Overview

Our fabulous and exciting Remote West Papuan Island cruise sets out to explore a myriad of isolated islands in this stunning region. We start off with some initial birding in high-quality forest close to Sorong, West Papua, before heading off to Waigeo (one of the famous islands in the Raja Ampat group) and then the very rarely-explored island of Kofiau, where we will seek out some of our planet’s rarest and least-known species. These include such extraordinary gems as Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise (regarded by many as the most spectacular bird on earth!), Red Bird-of-paradise, Kofiau and Red-breasted Paradise Kingfishers and Kofiau Monarch. Thereafter we cross Lydekker’s Line and head into the South Moluccas. Here we explore little-birded waters in addition to visiting several endemic-rich islands including Obi, Seram and Boano, ending in Ambon for many incredibly exciting endemics such as Carunculated Fruit Dove, Moluccan Woodcock, Lazuli Kingfisher, Salmon-crested Cockatoo, Purple-naped Lory, Boano Monarch, Hantu Boobook and Long-crested Myna, to mention but a handful.

Tour Facts Top Birds
Wilson’s, Red, King, Magnificent & Lesser Birds-of-paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, (Obi) Paradise-crow, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Moluccan (Obi) Woodcock, Barred Rail, Beach Stone-curlew, Moluccan Masked Owl, Hantu (Seram) and Papuan Boobooks, Dusky Megapode, Red-billed Brush Turkey, Pygmy Eagle, Spotted Kestrel, Grey-headed Goshawk, Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk, Chinese-crested Tern, Western Crowned Pigeon, Carunculated, Orange-fronted, Dwarf, Claret-breasted, Scarlet-breasted & Coroneted Fruit Dove, Spice, Spectacled, Seram & Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon, Seram Mountain Pigeon, Salmon-crested and Palm Cockatoos, Black, Red, Violet-necked (Scaled), Blue-eared & Purple-naped Lory, Moluccan King & Great-billed Parrots, Orange-breasted & Large Fig Parrots, Red-flanked Lorikeet, Red-breasted & Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Marbled Frogmouth, Moluccan Scops Owl, Moluccan Cuckoo, Dwarf Koel, Black-billed Coucal, Kofiau & Red-breasted Paradise Kingfishers, Lazuli, Blue-and-white & Blue-black Kingfishers, Moluccan & Papuan Dwarf Kingfishers, Papuan & North Moluccan Pittas, Wallace's & Emperor Fairywrens, Kofiau, Golden & Black-chinned (Boano) Monarchs, Black-sided Robin, Black Berrypecker, Black-browed & Rufous-bellied Trillers, Moluccan & Golden Cuckooshrikes, Black & Pale Cicadabirds, Raja Ampat & Southern Variable Pitohuis, Brown-headed & Violet Crows, Northern Golden & Seram Golden Bulbuls, Grey-collared (Seram) Oriole, Spotted, Olive & Seram Honeyeaters, Drab & Wakolo Myzomelas, Seram Friarbird, Black-chinned, Yellow-throated, Island, Cinnamon-breasted & Drab Whistlers, Streak-breasted Fantail, Grey-hooded, Seram & Ambon White-eyes, Rufescent Darkeye, Cinnamon-chested and Turquoise Flycatchers, Long-crested & Golden Mynas, Moluccan Starling, Halmahera, Ashy & Olive-crowned Flowerpeckers, Streak-headed Mannikin, Papuan Babbler, Yellow-bellied and Pygmy Longbills & Lowland Peltops
Top Mammals
Rothchild's, Waigeo & Common Spotted Cuscus, Moluccan & Spectacled Flying Foxes, Short-finned Pilot Whale, Spinner & Indo-pacific Bottlenose Dolphin
Habitats Covered
primary and secondary moist lowland forest, hill forest, scrub, secondary woodland, islands, coastlines, mangroves, pelagic
Expected Climate
hot and humid with tropical showers in the lowlands. Cooler in the mountains, rain and mist possible
Max Group Size
14 with 2 Rockjumper leaders
Tour Pace & Walking
easy to moderate. Early mornings to maximize the best time of day but midday breaks back at the boat when it heats up. Otherwise time spent cruising.
Accommodation
comfortable ship cabins
Ease of Birding
easy to moderate with some tricky species
Number of Species Expected
230 - 260
Other Attractions
pristine forests, unspoiled reefs, snorkeling, swimming, visiting remote, little explored islands and seeing their associated local communities.
Photographic Opportunities
good to excellent
Tour Route Map Route Map Client Testimonials
Paul Varney
SP - Indonesia

Glen and Paul did a fantastic job on this tour. Glen is an excellent birder, guide and a wonderful personality. This is the second trip I have done with Glen and hope to join many more in the future.

Glen Valentine
JK - Indonesia: Western Highlights 2019

Glen Valentine our leader really delivered. He was ultra-patient making sure everyone was comfortable and that everyone got on the bird.

Tuomas Seimola
SC & IC - Sulawesi

I am writing to let you know what an amazing trip we had with David Erterius and Tuomas Seimola. They are both outstanding bird guides and a pleasure to travel with.

David Hoddinott
EL, Indonesia 2022

David and Lev are exception leaders and worked very hard to find the birds and get everyone onto them. A remarkable trip.

Lev Frid
RL, Indonesia 2019

This was an outstanding trip among many great RJ trips. The guides, Adam and Lev were wondering in their ability to identify and everyone onto the irds and ammals.

Dates, Leaders and Pricing
2023 DEPARTURES
2024 DEPARTURES
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