Pearl of Papua Liveaboard

Maximize your diving adventure with personalized and professional service on board our traditional Bugis schooner, the Pearl of Papua. Revel the natural marine richness of Raja Ampat right at your doorstep with our liveaboard and explore spectacular diving sites around the archipelago. Fully equipped with modern conveniences and staffed with experienced and professional crew, the Pearl of Papua offers liveaboard charters with departures all year round to the pristine Raja Ampat islands in the heart of the Coral Triangle. Raja Ampats marine ecosystem is home to the highest marine biodiversity on Earth according to a 2002 survey by the Nature Conservancy. The variety of marine life in the region makes Raja Ampat a truly amazing diving destination, with regular shark sightings, encounters with large groups of manta rays and turtles, numerous war wrecks, not to mention the diversity of its reefs rich flats, dramatic slopes and vertical walls, mucky mangroves, beautiful lagoons and breathtaking pinnacles. Pearl of Papua liveaboard safaris visit all the best underwater treasures around Raja Ampat, highlighting its iconic sites and adventuring off-the-beaten paths with the comfort of home away from home. Our brand-new vessel is also available for private charter, non-diving excursions and research expedition. Come away with us! Experience luxury at great value and find out more about our promotional rates for 2011.

Raja Ampat Diving Destination

Located off the northwest tip of Bird's Head Peninsula on the island of New Guinea, in Indonesia's West Papua province, Raja Ampat, or the Four Kings, is an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands, cays and shoals surrounding the four main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo, and the smaller island of Kofiau. It encompasses more than 9.8 million acres (40,000 km) of land and sea, which also contains Cenderawasih Bay, the largest marine national park in Indonesia. It is a part of the newly named West Papua (province) of Indonesia which was formerly Irian Jaya. The islands are the most northern pieces of land in the Australian continent. According to Conservation International, marine surveys suggest that the marine life diversity in the Raja Ampat area is the highest recorded on Earth. Diversity is considerably greater than any other area sampled in the Coral Triangle composed of Indonesia, Philippines and Papua New Guinea. The Coral Triangle is the heart of the world's coral reef biodiversity, making Raja Ampat quite possibly the richest coral reef ecosystems in the world. The area's massive coral colonies along with relatively high sea surface temperatures, also suggest that its reefs may be relatively resistant to threats like coral bleaching and coral disease, which now jeopardize the survival of other coral ecosystems around the world. The Raja Ampat islands are remote and relatively undisturbed by humans. The high marine diversity in Raja Ampat is strongly influenced by its position between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, as coral and fish larvae are more easily shared between the two oceans. Raja Ampat's coral diversity, resilience, and role as a source for larval dispersal make it a global priority for marine protection. Over 1,070 fish species, 537 coral species (a remarkable 96% of all scleractinia recorded from Indonesia are likely to occur in these islands), and 699 mollusk species, the variety of marine life is staggering. Some areas boast enormous schools of fish and regular sightings of sharks, such as wobbegongs.

How to Get There

FROM JAKARTA
You can reach Sorong in a single day from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) en route Makassar. *The Pearl of Papua offers assistance in purchasing your domestic flights but accept no responsibility for cancellations, delays, baggage lost, or other problems caused by the carrier.

FROM MANADO
You can reach Manado (MDC) from your international destination either through Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. Connections from Manado to Sorong range from one hour fifteen minutes to two hours ten minutes depending on which local carrier and whether the flight makes a stop in Makassar.

FROM BALI
This trip requires two legs and an overnight stay after arriving from your international destination; first a 75-minute flight from Denpasar (DPS) to Makassar (UPG), and a two-hour-and-ten-minute fight from Makassar to Sorong on the next day. Returning to Denpasar is a single-day trip either through Makassar again or through Ambon (AMQ).

The Boat
Striving for good vibes and a relaxed atmosphere, we provide luxury at great value on board our well-equipped vessel. Pearl of Papua liveaboard aims to be your sanctuary at sea with its cozy cabins and en suite bathrooms, on board pampering (massage and spa), delicious and hearty meals, and overall hassle-free adventure. Crafted by the highly respected and renowned boat builders of Tanah Beru in South Sulawesi, our beautiful wooden phinisi schooner is fitted with the latest marine technology and equipments that are ensured to meet with international safety standards. Specifically designed for liveaboard diving excursions, the Pearl of Papua provides gear-up stations assigned for each diver throughout the expedition, rinse tank, a dedicated camera table and battery charging stations (both 110V and 220V). Facilities and amenities on board the Pearl of Papua are selected to provide the most comfort during the length of your diving expeditions. The air-conditioned cabins with en suite bathrooms are sleek yet cozy, a sanctuary to welcome you home after a long excursion undersea. Our spacious decks provide enough room for everyone to laze privately and a group to mingle comfortably. A chef and two stewards are also on board to attend your dining and cabin needs around the clock, while all pampering needs are attended to in a dedicated spa cabin or outdoor on the deck with our portable massage table. Our team of twelve Indonesian crew members and dive staff are also highly knowledgeable and intimately familiar with Raja Ampat, guiding you to experience scarcely seen underwater treasures in addition to the bests the region has to offer, while ensuring a pleasant and safe voyage.

Specification & Features

Built in Length Beam Cruise Divers : 2010 : 30 meters / 98 foot : 7.5 meters / 24 foot : 8 knots : 14-15

CABIN:
7 cabins ; 2 Master Cabin with doubled bed and two single bed in upper deck ; 1 Suite Cabin in lower deck with one single bed and doubled bed; 4 standard cabin with bunk bed in lower deck.All cabin in lower deck has portholes and windows. Upper deck cabin has huge window.

ALL CABINS HAVE:

Individually controlled air conditioning Toilet and hot water shower Hand basin, mirror and towels Round twin plug 220V mains outlet - 24 hours per day Reading lights Cabinet and shelves Bedding Fire warning system Life jackets

SPECIFICATIONS:
Length Width Draft : 98 (30 m) : 24 (7.5m) : 6,5 (2 m)

Fuel Capacity : 6000 liter Fresh Water : 10000 liter (2 tanks, 5000 liter each) Engine : 200 HP Engine Type : Mitsubishi type MEBDC 9-1A Max Speed : 9 Knot Range speed : 7 9 Knot Fuel Type : HSD Generator : 2 x 40 KW, AE4D-32 PS120 Fresh Water Maker : 2000 liter per day Electricity 220V and 110V - 24 hours per day Waste Storage Tanks

DIVE EQUIPMENT:
Compressor : 2 compressor BAUER MARINER 200 Tanks : 35 unit Dive equipment : 10 full set brand new aqua lung and technisub dive equipment for rent. Please advise in advance to get your size prepared.

SAFETY SUPPORT FEATURES:

2 life rafts (max. 15 pax. In one raf and 10 pax at another) 3 x 40 HP motorized tender dinghies VHF & SSB radio Koden KGP 91 global positioning system (GPS) Furuno radar Depth sounder Furuno fish finder Byru satellite telephone Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) Comprehensive medic first aid box Oxygen on board 40+ Life jackets on board Fire extinguishers throughout the boat Customer diving insurance is not provided Boat holds Safety Management certification

Please select a trip schedule you wish to book. You could also choose more than one cruise dates to find our availability. You can have a flexible c the entire boat for your group. Trip Schedules: Jan, 08 - 15 >>> 7 Nights Raja Ampat Sorong-Sorong Jan, 19 - 26 >>> 7 Nights Raja Ampat Sorong-Sorong Jan, 30 - Feb, 06 >>> 7 Nights Raja Ampat Sorong-Sorong Feb, 09 - 16 >>> 7 Nights Raja Ampat Sorong-Sorong Feb, 19 - 26 >>> 7 Nights Raja Ampat Sorong-Sorong Feb, 28 - Mar 07 >>> 7 Nights Raja Ampat Sorong-Sorong Mar, 09 - 16 Mar >>> 7 Nights Raja Ampat Sorong-Sorong Mar, 19 - 26 >>> 7 Nights Raja Ampat Sorong-Sorong Mar, 29 - Apr, 05 >>> 7 Nights Raja Ampat Misool Sorong-Sorong

Apr, 10 - 24 >>> 14 Nights Raja Ampat-Misool-Banda-Ambon-Komodo Sorong Labuan Bajo May, 04 - 11 >>> 7 Nights Komodo Labuan Bajo Labuan Bajo May, 14 - 19 >>> 5 Nights Komodo Labuan Bajo Labuan Bajo May, 22 - 29 >>> 7 Nights Komodo Labuan Bajo Labuan Bajo Jun, 01 Jun - 08 >>> 7 Nights Komodo Labuan Bajo Labuan Bajo Jun, 11 - 16 >>> 5 Nights Komodo Labuan Bajo Labuan Bajo Jun, 19 Jun - 26 >>> 7 Nights Komodo Labuan Bajo Labuan Bajo Jun, 29 Jun - Jul, 04 >>> 5 Nights Komodo Labuan Bajo Labuan Bajo Jul, 06 - 13 >>> 7 Nights Komodo Labuan Bajo Labuan Bajo Jul, 16 - 21 >>> 5 Nights Komodo Labuan Bajo Labuan Bajo Jul, 24 - 29 >>> 5 Nights Komodo Labuan Bajo Labuan Bajo Aug, 03 - 10 >>> 7 Nights Komodo Labuan Bajo Labuan Bajo Aug, 13 - 18 >>> 5 Nights Komodo Labuan Bajo Labuan Bajo Aug, 24 - Sep, 07 >>> 14 Nights Komodo-Ambon-Banda-Misool-Raja Ampat Labuan Bajo Sorong Sep, 21 - 28 >>> 7 Nights Raja Ampat Sorong-Sorong Oct, 01 Oct - 08 >>> 7 Nights Raja Ampat Sorong-Sorong Oct, 12 Oct - 19 >>> 7 Nights Raja Ampat Sorong-Sorong Oct, 23 Oct - 30 >>> 7 Nights Raja Ampat Sorong-Sorong Nov, 02 - 09 >>> 7 Nights Raja Ampat Sorong-Sorong Nov, 13 - 23 >>> 10 Nights Nights Raja Ampat Misool Sorong-Sorong Nov, 27 - Dec, 04 >>> 7 Nights Raja Ampat Sorong-Sorong Dec, 07 - 14 >>> 7 Nights Raja Ampat Sorong-Sorong Dec, 18 - 26 >>> 10 Nights Raja Ampat Sorong-Sorong Dec, 28 - Jan, 04 >>> 7 Nights Raja Ampat Sorong-Sorong Nitrox is available. 10% discount for group booking of 6 people. One Free for group booking of 10 people.

Terms & Conditions

BOOKING AND CANCELLATION POLICY: A deposit of 35 percent is required no later than 7 days after the date of reservation to confirm your booking Payment of the balance must be made and received us 90 days prior to departure date. Failure of payment within the stated period will automatically give the rights to the Pearl of Papua to offer the berth to other participant on the waitlist. Cancellations more than 90 days prior to departure: 50% refund of monies on hand. Cancellations within 90-0 days prior to departure: all monies on hand are forfeited. 100 percent of payment is required for reservation within 90 days prior to departure.

Prices are exclusive of: Fuel surcharge, Port and National Park Fee, Alcoholic beverages, equipment rental, airline tickets and hotel stay en route to/prior/after boarding our liveaboard. Prices are inclusive of: Accommodation, up to 4 dives a day, dive guide, full meals, drinking water, coffee and teas, airport transfers, shore visit and topside scenic tours. Contact us now for further information

Promotion
Explore Raja Ampat with our brand-new phinisi schooner, the Pearl of Papua, and immerse yourself in a majestic and unforgettable journey through this must-dive region. Pamper yourself on our liveaboard, enjoy luxury at great value in our spacious cabins with en suite bathrooms. Be a group leader! Charter 7 cabins for your dive-buddies and enjoy yours for free. Cant leave your busy schedules for long dive expeditions offered by other liveaboards? Join our 5-nights-and-6-days trips available throughout the year. Contact us at info@papualiveaboard.com or drop us your email to join our mailing list for upcoming events and special deals.

Travel Info
Please read the following information carefully to ensure a safe and pleasant journey.

LUGGAGE
Expect excess baggage charges due to different weight restrictions between domestic and international airlines. On average, domestic passengers are allowed to check-in up to 20kg (44 lbs) of luggage. Pack lightly and use soft bags when possible for easier storage during the liveaboard.

VISA/PASSPORT
Travelers arriving into Indonesia must have a minimum of a 6-month validity left on their passports. Citizens of most countries can obtain visa-on-arrival at their first point-of-entry in Indonesia (USD 25 for 30 days, extendable for another 30 days). Certain nationalities, however, are required to obtain a visa from the Indonesian Embassy in their home countries before travel to Indonesia.

FISHING/SPEAR FISHING
Any type of fishing and spear fishing will not be allowed on board the Pearl of Papua and is strictly prohibited around Raja Ampat marine protected areas.

CONDITIONS
Guests must present their Diver Certification Card to the Cruise Director on the first day of the trip. Participants may be asked to provide proof of experience (dive logbook) at the discretion of our Diving Safety Officer prior to joining our liveaboard excursions. All participants are expected use common sense sensitivity when dealing with marine life. The Pearl of Papua is entitled to warn and expel any participant should risks to the environment are posed by that person.

VACCINATIONS
Consult your physician for necessary vaccinations prior to your travel to Indonesia. Malaria risk is present in some parts of the country, particularly In Papua. Take precautions with malaria prophylactics (malarone and doxicycline are recommended), but avoid the use of Lariam due to its side-effects and ineffectiveness in the region. Booster injections for intestinal diseases, Hepatitis A and B are also highly recommended.

INSURANCE
Due to the remoteness of Raja Ampat, we strongly advise our guests to take good travel insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation, baggage loss/damage, and cancellation policy. A valid dive accident insurance (such as DAN) must be carried by divers on our liveaboard.

Contact us now!
info@papualiveaboard.com Phone : +62 857 82261760 Fax : +62 21 39831342 / +62 218354893 You can leave a message using the contact form below.