Diving cruise in Raja Ampat

The boat continues its journey, arriving in the early morning in the Mansuar region, home to the world-famous Dampier Strait. Wake-up call this morning—as it will be for the following days—is early. Yes, the plan is three dives, three meals, and almost as many naps during the day, all before the sacred hour of happy hour! If conditions and the dive sites allow, your guides will even add a night dive to the program. The rhythm of the days is simple: dive, eat, sleep. At each stop, your guides ring a bell. You'll know then that a dive briefing is starting, or that a meal is being served. Goodbye watches and phones: you're at the ends of the earth, lost in a labyrinth resembling primeval jungle, among emerald limestone karsts that seem to float on the surface of the water. Around the strait, there are numerous dive sites ("Mioskon", "Blue Magic", Sardin...) and they are often exposed to currents. This regular supply of nutrients has allowed the development of magnificent coral reefs, teeming with fish and schools of all kinds.

The boat continues its journey to Penemu, where you can dive sites such as Melissa's Garden. Moon Reef, an underwater reef teeming with schools of fusiliers and sweetlips, and Keruo Channel, a narrow passage between two islands, may also be on your itinerary for the day. You'll also have the opportunity to go ashore for a short walk, at the end of which you'll discover the breathtaking landscape of Raja Ampat, just as you imagined. Time for a souvenir photo!

You wake up this morning in the heart of Misool National Park. This region, whose images of thousands of islands dotting the surface are familiar to all divers, is as extraordinary underwater as it is above. The Aurora will crisscross the area during these days, taking advantage of the dive sites when conditions are optimal and allowing you to discover as many of the region's wonders as possible. In addition to the multicolored hard and soft corals, gorgonians, and schools of reef fish, you might have the chance to encounter the famous wobbegong with its unusual beard, as well as the bullhead shark, which swims close to the seabed. Its ocellated pattern is truly unique. Another spectacle not to be missed: the ballet of mobula rays—small cousins ​​of manta rays—feeding among schools of shimmering silver fish. Magical...

You're back in the area where you dived Melissa's Garden on the way out. The loop is almost complete... but not before you've made the most of it! In addition to the sites mentioned earlier, you can dive the Fam Wall on a night dive: harlequin shrimp, frogfish, and nudibranchs await.

After breakfast on board, your transfers will be arranged by the Aurora team to take you to Sorong Airport, depending on your flight schedule. What to pack in your suitcases? All sorts of items decorated with frangipani flower silhouettes, the symbol of Indonesia; carved wooden objects—Balinese decoration is exported all over the world!—handicrafts purchased from the people you met during your trip, or even spices to recreate at home the dishes that delighted you throughout your stay. And above all, the memory of the smiles and the discreet yet warm welcome of the crew who accompanied you this week, and of all the Indonesians you had the pleasure of meeting. Terimakasi!