Our aquatic activities focus mainly on snorkeling. However, we can accommodate a limited number of SCUBA dives at select 'star locations' for certified divers, depending on interest.

To be completely honest, probably not to the fullest. About 65% of our time is spent in or around the water, exploring Papua’s extraordinary marine world. If you don’t snorkel, you’d be missing out on much of what makes this region so special: the coral reefs, manta rays, whale sharks, and countless species found nowhere else on Earth.

That said, we also spend approximately 35% of our time exploring on land: local villages and rainforest walks to see stunning wildlife like birds-of-paradise, cassowaries… so you’ll still experience incredible things. But Papua is quite simply the most beautiful place on Earth to snorkel, and if you’ve ever thought of giving it a try, this is the place to do it.

Many guests who weren’t snorkelers before joining us ended up falling in love with it. Our guides are patient, attentive, and dedicated to helping beginners feel safe and confident — we’ve seen complete newcomers transform into enthusiastic snorkelers within days.

If you can swim and are willing to try, we’ll make sure it’s one of the most memorable experiences of your life.

Shakti has plenty of snorkelling gear to use free of charge, but I still recommend bringing your own. Good fit is essential, especially when exploring the world’s most diverse reefs. A well fitting mask makes all the difference!

The trip is entirely ship-based and very comfortable (see the “Ship” section), but we do snorkel extensively, so you should be a confident swimmer. We go ashore almost daily for rainforest explorations and visits to islands and villages. Most walks are under two hours round-trip on relatively flat terrain. A more challenging 6-hour river hike is occasionally offered, but only if the whole group is keen — otherwise, we skip it. Reasonably fit travelers of all ages can take part in most land activities; I’ve welcomed guests from age 4 to 84. Our team of four guides is always available to assist, and each guest is free to choose activities that suit their fitness level. For a true sense of the experience, read the “Trip Journals.”

You can find info on pricing, inclusions and many other topics in the “Dates & Rates” page and in the “Trip Brochure”, which you can access through the link on this page!

We embark on our expeditions at Sorong or Nabire, in West Papua, Indonesia. We disembark at either Sorong or Nabire, depending on the itinerary (see the “Dates & Rates” page).

Alternately, you can join the group in Jakarta and we travel all together to Papua. This has many advantages (optional “add-on”, see next FAQ).

You may board the Shakti in Sorong or Nabire (West Papua), depending on the itinerary (see the “Dates & Rates” page).

Most participants choose to meet in Jakarta at the Hotel Santika (a comfortable 4-star property) before the voyage begins.

This optional add-on is highly recommended as it allows you to:

• Make any last-minute preparations, such as purchasing clothing items, exchanging currency, or organizing travel essentials.

• Meet your fellow travelers and get to know the group before the adventure begins.

• Attend the expedition briefing, where we discuss key details about the itinerary, safety, cabin allocation and logistics.

• Travel together to Papua on the same domestic flight, ensuring a smooth arrival and timely boarding of the ship.

Once the group has boarded, we set sail immediately — so starting the trip in Jakarta guarantees you won’t risk missing departure.

This package includes three nights at Hotel Santika and return flights from Jakarta to Papua, all priced at cost — with no markup added.

With only 6 cabins and just 2–3 trips a year, it’s essential that every spot is filled. Fortunately, the cabins are spacious, and the experience is intense enough that solo travelers who share quickly become friends. I personally vet each guest to ensure the group dynamic is just right — and if you check the TripAdvisor reviews from past solo travelers, you'll get a feel for the atmosphere onboard. If you are ready to book, I’m happy to connect you with past solo travelers for a candid chat.

Not individually, no. We sail with just six double cabins and 2–3 trips a year, so spots are scarce and usually sell out. Cabins are roomy and the pace is immersive—most solo travelers bond fast. I personally screen guests to keep the mix right. Have a look at the TripAdvisor reviews, and if you’re ready, I’m happy to connect you with past solo travelers for a candid chat.

I often get asked about safety. West Papua is among the friendliest and safest travel destinations—provided basic precautions are followed. First, make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date by consulting your doctor. Since malaria is endemic, taking prophylactics is strongly advised. While there is an ongoing, low-intensity conflict between the “Free Papua Movement” and the Indonesian government, it is confined to urban areas like Timika (near the Freeport gold mine) and Jayapura (the regional capital). Kalawai Adventure expeditions take place in remote, natural areas, far from any civil unrest.

I schedule trips during the “off-season” — which is when leatherback turtles come to nest. While underwater visibility is slightly reduced, it’s still excellent for everyone except professional underwater photographers. Rain is a bit more frequent (Papua doesn’t have true wet/dry seasons, but rather trade wind and monsoon periods), but in over 20 years, no one has ever complained — just check the TripAdvisor reviews!

We travel mostly along sheltered waters with minimal motion. Only one stretch — about 8 hours long — occasionally has larger swells (the biggest I’ve experienced is around 4–5 feet). After that, it’s calm again for the remainder of the expedition. On our most recent trip, a guest prone to seasickness took Ondansetron, which eased her nausea within minutes. (Note: in Australia, Ondansetron requires a prescription.)

Not in the usual sense. What we offer is not a fixed “tour,” but a true expedition. We do provide an overall route (shown on the Expeditions page of our website), which takes in the region’s highlights — whale sharks, pristine reefs, leatherback turtles, rainforest treks, etc.

However, Papua remains one of the most remote and untamed corners of the planet. Conditions and wildlife encounters can’t be scripted — even with our years of experience, we can’t guarantee sightings.

That’s exactly what makes each journey unique: no two expeditions are ever the same, and we’re always exploring new spots. Many of our guests return year after year precisely because each trip is a fresh adventure.

Yes, the whale sharks aren’t seasonal. The only time of year they become harder to find is during the Idul Fitri (Eid) holiday, when the Bagans — the traditional fishing platforms — are absent from the bay.

Why? Because the whale sharks have developed a remarkable symbiotic relationship with the Bagan fishermen: the sharks feed on the by-catch released from the nets, and in return, they attract visitors who pay the fishermen to lure the sharks closer for viewing.

This mutually beneficial relationship safeguards both species — the fishermen gain income from ecotourism, and the sharks remain protected, proving that a live whale shark is worth far more than one turned into soup.

So, to get back to the question, you can see the whale sharks in Cendrawasih Bay when their benefactors -the bagan fishermen- are there too.