Secrets of the Spice Islands & Komodo

Darwin is Australia's most colorful, and exotic, capital city. Surrounded on three sides by the turquoise waters of the Timor Sea, the streets are lined with tropical flowers and trees. Warm and dry in winter, hot and steamy in summer, it's a relaxed and casual place, as well as a beguiling blend of tropical frontier outpost and Outback hardiness. Thanks to its close proximity to Southeast Asia and its multicultural population it also seems more like Asia than the rest of Australia. Darwin is a city that has always had to fight for its survival. The seductiveness of contemporary Darwin lifestyles belies a history of failed attempts that date from 1824 when Europeans attempted to establish an enclave in this harsh, unyielding climate. The original 1869 settlement, called Palmerston, was built on a parcel of mangrove wetlands and scrub forest that had changed little in 15 million years. It was not until 1911, after it had already weathered the disastrous cyclones of 1878, 1882, and 1897, that the town was named after the scientist who had visited Australia's shores aboard the Beagle in 1839. During World War II it was bombed more than 60 times, as the harbor full of warships was a prime target for the Japanese war planes. Then, on the night of Christmas Eve 1974, the city was almost completely destroyed by Cyclone Tracy, Australia’s greatest natural disaster. It's a tribute to those who stayed and to those who have come to live here after Tracy that the rebuilt city now thrives as an administrative and commercial center for northern Australia. Old Darwin has been replaced by something of an edifice complex—such buildings as Parliament House and the Supreme Court all seem very grand for such a small city, especially one that prides itself on its casual, outdoor-centric lifestyle. Today Darwin is the best place from which to explore Australia's Top End, with its wonders of Kakadu and the Kimberley region.

Your Discovery Voyage begins in Darwin, at the tropical Top End. This northern capital sits at the meeting point of Australia, Asia and the Pacific. Its harbour, wartime history and diverse communities giving the city a distinctive character.

Welcome on board Scenic Eclipse II, your ultra-luxury home for the days ahead. Settle into your spacious suite, with butler service on hand and thoughtful touches that range from a curated pillow menu to the mini-bar, restocked daily to your preferences. Take time to explore the decks and find your favourite indoor and outdoor spaces, before toasting the start of your voyage with a glass of champagne in the Scenic Lounge Bar or a cocktail at the open-air Sky Bar on Deck 10.
 

Please book your flight to arrive into Darwin prior to 02:00 PM.

The Kei islands are home to some of the most beautiful, pristine and untouched beaches in the world. They are the most accessible islands of southern Maluku and offer visitors a tranquil escape from the bustling nature of Darwin. Referred to as the hidden gems of Indonesia, Kei Islands are relatively unknown and therefore make for the perfect place to enjoy a day of swimming and snorkelling on an idyllic uninhabited picture postcard tropical island.

There are thousands of beaches in Indonesia yet the ones you’ll see today might be the most beautiful. The Kai Islands are part of the Maluku Province and are made entirely of white sand and coral. Talcum powder beaches are lapped by the strikingly blue waters of the Banda Sea and fringed with lush rows of palm trees. Despite their jaw-dropping beauty, these islands remain far off the tourist trail, and you’ll be unlikely to see another visitor, making your experience even more special.

Enjoy an al fresco lunch today at the Yacht Club for delightfully curated courses and a chance to meet your fellow voyagers. Spend the afternoon at leisure in your luxurious suite or head to one of the cabanas on Deck 10, enjoying inspiring views of the ocean.

Scenic Discovery:
Subject to weather conditions, today may offer time to enjoy the beach, take a refreshing swim, or snorkel in the surrounding waters alongside your Discovery Team.

You’ll head south to Misool Island this morning. One of the “Four Kings”, the largest islands of the group, it has a permanent population of around 5,000 scattered around a few villages. It’s also home to a handful of resorts – look out for the overwater bungalows clinging to the coast.

Misool is one of the world’s few places where biodiversity is improving. The clear waters are home to a dazzling array of corals and fish, and you may spot whales, sharks and dolphins frolicking in the open ocean. Enjoy more swimming, snorkelling and watersports such as diving below the surface with a SEABOB or try the inflatable water trampoline.

Scenic Discovery:
Weather and local approvals permitting, there may be opportunities to view striking limestone karst formations, explore trails that give unique birds eye views of the area, and snorkel on the world’s most diverse reefs.

North of West Papua, the Raja Ampat archipelago scatters more than 1,500 mostly uninhabited islands across luminous, reef-fringed seas. Often described as the most biodiverse marine region on Earth, it shelters an exceptional concentration of coral species and an extraordinary variety of tropical fish, rays and other marine life. Its relative isolation and protected status mean these waters remain remarkably pristine, with jungle-clad islets, hidden lagoons and coral gardens offering a rare sense of unspoiled wilderness.

Tonight, explore more of the up to 10 all-inclusive on board dining experiences, sampling fine French cuisine at Lumière+ or vibrant Asian fusion at Koko’s. Alternatively, choose to dine in the comfort of your suite and have your evening nightcap delivered by your butler, choosing from a range of premium wines, beers and spirits.

Scenic Discovery:
Weather and local approvals permitting, there may be an opportunity for a Zodiac wet landing to visit a local village, to witness traditional Raja Ampat drumming, meet community members and gain a glimpse into daily life in this island paradise.

Arguni Island, off the north coast of the Bomberai Peninsula, is a small and little-visited island distinguished by steep limestone headlands and sheltered bays. Known for Papuan rock art sites and ancestral burial caves set within its cliffs, it also lies in waters that support a remarkable concentration of endemic rainbowfish species, adding a layer of scientific interest to its cultural significance.

Check the daily program to find out what the Discovery Team has planned for today. Enjoy a lecture in the state-of-the-art theatre or join them on the Observation Terrace for some wildlife spotting.

Scenic Discovery:
Subject to weather and local approvals, there may be an opportunity to join your Discovery Team on a Zodiac cruise, where you could glimpse ancient rock art, mangrove systems, beaches and village life along these shores.

Banda Neira is the main island and town of the minute Banda Archipelago in the Banda Sea some 2500 kilometers away from Jakarta. Although the Portuguese already contacted the Banda Islands for nutmeg and mace in 1512, it was only ninety years later that the Dutch established a trading post on Neira and neighboring Lonthor to export the spices. Rivalries between the Dutch and the British led to forts being built –the ruins of Fort Nassau and the restored Fort Belgica can be visited on Banda Neira. The area surrounding the town still has nutmeg plantations and several sites relate to the Dutch spice trading time.

Banda Neira, once a coveted centre of the global spice trade, blends layered history with an intimate island setting. At the heart of Indonesia’s famed Spice Islands, it drew European, Arab and Chinese traders for centuries, leaving forts, mansions and tree-shaded streets that still evoke this era. Experience a flashback to these times as you watch traditional war canoes guide us into Banda Harbour, their presence reflecting long-standing maritime customs against a backdrop of volcanic slopes and vibrant tropical waters.

In the evening, settle in at the spacious Scenic Lounge Bar to enjoy your beverage of choice, whether it be aged whiskey or a glass of wine. With Scenic’s signature all-inclusive ultra-luxury philosophy, indulge in top shelf spirits, over 130 whiskeys, a premium wine list and champagne.

Scenic Discovery:
Today, there may be an opportunity for a Zodiac landing in Banda Neira’s sheltered harbour to sense its storied spice-trade past, glimpse daily life and visit its 17th-century fort.

Flores Island is fast becoming one of Indonesia’s most popular destinations. It was founded by the Portuguese in the 15th-century and spent many years as the trade and administrative centre of the region.  

Your Scenic Discovery Yacht will be docked in the centre of the city. Wander the streets at your leisure and soak in its cool maritime flavour. Witness the Portuguese connection and rich Catholic history in the buildings that surround you. Admire the famous Katedral Reinha Rosari, known as the Church of Iron and resembling an ornate Disney castle. 

Pink Beach earned its name for the way the beach can appear to have a rosy hue in certain lights. The color comes from small flecks of red coral mixed in with the fine white reef sand. With a few trees along the beach for shade, this stretch of coast makes a fine place to relax or enjoy a snorkel or dive in the crystal clear waters. It is possible to spot a striped clown fish nestled among the protective tentacles of its sea anemone host, or to see a grouper lazily swimming by a flamboyant soft coral. The reef here is now protected by law and the maturing corals are a joy to behold.

Set against a strikingly rugged landscape, Komodo National Park offers an extraordinary backdrop for exploration, with some of Indonesia’s most remarkable sites for diving and snorkelling. Your morning is dedicated to Komodo Island itself, where the chance to encounter the iconic Komodo dragon – the world’s largest living lizard – brings a powerful sense of raw wilderness found nowhere else on Earth.

In the afternoon, your Scenic Discovery Yacht repositions to Pink Beach, where rose-tinted sands, turquoise waters and thriving coral gardens create an idyllic setting for time in and on the water. Here, you can swim, snorkel or simply relax on the shore, framed by dramatic headlands and the park’s sweeping volcanic contours.

Pink Beach earned its name for the way the beach can appear to have a rosy hue in certain lights. The color comes from small flecks of red coral mixed in with the fine white reef sand. With a few trees along the beach for shade, this stretch of coast makes a fine place to relax or enjoy a snorkel or dive in the crystal clear waters. It is possible to spot a striped clown fish nestled among the protective tentacles of its sea anemone host, or to see a grouper lazily swimming by a flamboyant soft coral. The reef here is now protected by law and the maturing corals are a joy to behold.

Remote, authentic and wonderfully raw, Moyo Island remains one of Indonesia’s best-kept secrets, and your morning here reveals a world little touched by tourism. Its lush forests and diverse wildlife create a sense of true wilderness, while the crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral gardens close to shore offer outstanding snorkelling among colourful reef fish.

In the afternoon, your Scenic Discovery Yacht repositions to Badas on Sumbawa, an island that lies just beyond the well-trodden paths of Bali and Lombok yet feels refreshingly undiscovered. With its strong cultural identity, epic surf breaks, thriving reefs and dramatic, untamed landscapes, this is a region that still feels poised on the edge of exploration.

Bali really is as alluring as everyone says. This island, slightly bigger than Delaware, has it all: beaches, volcanoes, terraced rice fields, forests, renowned resorts, surfing, golf, and world-class dive sites. But what sets Bali apart from other nearby tropical destinations is Balinese tradition, and villagers dedicated to celebrating it. The hundreds of temples, dances, rituals, and crafts linked to their ancient Hindu faith aren't a show for tourists, but a living, breathing culture in which visitors are warmly received by the Balinese, who cherish their own identities.

Scenic Eclipse II will dock in Benoa, a peninsula on the island’s southern edge marking the end of your voyage. Bid farewell to fellow guests and the dedicated crew before you disembark, taking with you memories of exotic islands, rich cultures and unparalleled 6-star indulgence.

Please book your flight to depart out of Denpasar after 12:00 PM.

#Spa treatments and services at additional cost. Daily activities may be subject to change; please consult your Daily Wonder for updates.
+All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits. Specialty restaurants require a reservation, enquire on board.  
^Experiences on board our two helicopters and submersible are at additional cost, subject to regulatory approval, availability, weight restrictions, medical approval and weather conditions.
~Kayak and stand-up paddleboard not available in all locations.

Helicopter and submersible not in operation in Indonesia.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the voyage will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.