Media Release: Tuesday 4 April 2023
Coral Expeditions expands season in the Spice Islands
Four new extended voyages for 2025
Coral Expeditions, Australia’s pioneering cruise line, has today announced the launch of four new 18-night extended voyages to Raja Ampat and Spice Islands of West Papua in early 2025. The release coincides with the current expeditions in March and April on Coral Adventurer which are both sold out due to popular demand. These voyages are the first back to the region since 2020.
“We have seen extraordinary demand for this region due to its rich mix of marine life, spectacular coastal landscape and living cultural traditions” said Commercial Director Jeff Gillies about the launch. “The chance to swim with the majestic whale sharks is the major attraction, however many guests fall in love with the people of Papua and their traditions”.
The new expeditions are scheduled for the peak summer season from January to March in 2025 and will be hosted on Coral Geographer. Each trip will have fewer than 120 guests and be accompanied by expert guides in keeping with our true expedition ethos.
New voyage dates:
Darwin to Sorong > 18 nights departing 24 January 2025
Sorong to Darwin > 18 nights departing 11 February 2025
Darwin to Sorong > 18 nights departing 2 March 2025
Sorong to Darwin > 18 nights departing 20 March 2025
As is the case with most Coral Expeditions voyages in remote international regions, the company will charter a jet aircraft for guest transfers from Darwin to Sorong and return.
Key highlights of the new itineraries include:
- Three days in spectacular Raja Ampat, the famed archipelago of the “four Kings”
- Swimming with the gentle and majestic giant whale sharks at Cenderawasih Bay
- Discovering Wayag’s ‘gumdrop’ islands and be rewarded by the view from Pindito Peak
- Enjoying a welcome to Banda Neira by the traditional Kora Kora canoes
- Exploring the ancient spice kingdoms fought over by English, Dutch, and Portuguese explorers
- Learning the customs & cultures of West Papua and Indonesia, and experiencing local culture, including traditional dance, handicrafts and local cuisine
With only 60 staterooms available it is anticipated that these expeditions will sell fast. Prices start from $17,590 per person.
Follow our current voyage expedition log on our website HERE or on our social media platforms
For more information on the Spice Island and Raja Ampat voyages please visit our website HERE
For trade and media access to brochures, images and video of the region please visit HERE
Find accompanying imagery and destination video click here
For more information about the SailSAFE Plan, click HERE
For media enquiries please contact:
Jeff Gillies | Commercial Director
[email protected]
0418 415 581
About Coral Expeditions
Recognised as Australia’s longest established and most awarded expedition cruise operator, Coral Expeditions is Australia’s pioneering cruise line offering a unique style of immersive expeditions. Starting with environmentally sensitive cruises on the Great Barrier Reef, 40 years later the fleet has grown to a purpose-built ocean-going fleet featuring the intimate Coral Discoverer and the advanced flagship vessels Coral Adventurer and sister ship Coral Geographer. All ships feature the company’s trademark complement of multiple zodiacs and ‘Xplorer’ safari tender boats that take guests to shore quickly and comfortably. Headquartered in Cairns, Coral Expeditions offers expedition cruises to the Great Barrier Reef, the Kimberley, Tasmania’s wilderness coast, Cape York and Arnhem Land, New Zealand and further afield to the small Islands of Japan, New Guinea and the Indian Ocean.