Silolona

PM: After embarkation at Labuanbajo, sail north up the eastern coast of Komodo Island to Sabolon Island for water sports and beach relaxation and a sunset cocktail on the scenic coast of this small beautiful island. 

AM: Visit Rinca island park to see the Komodo Dragons in their natural habitat. Trek directed by Park Rangers. Early morning walk to see the Komodo dragons in their native habitat along with wild boar, monkeys, and wild water buffalo and a score of birds on a guided walk with rangers from Komodo National Park.

PM: Return to Silolona for big brunch and sail to a nearby rocky islet for a spectacular underwater dive. Afternoon beach stop at Langkoi with the possibility to swim with Mantas (if they are there). 

AM: The Padar Island is one of our favorite ones: it is superb and enables many activities: water sports such as sea kayaking, water skiing, diving and snorkelling.

Those who prefer to walk and discover the surrounding fauna will have the opportunity to observe many kinds of birds in their natural environment.

PM: The view of nearby islands from the top of Padar is stunning. Admire the different shades of the sea when the sun and clouds are reflected in it. 

AM: This morning you will wake up again in front of truly magnificent scenery! Batu Muncul offers some stunning crescent-shaped beaches with pristine white sand where the swimming is superb.

PM: There are also some excellent spots for diving and snorkeling. 

AM: Although Banta Island lies outside the National Park boundaries, its numerous fingers like bays and crescent-shaped beaches feature excellent diving and snorkeling. This island is noted for its large population of giant turtles and manta rays.

PM: Enjoy a beach bar-b-que as the sun sets and the skies shift to the brilliant stars of the Southern Hemisphere as the Milky Way makes it arc across the night sky. BBQ on the beach on a nearby island. 

AM: Early morning stop on the way to Labuanbajo for the disembarking.

AM: Upon arrival in Sorong, the Crew will welcome you at the airport and arrange the transfer to the nearby harbor where the MSV Silolona will be waiting.

PM: Set sail for the Raja Ampat Archipelago. For the next week, you will be onboard Silolona and served by a professional crew of 17. Depending upon the winds and the tides and wishes of our guests, you may choose to snorkel or dive with our experienced PADI dive instructor, kayak, water ski, fish from the tenders, visit a village or relax on a pristine white sand beach. All meals will be served alfresco on Silolona’s spacious teak deck and feature our own Asian, Fusion and Western cuisine prepared by the talented Chef with an emphasis on fresh tropical fruits, organically-grown vegetables, freshly caught seafood, and made-onboard pastries and fresh bread. 

AM: In the 1700s William Dampier reached the northwestern tip of Papua and traveled with the rising tide into the great channel that now bears his name. The Dampier Strait conveys massive quantities of seawater, forcing currents to flow parallel to the equator where most currents flow North and South. Dampier’s tidal surges carry planktonic feasts that attract hundreds of manta rays at this time of year near Arborek Island.

After an alfresco breakfast on deck, dive down to the shallow sandy bottom and wait for the giant mantas to pass overhead circling back again and again, or swim with these gentle giants at the surface, as they glide by graceful and mysterious.

PM: In the late afternoon, trek through the forest of Sawingrai village on Pulau Gam, guided by a local Papuan, to catch a glimpse of the mating rituals of the elusive and ethereal Red Bird of Paradise.

Dine under a starry sky, then the Silolona will sail North-West towards the Wayag Archipelago.

AM: Cruise by tender or kayak silently through the Wayag lagoon and its magical maze of limestone karst ‘gumdrop’ islands adorned with pitcher plants and wild orchids.

No words can adequately describe the sense of exploration and discovery of a world as it must have appeared before the arrival of man.

PM: A must for a panoramic view of Wayag’s Bay and karst pinnacle, is to climb Mt Pindito, just after dawn or sunset. This is a short climb yet fairly vertical from the beach through jungle scrub.

Search for tropical orchids, insects eating pitcher plants, and flock of red and green parrots. 

AM: Cruise by tender or kayak silently through the Wayag lagoon and its magical maze of limestone karst ‘gumdrop’ islands adorned with pitcher plants and wild orchids.

No words can adequately describe the sense of exploration and discovery of a world as it must have appeared before the arrival of man.

PM: A must for a panoramic view of Wayag’s Bay and karst pinnacle, is to climb Mt Pindito, just after dawn or sunset. This is a short climb yet fairly vertical from the beach through jungle scrub.

Search for tropical orchids, insects eating pitcher plants, and flock of red and green parrots. 

AM & PM: Sail into magnificent Aljui Bay, an extensive mangrove-lined inlet, home to the Cendana pearl farm. Visit the pearl farm for a tour of their operations, for a fascinating glimpse into the skill, time and energy it takes to cultivate natural pearls - especially exciting on harvest day as each oyster shell is opened to reveal a pearl. Pearl farms function as de facto marine reserves. And yes, they do have pearls for sale-but although they are a bargain, these are amongst the world’s finest pearls with a commensurate price tag!

AM: Aljui Bay is also known for its underwater abundance of unique crustaceans, including zebra crabs and Coleman’s shrimps riding on fluorescent-colored fire urchins. Under the Cendana jetty enjoy an incredible muck dive or snorkel to see dozens of stonefish, ornate ghost pipefish and frogfish.

PM: Now acclimated and attuned to the rhythm of the tides and life onboard, snorkel or scuba the varied coral gardens of the richest reefs known to mankind. Paddle through the uninhabited islets and turquoise waters surrounding Pulau Fam, kayak the perfect white sandy circle of tiny Pulau Yeben. 

AM: Final dives at Cape Kri in the morning, maybe go snorkel to the Passage.

PM: We will spend the afternoon in the Gam mangroves kayaking.

AM: Bid farewell to the Crew and Silolona in Sorong - The Crew will escort you to the nearby airport on time for your flight to Bali or Jakarta. 

AM: Upon arrival in Ambon, the capital of the Maluku Archipelago, you will be greeted by the Crew of Silolona and whisked by tender onboard.

PM: Within a short distance of our anchorage in the Bay of Ambon are several excellent dive sites including an excellent critter dive. Just out of the Bay of Ambon are several other interesting dive sites including Pintu Kota. At sunset set sail for the fabled Spice Islands following in the wake of many world’s most famous explorers for a distance of 120 nautical miles. 

AM: As the sun peaks above the horizon on our approach to Banda, you will soon be able to distinguish the outlines of the various islands and the tall, prominent cone-shaped peak of Gunung Api, with its thin plume of smoke drifting from the summit. The rich volcanic soil and fresh sea breezes provide the perfect home for Banda’s native tree, the stately Myristica Frangrans, whose fruit yields both nutmeg and mace. The approach to Banda Neira stirs thoughts of past explorers and captivates the imagination as our two-masted wooden schooner glides into the deep still waters of the Zonnegat Passage framed by the volcano and drops anchor.

PM: Evocative remnants of Dutch mansions and two ancient forts dominate the quaint sleepy town of Banda Neira. Stroll through the wide tree-lined streets of Banda Neira town stopping to visit the museum, the former VOC Governor’s Mansion, the old church and Fort Belgica, the now silent sentinel and guardian of the Zonnegat Straits between Banda Neira and Pulau Lonthor. Small dug out canoes paddle each morning to supply the outdoor market with freshly caught tuna, local savoury snacks, wild almond candy, mounds of spices, and tropical fruits.

On May 10, 1988, Gunung Api last erupted after lying dormant for centuries. Lava flowed north from near the summit and into the sea, cooling in gentle undulating waves destroying both nutmeg gardens and corals. Today, just a little over 20 years later the lava flows provide one of the most stunning dives with giant sea fans and other corals set against a black backdrop. The coral growth is phenomenal largely due to the nutrient- laden currents and clear waters that encircle Banda. Also the lava itself seems to be conducive to speed coral growth and this spectacular growth has amazed scientists and coral specialists over the world. 

Sunset cocktails on the ancient ramparts of Fort Belgica with cultural events as the sun sets slowly over the towering Gunung Api Volcano. 

AM: Full-Day cruise/sail to Pulau Run to see the old church and wonder at the quirk of fate that moved Run from the center of world trade to become a very isolated dot that is home to only one remaining family. Hiking and exploration of ruins of old mansions and nutmeg factories.

PM: Pulau Run is also noted for its diving with great deep walls teeming with fish life as well as the nearby tiny island of Neijalaka. Sail back to Banda Neira arriving at sunset for our overnight anchorage. 

AM: Pulau Ai remains amongst the most traditional of all the islands with one large village boasting of the perpetually winning team of 40 men who paddle their sacred ceremonial war canoes called Kora-Kora to the rhythm of the drum and chanting. Tradition and ritual remain very much alive and offerings must be prepared weeks in advance before any adat rituals or dances that keep their violent history alive for the coming generations are performed.

PM: Visit the village and hike to the ruins of the old Dutch Fort Revingil where a few cannons remain. The diving on Pulau Ai is considered to be amongst the best in the Banda islands again with crystal waters and beautiful soft corals and large schools of fish. 

AM: Predawn departure for the hike to the summit of Gunung Api Volcano. While it is only 666 meters in height the climb is a bit challenging due to the volcanic scree and steepness of the slope. Every bit of effort is well rewarded by the stunning panorama from the summit towards Banda Neira and beyond over the crystal blue waters of the Banda Sea.

Return to Silolona for a swim and a well-deserved breakfast. During breakfast, we’ll sail to Pulau Hatta, formerly called Rozengain Island in colonial times.

PM: Pulau Hatta is noted for some of the best dives in the Banda Islands. Sir Alfred Russel Wallace, leading naturalist and co-founder of The Theory of Evolution with Darwin wrote in the mid 19th century, living coral and even the minutest objects are plainly seen on the volcanic sand at a depth of six or seven fathoms. 

AM: Explore the small island group east of the rugged mountainous island of Seram, known as the Mother Island of culture in Maluku.

PM: Excellent beaches and an impromptu village visit to a long-established Muslim village important since the days of the Spice Island Trade. 

AM: The remote islands of Misool are a range of majestic limestone structures with precipitous cliffs, craggy spires and razor-sharps rocks. We will be anchored in an absolute spectacular anchorage. This area unfolds to divers at least 3 species of the pigmy seahorse, no larger than a fingernail and the most beautiful soft coral jungles of Asia, with their orange, red, purple and pink shades.

PM: For those that are interested in activities “above the water”, you can paddle in yet another “secret bay” enclosed with steep rain forest walls and listen to the cockatoos flying by. 

AM: The remote islands of Misool are a range of majestic limestone structures with precipitous cliffs, craggy spires and razor-sharps rocks. We will be anchored in an absolute spectacular anchorage. This area unfolds to divers at least 3 species of the pigmy seahorse, no larger than a fingernail and the most beautiful soft coral jungles of Asia, with their orange, red, purple and pink shades.

PM: For those that are interested in activities “above the water”, you can paddle in yet another “secret bay” enclosed with steep rain forest walls and listen to the cockatoos flying by. 

AM: Spend the day diving, snorkeling and water sport in pristine waters.

PM: By sunset sail to Mios Kon, by Waisai. Stay overnight in Mios Kon. 

AM: Early morning bird of paradise hike. Come back for breakfast. Do one last dive (possibly 2) at Mios Kon, Blue Magic, Sardine or Cape Kri, while the Captain do the clearance in Waisai.

PM: Afternoon do a hidden bay tour on kayak/tender. After dinner, sail to Sorong. 

AM: Bid farewell to the crew and Silolona in Sorong - Fly to Jakarta ( CGK).