Program
A sea kayaking trip is always dependent on wind and weather, and a plan is never more than a plan. The following program is therefor preliminary:
Day 1
Travel day. You are responsible for your trip to Indonesia. We will meet you in Sorong, from where we together will catch a boat to the island of Kri, in the Raja Ampat Archipelago, where we check in at our kayak center guest house, go for a snorkeling trip, have a good dinner and start preparing for tomorrow’s paddle start.
Day 2
Our first paddle day. After breakfast, preparation, equipment check and paddle route briefing, we launch and start crossing to the island of Gam. Picnic on a beach somewhere on the island. Our goal for the day is South Gam, where we stay on a nice homestay situated on a sandy beach. A fantastic coral reef just outside our accommodation offers spectacular snorkeling. Dinner with ocean views on our homestay. The day can be divided into two stages, where, if we feel strong, we continue around the Blue Water Mangrove, an exciting paddle in a mangrove area around our accommodation.
Paddling distance, ca 19 km. Anyone wanting a gentle first day have the opportunity to settle for half the distance, ca 9 km.
Day 3
We continue along the southern shore of Gam along beaches, dense rainforest vegetation and mangroves. Perhaps we will make a break in the small village of Yenwaupnor, which gives us an insight into living conditions in the area. The day ends at a homestay in Beser Bay, which is a sheltered spot in a fantastic location. If we have energy, we have the opportunity to continue with an exploration of the islands in the southern parts of Beser Bay, which offers fantastic kayaking.
Paddling distance, ca 20 – 25 km.
Day 4
A day to remember. We leave Gam behind us and aim for Manta Sandy, a shallow area with fantastic snorkeling and good chances to meet with giant manta rays in close proximity. We rest on a wooden platform on stilts in the water and have lunch between the snorkeling sessions. When we are happy we turn west and paddle to the small island of Arborek, an Indonesian version of Bohuslän’s little fairytale island Åstol. A small island containing a small but lively village in the midst of open water. A great place where we spend our evening and night.
Paddle distance, ca 13 km.
Day 5
A relatively early start from Arborek and a crossing back to Gam. Great snorkeling at today’s lunch stop. In the afternoon we will continue north to the beach where we will find a home for our camp night. We pitch our tents and / or hammocks, cook a simple dinner and fall asleep to the sounds of the rainforest orchestra.
Paddle distance, ca 20 km.
Day 6
After breaking camp and entering the cockpits, Hidden Bay awaits, a fabulous secret archipelago hidden in Gam’s landmass, reached through a narrow entrance on the north side of the island. Hidden Bay is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the tour. When we are done with our exploration, a 5 km crossing of open water awaits before we reach the Passage, another of the highlights of the tour. The Passage is an eroded tidal ravine that has created a 2 km long river-like connection with Kaboei Bay on the other side. There we finish the day at Daoud’s homestay.
Paddle distance, ca 18 km.
Day 7
Another spectacular day in the kayaks. The archipelago of limestone islands in the northern end of Kaboei Bay is a sea kayaking dream. We glide along the islands, visit caves along the way and rest on one of the sandy beaches, rare in this part of the area. Here, in Kaboei Bay, the feeling of adventure and exploration has moved up the scale. There is no congestion. Other than a few local fishermen we will probably have the area almost to ourselves. After the longest day of the trip, a homestay awaits on one of the islands.
Paddle distance, ca 25 km.
Day 8
We continue through the spectacular island world and, eventually, along the larger island of Waigeo’s beaches and mangrove on the west side of the bay. Beach breaks with fresh coconut tasting and a great snorkeling stop on one of the small islands in the bay leads us to the day’s destination, one of the nicest homestays of the tour.
Paddle distance, ca 17 km.
Day 9
We set the clock to wake up early. Before the sun rises, we get a traditional Paupan long boat transport to the village of Saprokreng, from where we hike into the rainforest to look for the rare and beautiful bird of paradise, only found in this part of the world.
Back at our homestay we have breakfast before heading out for a relatively short, enjoyable day in the kayaks. We cross from Waigeo back to Gam, jumping along the islands in the bay. Along the shore of Gam we continue to today’s homestay, nicely situated on a beach on the island’s south coast. After a short day, we have plenty of time to chill. And as always, the snorkelling and the sea views are spectacular.
Paddle distance, ca 9 km.
Day 10
Last day of kayaking. We follow the coast a short distance and then cross to the small island of Friwen Bonda, for a snack and snorkelling break. At low tide we will later aim for one of the sand banks that emerge as isolated beaches in the middle of the strait. Eventually we have completed our circle and will land on Kri again. After taking care of our equipment we will have a good dinner at the kayak center and summarize the tour and our experiences, maybe over a cold beer or a cup of coffee.
Paddle distance, ca 13 km.
Day 11
Travel day. After breakfast, we catch the boat back to Sorong, continue to the airport and wave farewell. For this time.
