Abercrombie & Kent has announced "Raja Ampat & the Spice Islands," a 14-day journey specially designed to fully immerse travelers in sights, sounds and experiences of the East Indonesian archipelago. From March 7-25, 2025, travelers will get a chance to travel alongside Abercrombie & Kent Founder and Chairman Geoffrey Kent and the region’s experts aboard an exclusively chartered expedition yacht to explore 12 sites encompassing untouched islands, secluded bays and unspoiled beaches.
After a gala welcome dinner in Jakarta hosted by internationally acclaimed Michelin-starred chef Nicola Russo, guests will fly by private chartered jet to Sorong—avoiding the overnight, multi-stop commercial flight other travelers take—to board an exclusively chartered expedition yacht to explore the most diverse marine environment on the planet. Accompanied by experts for the entire journey—among them the premier specialist on Indonesia’s natural and cultural wonders, Dr. Lawrence Blair—guests can swim, snorkel and dive the crystalline waters of the Raja Ampat archipelago, where corals rise from the surface and schools of tropical fish, manta rays and reef sharks crowd the sea. Guests will end each day back aboard the ship, recapping the day’s discoveries over freshly prepared gourmet cuisine and top-shelf wines and Champagne.
Raja Ampat’s more than 1,500 islands are known to house every kind of underwater habitat imaginable, from reef flats and secret bays to mangroves and marine lakes. This archipelago draws snorkelers and divers for its corals—75 percent of the world’s species are found here—as well as its abundant tropical fish, sharks, rays and sea turtles.
A&K's team to travel alongside guests includes explorer, author and Emmy-winning filmmaker Dr. Blair, whose series "Ring of Fire" introduced Indonesia to Western travelers, and National Geographic contributing photographer Andy Coleman who will share his expertise in a one-on-one virtual coaching session before departure and capture the moments throughout the journey.
Guests will find themselves fully immersed in the islands as they will join naturalist guides and dive instructors on curated excursions that offer exclusive and adventurous experiences:
- Guests will travel by canoe to Kali Biru, the Blue River, to swim downstream in crystal-clear water under the jungle canopy.
- Snorkel and dive along mangrove-lined shores of Cape Kri in waters that hold the world record for most species sighted in a 90-minute dive.
- Watch the sunrise over Wayag Island’s limestone islets, explore hidden lagoons by kayak and spot reef sharks in the waters off Figure Eight Rock.
- Join the sea life traversing the Marine Superhighway, a renowned aquatic migratory route, and kayak the shallow reefs of Manawoka.
- Explore Tomolol Cave, a spectacular water-carved cave system found in the One Thousand Temples group and see ancient rock art and underground rivers.
- Following their arrival at Pulau Banda to a greeting party of war canoes, guests will stroll through history on a visit to the Dutch Fort Belgica and learn the history of the spice trade that shaped the region.
- Travelers will also discover scenic fishing villages on Nusa Laut, looking out for the dugong, the Southeast Asian cousin of the American manatee.
The centerpiece of this journey is the exclusively chartered expedition yacht ‘Aqua Blu,’ featuring suite accommodations spread over five decks, along with an indoor spa (where a massage therapist is on hand). Its 25-person crew complement gives the voyage a staff-to-guest ratio of 1:1. In addition, every excursion leaves the boat with no more than 10 guests per guide.
The onboard dining experience on this journey is overseen by Australian restaurateur Benjamin Cross, who created more than 160 recipes served on board.
Related Articles
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Unveils Dining Aboard Ilma
A&K Expands “Luxury Expedition Cruises” Portfolio for 2025
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Unveils Enhanced All-Inclusive Fares