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.

 

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

16 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

What our clients say about us

Keith Valentine
JA, Remote West Papua 2017

Expert guiding by Keith and Glen Valentine, aided by fabulous local talent, ensured we saw the maximum number of endemics and other birds and mammals. Perhaps more importantly, these two brothers enjoyed their time together and provided a warm, friendly and caring environment in which we all had a good time with lots of laughs, and looked out for each other to ensure everyone got on the birds and did not falter on a tough hike or challenging car ride.

Glen Valentine
SP - Indonesia 2019

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.

Adam Walleyn
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.

Richard Lindie
LH & MN, Indonesia 2018

Rich Lindie is a very skilled and enthusiastic guide, and has an outstanding talent for locating birds (during the day and in the dark!). He is also an enjoyable person to be on tour with, and is never short of conversation.

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.

Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise IV 2023

10 Oct 2023 - 23 Oct 2023 (14 days)

USD10,495 - No Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Adam Riley

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Tour Leader: Keith Valentine

Tour price (Per person): USD10,495 * GBP8,574 * EUR9,865 * AUD16,299

Single Supplement: USD9,995 * GBP8,165 * EUR9,395 * AUD15,522

Can be linked with: Indonesia - Buru Island Extension III 2023

Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise I 2023

22 Oct 2023 - 04 Nov 2023 (14 days)

USD10,495 - No Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: David Hoddinott

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Tour Leader: Forrest Rowland

Tour price (Per person): USD10,495 * GBP8,574 * EUR9,865 * AUD16,299

Single Supplement: USD9,995 * GBP8,165 * EUR9,395 * AUD15,522

Can be linked with: Indonesia - Buru Island Extension I 2023

Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise II 2023

09 Nov 2023 - 22 Nov 2023 (14 days)

USD10,495 - No Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: David Hoddinott

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Tour Leader: Forrest Rowland

Tour price (Per person): USD10,495 * GBP8,574 * EUR9,865 * AUD16,299

Single Supplement: USD9,995 * GBP8,165 * EUR9,395 * AUD15,522

Can be linked with: Indonesia - Buru Island Extension II 2023

Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise I 2024

21 Oct 2024 - 03 Nov 2024 (14 days)

USD10,595 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Glen Valentine

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Tour Leader: Paul Varney

Tour price (Per person): USD10,595 * GBP8,655 * EUR9,959 * AUD16,454

Single Supplement: USD9,995 * GBP8,165 * EUR9,395 * AUD15,522

Can be linked with: Indonesia - Buru Island Extension I 2024

Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise II 2024

08 Nov 2024 - 21 Nov 2024 (14 days)

USD10,595 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Glen Valentine

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Tour Leader: Paul Varney

Tour price (Per person): USD10,595 * GBP8,655 * EUR9,959 * AUD16,454

Single Supplement: USD9,995 * GBP8,165 * EUR9,395 * AUD15,522

Can be linked with: Indonesia - Buru Island Extension II 2024

Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise I 2025

20 Oct 2025 - 02 Nov 2025 (14 days)

USD12,000 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Dušan Brinkhuizen

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Tour Leader: Glen Valentine

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): USD12,000 * GBP9,803 * EUR11,280 * AUD18,636

Can be linked with: Indonesia - Buru Island Extension I 2025

Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise II 2025

07 Nov 2025 - 20 Nov 2025 (14 days)

USD12,000 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Dušan Brinkhuizen

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Tour Leader: Glen Valentine

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): USD12,000 * GBP9,803 * EUR11,280 * AUD18,636

Can be linked with: Indonesia - Buru Island Extension II 2025

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Route Map

Tour Route Map