Secrets of Indonesia: Spice Islands & Raja Ampat

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 Old Darwin has been replaced by something of an edifice complex—such buildings as Parliament House and the Supreme Court all seem very grand for such a small city, especially one that prides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 voyage begins in Darwin. Sitting at the crossroads of Australia, Asia and the Pacific Islands, this tropical capital is closer to Bali than Bondi. It’s rich in history, culture and natural wonders, perched on the edge of the continent looking out over the Timor Sea. Darwin is packed with galleries and museums that celebrate its unique cultural blend, plus delicious restaurants that draw from nearby Asian nations.

Board your 6-star Discovery Yacht this afternoon. Be warmly greeted by the Scenic Eclipse II crew and familiarise yourself with your spacious suite. With just up to 228 passengers on board, you’ll experience an immersive, engaging voyage through this fascinating part of the world. Ask your butler to bring a glass of Champagne to your suite and toast the start of an unforgettable voyage from your private verandah.

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

The Banda Islands have long fascinated travellers for more than 700 years. Once known as the Spice Islands, this legendary cluster of exotic ports was a thriving trading hub for rare spices like nutmeg and mace. In 1512, Portuguese explorer Francisco Serrao completed an arduous round the world journey and became the first European to ever set foot on Banda Neira. For the next three centuries, these tiny volcanic outcrops were highly prized and fiercely fought over by every great colonial power. This intriguing history is woven into the fabric of the island, with grand Portuguese, Dutch and British architecture lining the streets and imposing forts looking over the harbour. Explore the town, hear its colourful stories, and get an insight into its tumultuous past.

Offshore, the snorkelling around Banda Neira is some of the best in Indonesia and can be enjoyed by Scenic’s selection of water toys, like stand-up paddle boards and kayaks.

Arrive this morning in the capital of the Maluku Islands, Ambon. The most populous island of the group, Ambon is lush and mountainous, surrounded by sparkling turquoise seas. Come ashore at the busy town of Kota Ambon, also known as ‘Ambon Manise’, meaning beautiful Ambon.

This island has drawn seafaring merchants and traders since the 14th century, eager to purchase the exotic spices that grow here. Ambon was one of the first places in Indonesia to be occupied by colonial powers, with both the Portuguese and Dutch establishing trading companies. This legacy persists today, and the Ambonese people have a rich cultural heritage that mixes Islamic and Christian traditions. Kota Ambon is a sophisticated and stylish city overlooking the bay, its leafy streets lined with interesting shops and trendy coffee houses.

Away from the city, the beaches of Ambon are some of the best in Indonesia. Powdery white sand that feels like flour is flanked by crystal clear water and vivid green jungle.

You can spend a lazy morning on board today as Scenic Eclipse II won’t arrive in port until after lunch. Enjoy breakfast in the sun on the Yacht Club Terrace, take a dip in the Vitality Pool on the Sky Deck or book in for a treatment at the indulgent Senses Spa.

Then it’s time to go ashore on the island of Ternate, a bustling city perched on the side of an active volcano in the North Maluku Islands. These islands were once the world’s only source of cloves and the spice trade helped found powerful Islamic sultanates and wealthy trading ports in the Middle Ages. Away from the city, you can swim at beaches lined with glittering black volcanic sand where colourful fishing boats bob gently off shore.

Today sail into the otherworldly splendour of the Raja Ampat Islands. With more than 1,500 sparsely populated islands peppered across the ocean north of West Papua, this isolated archipelago is often called ‘the last paradise on earth’. Also known as the world’s most biodiverse marine region; 75% of the world’s known coral species can be found here and the waters are home to more than 1,600 species of fish. Yet because of its remote location, Raja Ampat is largely untouched by mass tourism. During your four days cruising here, you may not see another cruise ship and only occasionally spot small villages or barefoot beach resorts tucked into quiet coves.

Today, you can explore Gam Island. With its hilly interior, sharp limestone cliffs and thick jungle, the interior of Gam is all but impassable. Just a few villages sit on the coast and there are no roads or paths across the island. It’s known for its incredible bird life, including the red birds of paradise, western crowned pigeons, palm cockatoos and the ground-dwelling maleo.

Waigeo Island sits just north of Gam Island and Aljui Bay is on its remote west coast. As Scenic Eclipse II sails into the bay, you will be awed by the dramatic sea cliffs clustered around the entrance. The long bay has a distinctly fjord-like feel, unique from any other port in these islands.

There’s another unique feature to be found here in Aljui Bay. The pristine water and tidal flows make it the ideal location for a pearl farm. Atlas Pearls has been farming here for more than 25 years, using an environmentally-friendly and sustainable model to cultivate some of the world’s finest South Sea pearls. You can visit the farm to see the process in action and even pick up a shimmering souvenir to take home with you.

The bay’s many coves and inlets make for good snorkelling or scenic cruising by Zodiac. The calm waters are also ideal for exploring under your own steam, so set out for the day in one of Scenic Eclipse II’s kayaks or stand-up paddleboards.

Scenic Eclipse II will sail north overnight, bound for one of the northernmost islands in Raja Ampat. Uninhabited and breathtakingly beautiful, Wayag is one of Indonesia’s most recognisable sights, the star of many television commercials and billboards. Crystal clear waters are fringed by white sand beaches and dramatic karst islands sprout straight up from the sea. Even seasoned travellers will be dazzled by its natural beauty.

There are no landings on the island, but you'll enjoy a picturesque site seeing spot offshore on board your luxuriously appointed Discovery Yacht. Fitted with state-of-the-art GPS Dynamic Positioning system, Scenic Eclipse II is able to hold her position without dropping anchor on ecologically sensitive seabeds.

Take this idyllic time to explore on excursions for swimming, snorkelling and wildlife spotting, cruising through the sapphire seas on a Zodiac. You’ll spend a full day here, giving you time to explore everything Wayag has to offer and soak in the splendour of this pristine paradise.

Cruising back south, straight through the centre of Raja Ampat, you’ll arrive at Misool Island this morning. One of the four largest islands of the group, known collectively as the Four Kings, 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 as you pull in.

In a region of spectacular biodiversity, Misool manages to stand above the rest of Raja Ampat. It is surrounded by one of the most pristine reef systems left on earth and is one of the few places where biodiversity is improving, rather than declining. The gin-clear waters are home to a dazzling array of corals and fish, and you can spot whales, sharks and dolphins frolicking in the open ocean. Today, enjoy more swimming, snorkelling and watersports in an unforgettable location.

Scenic Eclipse II will spend the night here, bobbing peacefully in the calm waters off Misool Island. Enjoy a leisurely dinner and then head to the Sky Deck for some stargazing that will take your breath away.

This morning, you’ll wake up in paradise. Scenic Eclipse II will spend this morning at Misool Island, giving you another opportunity for fun in the water.

A Zodiac cruise can take you through the dramatic karst rock formations in search of ancient petroglyphs. These mysterious rock carvings are estimated to be between 3,000 and 5,000 years old. No tradition of such carvings exist among the people of Raja Ampat, so there is speculation that they may have been created by other early visitors to the area from Papua or even Australia.

After one last swim, you’ll be back on board Scenic Eclipse II at lunchtime for a long cruise to the Kai Islands. This afternoon could be a great opportunity to stretch your muscles in the Yoga & Pilates Studio or soak in the revitalising properties of the KLAFS Salt Therapy Lounge.

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 millions of beaches in Indonesia yet the ones you’ll see today might be the country’s 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.

Spend this afternoon living out your castaway fantasies on a deserted island, swimming and snorkelling in the warm water or just lazing on the sand.

Located in the Maluku Province of Indonesia are the Tanimbar Islands, of which Yamdena is the largest. On the east coast of Yamdena, is the village of Sangliat Dol, which holds some of the best megalithic remains known in the area. A monumental stone staircase extends from the beach to the village and overlooks the sea. This and a large stone ship are some of the megalithic remains to be found here.

You’ll spot land early this morning, the remote Tanimbar Islands. One of Indonesia’s most far-flung outposts, this archipelago of 65 islands sits just a few hundred kilometres north of Darwin. The islands range from densely forested hills to low lying swamplands and deserted beaches. Scenic Eclipse II will be making two stops today, both on Yamdena Island, the largest in the group.

Disembark this morning to spend a few hours at Sangliat Dol Village. Many of these smaller villages on the island have retained many of their unique cultural traditions, including music, dance and crafts. Sangliat Dol is also famous for its ancient stone stairway leading from the beach to a boat-shaped platform used for ancestor worship ceremonies.

A short cruise will take you to the capital, Saumlaki, a bustling city home to around 20,000 people. The Tanimbar Islands are also famous for the rare birds that inhabit the untouched forests, make it a popular destination for ornithologists. Be sure to listen closely as Scenic Eclipse II glides silently by.

Saumlaki is a regional capital city on the island of Yamdena, the main island of the unique Tanimbar archipelago, located in Indonesia between Papua New Guinea and the northern coast of Australia. The Tanimbar Islands have a distinct culture with still-vibrant traditions. They actively produce traditional crafts such as richly-colored ikat cloth and carved wooden statutes, and local residents still carry on their own centuries-old forms of music and dance. The Tanimbar Islands were part of the Dutch East Indies; the bay at Saumlaki was the site of a battle during World War II between the Dutch and the Japanese. In addition to the Saumlaki and the surrounding region’s rich history and cultural heritage, the region possesses golden, tree-lined beaches and a diverse fauna, including 8 bird species native to this archipelago

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 cruise ends in Darwin, giving you another chance to explore this captivating capital of the north. After an unforgettable voyage, it’s time to farewell your fellow guests and Scenic Eclipse II crew. Take with you fond memories of the places you have seen, once-in-a-lifetime moments and the unrivalled ultra-luxury experience on board Scenic Eclipse II.

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

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