Luxury Travel Lifestyle PR
Aqua Expeditions Increases Limited Sailings to Explore the Unchartered Waters of West Papua
In 2025, Aqua Expeditions, the leader in luxury small-ship expeditions, is expanding its horizons offering two new exclusive itineraries in the wildest, most remote corners of East Indonesia. The nine-night and 12-night expeditions, come following high consumer demand to take part in an immersive journey to one of the world’s most uncharted lands, home to lush jungles, impressive cave systems, vivid underwater ecosystems, and Indigenous communities. Snorkelling and diving excursions invite possible sightings of whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, and other rare wildlife, while private tenders whisk guests deep into the jungle to discover local villages, interact with members of the Asmat tribe, and the chance to spot endemic forest kangaroos.
“In the spirit of unending exploration, we are thrilled to introduce our latest voyage to the Asmat region of West Papua. This rarely seen corner of the world is bursting with natural beauty, biodiversity, and cultural significance. Through six limited edition sailings, we invite guests to embark on extraordinary adventures, unlocking the secrets of this remarkable destination,” said Francesco Galli Zugaro, Founder and CEO of Aqua Expeditions.
Spice Islands, Raja Ampat, and West Papua Expedition (12 Nights) | One sailing only
Dates: 11 Oct 2025 – 23 Oct 2025
An expedition unlike any other, this itinerary will explore three of Indonesia’s most prized destinations: Spice Islands, West Papua, and Raja Ampat. Starting in Ambon, guests discover the rich colonial heritage of the Banda Islands, known to harbour the impressive Fort Belgica. Next is the Koon group of islands, home to renowned snorkelling and diving sites with chances to spot hammerhead and leopard sharks. In the following days, the expedition explores the karst island and lagoon complexes of Raja Ampat, which are surrounded by some of the world’s most biodiverse waters. Finally, the expedition heads to West Papua to discover the Kitikiti waterfall in Momon, the beaches of Cape Papisol, and the waters of Triton Bay where whale sharks are often spotted.
West Papua and Asmat Tribe Expedition (9 Nights) | One sailing only
Dates: 23 Oct 2025 – 1 Nov 2025
This 9-night sailing presents Aqua Blu’s most comprehensive exploration of West Papua and Asmat. Starting in the vibrant town of Kaimana, the expedition heads to the Kei Islands, known for their crystal-clear waters where pygmy seahorses are often spotted. Next, guests explore the Kitikiti waterfall in Momon and the beaches of Cape Papisol, before sailing the Arafura Sea and venturing deep into the uncharted Asmat region. The expedition heads deep into the jungle on private speedboats to discover local villages, home to one of Indonesia’s most enigmatic indigenous communities. Finally, guests have the opportunity to swim with whale sharks at Triton Bay and explore Namatote Passage, where leopard and hammerhead sharks can be spotted on occasion.
The first ever long-range ocean explorer yacht permanently based in East Indonesia, Aqua Blu, originally built as a British Royal Navy Explorer, makes it easy to explore the region’s most mythical landscapes and underwater worlds. The superyacht is equipped with a comprehensive suite of top-of-the-line, non-motorized water sport equipment including diving and snorkelling gear, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. Back on board, expect personalized service with a highly exclusive 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio and world-class cuisine from chef Benjamin Cross—who draws inspiration from the region’s ingredients and spice routes— providing another lens for discovering the destination.
The two new sailings join the exciting four additions launched last year, comprising of three seven-night sailings from Kaimana to Kaimana, and one twelve-night sailing from Kaimana to Sorong in Raja Ampat. The new itinerary takes guests deep into the Asmat jungle, opening endless possibilities to explore the Indonesian waters. Joining Aqua Blu’s existing sailings around Raja Ampat, The Spice Islands and The Komodo National Park, the new itineraries will be available in 2025, extending Aqua’s Indonesian offering for a limited time.
Starting from $12,290 per person (approx. £9,700) for 7 nights, $19,640 per person (approx. £15,500) for 12 nights (in double occupancy).
For media inquiries please contact: aquaexpeditions@foxcomms.com
Luxury Travel & Lifestyle PR
About Aqua Expeditions
A recognized global leader in luxury small ship expeditions, Aqua Expeditions explores the world’s most biodiverse and culturally significant destinations aboard best-in-class vessels of stylish contemporary design. Venturing into unspoiled sanctuaries to witness the beauty of nature and wildlife, Aqua Expeditions sails to remote destinations with minimized human interaction, secluded from crowds. Expect tailored five-star itineraries, a highly exclusive 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio with personalized service, acclaimed cuisine by world-renowned chefs, and small group expert-guided adventure activities and excursions for all ages, with a maximum of 16-40 guests per ship. Aqua Expeditions currently operates river explorations on the Amazon (Peru), the Mekong (Cambodia and Vietnam), and coastal yacht voyages to Komodo National Park, Ambon and the Spice Islands, as well as Raja Ampat (East Indonesia), with our latest superyacht sailing the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) from June 2022.
Luxury Travel & Lifestyle PR