11-Night Raja Ampat Photography cruise on Two beautiful boats
Enter a calm world of emerald lagoons, limestone islands and wild tropical seas
Raja Ampat is one of those rare places where reality feels almost impossible to photograph.
Thousands of jungle-covered islands rise from a sea so clear and intensely blue that the boundaries between ocean, reef and sky seem to disappear. Hidden lagoons open between towering limestone cliffs. Birds-of-paradise call from the forest at dawn. Manta rays glide through the blue, dolphins race alongside the boat, and tiny villages still live according to the rhythm of the sea.
This 11-night photography expedition through Raja Ampat is designed to experience the archipelago from the water and to photograph it from every possible perspective — from high viewpoints and kayaks to tender boats, beaches, coral reefs and underwater.
We begin in Sorong, sail through the Central Raja Ampat islands and the Dampier Strait, then continue south into the remote landscapes of Misool before returning to Sorong.
Along the way, we will photograph spectacular karst formations, hidden lagoons, rainforest, traditional villages, waterfalls, birds-of-paradise, manta rays, dolphins and some of the richest coral reefs on Earth.
This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise.
Every day is built around light, weather, tides, wildlife and photography. We may change the timing of landings, stay longer at a location when conditions are exceptional, or move on when another opportunity appears.
The goal is simple: to experience Raja Ampat slowly, photographically, and at its most spectacular.
What Makes This Expedition Special
11 nights in Raja Ampat
Central Raja Ampat + Misool
Birds-of-paradise
Manta rays
Dolphins
Jellyfish Lake
Ancient rock art
Traditional villages
Waterfalls
Hidden lagoons
Kayaking
Drone photography
Snorkeling almost every day
6–10 optional dives
Daily sunrise & sunset photography & Editing classes
Above all, this is a journey for people who want to photograph rather than simply visit.
We will wake before sunrise, chase the best light, disappear into jungle trails, swim through coral gardens, paddle into hidden lagoons and wait on remote beaches for the last light of the day.
For eleven nights, Raja Ampat becomes our studio.
Day 1 | Sorong — Into Raja Ampat, 7 March
Sorong → Dampier Strait → Mioskon
Our adventure begins in Sorong, where we meet at the airport and board our expedition vessel.
I recommend everyone to take same flight
March 7, 2027 — 08:00 Bali (DPS) → 12:10 Sorong (SOQ), Garuda Indonesia GA686, 3h 10m. So we can meet in Bali airport and fly together. You can book it as return flight:
March 18, 2027 — 13:30 Sorong (SOQ) → 15:35 Bali (DPS), Garuda Indonesia GA687,
After settling into our cabins and a welcome lunch, we leave Sorong behind and begin sailing toward the islands of Central Raja Ampat.
The feeling changes almost immediately. The busy mainland disappears and the horizon becomes a world of forested islands, turquoise water and distant limestone peaks.
Our first destination is Mioskon Island, where we have our first opportunity to explore the beach and surrounding waters.
As the afternoon light softens, we prepare for our first Raja Ampat sunset photography session.
Then comes one of the region’s magical wildlife spectacles: thousands of bats leaving the forest at dusk, flying across the orange evening sky as we photograph from the boat.
Our first night is spent at anchor among the islands.
Day 2 | Gam & Kali Biru — Into the Jungle
Birds-of-paradise • Kali Biru • Reef • Rainforest
We begin early.
Raja Ampat’s forests come alive at first light, and the morning is dedicated to one of the region’s most extraordinary subjects: birds-of-paradise.
With local guides, we explore the forest and search for these elusive birds in the early morning light. Photographing them requires patience — waiting quietly in the forest while listening for movement above the canopy.
After breakfast, we return to the water for snorkeling or an optional dive.
Later we head inland toward Kali Biru, the famous Blue River.
A short trek through the tropical forest brings us to crystal-clear freshwater surrounded by dense vegetation. This is one of those places where the camera can almost be forgotten for a moment: swim in the blue water, explore the jungle and photograph the incredible colors and reflections.
In the afternoon, we return to the boat and spend time photographing the surrounding islands from the water.
Photography: birds-of-paradise, rainforest, blue river, underwater reefs, landscapes
Activities: birdwatching, trekking, swimming, snorkeling, optional diving
Overnight: Central Raja Ampat
Day 3 | Sawandarek & Batanta — Village Life & The Great Waterfall
Village • Coral Reef • Waterfall • Mangroves
We start the morning in the water around Sawandarek, with snorkeling or an optional dive near the famous jetty.
The shallow reefs here provide excellent opportunities for both wide-angle underwater photography and colorful reef details.
After breakfast, we visit the local village.
This is an important part of the expedition: Raja Ampat is not only about spectacular landscapes. It is also about the people who have lived among these islands for generations.
We take time to walk through the village, meet local residents and photograph everyday life before continuing toward Batanta.
By tender, we travel inland through the rainforest toward one of Raja Ampat’s most spectacular waterfalls.
The journey itself becomes part of the adventure — narrow waterways, dense jungle and dramatic tropical scenery leading to the waterfall hidden inside the forest.
Later, we explore the surrounding mangroves by small boat, looking for birds and other wildlife.
As evening approaches, we return to the expedition vessel.
Photography: village life, portraits, reef life, waterfall, rainforest, mangroves
Activities: snorkeling, optional diving, village visit, waterfall trek, mangrove exploration
Overnight: Batanta / Central Raja Ampat
Day 4 | Penemu — The Classic Raja Ampat View
Penemu Lagoon • Kayaking • Melissa’s Garden
Few landscapes define Raja Ampat as perfectly as Penemu.
We climb to the famous viewpoint overlooking a maze of emerald islands and turquoise lagoons.
From above, the landscape becomes almost abstract — hundreds of tiny limestone formations scattered across the sea.
This is one of our strongest drone photography locations of the expedition, with countless possibilities for aerial compositions.
After the viewpoint session, we explore the lagoon by kayak, moving between limestone cliffs and small islands.
Later, we head underwater toward Melissa’s Garden, one of Raja Ampat’s celebrated reef environments.
The afternoon is dedicated to underwater photography, snorkeling and exploring the surrounding islands.
As darkness arrives, we begin our overnight navigation south toward Misool.
Photography: panoramic landscapes, drone photography, aerial patterns, kayaking, underwater reefs
Activities: viewpoint hike, kayaking, snorkeling, optional diving
Overnight: sailing toward Misool
Day 5 | Balbulol — Into the Karst Wilderness
Hidden Lagoons • Limestone Islands • Kayaking • Drone Photography
We wake in a completely different world.
The islands of Misool rise dramatically from the sea, their limestone cliffs covered with dense tropical vegetation.
Balbulol is a maze of islands, narrow passages and hidden lagoons — perfect territory for exploration by tender and kayak.
We spend the day moving slowly through this labyrinth.
From the air, the landscape becomes even more spectacular. The contrast between emerald vegetation, dark limestone and luminous turquoise water creates endless opportunities for drone photography.
By tender, we enter smaller lagoons and channels that cannot be reached by the main vessel.
There is time for snorkeling, kayaking and an optional dive before returning to the boat for sunset.
Photography: drone landscapes, karst formations, lagoons, reflections, tropical seascapes
Activities: tender exploration, kayaking, snorkeling, optional diving
Overnight: Misool
Day 6 | Misool — A Day in the Wild
Remote Islands • Hidden Bays • Reef Photography • Sunset
Today is deliberately flexible.
Rather than rushing between landmarks, we spend the day exploring one of the most spectacular sections of Misool according to the conditions.
Tides, currents and light will determine our route.
We may explore a hidden lagoon by tender, kayak through narrow limestone passages, photograph isolated beaches or spend more time underwater on a particularly beautiful reef.
For photographers, this is one of the days when the expedition mentality really matters.
The best images often happen when there is no strict schedule — when the light suddenly changes, a group of dolphins appears, clouds form over the islands or the water becomes perfectly calm.
We finish with a long sunset session from the boat or a secluded beach.
Photography: landscapes, drone, wildlife, underwater, abstract aerials, sunset
Activities: kayaking, tender exploration, snorkeling, optional diving
Overnight: Misool
Day 7 | Yillet & Boo Island — Mantas & Turquoise Water
Manta Rays • Shadow Reef • Coral Gardens • Beach Sunset
We continue deeper into the Misool region.
The morning is dedicated to the water.
At Shadow Reef, we explore some of the spectacular coral environments that make Raja Ampat famous, with snorkeling and optional diving depending on conditions.
This is a day for underwater photographers.
Colorful soft corals, reef fish, dramatic drop-offs and the possibility of encountering manta rays create opportunities for both wide-angle and close-up images.
After the underwater session, we explore the islands around Boo by tender.
The combination of limestone cliffs, white sand and impossibly blue water creates some of the most photogenic scenery of the entire expedition.
Late afternoon is reserved for a relaxed beach session, drinks and sunset.
Photography: manta rays, coral reefs, underwater wide-angle, beaches, karst islands, sunset
Activities: snorkeling, optional diving, tender exploration, beach sunset
Overnight: Misool
Day 8 | Wayibatan & Love Lagoon — Islands from Above
Viewpoint • Love Lagoon • Kayaking • Reef
We start with an early morning viewpoint walk.
From above, the islands reveal another extraordinary composition of circular lagoons, limestone formations and dense green forest.
This is another excellent drone photography location, particularly in the soft morning light when the water changes from deep blue to turquoise.
We then descend toward Love Lagoon, exploring the area by kayak and tender.
There is time for swimming, snorkeling and an optional dive before returning to the vessel.
The afternoon is deliberately unhurried.
Photographers can work from the deck, experiment with aerial compositions or simply enjoy the landscape as we move between the islands.
Photography: drone, panoramic landscapes, lagoons, aerial abstracts, underwater
Activities: viewpoint hike, kayaking, snorkeling, optional diving
Overnight: Misool
Day 9 | Yapap — Dolphins, Rock Art & Hidden Lagoons
Dolphins • Ancient Rock Art • Yapap Lagoon • Beach BBQ
Today combines wildlife, history and exploration.
We begin on the water, looking for dolphins around Yapap. If conditions are right, we may have the opportunity to snorkel near them or observe them from the tender.
Later we explore ancient rock art, connecting the spectacular landscape with the human history of these islands.
The afternoon is devoted to Yapap Lagoon.
We enter the lagoon by tender and kayak, exploring its narrow channels and dramatic limestone formations.
This is another excellent location for drone photography, especially when the water is calm.
As evening arrives, we return to the beach for a relaxed BBQ under the tropical sky.
After days of intense exploration, this becomes one of those evenings when everyone simply sits together, watches the sunset and shares photographs and stories from the expedition.
Photography: dolphins, rock art, aerial landscapes, lagoons, beach life, sunset
Activities: dolphin watching/snorkeling, rock art exploration, kayaking, drone photography, beach BBQ
Overnight: Misool
Day 10 | Jellyfish Lake & Dafalen — A Surreal Underwater World
Jellyfish Lake • Panoramic Viewpoint • Sunset Cruise
One of the most unusual experiences of the expedition awaits us today.
We visit a Jellyfish Lake, where we can snorkel among thousands of jellyfish in a surreal underwater environment.
This is a completely different photographic experience from the coral reefs — abstract, minimal and otherworldly.
Later we climb to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the surrounding islands.
Once again, the drone comes out.
From above, the landscape becomes a collection of turquoise pools, green islands and winding channels.
In the late afternoon, we return to the water for a relaxed sunset cruise, using the last light to photograph the silhouettes and reflections of the Misool islands.
Photography: jellyfish, abstract underwater images, drone landscapes, panoramic views, sunset
Activities: jellyfish lake snorkeling, viewpoint walk, tender cruise
Overnight: Misool
Day 11 | Wagmab & Lost Lagoon — The Final Wilderness
Remote Lagoons • Kayaking • Final Reef Session
Our final full day takes us into another remote corner of Misool.
Wagmab and Lost Lagoon offer exactly what the name suggests: hidden landscapes far from the normal routes.
We explore by tender and kayak, entering narrow passages surrounded by towering limestone cliffs.
There is time for one final reef snorkeling session or optional dive, searching for colorful coral, reef fish and the small details that make Raja Ampat so extraordinary underwater.
Then we begin our navigation back toward Sorong.
Rather than simply treating the return journey as transportation, we continue photographing from the deck — islands disappearing behind us, changing clouds, reflections and the final light over the Raja Ampat horizon.
Our last evening becomes a celebration of the expedition.
Photography: remote landscapes, lagoons, drone, kayaking, reef life, sunset
Activities: tender exploration, kayaking, snorkeling, optional final dive
Overnight: onboard while sailing toward Sorong
Day 12 | Sorong — The Journey Home
Sorong • Breakfast • Departure
We arrive back in Sorong after breakfast.
There is time for a final coffee, exchange of photographs and goodbyes before transferring ashore and continuing onward to the airport.
The expedition may be over, but the images — and the memories of eleven nights among the islands — travel home with us.
Included
- 11-night full-board accommodation onboard
- 3 meals daily + snacks
- Private airport/hotel transfers with luggage assistance
- Daily housekeeping, towels and linen
- Kayaks and SUP boards
- Snorkeling equipment
- Wi-Fi / Starlink when available
- Full crew and flexible expedition itinerary
- Professional dive guides and dive tenders for optional dives
- Diving itself, during this busy photography trip we can do max 5-6 most spectacular dives
- First-aid equipment and emergency oxygen
Not included
- Raja Ampat park & port fees: ~USD 300 — includes national park, village, dive-site, harbour, trekking fees and regional taxes
- Scuba diving equipment rental
- Diving courses / certifications / Nitrox
- Alcoholic drinks
- Crew gratuities
- Domestic flights
- Visa fees / airport taxes
Difficulty: as easy as it gets – coconit&drone&snorkel in paradise 🙂
Pricing below
Payment schedule: Deposit 4000 USD is required upon the booking and the rest of payment is due 3 months before the cruise.
White sail boat (just 3 cabins) – 11900 USD pp – all cabins SOLD OUT
Red sail boat (5 cabins) – 8900 USD pp – 3 cabins left
We stay and cruise on these TWO boats, so you can choose your cabins which are still available – fill the form below this page with your preference
White sails boat:
Cabins:
Single option (the cabin will be ALL just for yourself) is +75% of the twin shared price per person listed above (+8925 USD).
If you share as triple (3 persons per cabin, usually family or friends) – the price is 9900 USD per person.
Red sails boat:
The boat accommodates a maximum of 10 guests in 5 comfortable, air-conditioned en-suite cabins, with an experienced crew taking care of us throughout the journey. At 30 meters long and 7 meters wide, Red Sail boat has plenty of space to relax, photograph and enjoy the landscapes as we move between the islands. She is powered by two 220 HP Mitsubishi engines, reaches up to 12 knots, and carries around 300 m² of sail area. Whenever conditions allow, we can turn off the engines and sail — which is exactly how I want to experience these islands.
For photographers, the setup is particularly good. There is a dedicated camera station, camera rinse tanks and charging points, as well as a large sun deck, observation area, shaded lounge and outdoor dining space. With Starlink available when conditions allow, we can also stay connected when needed.
Two tenders, kayaks and SUPs allow us to leave the main boat and get deep into the landscape — reaching hidden lagoons, remote beaches, reefs and viewpoints that are impossible to experience from a larger vessel. The boat is also fully equipped for snorkeling and diving, including Nitrox and professional dive guides.
But what I love most is the feeling of it. Ten guests max, traditional wooden decks, sails above us and Raja Ampat unfolding in every direction. We can spend the morning chasing birds-of-paradise, jump into the water for a reef or manta encounter, return for lunch, head out again for a hidden lagoon, and finish the day watching the sunset from the deck.
Cabins
10 guests max
Single supplement (if you want to book cabin just for yourself) + 50% twin shared price (+4450 USD)
Life Aboard the Expedition
This journey is designed around photography first.
Every day offers opportunities to shoot in different environments and from different perspectives. The rhythm is intentionally flexible, allowing us to take advantage of exceptional light, wildlife encounters and changing conditions. We also photograph each other boat with sails up! Me as a Photography leader will change the boats from time to time, but you also have dedicated local English speaking guide each boat.
Photography
We aim for photography throughout the entire day:
- Sunrise landscape sessions
- Birds-of-paradise and rainforest wildlife
- Traditional village life
- Limestone karst formations
- Drone photography from selected locations
- Kayak-level compositions
- Underwater photography
- Golden-hour beach sessions
- Sunset and twilight photography
- Night photography when conditions allow
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is available on most days, with opportunities to explore:
- Coral gardens
- Manta-ray sites
- Shallow reefs
- Dolphins when conditions allow
- Jellyfish Lake
- Hidden lagoons
- Beaches and secluded bays
Optional Diving
For certified divers, approximately 6–10 optional dives are planned during the expedition, depending on conditions and the final routing.
Dive sites are selected for their combination of:
- Manta rays
- Colorful coral
- Reef fish
- Dramatic wide-angle scenery
- Macro subjects
- Healthy reef environments
Diving is optional and never required to enjoy the expedition. To dive we just need your Open Water certificate.
Exploration
Between photography sessions, we explore Raja Ampat from every angle:
- Kayaking through lagoons
- Tender boat excursions
- Jungle trekking
- Waterfall walks
- Viewpoint hikes
- Mangrove exploration
- Village visits
- Hidden beaches
- Ancient rock art
- Wildlife encounters
An Expedition, Not a Fixed Schedule
Raja Ampat is a wilderness environment, and nature sets the schedule.
The exact sequence and duration of activities may change according to tides, currents, weather, sea conditions, wildlife activity and local access.
If the light is extraordinary, we stay.
If manta rays appear, we stay.
If dolphins approach the boat, we stop.
If conditions make another lagoon better for photography, we change the plan.
This flexibility is what makes the journey an expedition rather than a conventional cruise.
Our route is designed to give photographers the greatest possible variety of landscapes, wildlife and underwater environments while allowing enough time to actually experience each place.
Tour leader – Daniel Kordan
What to bring
Gear:
– camera with tripod and remote shutter release
– A wide angle lens. For example, Nikkor 14-24 or Canon 17-40. Best lens for use in wide-angle scenes or architecture photography
– A middle-zoom lens such as a 24-70 mm
– A telephoto zoom lens, such as a 70-200 mm. Be sure to have additional tripod mount to this lens.
– Drone is highly recommended – no need of special permits. It is a drone paradise too!
– Underwater camera equipment is optional, for snorkeling or amateurs can bring gopro with underwater housing and longer stick.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
We strongly recommend you get a trip cancellation & travel insurance after booking your trip. If you cancel and the Workshop is otherwise filled, we will refund you the full amount you have paid towards the tuition, minus a $300 service charge. If you cancel and the Workshop does not fill, then you will be refunded according to the following schedule, based on the full fee of the Workshop:
Greater than 90 days from the start date of the Workshop: full refund minus $600 service fee.
90 days or more: 50% refund
60 days or more: 20% refund
Less than 60 days: no refund
Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made.
