Indonesia

FIRE & SPICE - INDONESIA’S FORGOTTEN ARCHIPELAGO

Alor, the Forgotten Islands, Banda Islands & Raja Ampat  

OCT 15 - NOV 04 2026  • 22 DAYS •  12 GUESTS

Embark on an unforgettable voyage to the remote corners of Indonesia and unlock the treasures of Alor, the Forgotten Islands, the Banda Islands, and magical Raja Ampat on a marine lover’s dream expedition.

We've curated a bespoke itinerary to offer an extraordinary array of vibrant reefs and unparalleled diversity of marine life. Immerse yourself in the heart of the Coral Triangle as you snorkel and dive amidst breathtaking coral gardens, hunt for elusive hammerheads in the azure depths, and discover the weird and wonderful critters hiding in the volcanic sand. Step back in time and uncover the fascinating history of the spice islands as you stroll through shady nutmeg plantations, and marvel at the sunset from atop a 17th-century Dutch fort. Your journey begins on the secluded island of Alor, a rare gem boasting world-class muck diving, whale watching, and pristine reefs offering thrilling big animal encounters. Traverse Indonesia’s remote paradise islands as you sail from Saumlaki to West Papua. Discover coral-covered seamounts in the Forgotten Islands, snorkel beneath a towering volcano in Banda Neira, and revel in the vibrant soft corals of Misool in Raja Ampat. Along the way, embrace the local culture of remote villages and soak in spectacular sunsets from secluded beaches, on this exceptional itinerary through Indonesia’s forgotten island archipelago.

Experience the best of both worlds in Alor as you indulge in world-class muck dives and explore breathtaking pristine coral reefs in the Pantar Strait, all from the comfort of the exclusively hired Alami boutique resort. Hunt for cryptic frogfish, expertly camouflaged pygmy seahorses and color-changing cuttlefish along the black sand slopes of Kalabahi Bay. Explore dramatic drop-offs and expansive overhangs carpeted with colorful sponges, sea fans and soft corals. The Pantar Strait forms part of a significant migration route, offering opportunities to observe a variety of marine mammals. We have timed our expedition to coincide with the Pygmy Blue Whale migration, offering a chance to witness these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. 

Fly to remote Saumlaki in the Tanimbar islands and board one of Indonesia’s premier yachts, the Damai I, a luxurious Indonesian Phinisi schooner. Indulge in 12 days of uninterrupted snorkeling and diving on a specially designed itinerary, exploring some of the most remote islands of the Coral Triangle. The Forgotten Islands, also referred to as the Southeast Moluccas, form a vast chain of islands spanning 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from Timor to West Papua. Secluded and undeveloped, these islands have remained isolated from tourism, boasting diverse terrain from forested mountains to stunning beaches and mangroves. Experience vibrant coral reefs in gin-clear water, search for schooling hammerheads and swim alongside swirling schools of barracuda, jacks, and fusiliers.  

Once the coveted destination of explorers like Columbus and Marco Polo, the Banda Islands were renowned as the original Spice Islands, prized by colonial powers like the Dutch and Portuguese for their nutmeg and cloves. Despite a violent colonial past, today these tropical islands are celebrated for their spectacular diving and snorkeling opportunities. Steep drop-offs, vibrant hard corals, and swift currents create a breathtaking underwater landscape teeming with schools of fish, turtles, Napoleon wrasse, groupers, sharks, and rays. Witness the mating ritual of the colorful mandarin fish at dusk. Banda's Gunung Api, an imposing volcano, stands as a majestic sentinel over the island, adding a dramatic backdrop to the stunning tropical scenery.

Conclude this unforgettable expedition in Raja Ampat, renowned as the world’s #1 marine biodiversity hotspot. With over 1560 different species of reef fish and 75% of the world’s known coral species, prepare to be awe-struck by the vibrant reefs bursting with color and life. The reefs surrounding Misool pulse with marine life from the surface down to the depths, where a kaleidoscope of soft corals and sea fans can start in less than a meter of water. Experience the company of friendly sea turtles, the graceful movements of patrolling reef sharks, and the thrilling sight of hunting giant trevally. Visit one of the only places on the planet where both Reef- and Oceanic manta rays can be observed simultaneously at cleaning stations.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience world-class diving and snorkeling in the heart of the Coral Triangle in remote Eastern Indonesia

• Uncover one of Indonesia’s best-kept secrets as you explore the incredible reefs of Alor from an exclusively hired boutique resort

• Watch Pygmy Blue whales and other marine mammals on their annual migration

• Marvel at the weird, wonderful, and bizarre creatures on Indonesia’s newest “muck” sites

• Watch schooling Hammerhead sharks on remote seamounts

• Witness the mesmerizing sight of thousands of nesting sea birds on an oceanic volcano 

• Cruise the remote Forgotten Islands archipelago and Raja Ampat in luxury from a privately chartered yacht

• Stroll through shady nutmeg plantations and climb to the top of the 17th-century Dutch fort in the Banda Islands

• Dive and snorkel spectacular coral gardens, dramatic drop-offs, submerged ridges, and seamounts bursting with life

• Watch the mating ritual of Thomas’ favorite fish, the colorful Mandarin fish

• Immerse yourself in traditional culture, visit remote villages and meet the friendly locals

• Get close to sharks, mantas, schooling jacks and barracuda, Napoleon wrasse and turtles

• Visit secluded beaches, enjoy spectacular sundowners with a cocktail in hand, as you soak in the breathtaking views

Pre Extension: Komodo - Islands, Reefs & Dragons

09-16 OCT 2026 ● 6 DAYS ● 12 GUESTS

Join our 6-day pre-extension and start your Indonesian adventure in Komodo National Park.  From your beachfront bungalow on a private island resort, explore the incredible surrounding island landscapes, come face to face with Komodo dragons in their natural habitat, and be astounded by the diversity of marine life as you dip into the warm tropical waters. Discover an abundance of colorful reef fish on the shallow reefs, mantas circling over cleaning stations, patrolling sharks and pelagic fish schooling off the current-swept seamounts, walls and pinnacles. 

RESERVE MY SPACE & ENQUIRIES

You've got that "I don't want to miss out" feeling for a good reason. Our expeditions are life changers and we have a solid following of Wild Earth Explorers who love returning to adventure with us. Don't hesitate to reserve your space today.

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

FIRE & SPICE – INDONESIA’S FORGOTTEN ARCHIPELAGO 

OCT 15 – NOV 04, 2026 ● 22 DAYS ● 12 GUESTS 

Day 01 | 15 Oct Depart Home / En route to Kupang, Timor, Indonesia 

Day 02 | 16 Oct  Arrive in Kupang / Overnight 

Day 03 | 17 Oct Fly to Alor / Afternoon dive & snorkel / Welcome cocktail party 

Day 04-08 | 18-22 Oct  Explore the dynamic reefs of Alor / Whale watching / Island exploration

Day 09 | 23 Oct  Fly to Jakarta / Overnight flight to Saumlaki 

Day 10 | 24 Oct   Board the SY Damai 

Day 11-20 | 25. Oct-03 Nov Dive, snorkel and explore the Forgotten Islands, Banda Islands & Raja Ampat

Day 21 | 04 Nov  Disembark the SY Damai in Sorong / Fly to Jakarta / Fly home

Day 22 | 05 Nov  Arrive home

KOMODO RESORT

ALAMI RESORT

S/Y DAMAI I

S/Y Damai I was built in 2009 in Tanjung Bira, South Sulawesi, by Pak Hadji Baso, the most prestigious builder in the area. The collaboration of traditional skills with years of experience in the Indonesian live-aboard diving industry has created a remarkable vessel. MY Damai I has been designed to offer a personal service that only a vessel of this size, dedicated to small groups, can provide. With an overall length of 40 meters (130 feet) and a beam of over 8 meters (26 feet) the vessel has 7 staterooms with a choice of twin cabins, doubles and two spacious master cabins (sold on a first come first serve basis). All cabins are furnished with either queen or king-sized beds, en-suite bathrooms and a/c. The vessel has been designed with three large deck areas for relaxing in both the sun or shade and for indulging in a massage. Specifically designed for divers, the vessel offers large dive stations with individual rinse tanks and a camera room with separate camera work stations with integrated 110v and 220v charging station for each photographer. The vessel is the first in Indonesia to offer a dive master/guide to customer ratio of 4 to 1. Ensuring the best service underwater as well as onboard with 18 crew. The vessel has been specifically designed for cruising, diving and snorkelling the tropical waters of Indonesia. With passenger well-being always the top priority, Damai has set a new standard for safety and comfort. The crew have been specially trained in all aspects of safety, emergency and evacuation procedures. The yacht is equipped with the latest safety features including Oxygen, well equipped 1st aid kit, Life Jackets, Fire Extinguishers, Smoke Alarms, Emergency Long Distance Radios, and Satellite Phones.

WILD EARTH LEADERS

PHOTO CREDIT © Thomas Baechtold, Sabine Templeton, Alami Resort, S/Y Damai I, Komodo Resort & Adobe Stock