Epica takes you on a 7-day journey through the Dampier Strait – the heart of the world’s coral reef biodiversity.
Starting and ending our adventure in Waisai we dive approximately 19 of the most spectacular sites Raja Ampat has to offer. On our way through the Dampier Strait we explore the reefs around Kri, Mensuar, Arborek, the Fam Islands and Yanggalo.
The Dampier Strait separates the islands of Waigeo and Batanta and is part of the Indonesian Throughflow, channelling a gigantic volume of water from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean and back. These currents carry with them millions of eggs and larvae that supply the region with both genetic diversity and food. A buffet for sea creatures of all sorts!
Almost 75% of the worlds known hard coral species, 1400 species of reef fish, 17 types of mollusc, 13 marine mammal species and five of the world’s seven sea turtle species can be found in the area.
While this is the description of a typical dive trip, actual trips may vary due to wind and sea conditions, weather or guest’s preference.
We do not guarantee dive sites as we cannot guarantee conditions of that dive site. However, we ensure to meet our guest’s needs as much as it is in our power to do so.

Day 1 (1 dive): OFF TO NEW ADVENTURES

• We meet up in front of the tourist information centre in Waisai at 11am where we will board the Epica. If you would like to be picked up in Sorong (VIP transfer), we meet you between 7.30 and 8.00 in the morning at the Je Meridien Hotel just next to the airport.
• Once on board, we make sure all the necessary paperwork is in order, allocate your cabins, set up dive equipment and brief you on boat and dive safety procedures.
• After lunch we depart to our first dive site in central Raja Ampat. The check dive is usually at Friwen Bonda, a beautiful reef teeming with colourful fish.

Day 2 (4 dives): ENCHANTED JETTIES

Raja Ampat is littered with tiny villages that feature rugged wooden jetties. Among the coral encrusted pylons, you find a dazzling amount of sergeant majors, snappers and sweetlips gently swaying in the clear water.

• We start the day with a drift dive at Sardine or Chicken Reef. Both sites are seamounts with a shallow top that gently slopes down to about 30m. Schools of snappers, fusiliers and surgeonfish provide a snack for pelagic predators such as barracuda, giant trevallies or reef sharks.
• As we slowly move towards Arborek Island we explore the south side of Pulau Mensuar where two spectacular jetty dives wait for us at Yenbuba and Sawandarek village. The latter is also a cleaning station for sea turtles.
• A land visit at Arborek gives you a chance to meander through the picturesque village and watch a fiery sunset on the white sandy beach. We conclude the day with a night dive at Arborek jetty.

Day 3 (3 dives): STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

Whether you climb on top of a hill to admire the stunning view of Piaynemo or plunge into the depths of the underwater realm, it’s not just the destination, but also the journey that changes your perspective of the world.

• For the first dive we visit well known Manta Sandy, a cleaning station for reef mantas.
• While enjoying our big breakfast we cross over to the Piaynemo area where we dive Melissa’s Garden, named after the pioneer Max Ammer’s daughter.
• Batu Rufas – dive site number three – is on the east side of Piaynemo and features a very photogenic submerged arch.
• We conclude our day with a trip to the iconic viewpoint at Piaynemo. 341 steps lead to a platform where we can observe one of nature’s most artistic designs. The spectacular view is composed of turquoise sea framed by jungle where a handful of karst islets jut dramatically out from the calm surface of the lagoon.

Day 4 (3 dives): UNDERWATER EDEN

For day four we stay in the neighbourhood. Fam provides some awesome, fishy dives that simply cannot be missed.

• We start our day at My Reef where we play with massive aggregations of schooling fishes like fusiliers, jacks and snappers. The top of the seamount lies at 12m and is a popular chillout place for the tasselled Wobbegong shark.
• Moving on to Kerou Channel we hope for current! The spectacular drift dive rushes us past a rich, coral covered reef where huge sea fans hold on for dear life feeding on the current. But don’t worry – there are also some sheltered areas where we can search for pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs and other colourful reef critters.
• On the northside of Piaynemo lies Barracuda Point, where we do our last dive of the day before crossing over to Pulau Yanggefo for the night.

Day 5 (4 dives): FISH FRENZY

On our fifth day we swim side by side with massive aggregations of fish gathering around completely submerged reefs. One of our favourite pastimes is watching them hunt.

• A morning dive at Citrus Ridge is a sure way to put a smile on your face. Teeming with fish the reef is coated in yellow and orange soft coral creating a fresh and happy backdrop for large schools of barracudas, playful sharks and hungry tunas.
• We follow up with Mayhem where the name of the dive site says it all.
• Heading back towards Arborek we stop at Lalosi for dive number three.
• For all those who have missed browsing through seagrass and sand looking for small creatures, welcome to our favourite night dive site. The muck dive at Saporkren is full of surprises. From seahorses, to flamboyant cuttlefish, to swimming wobbegongs – a spectacular dive is almost guaranteed.

Day 6 (3 dives): POSEIDON’S BOUNTY

This is the last full day to show off the biodiversity in Raja Ampat. We chose lush, healthy reefs in the Dampier Strait, that foster a large number of species. From pygmy seahorses to mantis shrimp to sharks – chances are we see them all.

• Depending on the tide we start our day at Sardine or Chicken Reef.
• On the eastern tip of Pulau Kri lies the famous Cape Kri, record holder for the most fish species found in one dive.
• Our third and last dive of the day is at Mioskon, also called “Bat Island” because of its residential fruit bat population. At dusk they fly to the bigger islands to snack on fruit and return at dawn to settle in the trees for the day.
• The sunset can be enjoyed on the white sandy beach of Mioskon with a cold beer in your hand. If you’re lucky and weather permits – there will be a beach BBQ later on!

Day 7 (1 dive): GENTLE GIANTS

• The last day starts early. Really. But it’s worth it, trust us. We try to be the first to jump at Blue Magic, a cleaning station for oceanic mantas. The dive site can be a wee bit ‘currenty’. But while you cling to a rock and your jaw is locked tightly around your regs and you leave a horizontal stream of bubbles behind you, hundreds of schooling jacks, grey reef sharks, spanish mackerel and hopefully a few graceful mantas will make it all worthwhile. The last dive will be finished by 10 am at the latest.
• Back on board, we gently prepare you for your departure. This includes a debriefing, delicious food, a group photo and plenty of time to gather your items while pondering how your belongings ever fit in your backpack when you left home.
• After lunch we say our tearful goodbyes and drop you off at the harbour – hoping the goodbye is not forever!

Diving will be finished by 10am or earlier. If you are returning to Sorong the same day, you will
be ready to board the ferry by 2pm. Expected arrival in Sorong is 4pm.

Summary
Epica takes you on a 7-day journey through the Dampier Strait – the heart of the world’s coral reef biodiversity.
Starting and ending our adventure in Waisai we dive approximately 19 of the most spectacular sites Raja Ampat has to offer. On our way through the Dampier Strait we explore the reefs around Kri, Mensuar, Arborek, the Fam Islands and Yanggalo.
The Dampier Strait separates the islands of Waigeo and Batanta and is part of the Indonesian Throughflow, channelling a gigantic volume of water from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean and back. These currents carry with them millions of eggs and larvae that supply the region with both genetic diversity and food. A buffet for sea creatures of all sorts!
Almost 75% of the worlds known hard coral species, 1400 species of reef fish, 17 types of mollusc, 13 marine mammal species and five of the world’s seven sea turtle species can be found in the area.
While this is the description of a typical dive trip, actual trips may vary due to wind and sea conditions, weather or guest’s preference.
We do not guarantee dive sites as we cannot guarantee conditions of that dive site. However, we ensure to meet our guest’s needs as much as it is in our power to do so.

Day 1 (1 dive): OFF TO NEW ADVENTURES

• We meet up in front of the tourist information centre in Waisai at 11am where we will board the Epica. If you would like to be picked up in Sorong (VIP transfer), we meet you between 7.30 and 8.00 in the morning at the Je Meridien Hotel just next to the airport.
• Once on board, we make sure all the necessary paperwork is in order, allocate your cabins, set up dive equipment and brief you on boat and dive safety procedures.
• After lunch we depart to our first dive site in central Raja Ampat. The check dive is usually at Friwen Bonda, a beautiful reef teeming with colourful fish.

Day 2 (4 dives): ENCHANTED JETTIES

Raja Ampat is littered with tiny villages that feature rugged wooden jetties. Among the coral encrusted pylons, you find a dazzling amount of sergeant majors, snappers and sweetlips gently swaying in the clear water.

• We start the day with a drift dive at Sardine or Chicken Reef. Both sites are seamounts with a shallow top that gently slopes down to about 30m. Schools of snappers, fusiliers and surgeonfish provide a snack for pelagic predators such as barracuda, giant trevallies or reef sharks.
• As we slowly move towards Arborek Island we explore the south side of Pulau Mensuar where two spectacular jetty dives wait for us at Yenbuba and Sawandarek village. The latter is also a cleaning station for sea turtles.
• A land visit at Arborek gives you a chance to meander through the picturesque village and watch a fiery sunset on the white sandy beach. We conclude the day with a night dive at Arborek jetty.

Day 3 (3 dives): STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

Whether you climb on top of a hill to admire the stunning view of Piaynemo or plunge into the depths of the underwater realm, it’s not just the destination, but also the journey that changes your perspective of the world.

• For the first dive we visit well known Manta Sandy, a cleaning station for reef mantas.
• While enjoying our big breakfast we cross over to the Piaynemo area where we dive Melissa’s Garden, named after the pioneer Max Ammer’s daughter.
• Batu Rufas – dive site number three – is on the east side of Piaynemo and features a very photogenic submerged arch.
• We conclude our day with a trip to the iconic viewpoint at Piaynemo. 341 steps lead to a platform where we can observe one of nature’s most artistic designs. The spectacular view is composed of turquoise sea framed by jungle where a handful of karst islets jut dramatically out from the calm surface of the lagoon.

Day 4 (3 dives): UNDERWATER EDEN

For day four we stay in the neighbourhood. Fam provides some awesome, fishy dives that simply cannot be missed.

• We start our day at My Reef where we play with massive aggregations of schooling fishes like fusiliers, jacks and snappers. The top of the seamount lies at 12m and is a popular chillout place for the tasselled Wobbegong shark.
• Moving on to Kerou Channel we hope for current! The spectacular drift dive rushes us past a rich, coral covered reef where huge sea fans hold on for dear life feeding on the current. But don’t worry – there are also some sheltered areas where we can search for pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs and other colourful reef critters.
• On the northside of Piaynemo lies Barracuda Point, where we do our last dive of the day before crossing over to Pulau Yanggefo for the night.

Day 5 (4 dives): FISH FRENZY

On our fifth day we swim side by side with massive aggregations of fish gathering around completely submerged reefs. One of our favourite pastimes is watching them hunt.

• A morning dive at Citrus Ridge is a sure way to put a smile on your face. Teeming with fish the reef is coated in yellow and orange soft coral creating a fresh and happy backdrop for large schools of barracudas, playful sharks and hungry tunas.
• We follow up with Mayhem where the name of the dive site says it all.
• Heading back towards Arborek we stop at Lalosi for dive number three.
• For all those who have missed browsing through seagrass and sand looking for small creatures, welcome to our favourite night dive site. The muck dive at Saporkren is full of surprises. From seahorses, to flamboyant cuttlefish, to swimming wobbegongs – a spectacular dive is almost guaranteed.

Day 6 (3 dives): POSEIDON’S BOUNTY

This is the last full day to show off the biodiversity in Raja Ampat. We chose lush, healthy reefs in the Dampier Strait, that foster a large number of species. From pygmy seahorses to mantis shrimp to sharks – chances are we see them all.

• Depending on the tide we start our day at Sardine or Chicken Reef.
• On the eastern tip of Pulau Kri lies the famous Cape Kri, record holder for the most fish
  species found in one dive.
• Our third and last dive of the day is at Mioskon, also called “Bat Island” because of its
  residential fruit bat population. At dusk they fly to the bigger islands to snack on fruit and
  return at dawn to settle in the trees for the day.
• The sunset can be enjoyed on the white sandy beach of Mioskon with a cold beer in your hand. If you’re lucky and weather permits – there will be a beach BBQ later on!

Day 7 (1 dive): GENTLE GIANTS

• The last day starts early. Really. But it’s worth it, trust us. We try to be the first to jump at Blue Magic, a cleaning station for oceanic mantas. The dive site can be a wee bit ‘currenty’. But while you cling to a rock and your jaw is locked tightly around your regs and you leave a horizontal stream of bubbles behind you, hundreds of schooling jacks, grey reef sharks, spanish mackerel and hopefully a few graceful mantas will make it all worthwhile. The last dive will be finished by 10 am at the latest.
• Back on board, we gently prepare you for your departure. This includes a debriefing, delicious food, a group photo and plenty of time to gather your items while pondering how your belongings ever fit in your backpack when you left home.
• After lunch we say our tearful goodbyes and drop you off at the harbour – hoping the goodbye is not forever!

Diving will be finished by 10am or earlier. If you are returning to Sorong the same day, you will
be ready to board the ferry by 2pm. Expected arrival in Sorong is 4pm.

The name Raja Ampat translates to Four Kings and originates in local mythology where four kings hatched from dragon eggs and went on to rule the four main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo.
Epica takes you on a 10-day journey through the Dampier Strait – the heart of the world’s coral reef biodiversity.
Navigating the waters of the Four Kings we take you to 27 dive sites and 4 land excursions. 3 night dives – one in each area we visit – give us a chance to observe the nocturnal marine life. In Batanta we trek to a spectacular waterfall and in central Raja Ampat we take the 341 steps to be wowed by the breath-taking view of the Bintang Lagoon at Piaynemo.
Starting in the Dampier Strait we introduce you to the variations of dive site topographies and how the current affects them. We then move further south to Batanta for some muck diving where you get to admire colourful critters like blue ringed octopus or flamboyant cuttlefish.
Moving slowly north we dive around the Fam Islands, Aljui Bay and Kawe with famous sites such as Eagle Rock, the Pearl Farm and Melissa’s Garden.
On our way back south, we get some action at Yanggefo. At Citrus Ridge and Mayhem, visibility is often limited by the number of fish in your field of vision. Back in the centre of the Dampier Strait we explore the reefs around Kri and Mansuar.
Raja Ampat lies in the middle of the Indonesian Throughflow, channelling a gigantic volume of water from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean and back. These currents carry with them millions of eggs and larvae that supply the region with both genetic diversity and food. A buffet for sea creatures of all sorts!
Almost 75% of the worlds known hard coral species, 1400 species of reef fish, 17 types of mollusc, 13 marine mammal species and five of the world’s seven sea turtle species can be found in the area.
While this is the description of a typical dive trip, actual trips may vary due to wind and sea conditions, weather or guest’s preference.
We do not guarantee dive sites as we cannot guarantee conditions of that dive site. However, we ensure to meet our guest’s needs as much as it is in our power to do so.

Day 1 (1 dive): OFF TO NEW ADVENTURES

• We meet up in front of the tourist information centre in Waisai at 11am where we will board the Epica. If you would like to be picked up in Sorong (VIP transfer), we meet you between 7.30 and 8.00 in the morning at the Je Meridien Hotel just next to the airport.
• Once on board, we make sure all the necessary paperwork is in order, allocate your cabins, set up dive equipment and brief you on boat and dive safety procedures.
• After lunch we depart to our first dive site in central Raja Ampat. The check dive is usually at Friwen Bonda, a beautiful reef teeming with colourful fish.

Day 2 (3 dives (incl. sunset dive) & land visit): SOUTHERN FRONTIER

Batanta, one of the four kings and southern border of the Dampier Strait is a lush jungle paradise. Surrounded by mangroves and black sandy bottoms crawling with macro life, this makes for fantastic muck diving.

• We start the day with a drift dive at Sardine or Chicken Reef. Both sites are seamounts with a shallow top that gently slopes down to about 30m. Schools of snappers, fusiliers and surgeonfish provide a snack for pelagic predators such as barracuda, giant trevallies or reef sharks.
• On the way to Batanta we have something special in store. On the southern side of Pulau Wai is the last resting place of a U.S. Air Force P47. This Fighter Aircraft from WW2 is overgrown with beautiful coral and a joy to dive.
• After lunch we go on a little hike to admire a stunning waterfall embedded in the lush jungle near Arefi Village.
• Now that we have dispensed of our energy, we are ready for some calm muck diving! On the southwestern side of Batanta are several bays and inlets crawling with alien critters like blue ringed and mimic octopus, ornate ghost pipe fish and flamboyant cuttlefish. We like to do a day dive and a sunset dive in this area to give all creatures an equal chance to show off. Some of our favourite sites are Black Beauty and Happy Ending.

Day 3 (4 dives (incl. night dive)): GARDEN OF EDEN

Gentle slopes and endless fields of soft coral accompany us on our way north. Play with blue spotted stingrays and stick your head through glassfish clouds in search of resting wobbegongs.

• Today’s wakeup call is a gentle one. We dip in to get a last glimpse at all the odd, colourful bottom dwellers and blow them a kiss goodbye.
• Moving to the northern side of Batanta, Palau Dayang features several possible dive sites. A colourful array of soft corals is waiting to be explored, step-towns and overhangs hiding the charismatic tasselled wobbegong shark.
• On our way north to Piaynemo we visit Karang bata for some gentle slopes littered with coral bommies.
• Before dinner we whet our appetite with a night dive at Piaynemo.

Day 4 (3 dives & Piaynemo viewpoint): STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

Whether you climb on top of a hill to admire the stunning view of Piaynemo or plunge into the depths of the underwater realm, it’s not just the destination, but also the journey that changes your perspective of the world.

• We start our day at My Reef where we play with massive aggregations of schooling fishes like fusiliers, jacks and snappers. The top of the seamount lies at 12m and is a popular chillout place for the tasselled Wobbegong shark.
• Next on the agenda is Melissa’s Garden, a famous dive site named after the pioneer Max Ammer’s daughter.
• Batu Rufas – dive site number three – is on the east side of Piaynemo and features a very photogenic submerged arch.
• We conclude our day with a trip to the iconic viewpoint at Piaynemo. 341 steps lead to a platform where we can observe one of nature’s most artistic designs. The spectacular view is composed of turquoise sea framed by jungle where a handful of karst islets jut dramatically out from the calm surface of the lagoon.

Day 5 (3 dives): SENSORY OVERLOAD

This day has it all. Currents, walls, big fish, small fish, odd fish.

• On the northside of Piaynemo lies Barracuda Point, where we stop for our first dive of the day. After a delicious breakfast we start our 3h crossing north to Aljui Bay.
• Chanel No. 5 is as lovely as its namesake, the perfume. A stunning wall with undercuts and ledges mimicking large soft coral covered steps descending into the deep.
• We conclude our day at Eagle Rock just south of Pulau Kawe where we will spend the night. It is home to a manta cleaning station, where the graceful giants have their parasites removed by eager butterflyfish and moon wrasses. But this site doesn’t need to rely on mantas, it also supports some amazing macro life like winged pipefish, several species of dragonets and countless rare nudis.

Day 6 (3 dives): PELAGIC MAGIC

Offshore pinnacles surrounded by the current are a magnet for pelagic predators. Day six is all about observing big fish at Pulau Kawe.

• The opening dive of the day is Black Rock featuring schools of butterflyfish, angel fish, batfish and barracudas.
• And because Eagle Rock consists of more than one dive site, we’ll go take our chances again to find mantas.
• Moving back to Aljui Bay, we conclude our day with a sunset dive under the Pearl Farm Pier.

Day 7 (3 dives & Arborek visit): FISH FRENZY

On our seventh day we swim side by side with massive aggregations of fish gathering around completely submerged reefs. One of our favourite pastimes is watching them hunt.

• A morning dive at Citrus Ridge is a sure way to put a smile on your face. Teeming with fish the reef is coated in yellow and orange soft coral creating a fresh and happy backdrop for large schools of barracudas, playful sharks and hungry tunas.
• We follow up with Mayhem where the name of the dive site says it all.
• Heading towards Arborek we stop at Lalosi for dive number three.
• A land visit at Arborek gives you a chance to meander through the picturesque village and watch a fiery sunset on the white sandy beach.

Day 8 (3 dives & Beach BBQ): POSEIDON’S BOUNTY

This day is spent in search of the local manta population. Although they can make an appearance anywhere in the park, some dive sites have a higher probability of encountering them than others.

• For the first dive we visit well known Manta Sandy, a cleaning station for reef mantas.
• Close by we stop for an adrenaline rush. Manta Ridge is prone to very strong currents, but it is also a cleaning station for reef mantas where you have another chance to swim eye-to-eye with one of the majestic giants.
• Depending on the tide we follow up with Sardine or Chicken Reef.
• The sunset can be enjoyed on the white sandy beach of Mioskon with a cold beer in your hand. If weather permits – there will be a beach BBQ later on!

Day 9 (4 dives (incl. night dive)): ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Plunge down the rabbit hole with us! On your last full day of diving we would like to take you on a tour through the magical wonderland that is the Dampier Strait. From enchanted jetties to dramatic walls and world record holding reefs – we make sure you go out on a high.

• Mistaking Mike’s Point for a camouflaged Japanese ship, this island was repeatedly bombed by the US air forces during WWII, creating a spectacular topography.
• Raja Ampat is littered with tiny villages like Yenbuba, that feature rugged wooden jetties. Among the coral encrusted pylons, you find a dazzling amount of sergeant majors, snappers and sweetlips gently swaying in the clear water.
• On the eastern tip of Pulau Kri lies the famous Cape Kri, record holder for the most fish species found in one dive.
• We will one last time spend our evening browsing through seagrass and sand looking for small creatures. The muck dive at Saporkren is full of surprises. From seahorses, to flamboyant cuttlefish, to swimming wobbegongs – a spectacular dive is almost guaranteed.

Day 10 (1 dive): GENTLE GIANTS

• The last day starts early. Really. But it’s worth it, trust us. We try to be the first to jump at Blue Magic, a cleaning station for oceanic mantas. The dive site can be a wee bit ‘currenty’. But while you cling to a rock and your jaw is locked tightly around your regs and you leave a horizontal stream of bubbles behind you, hundreds of schooling jacks, grey reef sharks, spanish mackerel and hopefully a few graceful mantas will make it all worthwhile.
• Back on board, we gently prepare you for your departure. This includes a debriefing, delicious food, a group photo and plenty of time to gather your items while pondering how your belongings ever fit in your backpack when you left home.
• After lunch we say our tearful goodbyes and drop you off at the harbour – hoping the goodbye is not forever!

Diving will be finished by 10am or earlier. If you are returning to Sorong the same day, you will be ready to board the ferry by 2pm. Expected arrival in Sorong is 4pm.

Epica takes you on a 10-day journey through the Dampier Strait and the Southern part of Raja Ampat – the heart of the world’s coral reef biodiversity.
With a total of 27 dives and 5 land excursions we show you the best Raja Ampat has to offer. 3 night dives – one in each area we visit – give us a chance to observe the nocturnal marine life. In Batanta we trek to a spectacular waterfall, in Misool you get to swim in one of the world’s few Jellyfish lakes and in central Raja Ampat we take the 341 steps to admire the breath-taking view of the Bintang Lagoon at Piaynemo.
Starting in the Dampier Strait we introduce you to the variations of dive site topographies and how the current affects them. We then move further south to Batanta for some muck diving where you get to admire colourful critters like blue ringed octopus or flamboyant cuttlefish.
After an overnight crossing south, we spend 3 days diving around the scattering of islands south-east of Misool. Dive sites we visit include Shadow Reef (Magic Mountain), Boo Windows and Four Kings.
Back north we dive around Piaynemo, where Melissa’s Garden an My Reef will take your breath away. Finally, back on our way through the Dampier Strait we explore the reefs around Kri, Mensuar, Arborek and Gam.
Raja Ampat lies in the middle of the Indonesian Throughflow, channelling a gigantic volume of water from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean and back. These currents carry with them millions of eggs and larvae that supply the region with both genetic diversity and food. A buffet for sea creatures of all sorts!
Almost 75% of the worlds known hard coral species, 1400 species of reef fish, 17 types of mollusc, 13 marine mammal species and five of the world’s seven sea turtle species can be found in the area.
While this is the description of a typical dive trip, actual trips may vary due to wind and sea conditions, weather or guest’s preference. We do not guarantee dive sites as we cannot guarantee conditions of that dive site. However, we ensure to meet our guest’s needs as much as it is in our power to do so.

Day 1 (1 dive): OFF TO NEW ADVENTURES

• We meet up in front of the tourist information centre in Waisai at 11am where we will board the Epica. If you would like to be picked up in Sorong (VIP transfer), we meet you between 7.30 and 8.00 in the morning at the Je Meridien Hotel just next to the airport.
• Once on board, we make sure all the necessary paperwork is in order, allocate your cabins, set up dive equipment and brief you on boat and dive safety procedures.
• After lunch we depart to our first dive site in central Raja Ampat. The check dive is usually at Friwen Bonda, a beautiful reef teeming with colourful fish.

Day 2 (3 dives): MAIDEN CONQUEST

• We start the day with a drift dive at Sardine or Chicken Reef. Both sites are seamounts with a shallow top that gently slopes down to about 30m. Schools of snappers, fusiliers and surgeonfish provide a snack for pelagic predators such as barracuda, giant trevallies or reef sharks.
• A little bit further west in the Dampier Strait on the eastern tip of Pulau Mensuar lies Yenbuba, a local village with a rugged jetty that provides shelter for schools of sergeant majors, snappers and sweetlips.
• Our third and last dive of the day is at Mioskon, also called “Bat Island” because of its residential fruit bat population. At dusk they fly to the bigger islands to snack on fruit and return at dusk to settle in the trees for the day.
• After our last dive we head south to Batanta.

Day 3 (3 dives (incl. sunset dive) & waterfall visit): NYMPH’S TALE

Batanta, one of the four kings and southern border of the Dampier Strait, is a lush jungle paradise. An enchanted path leads up to a dramatic waterfall where we stop for a dip in fresh, clear water.

• For the first dive of the day we have something special in store. On the southern side of Pulau Wai is the last resting place of a U.S. Air Force P47. This Fighter Aircraft from WW2 is overgrown with beautiful coral and a joy to dive.
• After a big breakfast we go on a little hike to admire a stunning waterfall embedded in the lush jungle near Arefi Village.
• Now that we have dispensed of our energy, we are ready for some calm muck diving! On the southwestern side of Batanta are several bays and inlets crawling with alien critters like blue ringed and mimic octopus, ornate ghost pipe fish and flamboyant cuttlefish. We like to do a day dive and a sunset dive in this area to give all creatures an equal chance to show off. Some of our favourite sites are Black Beauty and Happy Ending.
• After our last dive we start our 12-15h crossing south to Misool.

Day 4 (3 dives & jellyfish lake visit): ARIEL’S PLAYGROUND

Our first day in Misool we spend in the Goa Farondi region. Unusual topography, clouds of fish and enchanted coral gardens give you a warm welcome to the south. Also – what little mermaid wouldn’t want to play with (non-stinging) jelly fish!

• The opening dive will most likely be at Farondi Cave for some light cavern diving where we navigate through a few swim throughs in search of the local bumphead parrotfish population.
• As a second dive we love the spectacular Three Rocks, a collection of submerged pinnacles busy with barracuda and trevallies.
• If weather permits, a truly unique island visit waits for you. Close by lies the Lenmakana lake, home to a multitude of stingless jellyfish. And guess what – you get to swim with them!
• We end the day with a dive at No Contest – if there is enough daylight left. If time has gotten away from us, we jump at one of the surrounding sites for a night dive, like Love Potion or Number 9.

Day 5 (4 dives (incl. night dive)): SUNKEN CORNUCOPIA

On our second day in Misool we explore the Fiabacet chain. Conditions and logistics with Misool Eco Resort will decide which of the sites are dived and in which order. We hope you are well rested, because this is going to be a spectacular day.

• Good morning! This is the dive site you all came here for. Shadow Reef, also called Magic Mountain is one of the signature sites of southern Raja Ampat. This offshore pinnacle with a long ridge boasts everything you could possibly wish for.
• Coral encrusted reef teeming with butterfly fish and yellow snappers, persistently hunted by giant trevallies and reef sharks. Massive schools of fusiliers and bannerfish make it hard to spot the passing napoleon wrasses and barracudas. But what we really hope to see here are the gentle giants – the site is a cleaning station for reef and oceanic mantas.
• Another signature dive site is Boo Window. The reef features picturesque, window like swim-throughs, ideal for some wide-angle photos and a magnificent reef draped in soft corals.
• West of Pulau Boo a rock protrudes out of the water that looks like a nudibranch from a distance, hence the name Nudi Rock. The dive site delivers what was promised, lurking among the soft corals we usually find an abundance of nudis.
• For the night we retire to Yilliet. But before we go to bed, we take a peek at the underwater action at Yilliet Kecil.

Day 6 (3 dives): A REGAL AFFAIR

For our third and last day in Misool we venture further west to Pulau Wayilbatan.

• We start the day at Four Kings, a dive site that is made up of four underwater pinnacles. Enjoy a kaleidoscope of colours, abundant fish live and coral munching turtles diving from one rock to the next.
• Up next is Barracuda Rock with large schools of predatory pelagic species.
• We’ll do our final dive in Misool at Wedding Cake, home to part of Misool’s pygmy seahorse community.
• Exhausted from the sensory overload we can now rest for a while. The Epica starts her 15-18h journey back to central Raja Ampat, where new adventures await.

Day 7 (3 dives & Piaynemo viewpoint): STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

Whether you climb on top of a hill to admire the stunning view of Piaynemo or plunge into the depths of the underwater realm, it’s not just the destination, but also the journey that changes your perspective of the world.

• Early in the morning we dive Melissa’s Garden, named after the pioneer Max Ammer’s daughter.
• Moving on to Kerou Channel we hope for current! The spectacular drift dive rushes us past a rich, coral covered reef where huge sea fans hold on for dear life feeding on the current. But don’t worry – there are also some sheltered areas where we can search for pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs and other colourful reef critters.
• Batu Rufas – dive site number three – is on the east side of Piaynemo and features a very photogenic submerged arch.
• We conclude our day with a trip to the iconic viewpoint at Piaynemo. 341 steps lead to a platform where we can observe one of nature’s most artistic designs. The spectacular view is composed of turquoise sea framed by jungle where a handful of karst islets jut dramatically out from the calm surface of the lagoon.

Day 8 (3 dives (incl. night dive) & land visit): FISH FRENZY

On our eighth day we swim side by side with massive aggregations of fish gathering around completely submerged reefs. One of our favourite pastimes is watching them hunt.

• We start our day at My Reef where we play with massive aggregations of schooling fishes like fusiliers, jacks and snappers. The top of the seamount lies at 12m and is a popular chillout place for the tasselled Wobbegong shark.
• Heading east, deeper into the Dampier Strait, we follow up with Mayhem where the name of the dive site says it all.
• A land visit at Arborek gives you a chance to meander through the picturesque village and watch a fiery sunset on the white sandy beach. We conclude the day with a night dive at Arborek jetty.

Day 9 (3 dives & beach BBQ): POSEIDON’S BOUNTY

This is the last full day to show off the biodiversity in Raja Ampat. We chose lush, healthy reefs in the Dampier Strait, that foster a large number of species. From pygmy seahorses to mantis shrimp to sharks and Mantas – chances are we see them all.

• A morning dive at Citrus Ridge is a sure way to put a smile on your face. Teeming with fish the reef is coated in yellow and orange soft coral creating a fresh and happy backdrop for large schools of barracudas, playful sharks and hungry tunas.
• Heading further east we stop for an adrenaline rush. Manta Ridge is prone to very strong currents, but it is also a cleaning station for reef mantas where you have a chance to swim eye-to-eye with one of the majestic giants.
• On the eastern tip of Pulau Kri lies the famous Cape Kri, record holder for the most fish species found in one dive.
• The sunset can be enjoyed on the white sandy beach of Mioskon with a cold beer in your hand. If you’re lucky and weather permits – there will be a beach BBQ later on!

Day 10 (1 dive): GENTLE GIANTS

• The last day starts early. Really. But it’s worth it, trust us. We try to be the first to jump at Blue Magic, a cleaning station for oceanic mantas. The dive site can be a wee bit currenty. But while you cling to a rock and your jaw is locked tightly around your regs while you leave a horizontal stream of bubbles behind you, hundreds of schooling jacks, grey reef sharks, spanish mackerel and hopefully a few graceful mantas will make you forget all about it.
• Back on board, we gently prepare you for your departure. This includes a debriefing, delicious food, a group photo and plenty of time to gather your items while pondering how your belongings ever fit in your backpack when you left home.
• If time permits, we visit Mioskon Island again so you can get a last glance at paradise.
• After lunch we say our tearful goodbyes and drop you off at the harbour – hoping the goodbye is not forever!

Diving will be finished by 10am or earlier. If you are returning to Sorong the same day, you will be ready to board the ferry by 2pm. Expected arrival in Sorong is 4pm.

Epica takes you on a 10-day journey through the Dampier Strait and the Southern part of Raja Ampat – the heart of the world’s coral reef biodiversity.
With a total of 27 dives and 5 land excursions we show you the best Raja Ampat has to offer. 3 night dives – one in each area we visit – give us a chance to observe the nocturnal marine life. In Batanta we trek to a spectacular waterfall, in Misool you get to swim in one of the world’s few Jellyfish lakes and in central Raja Ampat we take the 341 steps to admire the breath-taking view of the Bintang Lagoon at Piaynemo.
Starting in the Dampier Strait we introduce you to the variations of dive site topographies and how the current affects them. We then move further south to Batanta for some muck diving where you get to admire colourful critters like blue ringed octopus or flamboyant cuttlefish.
After an overnight crossing south, we spend 3 days diving around the scattering of islands south-east of Misool. Dive sites we visit include Shadow Reef (Magic Mountain), Boo Windows and Four Kings.
Back north we dive around Piaynemo, where Melissa’s Garden an My Reef will take your breath away. Finally, back on our way through the Dampier Strait we explore the reefs around Kri, Mensuar, Arborek and Gam.
Raja Ampat lies in the middle of the Indonesian Throughflow, channelling a gigantic volume of water from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean and back. These currents carry with them millions of eggs and larvae that supply the region with both genetic diversity and food. A buffet for sea creatures of all sorts!
Almost 75% of the worlds known hard coral species, 1400 species of reef fish, 17 types of mollusc, 13 marine mammal species and five of the world’s seven sea turtle species can be found in the area.
While this is the description of a typical dive trip, actual trips may vary due to wind and sea conditions, weather or guest’s preference. We do not guarantee dive sites as we cannot guarantee conditions of that dive site. However, we ensure to meet our guest’s needs as much as it is in our power to do so.

Day 1 (1 dive): OFF TO NEW ADVENTURES

• We meet up in front of the tourist information centre in Waisai at 11am where we will board the Epica. If you would like to be picked up in Sorong (VIP transfer), we meet you between 7.30 and 8.00 in the morning at the Je Meridien Hotel just next to the airport.
• Once on board, we make sure all the necessary paperwork is in order, allocate your cabins, set up dive equipment and brief you on boat and dive safety procedures.
• After lunch we depart to our first dive site in central Raja Ampat. The check dive is usually at Friwen Bonda, a beautiful reef teeming with colourful fish.

Day 2 (3 dives): MAIDEN CONQUEST

• We start the day with a drift dive at Sardine or Chicken Reef. Both sites are seamounts with a shallow top that gently slopes down to about 30m. Schools of snappers, fusiliers and surgeonfish provide a snack for pelagic predators such as barracuda, giant trevallies or reef sharks.
• A little bit further west in the Dampier Strait on the eastern tip of Pulau Mensuar lies Yenbuba, a local village with a rugged jetty that provides shelter for schools of sergeant majors, snappers and sweetlips.
• Our third and last dive of the day is at Mioskon, also called “Bat Island” because of its residential fruit bat population. At dusk they fly to the bigger islands to snack on fruit and return at dusk to settle in the trees for the day.
• After our last dive we head south to Batanta.

Day 3 (3 dives (incl. sunset dive) & waterfall visit): NYMPH’S TALE

Batanta, one of the four kings and southern border of the Dampier Strait, is a lush jungle paradise. An enchanted path leads up to a dramatic waterfall where we stop for a dip in fresh, clear water.

• For the first dive of the day we have something special in store. On the southern side of Pulau Wai is the last resting place of a U.S. Air Force P47. This Fighter Aircraft from WW2 is overgrown with beautiful coral and a joy to dive.
• After a big breakfast we go on a little hike to admire a stunning waterfall embedded in the lush jungle near Arefi Village.
• Now that we have dispensed of our energy, we are ready for some calm muck diving! On the southwestern side of Batanta are several bays and inlets crawling with alien critters like blue ringed and mimic octopus, ornate ghost pipe fish and flamboyant cuttlefish. We like to do a day dive and a sunset dive in this area to give all creatures an equal chance to show off. Some of our favourite sites are Black Beauty and Happy Ending.
• After our last dive we start our 12-15h crossing south to Misool.

Day 4 (3 dives & jellyfish lake visit): ARIEL’S PLAYGROUND

Our first day in Misool we spend in the Goa Farondi region. Unusual topography, clouds of fish and enchanted coral gardens give you a warm welcome to the south. Also – what little mermaid wouldn’t want to play with (non-stinging) jelly fish!

• The opening dive will most likely be at Farondi Cave for some light cavern diving where we navigate through a few swim throughs in search of the local bumphead parrotfish population.
• As a second dive we love the spectacular Three Rocks, a collection of submerged pinnacles busy with barracuda and trevallies.
• If weather permits, a truly unique island visit waits for you. Close by lies the Lenmakana lake, home to a multitude of stingless jellyfish. And guess what – you get to swim with them!
• We end the day with a dive at No Contest – if there is enough daylight left. If time has gotten away from us, we jump at one of the surrounding sites for a night dive, like Love Potion or Number 9.

Day 5 (4 dives (incl. night dive)): SUNKEN CORNUCOPIA

On our second day in Misool we explore the Fiabacet chain. Conditions and logistics with Misool Eco Resort will decide which of the sites are dived and in which order. We hope you are well rested, because this is going to be a spectacular day.

• Good morning! This is the dive site you all came here for. Shadow Reef, also called Magic Mountain is one of the signature sites of southern Raja Ampat. This offshore pinnacle with a long ridge boasts everything you could possibly wish for.
• Coral encrusted reef teeming with butterfly fish and yellow snappers, persistently hunted by giant trevallies and reef sharks. Massive schools of fusiliers and bannerfish make it hard to spot the passing napoleon wrasses and barracudas. But what we really hope to see here are the gentle giants – the site is a cleaning station for reef and oceanic mantas.
• Another signature dive site is Boo Window. The reef features picturesque, window like swim-throughs, ideal for some wide-angle photos and a magnificent reef draped in soft corals.
• West of Pulau Boo a rock protrudes out of the water that looks like a nudibranch from a distance, hence the name Nudi Rock. The dive site delivers what was promised, lurking among the soft corals we usually find an abundance of nudis.
• For the night we retire to Yilliet. But before we go to bed, we take a peek at the underwater action at Yilliet Kecil.

Day 6 (3 dives): A REGAL AFFAIR

For our third and last day in Misool we venture further west to Pulau Wayilbatan.

• We start the day at Four Kings, a dive site that is made up of four underwater pinnacles. Enjoy a kaleidoscope of colours, abundant fish live and coral munching turtles diving from one rock to the next.
• Up next is Barracuda Rock with large schools of predatory pelagic species.
• We’ll do our final dive in Misool at Wedding Cake, home to part of Misool’s pygmy seahorse community.
• Exhausted from the sensory overload we can now rest for a while. The Epica starts her 15-18h journey back to central Raja Ampat, where new adventures await.

Day 7 (3 dives & Piaynemo viewpoint): STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

Whether you climb on top of a hill to admire the stunning view of Piaynemo or plunge into the depths of the underwater realm, it’s not just the destination, but also the journey that changes your perspective of the world.

• Early in the morning we dive Melissa’s Garden, named after the pioneer Max Ammer’s daughter.
• Moving on to Kerou Channel we hope for current! The spectacular drift dive rushes us past a rich, coral covered reef where huge sea fans hold on for dear life feeding on the current. But don’t worry – there are also some sheltered areas where we can search for pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs and other colourful reef critters.
• Batu Rufas – dive site number three – is on the east side of Piaynemo and features a very photogenic submerged arch.
• We conclude our day with a trip to the iconic viewpoint at Piaynemo. 341 steps lead to a platform where we can observe one of nature’s most artistic designs. The spectacular view is composed of turquoise sea framed by jungle where a handful of karst islets jut dramatically out from the calm surface of the lagoon.

Day 8 (3 dives (incl. night dive) & land visit): FISH FRENZY

On our eighth day we swim side by side with massive aggregations of fish gathering around completely submerged reefs. One of our favourite pastimes is watching them hunt.

• We start our day at My Reef where we play with massive aggregations of schooling fishes like fusiliers, jacks and snappers. The top of the seamount lies at 12m and is a popular chillout place for the tasselled Wobbegong shark.
• Heading east, deeper into the Dampier Strait, we follow up with Mayhem where the name of the dive site says it all.
• A land visit at Arborek gives you a chance to meander through the picturesque village and watch a fiery sunset on the white sandy beach. We conclude the day with a night dive at Arborek jetty.

Day 9 (3 dives & beach BBQ): POSEIDON’S BOUNTY

This is the last full day to show off the biodiversity in Raja Ampat. We chose lush, healthy reefs in the Dampier Strait, that foster a large number of species. From pygmy seahorses to mantis shrimp to sharks and Mantas – chances are we see them all.

• A morning dive at Citrus Ridge is a sure way to put a smile on your face. Teeming with fish the reef is coated in yellow and orange soft coral creating a fresh and happy backdrop for large schools of barracudas, playful sharks and hungry tunas.
• Heading further east we stop for an adrenaline rush. Manta Ridge is prone to very strong currents, but it is also a cleaning station for reef mantas where you have a chance to swim eye-to-eye with one of the majestic giants.
• On the eastern tip of Pulau Kri lies the famous Cape Kri, record holder for the most fish species found in one dive.
• The sunset can be enjoyed on the white sandy beach of Mioskon with a cold beer in your hand. If you’re lucky and weather permits – there will be a beach BBQ later on!

Day 10 (1 dive): GENTLE GIANTS

• The last day starts early. Really. But it’s worth it, trust us. We try to be the first to jump at Blue Magic, a cleaning station for oceanic mantas. The dive site can be a wee bit currenty. But while you cling to a rock and your jaw is locked tightly around your regs while you leave a horizontal stream of bubbles behind you, hundreds of schooling jacks, grey reef sharks, spanish mackerel and hopefully a few graceful mantas will make you forget all about it.
• Back on board, we gently prepare you for your departure. This includes a debriefing, delicious food, a group photo and plenty of time to gather your items while pondering how your belongings ever fit in your backpack when you left home.
• If time permits, we visit Mioskon Island again so you can get a last glance at paradise.
• After lunch we say our tearful goodbyes and drop you off at the harbour – hoping the goodbye is not forever!

Diving will be finished by 10am or earlier. If you are returning to Sorong the same day, you will be ready to board the ferry by 2pm. Expected arrival in Sorong is 4pm.