Our second whale-watching and snorkel trip with renowned cetacean scientist Dr. Charles Anderson felt like an ocean safari—an expedition filled with once-ina-lifetime marine encounters. Not long after departing Sorong on our way to Waigeo Island, a pod of pilot whales kicked off our journey on a high note. Just when we thought the first day couldn’t get any better,we were met with a rare sighting of false killer whales at sunset, just before reaching our anchorage.
With careful coordination of currents and tides, our first morning began with a dinghy exploration through Mayalibit Bay, a remote and rarely visited area with little human presence. Experiencing such an untouched part of the islands was truly incredible. The following day, we trekked through the jungle and were rewarded with sightings of Wilson’s bird-of-paradise and the Pitta bird.
Snorkeling at Sawanderek Jetty was a definite highlight, bringing us face-to-face with the area’s vibrant marine life, including hawksbill and green turtles, schooling batfish and sweetlips, and even a blacktip reef shark.
Continuing on to Yangeffo Island, we snorkeled through mangroves and coral gardens before heading toward Spooky Channel, where we spotted Indo-Pacific dolphins, an oceanic manta ray, and the elusive Omura’s whale.
As we ventured toward Wajag Reef, a seldom-visited northern region of Raja Ampat, we paused for a swim on the equator and witnessed extraordinary behavior, including an Omura’s whale feeding and a mother-calf pair along the way.
Eventually, our journey took us south again, where we cruised, encountered more cetaceans, and snorkeled at stunning sites. After a breathtaking hike to the iconic Piaynemo viewpoint, we ended the trip on an unforgettable high note— nearly three hours spent in the presence of orcas. Breaching, spy-hopping, and ultimately coordinating a hunt on a baby spinner dolphin, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone on board.
This trip truly showcased the incredible diversity of wildlife and landscapes in Raja Ampat, serving as the perfect sampler of the region’s very best. When you’re out on the water exploring, you never know what you might encounter— and this journey was proof that anything is possible, and magic can happen when you seek it.
Nicole Holman
Mermaid I
Raja Ampat Bird & Whale Watching Cruise
March 16-25, 2025