Aqua Expeditions, the leader in luxury small-ship expedition cruises, invites you to heed the call to adventure on three new ultra-immersive itineraries to remote Indonesia. Wild, unchartered and remote, many of the ports of call are only accessible by ship. From viewing rare wildlife to interacting with members of indigenous communities, these trips of a lifetime are now available to book for 2025.
Aqua Expeditions = Big Adventure
Not all cruises are created equal and you’ll find that out quickly aboard an Aqua Expeditions ship.
“In the spirit of unending exploration, we are thrilled to introduce our latest voyage to the Asmat region of West Papua. This rarely seen corner of the world is bursting with natural beauty, biodiversity, and cultural significance. Through our limited edition sailings, we invite guests to embark on extraordinary adventures, unlocking the secrets of this remarkable destination,” said Francesco Galli Zugaro, founder and CEO of Aqua Expeditions.
Snorkeling and diving excursions in the sparkling waters surrounding Momon and Triton Bay mean you might be swimming with whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, and other rare wildlife, while private speed boats will whisk guests into the depths of the jungle to discover local villages, interact with members of the Asmat tribe, and the chance to spot endemic forest kangaroos. Expeditions are open to age groups with a maximum of 16-40 guests per ship.
Luxury Sailing Aboard Aqua Blu
As the first ever long-range ocean explorer yacht permanently based in East Indonesia, Aqua Blu, originally built as a British Royal Navy Explorer, makes it easy to discover Indonesia’s most mythical landscapes and underwater worlds. The super yacht is equipped with a comprehensive suite of top-of-the-line, non-motorized water sport equipment including diving and snorkeling gear, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards.
Aqua Blu is the first ever long-range ocean explorer yacht permanently based in East Indonesia, with 15 individually designed suites and refined amenities. Onboard, the cuisine is curated by renowned chef Benjamin Cross and draws inspiration from Indonesia’s fabled spice trade route.
Expect personalized service with a highly exclusive 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, making the adventure as comfortable as it is incredible.
Ultra-Immersive Itineraries
The seven- and 12-night excursions will take travelers to some of the world’s lushest jungles, impressive cave systems, vivid underwater ecosystems, and indigenous communities.
A seven-night Spice Islands & West Papua Expedition — November 1-8, 2025
Departing from Ambon, Aqua Blu will glide along the island’s scenic northern coast en route to the Banda Islands, aka Spice Islands, where guests can stroll through history at the Dutch Fort Belgica on Banda Neira, once a hotly contested island as it was once the world’s sole producer of nutmeg and mace. Next, it’s off to the three remote island groups of Koon, Gorong and Watubela — a divers’ paradise with colourful coral reefs and occasional pop-ins from leopard sharks and hammerheads.
The following stop —Teluk Sebakor—is just as much of a marine and terrestrial wonderland, known for its mangrove forests and karst limestone islands as well as a shoreline cove inhabited by a colony of screeching bats. Next is the forested outback of Cape Pepisol, where a micro-weather system adds to the adventure as guests trek almost a mile up-river to the Karawawi village. The journey ends in Triton Bay for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of swimming with the 40-foot whale sharks (known as the ocean’s friendly giants) and a visit to Kiti Kiti waterfall at Momon. Rates start at $12,290 per person (double occupancy).
A seven-night West Papua & Asmat Tribe Expedition—November 8-15, 2025 and November 15-22, 2025
Starting in the vibrant town of Kaimana, the ship heads south to Triton Bay, a diving hotspot with over 1,000 species of marine life, then on to the Asmat region, a remote part of West Papua known by few travelers. Private speed boats will take guests up the waterways and toward the traditional villages inhabited by the Asmat people, who are part of the largest tribe in Papua and are known for their rich heritage and traditions, including ancestor worship and the use of rituals to maintain the balance of the natural world. The final stop includes Momon, known for the spectacular Kiti Kiti waterfall that drops directly into the sea. Rates start at $12,290 per person (double occupancy).
A 12-night Asmat Tribe & Raja Ampat Expedition—November 22 through December 4, 2025
The experience offers an epic mix of culture, wildlife, and underwater adventure, with two nights in the uncharted Asmat region, where guests will have the chance to visit the tribe’s communal houses and observe their unique arts, crafts, and traditional dances. There will be two days of discovering the magnificent One Thousand Temples – rocks that have been eroded by the ocean and rain leaving behind steep spires of limestone.
Tenders will take adventure seekers through jellyfish lakes and cave systems. Rounding out the expedition is a final stop in Mayalibit Bay, a marine protected area, for a canoe excursion followed by a hike to spot the rare birds of paradise on Waigeo Island and a swim down the shimmering blue Kali Biru river. Rates start at $12,290 per person for seven nights and $19,640 per person for 12 nights (double occupancy).
About Aqua Expeditions
Aqua Expeditions explores the world’s most biodiverse and culturally significant destinations aboard best-in-class vessels of contemporary design. Expect tailored five- star itineraries, a highly exclusive 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio with personalized service, acclaimed cuisine by world-renowned chefs, and small group expert-guided adventure activities and excursions that minimize impact to local landscapes and communities. Aqua Expeditions currently operates river explorations on the Amazon (Peru), the Mekong (Cambodia and Vietnam), and coastal yacht voyages to Komodo National Park, Ambon and the Spice Islands, as well as Raja Ampat (East Indonesia), abd the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador).
All photos courtesy of Aqua Expeditions