RAJA AMPAT - INDONESIA

Upon arrival at Sorong Airport, our SwimTrek representative will meet you at arrivals. From here, there is a short transfer ride to our liveaboard vessel, the SMY Ondina, a classic Phinisi style vessel, built with tropical woods following traditional techniques. Once you have had a chance to relax, your SwimTrek guides and ship’s captain will host a welcome drink and briefing on the ship’s aft deck where we will cover the plan for the week in more detail.

We weigh anchor and head for Mioskon island, which lies off the Gam Peninsula on Waigeo. Here we set about on a short circumnavigation of this limestone outcrop. The reef here fringes right next to the island and can be within a few metres of the surface which makes it excellent for swimming over. Yellow Snapper is often spotted in this vicinity. Back on board, we enjoy the first of our dinners, a blend of modern Indonesian cuisine with a Western touch.

This morning we travel to Cape Kri, which sits at the crossroads of different ocean currents which make for an incredible variety of flora and fauna. This area even holds the world record for the most fish species spotted in one dive! We use the current to our favour as we swim down Kri island’s south coast and we may also catch sight of turtles and manta rays as we go as these are known to inhabit this fringing reef system. After lunch on board the Ondina we have a chance for a snorkel at Sawan Darek Reef, where our local guides will get in the water and point out what you may have seen on your earlier swim.

The afternoon’s swim goes along the south coast of Mansuar Island which features recessed beaches, and rocky promontories. The island’s stunning reef is our constant companion and is only ever a few metres from you as we make our way along the coast to Sauwandarek village, which is our finishing point for this swim.

Today we have an early start to enjoy a special sunrise hike. We take a 30-40-minute walk to view birds-of-paradise, locally known as the Cendrawasih, in their natural habitat. There are actually 38 species of this bird and they are one of the most iconic symbols of Papua. Many Papuans believe these birds are the reincarnation of fairies flitting around their jungles.

After a revitalising breakfast, we head back into the water for our first crossing of the trip. We start from Waigeo Island and make our way to the twin islands of Friwen and Yenbeser, which sit just 1km off the mainland. This swim is a mix of reef coastal swimming and a short crossing. Around the twin islands the seafloor undulates and has a large number of sea mounds. Octopus, moray eels and clams are also often spotted here. After lunch there is time for a snorkel near Friwen Island, and, if conditions allow, we’ll head to the renowned Friwen Wall to see its many sea fan corals.

In the afternoon, we have a chance of pace and will take the time to go manta spotting. At Manta Sandy, butterfly fish and cleaner wrasse can be spotted as they gather to help mantas clean themselves. Following this we visit Arborek Village, a traditional commune and a hub for community-based marine conservation, which lies on the Dampier Strait.

Today we head west on our way to the Fam Islands in Western Raja Ampat. Our swim this morning is in the inland sea of Penemu Island, which features some of the most active and vibrant reefs anywhere in Raja Ampat. From the open sea, a small entry through the limestone rocks gains you access into the inner lagoon where you’ll find an extensive fringing coral reef covered by emerald waters.

Our daily snorkel takes us to Melissa’s Garden, considered to be one of Raja Ampat’s geologically oldest coral reefs. Nestled between three limestone islands the site features everything from snapper, sturgeon fish, pygmy seahorses and reef sharks. In the afternoon we head out on a short coastal of Southern Penumu Island featuring stunning limestone karsts which as well as being swum around can also be climbed to admire the view.

Water visibility is superb here as we are in one of the remotest sections of the trip. Once everyone is onboard after the swim, we head out on our journey south to the islands that surround the main southern island of Misool. This isolated area is home to the Misool Marine Reserve and is a haven for green turtles, hunting octopus and bumphead parrotfish.

This morning we head out to the stunning island group of Wayil Batan which has a great labyrinth of passages and caves to swim around. The swim sees us journey between 2 bays and pass 5 islands and is one of the highlights of the week.

After time to rest for lunch, we’ll enjoy another highlight of the week as we carry out a short hike on Walib Island to what the locals call Jellyfish Lake. Thousands of years of isolation have rendered these jellyfish harmless and give a magical experience as you swim through this freshwater lake. In the afternoon we head to the north of Walib Island and carry out a shallow coastal swim over a pristine reef teeming with corals and fish life.

Today takes us to Balbulol Lagoon, with the water dominated by the many limestone karst monuments. Resembling a mix between a pyramid and an obelisk, these formations are a great sighting point during our swim. Today’s lunchtime snorkel takes place at the Farondi Islands, where a spectacular archway dominates the scene and makes for an idyllic swim through.

Our afternoon swim takes place on Wagmab Island and features a stunning lagoon swim. Keep an eye out for caves both above and below the water, as some of which you can swim into. The visibility here is exceptional and it is home to trevally and tuna. It’s not unheard of to find yourself in the middle of one of their schools as you swim here.

Today we head to one of the most remote destinations of the trip as we visit Dharam Island. Here you won’t see any other land on the horizon but plenty of unique flora and fauna. Schools of fusilier and barracuda are some of the life you can expect to see below the surface as well as colourful soft corals and sponges. Our two swims for the day feature a mix of crossings and coastals over reef, rocks and sand and are a great way to finish off this quite amazing trip in Raja Ampat. At the end of our two swims here, we weigh anchor and head towards Sorong and spend a final night looking back on an incredible week of swims.

There is time for a short early morning swim before our last breakfast together and a debrief about the trip before we depart our vessel.

We have given this trip a ‘Moderate’ grading. Most swimmers comfortable in the open water will be able to take part and enjoy one of these trips.

Swimming Distances

Swimming Conditions

Swimming in the sea is a fantastic experience but you need to be aware that marine life is abundant in the coral waters of the Indonesian archipelago. When swimming in the Coral Triangle, you should be aware that certain marine life such as stonefish, scorpionfish, rays, jellyfish, sharks, sea urchins and coral could be present during the swims. In the areas that we swim, there is a long history of snorkelling/swimming, so sea life is used to human interaction. In all cases we will work on reducing your contact with these creatures, however, if you suffer from anaphylaxis please consult the office prior to booking.

Walking Distances

There are optional walks on this trip, for which we recommend that you wear comfortable walking shoes or sandals.

Temperatures

• Please note that these temperatures are indicative and should be used as a guide only.

Weather Caveat

For safety reasons, we rely on decent weather conditions when carrying out our swims. As a consequence, open water swimming holidays require a certain degree of on-trip flexibility which can result in changes to the planned itinerary. These changes often add a touch of uniqueness to your trip and will be communicated to you by your SwimTrek guides as quickly as possible.

Group size and Boat Support

This trip has a maximum group size of 14. The trip will be split into a maximum of two groups based on speed, each of which is accompanied by own safety support vessel.

Boat support on this trip includes two support boats piloted by your crew and SwimTrek guides. Please note that this boat support is subject to change without notice and cannot be guaranteed.

Extra Activities

During our time on board SMY Ondina, we have a qualified dive guide travelling with us at all times. For non-qualified divers wishing to dive during the trip, there is option for a beginner’s dive, plus equipment hire, and is payable locally in cash. Prices for dives and equipment hire for qualified divers are available on our partners’ website: thebestdivingintheworld.com. A medical form and liability waiver will need to be signed prior to diving.

Equipment Checklist

In addition to your daily non-swimming clothes, we also recommend that you bring the following items:

For more information, please visit our Packing List page on the website.

*Try to bring one clear lens and one tinted lens for different light conditions.

**A towel will be provided on board, however, please feel free to bring your own along, if preferred.

SwimTrek will supply swim hats, water, and electrolyte drinks. The guides will no longer distribute shared drinks bottles but will fill your personal drink bottles. Please ensure these are clearly marked to help our coaches identify yours. If you would like to use a wetsuit, rash vest, snorkel, or fins during your swims, please ensure that you bring these with you.

Suncare

Please ensure you take the necessary steps to ensure you are well protected. High factor, waterproof sun cream, cover ups, long sleeved rash vests, leggings and a good sun hat are all strongly recommended.

Your liveaboard boat will sail from and return to the port in Sorong. The easiest option is to fly into Jakarta Airport and then catch a connecting flight to Sorong. There are also direct flights from Surabaya (East Java), Makassar (South Sulawesi) and Manado (North Sulawesi). There are no direct (non-stop) flights from Bali to Sorong.

As SwimTrekkers come from all over the world, and join our swimming holidays in numerous destinations, we don't currently offer flights as part of our SwimTrek packages. We do however want to do as much as we can to ensure that our guests get the best deals when travelling to one of our trips so check out our SwimTrek flight tips page on the website.

Flights to Jakarta Airport (CGK)

Please note that, due to long journey times to Jakarta and connecting flight schedules to Sorong, we recommend that guests book at least one night’s accommodation in Jakarta.

Flights from Jakarta to Sorong Airport (SOQ)

From Jakarta, there are a number of airlines which operate daily flights to and from Sorong Airport (SOQ). Please note that luggage allowances on these airlines is often limited, so please ensure that you book an adequate amount for your trip.

Transfer from Airport/Hotel to SMY Ondina

Transfers from the airport or a local hotel to our liveaboard vessel on Day 1 of the trip are included in the trip price for all guests.

For guests who arrive on Day 1 of the trip, you will be met in the arrival area by one of our local representatives and transferred directly to your home for the week on board the SMY Ondina. If you arrive prior to the trip start time of 12:00, you will be able to leave your bags on board the boat while you spend some time exploring the local area prior to meeting your guides and fellow guests.

For guests who arrive prior to Day 1, you will be collected from your accommodation and transferred to the liveaboard SMY Ondina on the first morning of your trip. The exact time of your transfer will be available from your hotel reception the day prior to pick-up.

IMPORTANT: All guests must provide the SwimTrek office with their arrival details, including flight number and arrival time, as well as any pre-trip accommodation plans, at least two weeks prior to the start of their trip, so that we can arrange the necessary transfers.

Return Transfers

Return transfers from SMY Ondina to the airport or local hotel are also included in the trip price. Please note that these transfers are available on the morning of Day 8 or your trip and will be arranged on location in order to group guests together, where applicable.

Our accommodation over the course of your trip is aboard the Sailing Motor Yacht Ondina, a classic Phinisi, built with tropical woods following traditional techniques. This beautiful vessel features eight guest cabins with en suite facilities and air conditioning, as well as ample deck space to relax between swims or enjoy the meals that are prepared by our very own onboard chef. The crew on board also includes our captain and a qualified dive instructor at all times.

Due to the limited number of cabins on the boat, there is only one single supplement available on each departure, which may be booked very early. If the single supplement is still available for the departure that you are interested in booking, it will be available to select during the booking process. Please also note that bed preferences cannot be guaranteed and will be finalised upon arrival on the yacht at the start of your trip.

Food and Drink

All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on your trip are included as part of your package and are prepared on the SMY Ondina by our very own onboard chef.

Mineral water, juice, tea and coffee are also included in the price of your holiday. Beer and soft drinks are available to be purchased on board and are charged locally at the end of your trip. All other alcoholic drinks, including wine and spirits, can be bought at Duty Free and brought on board at the start of your trip.

For more information, please visit our food and drink page on the website.

For more information on any of the following sections please visit the Travel Advice page of our website.

Money, Extra Expenses and Tipping

You should bring extra money with you to cover such items as meals, drinks, entertainment, souvenirs, etc. whilst ashore prior to and after your liveaboard SwimTrek. The local currency is Indonesian Rupiah; however, Euros and US dollars are also widely accepted. Please note that onboard extras can be paid in cash only.

In some countries, tipping (gratuities) is not part of the culture - in others it has become an expected norm. We believe that tipping is done entirely at your own discretion. If you have been provided with excellent it may be something you wish to do. Your SwimTrek Guides can advise on local norms for service providers like boat crew, waiters or taxis. Nothing is expected for your SwimTrek Guides but many groups like to present something to the Guides at the end of the trip.

Responsible Travel

SwimTrek is conscious of the importance of protecting the world’s natural wonders. We are acutely aware of our responsibility to not only take care of the natural environments which we are lucky enough to explore, but also to educate our guests about the importance of conservation efforts and responsible tourism. It’s for this reason that we have worked so closely with our partners to ensure that our trips are conducted in the most responsible and sustainable way possible, working tirelessly to minimise the impact of our presence on local marine life and the natural habitat.

For more information, please visit our Responsible Travel page on the website.

Passports and Visas

Non-residents of Indonesia require a full passport to enter the country, which should be valid for six months beyond the expected length of stay. They must also have proof (tickets) of onward travel or return passage. A scanned copy of the photo page of your passport will be required by local authorities.

Visitors from most countries, including the UK, EU, the US, Canada and Australia, do not require a visa for visits of less than 30 days. For further information and a full list of countries which are eligible for visa-free travel to Indonesia, please visit http://www.indonesia.travel/gb/en/before-you-go/visa-immigration. Please note that all visa regulations are always subject to change and we advise that you check your own visa requirements prior to travel.

Please note that visa regulations are subject to change and we advise that you check your own visa requirements prior to travel.

Travel Insurance

We consider comprehensive travel insurance to be essential, and we strongly recommend that you purchase insurance which includes, but is not limited to, cover for illness, accident, emergency repatriation, ambulance, air ambulance, helicopter rescue services, cancellation, lost luggage and delays. Your travel insurance should also cover you for open water swimming and any other activity listed in your trip itinerary (including races and competitions, where applicable). Please read your policy details carefully and remember to take them with you on your trip for your own reference.

For further information about travel insurance, please visit our Travel Insurance page on the website.

Health Information and Recommended Vaccinations

Here at SwimTrek we pride ourselves on our focus on safety and the well-being of all our guests. As we operate in some beautiful and remote locations medical facilities are not always easily accessible. SwimTrek Guides, and many staff working for our local partners, are first aid trained. However we ask that you read our Travel Health page to ensure that you are informed about general Travel and Swim Health precautions.

Internet Access, Electricity and Travel Plugs

There is no confirmed Wi-Fi internet access on the boat.

The boat houses 220 V electricity supply, with two-pin European standard sockets

For a useful source of information on the different electrical outlets, electrical plugs, and electric sockets, please visit worldstandards.eu.