In 2025, Aqua Expeditions will expand its horizons to offer three new itineraries in the wildest, most remote corners of East Indonesia—only accessible by ship. The seven- and 12-night excursions will immerse travelers to lands home to jungles, cave systems, underwater ecosystems and indigenous communities. Snorkeling and diving excursions in the waters surrounding Momon and Triton Bay invites possible sightings of whale sharks, hammerhead sharks and other 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.
The first ever long-range ocean explorer yacht permanently based in East Indonesia, Aqua Blu, which was originally built as a British Royal Navy Explorer, makes it easy to explore the region’s landscapes and underwater worlds. The superyacht is equipped with a suite ofnon-motorized water sport equipment including diving and snorkeling gear, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. Back on board, expect personalized service thank to a 1-to-1 crew-to-guest ratio, plus cuisine from chef Benjamin Cross, who draws inspiration from the region’s ingredients and spice routes.
Among the new sailings is a seven-night "Spice Islands & West Papua Expedition"—a dual-destination itinerary taking place November 1-8, 2025. Departing from Ambon, Aqua Blu will glide along the island’s scenic northern coast en route to the Banda Islands, where guests can stroll through history at the Dutch Fort Belgica on Banda Neira, once the most hotly contested island in the world as it was the only producer of nutmeg and mace, spices that were once worth more than their weight in gold.
Next, it’s off to the three remote island groups of Koon, Gorong and Watubela—a divers’ paradise thanks to colorful 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.
Another weeklong itinerary includes the "West Papua & Asmat Tribe Expedition," with two departures: November 8-15, 2025 and November 15-22, 2025. Starting in the vibrant town of Kaimana, the expedition heads south to Triton Bay, a diver’s paradise 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 open sea.
The most comprehensive journey is the "12-Night Asmat Tribe & Raja Ampat Expedition", which sets sail November 22 through December 4, 2025. The experience offers a 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 One Thousand Temples—rocks that have been eroded by the ocean and rain leaving behind steep spires of limestone. Tenders will take travelers 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.
For more information, visit www.aquaexpeditions.com.
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