Triton Bay

Experience the home of endemic species of Indonesia

Triton Bay is known as a home to endemic species. Endemism in Triton evolved the same way as it has throughout the Bird’s Head of Papua. Beginning ten millions years ago shifting tectonic plate caused geological upheavals and formed new island chains across the Indonesian Archipelago. Triton’s reef developed into a crossroad for current-borne marine larvae originating from the Banda Sea. Another contributing factor is the tremendous volume of fresh water flowing from the Mainland of Papua into the sea. Most marine larvae cannot survive in low saline environment. Here they survive and flourish.

The indigenous people of Lobo Village believe that the giant Garuda bird once made Kaimana its home. A woman from Warinau Mountain laid 2 eggs. These 2 eggs hatched into one black bird and one white bird. The black bird grew into a giant bird. It is believed that when Garuda set its wings on the sky, it covered the sun above Kaimana. The villagers were afraid of the black bird. One day, Portuguese sailors arrived at Lobo and they shot the black bird, which relieved the entire village. They later built a statue of the Garuda as the reminder that Garuda once lived there. The bones were nowhere to be found. The story of white egg remains unknown. Today, Garuda is the symbol of Republic of Indonesia.

Triton Bay charter season is from November to March.
Sailing Triton Bay $5.700 / Nights

Sample Itineraries

11 DAYS / 10 NIGHTS ITINERARY

Day 1. Kaimana

You will be met at Kaimana airport by the yacht’s crew and transferred to the harbour. Once you have settled in onboard, the yacht will depart the harbor and cruise towards the Iris Strait, between Aiduma Island and mainland Papua. Dives include Christmas Rock, famous for its black coral forest covered with glass fish and 7th Heaven, where it is common to see octopi, schools of snapper, surgeon fish, barracudas and trevally.

Day 2. Triton Bay

Triton Bay is a scuba divers’ dream, a place where scientists have recorded a total of eight different mantis shrimp species, 24 new fish species, and 20 new species of coral. Scientists also first spotted the new species of two kinds of epaulette shark (the walking shark) most commonly seen at night. For the next two days we will make the most of our time in Triton Bay amongst the undisturbed coves, caves, and lagoons.

Day 3. Triton Bay

We can head north by speedboat through the Namatote passage, where the cliffs are well-known as a gallery of prehistoric art, with cave paintings, glyphs and pictorial signs left by ancient nomads high on the rock walls. We can also dive at Namatote to see leopard anemones and look for ‘bagan’ fishing platforms where we may be lucky enough to find whale sharks. There are night dives at Walker’s Reef, where marine biologists discovered the Triton Bay walking shark.

Day 4. Tanjung Papisoi

In 2007, two of the first surveyed sites broke Dr. Gerald Allen’s Raja Ampat world record for the most fish species recorded from a single dive site – an astounding 330 species recorded from Papisoi Cape dive site alone. Marine surveyors always find new species here. There may be a chance to trek onland here; there’s Papisoi waterfall inland and creatures such as the Papua pigmy kangaroo, deer, wild pig, pigeons and doves to be found.

Day 5. Momon

Located approximately 150 nautical miles to the south east of Misool, on the mainland of West Papua, is a spectacular waterfall falling directly into the sea. The waterfall stems from a large river that originates in the highlands of Papuan jungle and gushes amongst beautiful primordial jungle. The falls can be approached by tender and you can jump into the ocean and swim directly to the waterfall, where the water pouring over the edge creates a wide screen of fast flowing fresh water.

Day 6. Pisang

These tiny islands isolated in the vast waters of the Ceram Sea offer a chance to relax and enjoy sparkling white-sand beaches, clear waters and vibrant reefs before making our way to the shores of West Papua. Here we travel along the shores until we reach the village of Sipitnanam. After visiting with the residents who spend their days fishing the nearby waters or tending their nutmeg plantations, we will enjoy a day of exploration dives by speedboat.

Day 7. Misool

This morning, the yacht will reach the southeast end of Misool, where you’ll spend the next few days, waking up to shimmering pastel sunrises with decadent breakfasts on deck. This morning we will visit the island of Daram. Relax on luminous white sand and enjoy the warm sun on your face. After lunch, dive with marine life as abundant as nature planned or snorkel in the crystal-clear waters and discover coral reefs just off the shore.

Day 8. Misool

Another morning of new discoveries awaits in the Misool archipelago. The Farondi Islands are surrounded by white beaches and stunning underwater scenery. Swim in tropical waters, explore lagoons in the dinghy, or stroll on the beach. Nearby dive sites include Goa Besar and Verena’s Garden. Above water, you can explore the ethereal “Gua Sacral” ancestral caves of Tomolol, a former burial site of indigenous Papuans.

Day 9. Misool

Beneath Misool’s satellite isles lies a wealth of marine habitats to explore. To the southeast, limestone towers plunge deep, shaped by the moving water over the years, and you’ll delight in gliding under overhangs and diving through caverns inhabited by snappers. Sea fans and whips sway as millions of fish dart all around. In the afternoon, head ashore for a hike to the village of Lenmolas and meet the local inhabitants to learn about Indonesian history and culture.

Day 10. Kofiau

After a gourmet breakfast, we will visit Deer, a scenic village on Kofiau island. You will have time to discover paradisiac beaches with crystal clear waters. Back onboard you can enjoy lunch and relax while the yacht travels west. The Boo Islands are renowned for lush green jungle. Choose from a multitude of activities, such as scuba diving in Boo Kecil lagoon with its wealth of underwater life, or trek on uninhabited islands to admire the exotic birds that fly by.

Day 11. Sorong

This morning, the yacht will approach Sorong harbour. After a final decadent breakfast on deck, your crew will assist you in disembarking the yacht and transfer you back to the airport to catch your flight home.