Following the success of its North Raja Ampat itineraries, Aqua Expeditions is launching seven-night voyages to Misool in South Raja Ampat aboard Aqua Blu. The first long-range ocean explorer yacht to be permanently based in East Indonesia, Aqua Blu offers access to some of the country’s wildest, most remote corners, delivered with regional expertise and the highest standards of luxury, design, and cuisine.
Embarking for the first time in December 2026, with rates starting at US$11,200 per person, based on double occupancy. The new South Raja Ampat itinerary adds to Aqua Blu’s other expeditions in the region, such as the popular seven-night North Raja Ampat voyage. And if you want to experience it all, there are two distinct 14-night itineraries that combine North and South.
Venturing into the lesser-explored reaches of the 300,000-acre Misool Marine Reserve aboard Aqua Blu, guests will journey to legendary dive sites like Fibiacet, explore the wildlife-rich forests of Kapatcol (a haven for birders), snorkel through the fantastical Blue Water Mangroves, and enjoy a curated program of guided excursions led by expert naturalists, including hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, tender rides, and diving.
The South Raja Ampat expedition begins and ends in Sorong, the gateway to the region. From there, Aqua Blu heads to the One Thousand Temples karst island complex, a maze of limestone spires and turquoise lagoons, where guests can kayak into the cathedral-like Tomolol Cave, explore jellyfish lakes, and glimpse petroglyph-covered sea caves.
The voyage continues at Daram Island, diving amid vibrant coral gardens teeming with marine life. One of the standout sites, Candy Store, lives up to its name with a kaleidoscope of soft corals in electric shades of pink, purple, and orange. Also within the Misool Marine Reserve is the little-known island of Sabuda, where calm, glassy waters reveal schooling reef fish and, if you’re lucky, a gliding manta ray or two.
Day five includes a kayak through the narrow, limestone-lined channel of Neptune’s Sea Fan and an afternoon dive at Fibiacet, one of Indonesia’s most biodiverse underwater sites. On day six, guests venture inland to Kapatcol for birdwatching in forests home to Lesser and King birds of paradise, then continue to the Blue Water Mangroves and Crocodile River in search of basking saltwater crocodiles. The final full day is spent exploring Boo Island, known for its glassy lagoons, karst cliffs, and famed dive sites and the island of Kofiau, boasting exceptional marine diversity, including orcas.
With just 15 individually designed suites and an exclusive 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, the Aqua Blu combines expedition capabilities with elegant design and innovative cuisine curated by chef Benjamin Cross, drawing inspiration from Indonesia’s fabled spice trade route.
