This expedition follows spice trade routes that shaped the modern world — north from Timor-Leste through the Banda Islands, to the 1,500 limestone islands of Raja Ampat. The geographic isolation that made these waters worth fighting over across three centuries has helped to preserve the marine environments that now support 550 coral species and 1,600 documented reef fish species — the most biodiverse underwater habitat on Earth. Thirty guests aboard Paspaley Pearl means access these waters require — time and movement shaped by conditions rather than a fixed schedule.
When the Portuguese established the first forts in the Spice Islands in 1512, nutmeg and mace commanded prices exceeding gold in European markets — enough to justify warships, mercenaries, and a century of brutal competition. The Dutch eventually monopolised the trade by force, but their grip came at a price: in the 1667 Treaty of Breda, they ceded a small Dutch settlement called New Amsterdam to the English in exchange for the Spice Island of Run. The English renamed that settlement New York.
Raja Ampat, at the heart of the Coral Triangle, owes its extraordinary biodiversity to the Indonesian Throughflow — nutrients driven through reef systems that support more coral species in a single dive site than exist across the entire Caribbean. Above the surface, limestone karst peaks rise sharply from flat calm water, their jungle-covered slopes concealing hidden lagoons and uninhabited beaches that reward exploration by Zodiac. Five full days allow exploration of iconic sites and discovery of new experiences both above and below the water.
Day-by-Day Adventures
Dili, Timor Leste
- Colonial heritage and marine environments
Board the Paspaley Pearl in Southeast Asia’s youngest nation, where Portuguese colonial architecture features in the waterfront town of Dili, serving as your gateway to the Indonesian islands and Raja Ampat. Once aboard, the evening unfolds with introductions to crew and fellow guests over dinner as the vessel departs for the Banda Sea crossing.
DAY 1
At Sea
- Historic Island Adventure
Travel through one of the world’s great ocean passages where depths exceed 5,000 metres as you cross the Banda Sea. During this crossing, four onboard naturalists will introduce the journey ahead, explaining the ocean and environmental systems that create the extraordinary marine life found in Raja Ampat. They’ll also share the history of the Banda Islands and the conflict-ridden spice trade.
DAY 2
Tanimbar Islands
- explore a great megalithic site
The Tanimbars lie in the far south of Maluku, some 65 islands set between the Banda and Arafura Seas, with the port town of Saumlaki on the largest of them, Yamdena. We go ashore here and travel up the east coast to Sangliat Dol, a village built around one of the great megalithic sites of eastern Indonesia. A stone stairway climbs from the beach to a ceremonial platform laid out in the shape of a boat, its prow turned toward the sea, carved with spirals and fish and understood as the vessel that carried the first ancestors to these islands. It remains the ritual centre of the village. Tanimbarese carving, goldwork and ikat weaving are among the finest in Maluku, and the forested hills behind the coast hold birds found nowhere else on earth.
DAY 3
Kei Islands, Maluku
- White sand beaches and remote islands
Arrive at The Kei Islands, where white sand beaches meet clear water over shallow fringing reef systems. Enjoy a traditional welcome ceremony from local communities that trace back to migrations from Java and Bali during the expansion of the Majapahit Empire. Here, rich cultural practices have been maintained across generations and continue to thrive today.
DAY 4
Kitikiti Waterfall, Mommon
- Freshwater and coral reefs
Today offers the chance to explore the Mommon Peninsula, where the KitiKiti waterfall cascades from rainforest-covered cliffs into the ocean. A refreshing contrast forms where cool freshwater meets the warm tropical sea, creating distinct temperature layers that can be felt while swimming near the falls. Make use of kayaks and paddleboards to explore the coastline and glide above coral reefs that flourish beyond the reach of freshwater. From the surrounding rainforest, you’ll hear the cacophony of endemic bird calls only found in New Guinea’s western regions.
DAY 5
Raja Ampat Archipelago
- 5 DAYS IN MARINE EXCELLENCE
Spend the next five days exploring the wonders of the Raja Ampat archipelago, with each day offering new adventures. Visit Manta Sandy, where manta rays with wingspans exceeding three metres gather, and Cape Kri, home to a world-record breaking dive documenting 374 distinct fish species in a single dive. Snorkel through vibrant coral gardens with visibility often exceeding 30 metres, drifting from shallow reefs to dramatic vertical wall systems plunge into the deep blue.
DAYS 6-10
Sorong
- Villages only reached by sea
Disembark Paspaley Pearl at Sorong with memories of limestone islands rising sheer from the water, reefs holding more coral and fish species than anywhere else on earth, and villages reached only by sea. The port sits at the western tip of the Bird’s Head Peninsula, the crossing point between Papua and the trade routes of Maluku for centuries before it was a town at all. From here a short transfer takes you to your charter flight back to Darwin.
DAY 11
Departure dates
Ocean Double/Single Stateroom
$23,495
Ocean Twin Stateroom
$26,495
Ocean Stateroom
$28,995
Horizon Suite
$33,495
Pearl Suite
$36,995
Prices are in AUD$ per person based on twin share. Single supplement pricing is available on application. *Sole occupancy of stateroom #107 attracts no single surcharge.
Ocean Double/Single Stateroom
$23,495
Ocean Twin Stateroom
$26,495
Ocean Stateroom
$28,995
Horizon Suite
$33,495
Pearl Suite
$36,995
Prices are in AUD$ per person based on twin share. Single supplement pricing is available on application. *Sole occupancy of stateroom #107 attracts no single surcharge.
Ocean Double/Single Stateroom
$23,495
Ocean Twin Stateroom
$26,495
Ocean Stateroom
$28,995
Horizon Suite
$33,495
Pearl Suite
$36,995
Prices are in AUD$ per person based on twin share. Single supplement pricing is available on application. *Sole occupancy of stateroom #107 attracts no single surcharge.
Ocean Double/Single Stateroom
$23,495
Ocean Twin Stateroom
$26,495
Ocean Stateroom
$28,995
Horizon Suite
$33,495
Pearl Suite
$36,995
Prices are in AUD$ per person based on twin share. Single supplement pricing is available on application. *Sole occupancy of stateroom #107 attracts no single surcharge.
Ocean Double/Single Stateroom
$23,495
Ocean Twin Stateroom
$26,495
Ocean Stateroom
$28,995
Horizon Suite
$33,495
Pearl Suite
$36,995
Prices are in AUD$ per person based on twin share. Single supplement pricing is available on application. *Sole occupancy of stateroom #107 attracts no single surcharge.
