Interiors
The Dining Space
The rear dining area is an amazing space, it’s completely open concept with large tables and comfortable seating for up to 12 people. It’s sheltered but has open sides which allows a breeze to blow through the space and means you can take in the scenery while enjoying your meals.
2026 Dates
November 4 -15
November 10-21
FULL
NOVEMBER 18 - 29
NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 4
DECEMBER 6 - 13
DECEMBER 14 – 21
FULL
2027 Dates
January 6 - 17
JanUARY 7 - 18
FULL
January 21 - February 1
February 4 - 15
February 18 – March 1
March 4 – 12
$5170-5830 p/p
AVAILABLE
November 12 - 23
full
November 24 - December 5
full
2028 Dates
January 11 - 22
January 25 - February 5
$8500-$9200 p/p
February 8 - 19
$8500-$9200 p/p
February 22 - March 4
$8500-$9200 p/p
8 Spots Available
November 9 - 12
$8500-$9200 p/p
November 23 - December 4
$8500-$9200 p/p
What’s included
- 11 nights accommodation onboard
- Meals on yacht
- Kayaks and all equipment
- Stand up paddle boards and equipment
- Two dive masters
- Kayak guide
- Snorkel equipment
- Port transfers at the start and end of trip
- Raja Ampat Marine Entry Permit
Not included
- Dive equipment (can be rented from yacht)
- Meals while in Sorong before and after trip
- Hotel accommodation in Sorong
- Alcoholic beverages
- Indonesian Visa
- Travel insurance
- Airfares
- Tips for Indonesian crew
Ready to go beyond the ordinary? Apply to join the Raja Ampat Liveaboard Kayak Experience today, or download the brochure to learn more.
Weather
October through to February is considered the dry season. Rainfall consists of short but intense downpours that can occur during the heat of the afternoon. Winds are general very light during this season.
Activities
The Sea Kayaking With so many islands to explore it feels like you are paddling through a maze of stationary icebergs, each rock formation more bizarre and astonishing than the last. Each paddle excursion is unique, and you will never tire of the view. We paddle through mangrove forests with hidden channels and bays. We will explore bays with thousands of mushrooms shaped limestone islands rising straight from the depths. We will explore coastlines with incredible rock formations and see a variety of the bird life that Raja Ampat has to offer, with the possibility of rare encounters including dugongs in these remote waters.
The Diving
The diving in Raja Ampat is reputed to be the best in the world. With 42 endemic reef fish, numerous endemic sharks, as well as thousands of colourful soft and hard coral, each dive outing is unique and outstanding. These months also coincide with one of Raja Ampat’s most remarkable natural events—the gathering of manta rays at cleaning stations, where they circle gracefully as smaller fish remove parasites from their bodies. Dives vary from calm water dives, to diving underneath sea arches, diving with currents, drift dives and diving from a boat. Two dive masters will guide each dive.
The Stand Up Paddle Boarding We have two Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP’ing) available for guests to use during the trip. SUP’ing is an incredible way to view the coral reefs from above the water. The perspective from a SUP allows you to see all the green and blue hues of the water, see the fish swimming below and see all the colors of the coral.
FAQs
What are the meals like on the liveaboard trips?
How much rain will we encounter on our trip?
Our Raja Ampat trips occur in the Northwest Monsoon season. What this means is its less rainy than any other time of year. One out of every four afternoons there quick downpours during the late afternoon in Raja Ampat. They do not last long but are intense.
What sort of winds will we encounter while paddling?
There is very little wind during the northwest monsoon season. Most of the excursions we go out on there will be calm to light winds. Not very often do winds exceed 15 knots.
Will we encounter Swell during the trip?
There are about two days of each trip where we will encounter swell. This is generally in the far NW reaches of Raja Ampat. The swell is still fairly gentle and it is a rare occasion where anyone gets seasick, even those who are quite susceptible to motion sickness.
Will we paddle in any larger swell conditions?
Average ocean temperature is 29C.
Air temperature average is 31C.
What is the average air temperature in Raja Ampat?
What is the average humidity levels?
Will the trip be cloudy or sunny?
What sort of kayak will we be paddling?
We have a fleet of Rainbow kayaks on the Livaboard trip.
The single kayaks are Lazers 5.15 and the double kayaks are Atlantis boats. The boats are plastic, have forward and rear water tight hatches, rudders, and padded seats.
What kind of paddles will be used?
We have two types of paddles depending on your paddling style. We have a low angle touring blade, Werner Skagits and high angle touring blades, the Werner Tyee. Both are fibreglass reinforced nylon blades.
What sort of kayak will we be paddling?
We have a fleet of Rainbow kayaks on the Livaboard trip.
The single kayaks are Lazers 5.15 and the double kayaks are Atlantis boats. The boats are plastic, have forward and rear water tight hatches, rudders, and padded seats.
What kind of kayak sprayskirts will we be using?
Skirts are all nylon with an adjustable waist bungee.
What kind of PFDs will we be using?
What is a typical day like on the trip?
Can you explain the type of paddling outings we will have?
Kayak outings are anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours in duration. With an average total of 5 hours kayaking a day.
What sort of distances will we be paddling?
Distances could be anywhere from 5-10 km per excursion.
How many hours will we paddle each day?
Should I bring a snorkel?
Yes, a snorkel, mask and fins is a must on this trip! The snorkelling is phenomenal and we often see species endemic to this area on outings, as well as thousands of fish, brightly colored coral. It is easy to spend hours snorkelling in this amazing place.
What should I expect in terms of water temperature?
The water temperature is an average of 29C.
Should I bring a stinger suit?
Yes, It is nice to have a stinger suit to protect against possible sea lice or stingers. It is possible to get chilly on the snorkel outings, depending on how long you spend in the water.
What type of snorkel outings will we have?
There are a few snorkel sites with some current, so it is nice to have fins. Most of the snorkelling is done from a beach, but sometimes we take the tender to a site and jump from the tender straight into the water. There is a ladder on the side of the tender to reinter with ease. Sometimes we drift snorkel, but more often we enter and exit from a beach where there is very little current.
Will we visit any traditional villages along the way?
Yes, we will have the opportunity to visit 1 or 2 villages on the trip.
Is there a dress code in the villages?
Yes, women should wear shorts past the knee, pants or a sorong and a conservative t-shirt or long sleeve shirt. Men should wear shorts or pants and a t-shirt in the villages.
Are there opportunities to buy anything in the villages?
Some of the villages make coconut oil, hats or carvings for sale to tourists. Most villages will have a small convenience store where guests can buy treats if they want.
Is there anything I can bring to give to the villages and the people?
School supplies are always welcome in the villages. Pens, pencils and notebooks are welcome if you want to help support the villages.
Are there mosquitos on land?
When we go ashore for breaks from kayaking or for short hikes, mosquitos are always a possibility so mosquito spray and optional long pants and shirt are a good idea.
Where does the boat anchor at night?
The boat anchors in protected harbours on most nights where wind and swell are generally not an issue.
Does the boat move locations at night?
There will be a few nights where the boat will bring up anchor and move to a new site so that we will wake up in a new area. There may be one or two nights where we travel all night long. One or two nights we may move for a few hours, and most nights we are anchored.
Who are the crew on the boat?
There are 15 crew onboard the boat, all from Indonesian and Papuan descent. Some of the crew speak better English than others. The crew are incredibly helpful and love interacting with guests.
Are there mosquitos on the boat?
We will not encounter any mosquitos while living on the boat.
Are there sharks and are they dangerous?
There are sharks in Raja Ampat. The majority of sharks that we will encounter are reef sharks and they are non-aggressive and curious. It would be very uncommon to encounter an aggressive shark in Raja Ampat.
Are there crocodiles?
There are crocodiles in Raja Ampat. Unfortunately for the crocodile species, the local villages and people have hunted most of them out of the area. There are a few sighted every season and these are generally seen in remote mangrove forests or many kilometers up rivers, far from villages and fisherman. As staff in Raja Ampat, we have not seen a single crocodile since we started coming to Raja Ampat in 2010.
Is there malaria in Raja Ampat?
Malaria does exist in the Island of Raja Ampat. The risk is relatively low due to the absence of large numbers of human cariers. There are surprisingly low numbers of mosquito populations. Malaria transmission rates are currently low in Raja Ampat, it is currently recommended to take malarial pills, wear long sleeves and pants when onshore, and use mosquito spray. You need to consult with your doctor about malarial medication for your trip in Raja Ampat.
Are participants required to sign waivers to come on your trips?
Participation in any trip is subject to each participant reading and signing our Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risks and Indemnity Agreement and any additional waivers that are trip specific (the “Waiver(s)”). If the Waiver(s) are not completed, participation in the trip will not be permitted. PLEASE READ THE WAIVER(S) CAREFULLY! By signing, you will waive or give up certain legal rights, including the right to sue for negligence, breach of contract, or breach of any Occupiers Liability Act or claim compensation following an accident.
The Waivers are provided for review and completion at the time of booking. A sample of our Waiver can be reviewed here.
Watch the webinar
Reviews
Meet your guides
Angela Bueckert
ACMG Ski GuideAngela’s enthusiasm for sharing new experiences with her guests is ever-present. She has been guiding water-based expeditions for over 15 years, and she’s guided sea kayaking expeditions in Iceland, Greenland, Palawan, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Antarctica, and more.
Matt Edwards
ACMG Ski GuideFinding out what’s around the corner or at the top of the next mountain has taken Matt to some of the remotest places on the planet. He’s been organizing and guiding custom adventures for guests all over the world, for over a decade.
Our Sustainable Travel Commitment
At Expedition Engineering we are committed to the conservation and sustainability of the environment we enjoy. Our goal is to help you experience all that Raja Ampat has to offer and leave it as you found it—a wondrous and unexpected first-time discovery for the next guest.
We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint
We are committed to benefiting local communities and the ecology in regions where we work
Ready to go beyond the ordinary? Apply to join the Raja Ampat Liveaboard Kayak Experience today, or download the brochure to learn more.
Got a Question?
For any questions about our trips, get in touch with Ang. She’ll help guide you to the right experience.