Cruise Biak, West Papua to Darwin, Australia

Tues, 11th Oct   11am charter flight from Darwin. Arrive Biak 12.30 (chaos processing the passports!). Binsari Caves Wed, 12th Oct: Cenderawasih Bay and Kwatisore village Thurs, 13th Oct: cruise out of Cenderawasih Bay and around the Dampier Strait Fri, 14th Oct: Wayag Island Sat, 15th Oct: Kawe Island, Aljui Bay and Penemu Lagoon Sun, 16th Oct: Yensawai village and Hidden Bay Mon, 17th Oct: Kaibui Bay and Yenwapnour village, Gam Island Tues, 18th Oct: Yenwapnour, Gam Island and Mesemta with sunset Barbeque Wed, 19th Oct: Mesemta and Wagnab Island one of the Misool islands. Thur, 20th Oct: Banda Neira, Spice Islands Fri, 21st Oct: Banda Neira and crossing the Banda sea Sat, 22nd Oct: Crossing the Timor sea Sun, 23rd Oct: Arrive 7am in Darwin. (Should be off ship at 8am but delayed until 9.30am) Sun, 23rd Oct: Visited the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. 15.50 flight Darwin to Singapore 01.10 flight Singapore to London (arrive 07.45 Monday)

Expedition Ship and Team

Our ship, the Coral Discoverer, has a shallow draught and good manoeuvrability so we could go in waters where larger vessels cannot. A great addition to the ship is the tender vessel, Xplorer, that can seat all passengers for excursions to beaches and rivers. It is also equipped with 3 zodiacs and a glass bottom boat. Our excellent team were Expedition Team Leader Jamie Anderson, assisted by Mark Steadman and dive instructor, James Heydock. The guest lecturer was Bruce Pohlmann, an expert on Papuan tribes.  

Thanks

My thanks to fellow travellers, Cory & Gwynn Williams,  and Coral Expeditions for allowing me to use their underwater photos on this website.

Itinerary

Tasmania

Wednesday, 28th September 22.05 depart London, England. Friday 30th September 11.55 arrive Hobart, Tasmania Tour of Tasmania - See Tasmania website Sunday, 9th October 16.00  Flight Hobart to Melbourne (1hr 15min) / 19.55 Melbourne to Darwin  (delayed about 2.5 hours due to very high winds). Arrived 2am instead of 23.00 Monday 10th October - Darwin day trip to Litchfield National Park