Where Reefs
Breathe Life

Jayapura, Papua's provincial capital, serves as a base to explore the rugged Baliem Valley. Winding trails lead through verdant highlands to secluded waterfalls and saltwater springs. Traditional life endures in tribal villages hidden in the rainforest, featuring religious ceremonies or mock tribal wars. In Jayapura, museums recount the intense WWII battles, where Allied and Japanese forces clashed for control of the Pacific theatre.

Pulau Padaidori is one of a cluster of tiny, mostly uninhabited islands and atolls off the northern Papuan coast. This remote stop combines secluded Pacific Rim beaches with a rich, protected marine ecosystem in its calm sapphire waters, where schools of shimmering tropical fish weave amid colourful coral gardens. Mangrove forests shelter snakes and crabs in their twisted root systems and swaying coconut palms decorate white-sand beaches.

Kwatisore, along the mainland shore of Cenderawasih Bay, is the bay's most renowned spot for close whale shark encounters. Here, the gentle giants gather beneath local fishing platforms (bagans), drawn by the catch. This unique interaction site offers rare, up-close experiences with resident whale sharks in calm, clear waters, making it a world-class destination for marine wildlife enthusiasts.

Pulau Roon in Indonesia's Papua province is an island paradise within The Gulf of Cenderawasih, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for rich biodiversity. The island's hilly terrain offers pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs with diverse marine life like dugong, reef sharks and schools of reef fish. Pulau Roon also boasts a rich cultural heritage, showcasing intricate craftsmanship and traditional music. The Auri islands, a gateway to Cenderawasih Bay and its marine park, host diverse coral reefs teeming with fish species - butterfly fish, damselfish and clownfish - and resident whale sharks. Named after birds of paradise, Cenderawasih is a haven for these brightly plumed birds, alongside cassowaries, hornbills and endemic pigeons. Dense rainforest and tiny fishing villages define the remote charm of these islands in Cenderawasih Bay.

Overlooking tranquil Doreri Bay, where palm trees line sheltered coves and ghostly shipwrecks rest on the seabed, Manokwari is West Papua's coastal capital. In town, artists craft carvings and shell handicrafts, while the market and harbour provide immersion in local commerce and culture. Hiking Mount Arfak, the region's highest point, offers stunning mountain vistas and sightings of birds of paradise, cuscuses, and rare tree kangaroos.

Pulau Ayu, the main island in the Ayu Atoll, is a remote jewel of Raja Ampat. Fringed by ivory beaches and lush rainforest, and surrounded by vibrant coral reefs, it's a sanctuary for nesting leatherback turtles. Beneath its clear waters, tropical marine life flourishes, while the villages of Ayu and Imbik Kuan welcome visitors with warm Papuan hospitality. Once a WWII outpost, its isolation made it a key strategic base for Japanese forces.

Aljui Bay on Waigeo Island in Indonesia's Raja Ampat archipelago is an extensive mangrove-lined inlet filled with pocket coves. Home to a pearl farm, the bay offers sights like saltwater crocodiles, hornbills, cockatoos, and diverse marine life. Inland, the island features orchid-draped cloud forests and waterfalls, rare birds like the Wilson's bird of paradise, and opportunities to experience Papuan culture.

One of Raja Ampat's most remote islands, Wayag offers spectacular limestone karst formations surrounded by sapphire sea. Steps lead up to the panoramic Wayag Viewpoint overlooking the bullet-shaped stacks erupting from the ocean. Wayag's unusual landscape exists both above and below the surface with deserted white-sand beaches and underwater gardens packed with soft corals, darting tropical fish and black-tipped reef sharks.

With roughly 1,000 coral and over 1,200 reef fish species, the crystalline waters around jungle-wrapped Raja Ampat, Indonesia's easternmost islands, comprise the most biodiverse marine habitat unparalleled on the planet. Meaning 'four kings', Raja Ampat refers to Waigeo, Salawati, Batanta and Misool, yet spreads across 1,000 atolls and islets. Originally joined to Australia, Raja Ampat is home to tree-dwelling marsupials and 500 bird species. Pulau Misool, a remote island in Raja Ampat, showcases wild beauty with white-sand beaches and lush hills. Its highlight is Yapap, a secluded lagoon surrounded by towering limestone karsts. Known for its glassy turquoise waters and white-sand seabed, it's ideal for snorkeling, swimming, and photography. Its serene atmosphere makes it a peaceful escape from more crowded spots.

The bustling port city of Sorong in West Papua is known as the gateway to the crystalline waters of Raja Ampat, the world's most biodiverse marine habitat, home to over 1,500 species of fish and 75 percent of the world's known coral species. In town, the Buddhist pagoda of Sapta Ratna stands tall on a hilltop overlooking the harbour. Local fishing boats come in with their catch at the bustling Pasar Jembutan Puri fish market.