Spice Islands & New Guinea Cruises

On an exclusive one-off expedition, Aqua Blu will spend seven nights sailing from Ambon and the Banda Islands to Cape Papisol in West Papua.

Along this route, guests will find some of the world’s most pristine sites for diving and snorkeling, featuring coral gardens, lava flows, and a wealth of biodiversity. With daily underwater excursions – led by expert guides – there will be opportunities to encounter schools of tropical fish, rays, and possibly even hammerhead sharks.

The Spice Islands offer just as much by way of culture as they do in terms of marine biodiversity. As the place of origin of nutmeg, a spice that was worth more than gold in terms of weight, the Spice Islands were the Holy Grail for famous Old World explorers including Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan, who sought but never managed to find it. While exploring the region of Banda, guests will have the opportunity to discover colonial artifacts and Dutch forts from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Sailing forth to West Papua, guests will have the opportunity to explore destinations such as Momon and Cape Papisol. These forested islands are home to spectacular waterfalls, white-sand beaches, and endemic wildlife including hornbills and forest kangaroos. At Triton Bay, guests may also indulge in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim with whale sharks.

Raja Ampat & New Guinea Cruises

Aqua Blu’s final New Guinea cruise in 2025 will be an epic 12-night sailing across the Arafura sea to the uncharted Asmat region, which is home to the enigmatic namesake tribe who live deep in the jungle. On board private speedboats, we will head down meandering waterways and explore tribal communities, learning about their rich heritage and traditions. Next, discover the islands of Momon and Cape Papisol, home to spectacular waterfalls, white-sand beaches, and endemic wildlife including hornbills and forest kangaroos.

Finally, spend four days discovering the renowned region of Raja Ampat, which captivates with the beauty of its limestone karst island clusters. The archipelago – made up of over 1,500 islands – bewilders explorers with dramatic landscapes that shelter secret lagoons, bays, beaches, and the magical blue river of Kali Biru. Surrounding these forested islands are some of the most biodiverse marine environments on the planet. Every day spent in this East Indonesian paradise is an opportunity for new discoveries and unforgettable memories.