Aqua Expeditions is expanding its Indonesian offerings with the launch of its first-ever voyages to South Raja Ampat aboard the luxury yacht Aqua Blu.
The cruise operator’s decision to expand its footprint in the archipelago follows the success of its North Raja Ampat voyages, and will give guests greater access to some of Indonesia’s “wildest, most remote corners”.
A new seven-night itinerary will set sail through South Raja Ampat for the first time in on 19 December 2026 and then will operate on a weekly basis through to early 2027. Aqua Expeditions will also offer two distinct 14-night itineraries during the season that combine the best of both North and South Raja Ampat.
Beginning and ending in Sorong, the voyage will take travellers to the One Thousand Temples karst complex, Sabuda Island and the 300,000-acre Misool Marine Reserve, including iconic dive sites like Fibiacet and the coral-rich Candy Store.
Along the way, travellers will encounter vibrant coral gardens, manta rays, reef sharks, saltwater crocodiles, pygmy seahorses and critically endangered hawksbill turtles.
Additional highlights include kayaking through Neptune’s Sea Fan, snorkelling in the fantastical Blue Water Mangroves and inland birdwatching in Kapatcol’s lush forests – home to Lesser and King birds of paradise.
Aqua Blu is the first long-range ocean explorer yacht to be permanently based in East Indonesia, offering just 15 individually designed suites and a rare 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio. The yacht features refined social spaces and cuisine curated by chef Benjamin Cross, drawing inspiration from Indonesia’s fabled spice trade route.
Rates begin at US$11,200 per person based on double occupancy.
