Our aquatic activities focus mainly on snorkeling. However, I 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.

The trip is entirely ship-based and very comfortable (see the “Ship” page of the website), 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 six-hour river hike is occasionally offered, but only if the entire 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 ages 4 to 84, including my 80-year-old mother last year. She is fit and walks at her own pace. Our team of four guides is always available to assist, and I often assign one guide to “shadow” a specific person if they feel unsure about their footing, so there is always a helping hand nearby. Each guest is free to choose activities that suit their fitness level.

For a true sense of the experience, I recommend reading the “Trip Journals” (linked on the “Expeditions” and “FAQs” pages) as well as the TripAdvisor reviews.

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!

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.

We don’t offer single supplements. 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 to get an idea of how past solo travelers experienced the expeditions.

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 I offer is not a fixed “tour,” but a true expedition. I 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 my 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.

Our ship’s cooks are happy to cater for special dietary requirements, including gluten-free, vegan, and other specific needs. To ensure we can accommodate you comfortably, we ask that all dietary requirements are provided in advance. This allows the ship to stock appropriate specialised ingredients before departure, particularly given the remote nature of our voyages.

Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for all Kalawai Adventure expeditions.

Your policy must cover:

• Medical treatment and hospitalisation

• Emergency medical evacuation from remote locations

• Travel on a multi-night liveaboard vessel

• Snorkelling and swimming from a vessel

Travel insurance is essential due to the remoteness of the regions we visit.

If you book flights or other travel arrangements well in advance, your insurance should include trip cancellation cover from the date of booking. This is particularly important for international flights purchased months ahead of departure.

Yes. Most insurers classify Kalawai Adventure expeditions as liveaboard or cruise-style travel, even though they are expedition-focused rather than conventional cruises.

If using an Australian insurer such as Cover-More, you will usually need:

• Comprehensive Travel Insurance

• Cruise Cover add-on

This ensures cover applies while you are living and travelling aboard the vessel.

Yes. Snorkelling is generally covered under standard comprehensive travel insurance policies.

Snorkelling on Kalawai Adventure expeditions is:

• Recreational

• Non-technical

• Conducted from a vessel in calm conditions

This is considered a standard leisure activity by most insurers.

SCUBA diving is optional on Kalawai Adventure expeditions and is not the primary focus of the trips.

Coverage for SCUBA diving varies by insurer and policy. If you plan to participate, you must ensure your travel insurance explicitly covers:

• Recreational SCUBA diving

• The depths undertaken

• Certified divers only

Many policies apply depth limits and certification requirements. It is the traveller’s responsibility to confirm cover. Kalawai Adventure SCUBA activities are always within the no-decompression limit.

Yes. Wayag hill climbs are generally covered under comprehensive travel insurance policies.

They are best described as:

• Guided sightseeing walks to viewpoints

• Conducted on established routes

• Non-technical, with no ropes or climbing equipment involved

They are not classified as mountaineering or rock climbing.

Guests should ensure their insurance covers guided hiking and walking on uneven terrain and should have a doctor’s note clearing them for this type of activity.

Yes, provided your policy includes medical evacuation and emergency transport.

Kalawai Adventure expeditions operate in remote parts of Indonesia, where evacuation may involve boats, aircraft, or helicopters. Your insurance must include adequate evacuation cover.

We do not recommend a specific insurer.

Many Australian guests choose Cover-More Comprehensive Travel Insurance with Cruise Cover, but you are free to choose any insurer as long as your policy meets the coverage requirements listed above.

Please do not apply for your visa until the expedition has been confirmed (“green-lighted”) and the travel dates are final. This will be confirmed to you via email.

Recommended sequence

1. Book your place on the expedition

2. Wait for trip confirmation (green light)

3. Book your flights once dates are confirmed

4. Apply for your Indonesian visa once your travel dates are locked in.

For most travellers, we recommend applying for the visa around 2–4 weeks before departure.

Your Indonesian e-Visa (or e-VOA) validity has two parts:

1) a 90-day validity period to enter Indonesia from the date of issue, and a 30-day stay period (extendable for another 30 days) that starts from the day you first arrive in Indonesia. So, you must enter within 90 days of getting the visa, but your actual allowed stay begins when you land, not when it's issued.

We recommend booking international flights when fares are most affordable, after your Kalawai Adventure expedition has been officially confirmed (“green-lighted”).

Some expeditions are confirmed 6–8 months in advance, while others are confirmed closer to departure. Once your trip is confirmed and dates are fixed, you are free to book flights at the time that best suits you.

If you choose to book flights well in advance, it is essential that you hold comprehensive travel insurance with trip cancellation cover in place at the time of booking.

This protects you in the unlikely event that unforeseen circumstances prevent you from travelling.

None of my guests have ever had trouble getting theirs. Unless you are from Afghanistan, Liberia, Kosovo or Israel, you'll get one. There is a caveat though: people blacklisted due to prior immigration violations (e.g., overstaying a prior trip, expulsion due to a felony, etc.) may not receive a visa. This is why Kalawai Adventure cannot guarantee you'll get a visa - after all, we are not immigration agents. If you are a US, EU, UK, Australian, NZ… citizen you can get either an e-visa (issued almost instantaneously) or a "visa on arrival" when you land in Jakarta or Bali. They both cost ~35 USD but I recommend you get the former as you don't have to queue up at the airport after a long flight. The other thing is that you shouldn't apply for a visa prior to booking a trip, unless you book last minute. This is because tourist visas expire 90 days from the date of issuance for entry.