"Over 19 years making dreams come true for divers... just like you"

Contact us now at ask@dive-the-world.com

contact

LiveChat

Inquiry

Why Choose Us? Diving Videos Special Interests Trip Reports
FAQs
INSURANCE HOTEL BOOKINGS Creatures Parks & Reefs
Maps
Testimonials Newsletters

About Us

Top Currencies

USD U.S. Dollar
EUR EURO

GBP British Pound
AUD Australian Dollar

SGD Singapore Dollar
CAD Canadian Dollar

Other Currencies

BRL Brazilian Real
BGN Bulgarian Lev
CNY Chinese Yuan
HRK Croatian Kuna
CZK Czech Koruna
DKK Danish Krone
HKD Hong Kong Dollar
HUF Hungarian Forint

INR Indian Rupee
ILS Israeli Shekel
JPY Japanese Yen
MYR Malaysian Ringgit
MXN Mexican Peso
NZD New Zealand Dollar
NOK Norwegian Krone
PHP Philippine Peso

PLN Polish Zloty
RUB Russian Ruble
ZAR South African Rand
KRW South Korean Won
SEK Swedish Krone
CHF Swiss Franc
THB Thai Baht
TRY Turkish Lira

Note: Currency conversions are for display purposes only and are the current exchange rate equivalents of the USD prices shown on our website. Actual prices may vary.

DIVE THE WORLD

Liveaboard Search

Start dateEnd date

All Australia

Great Barrier Reef/Coral Sea Southern Australia Rowley Shoals Cairns Barrier Reef

Bahamas Belize British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Costa Rica Cuba Djibouti Dominican Rep Ecuador

Galapagos Islands

Egypt

Southern Red Sea Red Sea North & Wrecks

Fiji Honduras India Indonesia

Komodo Raja Ampat Banda Sea Alor & Flores region Riau Archipelago Wakatobi Archipelago Sangalaki - Maratua Triton Bay North & Central Sulawesi Sumbawa Cenderawasih Bay Transit Trips Forgotten Islands Halmahera

Malaysia

Tioman Sipadan

Maldives

Central Atolls Outer Atolls

Marshall Islands Mexico

Magdalena Bay Socorro Islands Sea of Cortez

Myanmar Palau Philippines

Visayas Batangas-Bicol Palawan Tubbataha Reef Coron Island Apo Reef Transit Trips

Saba & St Kitts Solomon Islands Sudan Thailand

Phuket & Phi Phi Islands Hin Daeng & Hin Muang Koh Tarutao Similan Islands

Truk Turks and Caicos

USD
- Top Currencies
- USD U.S. Dollar
- EUR EURO
- GBP British Pound
- AUD Australian Dollar
- SGD Singapore Dollar
- CAD Canadian Dollar
- Top Currencies
- BRL Brazilian Real
- BGN Bulgarian Lev
- CNY Chinese Yuan
- HRK Croatian Kuna
- CZK Czech Koruna
- DKK Danish Krone
- HKD Hong Kong Dollar
- HUF Hungarian Forint
- INR Indian Rupee
- ILS Israeli Shekel
- JPY Japanese Yen
- MYR Malaysian Ringgit
- MXN Mexican Peso
- NZD New Zealand Dollar
- NOK Norwegian Krone
- PHP Philippine Peso
- PLN Polish Zloty
- RUB Russian Ruble
- ZAR South African Rand
- KRW South Korean Won
- SEK Swedish Krone
- CHF Swiss Franc
- THB Thai Baht
- TRY Turkish Lira
About Us
More Info
Inquiry
LiveChat
WhatsApp
Contact

Guaranteed cheapest price

Free dive insurance

Immediate expert advice

Loyal customer discounts

>Liveaboards>Indonesia>Pearl of Papua

Other Indonesia options

Pearl of Papua

From USD 324 per day

Length

30m
99 ft

Max 14

Nitrox

PLAY VIDEO

LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE

At a glance...

Specialises in cruises around Raja Ampat and Cenderawasih Bay
Runs shorter trips than others - 6 - 10 nights
All cabins have ensuite bathrooms
Ideal for those with limited time or budget

Customer reviews

Very good!

Click on an image to enlarge

Raja Ampat liveaboard, the Pearl of Papua

Seaview Suite with double bed on upper deck

Enjoy the large window views in the Trevally double bed cabin

Trevally Deluxe twin bed cabin with windows, A/C and reading lights

Lower deck Manta suite with double and single bed

Standard twin bunk bed cabin with storage space and slippers

Diving with whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay

Magical Indonesian reefs await you, time to dive!

On the dive deck - preparing to get wet in Raja Ampat

Nice view of the stern and dive platform

Enjoy the tropical rays in comfort on the dive deck

Indonesia diving cruises with the Pearl of Papua

Cruising past remote islands in full sail

Page contents:
Departure & Prices
Trip Details
Itineraries
Cabins
Crew & Facilities
Food
Specs
Safety
Reviews

As the name suggests, Pearl of Papua is a traditional Buginese schooner that specialises in dive cruises to Raja Ampat, Indonesia. For most of the year you can see this 28m Raja Ampat liveaboard cutting through the pristine waters of the West Papua Province.

Pearl of Papua sets itself further apart from other Indonesia diving cruises by running shorter trips: from 6 to 10 nights' duration, in and out of Sorong. This makes it a great option for those with constraints on time or budget.

Up to 14 guests can be accommodated in 7 en-suite cabins on board what is a relatively small liveaboard which prides itself on customer service. With 3 dive guides it always means small diver groups and plenty of personal attention. Aiming to provide a luxury experience at a great value, Pearl of Papua features an air-conditioned saloon/dining area with entertainment facilities and a sun deck with chairs and mats for those who prefer to relax outdoors.

Cruises on Pearl of Papua mean that the wonderful dive sites of Raja Ampat are now open to more people, since the shorter tours and affordable prices make it possible for many more scuba divers to experience this wonderful region. If that includes you then, with Pearl of Papua, the world is your oyster.

Inquire Now

Scheduled departures, prices, destinations, durations...

Inquire Now

More Trip Details...

Dive experience: It is highly recommend that guests have at the very least 50 dives logged and have an advanced certification. But often times it also depends on how comfortable they are in the water.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, transfers to the boat from local airport and hotels, dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced English-speaking divemaster(s) (max number of 5 divers per guide), 12 litre tanks (DIN and yoke fittings), weights and weightbelt, shore visit and topside scenic tours, all taxes.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (7 nights US$ 360; 8 nights US$ 405; 10 nights US$ 495) to be paid in advance, dive insurance, port/park/fuel fees (Raja Ampat US$ 240 per trip, including fuel surcharge US$ 40 per trip) to be paid in advance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid paid in advance.

Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (US$ 5 per dive, max.2 dives/day/diver), 15 litre tank (from US$ 22 per day), dive computer (from US$ 22 per day), torch (from US$ 11 per day). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash only - IDR or USD). Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.

How to get there: Raja Ampat: Pearl of Papua's liveaboard cruises normally depart from Sorong in West Papua. You can fly directly to Sorong from Jakarta, Ujung Pandang (Makassar) and Manado. From Bali there are convenient connections via Ujung Pandang (Makassar) and Manado. We will help you arrange return domestic flights between Bali or Jakarta and the port of departure.
Cenderawasih Bay: Fly direct to the port of Manokwari (from Jakarta or via Makassar or Sorong), the port of Nabire (via Ambon or Manokwari) or the port of Biak (via Makassar).
For trips using other departure ports we will assist you with information on how to get there.
For more details, including airlines, see our West Papua travel information section. Local airport transfers operate from 6-10 am, local hotel pick-ups at 9:30 am. Port departure takes place as 11 am. The last dive of the trip will be at around 4 pm on the second last day of the trip, then the boat will return to shore during the final evening. We recommend you arrange you flight out as between 11 am - 2 pm so you can disembark from the vessel at leisure in the morning after big breakfast. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.

Non-diver rate: None.

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travellers may choose to share a cabin or pay a supplement of 60% of the published price per night.

Dive clubs and group discounts: None.

Whole boat charter rate (per night): US$ 5,500. Max. 15 guests.

Inquire Now

Itineraries...

Raja Ampat National Park North & Central (8 Days / 7 Nights - 21 Dives)

Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat: Dampier Strait: Cape Kri, Chicken Reef, Sardine Reef, Mikes Point and Mioskon; Penemu: Bayanggan Reef, Melissa's Garden and Kerunemo Adi; Kawe Islands and Aljui Bay: White Arrow, Tear Drop Corner and Cendana Pearl Farm Jetty; Yanggefo: Mayhem, Citrus Ridge and Gam Ridge; Arborek: Manta Sandy. Hike Mt Pindito and snorkel with the sharks at the beach in Wayag, speed boat tour of the limestone karsts, island picnic, local village visit in Arborek.

Day 1
After a quick 10 minute complimentary transfer from Sorong airport to the harbour, a welcome cold refreshing towel and drink, you can embark on a fabulous diving vacation with Pearl of Papua. Listen to the boat briefing, and then set up your dive gear in readiness for the diving ahead. Have lunch with the other guests that will share this adventure with you. In the afternoon there will be a check dive just outside Sorong Harbour. Enjoy dinner at dusk, then it is all about spending time on getting to know the crew and the divers better, while Pearl of Papua makes its journey to the Dampier Strait.

Days 2-6
Cruises of 7 or 8 nights tend to focus on the Northern and Central Raja Ampat region. Wake up to an early continental breakfast. There are 4 scheduled dives every day, except on the last day when only 2 morning dives will be conducted before Pearl of Papua starts its way back to Sorong. Food will never be a problem though! There will be a second breakfast following the 1st dive which is at 07:30 hrs. Lunch will follow the 2nd dive which is scheduled for 11:30 hrs. Expect to try some dishes with Indonesian influences, freshly prepared by the chef using seafood or various meats. There will also be plenty of salads and fruits to enjoy, and don't feel guilty of taking advantages of the snacks that are placed in a basket and available all day.
On each dive you will see so many different marine species that eventually you will soon understand why Raja Ampat is known as the most biodiverse marine region in the world. From frogfish to mantas, pygmy seahorses to wobbegong sharks, there will be many unforgettable encounters on your cruise! The 3rd dive in the afternoon is usually shallower, giving you more chances of spotting macro life and reef fishes. During the 4th dive (night dive) you will have a completely different experience since you will enter the water after sunset. Step back on board, shower and enjoy dinner and a tasty dessert.
Finish off a great trip on the penultimate day with 2 shallow dives before returning to port.

Day 8
Arise to a continental breakfast, goodbyes and more photos with the crew. Then you will be transferred to Sorong airport. The cruise director will also help you with check in procedures.

Raja Ampat National Park North & Central (9 Days / 8 Nights - 23 Dives)

Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat: Dampier Strait: Cape Kri, Chicken Reef, Sardine Reef, Mikes Point and Mioskon; Penemu: Bayanggan Reef, Melissa's Garden and Kerunemo Adi; Kawe Islands and Aljui Bay: White Arrow, Tear Drop Corner and Cendana Pearl Farm Jetty; Yanggefo: Mayhem, Citrus Ridge and Gam Ridge; Arborek: Manta Sandy. Hike Mt Pindito and snorkel with the sharks at the beach in Wayag, speed boat tour of the limestone karsts, island picnic, local village visit in Arborek.

Day 1
The boat crew will be waiting outside the arrivals hall at Sorong airport, they will escort you to the Pearl of Papua in the harbour. After a 15 minute ride you will be onboard the vessel, cabin allocation and ship orientation will take place before departure. Use this time to familiarise yourself with the facilities, then set up your dive gear in readiness for the diving ahead and make yourself comfortable. Lunch and dinner will be served while heading towards Raja Ampat National Park, when you can get to know the crew and the divers better.

Days 2-8
Cruises of 7 or 8 nights tend to focus on the Northern and Central Raja Ampat region. Wake up to an early continental breakfast. There are 4 scheduled dives every day, except on the last day when only 2 morning dives will be conducted before Pearl of Papua starts its way back to Sorong. Food will never be a problem though! There will be a second breakfast following the 1st dive which is at 07:30 hrs. Lunch will follow the 2nd dive which is scheduled for 11:30 hrs. Expect to try some dishes with Indonesian influences, freshly prepared by the chef using seafood or various meats. There will also be plenty of salads and fruits to enjoy, and don't feel guilty of taking advantages of the snacks that are placed in a basket and available all day.
On each dive you will see so many different marine species that eventually you will soon understand why Raja Ampat is known as the most biodiverse marine region in the world. From frogfish to mantas, pygmy seahorses to wobbegong sharks, there will be many unforgettable encounters on your cruise! The 3rd dive in the afternoon is usually shallower, giving you more chances of spotting macro life and reef fishes. During the 4th dive (night dive) you will have a completely different experience since you will enter the water after sunset. Step back on board, shower and enjoy dinner and a tasty dessert.
Finish off a great trip on the penultimate day with 2 shallow dives before returning to port.

Day 9
Arise to a continental breakfast, goodbyes and more photos with the crew. Then you will be transferred to Sorong airport. The cruise director will also help you with check in procedures.

Raja Ampat National Park (11 Days / 10 Nights - 30 Dives)

Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat - Misool: Boo Windows, Nudi Rock, Goa Farundi and Magic Mountain (Reef Bayangan), Fam and Penemu: Melissa's Garden, Hidden Bay, Wayag: Kawe Islands and Aljui Bay: White Arrow, Tear Drop Corner and Cendana Pearl Farm Jetty, Yanggefo: Mayhem, Citrus Ridge and Gam Ridge, Arborek: Manta Sandy, Dampier Strait: Cape Kri and Blue Magic. Hike Mt Pindito and snorkel with the sharks at the beach in Wayag, speed boat tour of the limestone karsts, island picnic, local village visit in Arborek, morning walk to the viewpoint at Penemu.

Day 1
The boat crew will be waiting outside the arrivals hall at Sorong airport, they will escort you to the Pearl of Papua in the harbour. After a 15 minute ride you will be onboard the vessel, cabin allocation and ship orientation will take place before departure. Use this time to familiarise yourself with the facilities, then set up your dive gear in readiness for the diving ahead and make yourself comfortable. Lunch and dinner will be served while heading towards Raja Ampat National Park, when you can get to know the crew and the divers better. Sorong to Misool is roughly a 12 hour journey.

Days 2-10
Wake up to an early continental breakfast. There are 4 scheduled dives every day, except on the last day when only 2 morning dives will be conducted before Pearl of Papua starts its way back to Sorong. Food will never be a problem though! There will be a second breakfast following the 1st dive which is at 07:30 hrs. Lunch will follow the 2nd dive which is scheduled for 11:30 hrs. Expect to try some dishes with Indonesian influences, freshly prepared by the chef using seafood or various meats. There will also be plenty of salads and fruits to enjoy, and don't feel guilty of taking advantages of the snacks that are placed in a basket and available all day..
On each dive you will see so many different marine species that eventually you will soon understand why Raja Ampat is known as the most biodiverse marine region in the world. From frogfish to mantas, pygmy seahorses to wobbegong sharks, there will be many unforgettable encounters on your cruise! The 3rd dive in the afternoon is usually shallower, giving you more chances of spotting macro life and reef fishes. During the 4th dive (night dive) you will have a completely different experience since you will enter the water after sunset. Step back on board, shower and enjoy dinner and a tasty dessert.
Day 10 will include 2 morning dives before heading back towards port.

Day 11
Arise to a continental breakfast, goodbyes and more photos with the crew. Then you will be transferred to Sorong airport. The cruise director will also help you with check in procedures.

Raja Ampat National Park South & Central (9 Days / 8 Nights - 24 Dives)

Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat - Pulau Matan, Misool: Boo, Farondi, Daram, Fiabacet, Penemu: Melissa's Garden, Arborek: Manta Sandy, Dampier Strait: Cape Kri, Blue Magic. Island picnic, local village visit in Arborek, morning walk to the viewpoint at Penemu.

Day 1
After a quick 10 minute transfer from Sorong airport to the harbour, a welcome cold refreshing towel and drink, you can embark on a fabulous diving vacation with Pearl of Papua. Listen to the boat briefing, and then set up your dive gear in readiness for the diving ahead. Have lunch with the other guests that will share this adventure with you. In the afternoon there may be time for a check dive just outside Sorong Harbour before the boat sets sail for the southern region of Misool. Enjoy dinner at dusk, then it is all about spending time getting to know the crew and the divers better, while Pearl of Papua makes its southern journey

Days 2-7
This cruise focuses on the Southern and Central Raja Ampat region. Wake up to an early continental breakfast. There are 4 scheduled dives every day, except on the last day when only 2 morning dives will be conducted before Pearl of Papua starts its way back to Sorong. After the first 3 dive days around Misool, this cruise then head north to the central areas of Penemu, Arborek and the Dampier Strait. Food will never be a problem on board! There will be a second breakfast following the 1st dive which is at 07:30 hrs. Lunch will follow the 2nd dive which is scheduled for 11:30 hrs. Expect to try some dishes with Indonesian influences, freshly prepared by the chef using seafood or various meats. There will also be plenty of salads and fruits to enjoy, and don't feel guilty of taking advantages of the snacks that are placed in a basket and available all day.
On each dive you will see so many different marine species that eventually you will soon understand why Raja Ampat is known as the most biodiverse marine region in the world. From frogfish to mantas, pygmy seahorses to wobbegong sharks, there will be many unforgettable encounters on your cruise! The 3rd dive in the afternoon is usually shallower, giving you more chances of spotting macro life and reef fishes. During the 4th dive (night dive) you will have a completely different experience since you will enter the water after sunset. Step back on board, shower and enjoy dinner and a tasty dessert.

Day 8
Finishing off your great trip with 2 shallow dives before returning to port.

Day 9
Arise to a continental breakfast, goodbyes and more photos with the crew. Then you will be transferred to Sorong airport. The cruise director will also help you with check in procedures.

[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].

Inquire Now

Cabins, Berths, Showers, Bathrooms...

The Pearl of Papua has 7 cabins with en-suite private bathrooms. There are 2 Trevally (Deluxe) cabins (1 with twin beds and 1 with double bed), and 2 Seaview (Luxury) twin or double bed cabins on the upper deck with large seaview windows. On the lower deck there are 2 Seahorse (Standard) twin bunk bed cabins, and 1 Manta (Master Suite) cabin with a double and single bed for double or triple share (not twin share), all with portholes for natural lighting. All beds are 2m long.

All the cabins have:

Air-conditioning
Portholes/windows
Toilet, hot water shower and hand basin
Toiletries and towels
Refrigerator (upper deck only)
Bedside reading lights

Cabinet, shelves and mirror
Bedding
Round 2-pin mains outlet 220 Volts - 24 hours per day
Fire warning system
Life jackets

No. of bathrooms / showers - 7 / 9 - hot water

Inquire Now

Crew, Facilities, Dive Courses...

The crew of 15 comprise:

Tour leader / Dive Instructor
2 Divemasters
Captain
Cook
3 Engineers

Stewardess
Maid
Masseuse
2 Deck hands

3 motorised dinghies - 50m² dive deck with shower, toilets, camera table and rinse tanks - 20m² air-conditioned saloon with bar, TV, DVD video, music & computer - Movie and book library and fish ID books - 90m² shaded area and sundeck with sun chairs and matresses - Massage service - Water dispenser

Inquire Now

Menu, Cuisine Type...

Beginning with lunch on your first day, your dining experience in Raja Ampat on board Pearl of Papua will involve a fusion of Asian and international cuisine. Pre-breakfast, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks each day will ensure your hunger pangs are kept at bay.

Asian and international meals; 4 different dishes per sitting.
Buffet style dining with waitress help in the saloon's dining area.
Pre-breakfast, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in between.
Coffee, tea, fruit, drinking water, candy bars, ice cream and biscuits are provided free of charge.
Soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits are available for purchase.
All dietary needs can be catered for - please send us advanced notice of any special requirements.
The dining service begins with lunch on the first day of the cruise.

Inquire Now

Technical Specifications...

Built in year 2010
Size - 30m x 7.5m
Weight - 160 tonnes
Top speed - 9 knots
Cruising speed - 8 knots
200 HP Mitsubishi engine
2 x 40 KW Mitsubishi generators
2 x Bauer dive tank compressors

12 litre aluminium scuba tanks with Int. fittings
Enriched air nitrox system
Electricity 220V and 110V - 24 hours per day
Water capacity - 10,000 litres
Watermaker - 2,000 litres per day
Fuel capacity - 6,000 litres
Waste storage tank

Inquire Now

Navigation, Safety Features...

2 life rafts (for 15 passengers each)
3 x 40 HP Yamaha motorised dinghies
Furuno VHF and SSB radio
Koden Global positioning system (GPS)
Furuno Radar
Furuno Sounder and Fishfinder

Satellite phone
EPIRB
Medic first aid box
Emergency oxygen - 12,000 litres
Life jackets in each cabin
Fire alarms and extinguishers throughout

Inquire Now

Customer reviews:

"Dive Master and dive crew on board: Organized, safety conscious, attentive, adapted to divers skills and preferences. Great knowledge of sea life. The boat is in need of freshening up. The dining room, decks, & dive operations were adequate. The rooms and bathrooms definitely need service. The engine smells permeated my lower deck room. There was inadequate space in the bathroom to put toiletries. Dive The World were attentive, responsive, friendly, knowledgeable, competent." - Stephanie Sales, USA, 30 November 2022 ...

"The boat's water pump broke down on the 3rd day and have to change dive plan in order to make port call to get the pump fixed. So the listed trip itinerary showed up to 30 dives but the liveaboard only scheduled 26 dives including the check dive...The website offers a wealth of information for dive holiday research. The representative (Vic) I was communicating with was very responsive." - John Ye, USA, 21 November 2022 ...