16 Oct 2023

Crossing the Equator with Neptune and Snorkelling Wayag Lagoon and Aljui Bay

Waking to bright morning sun, clear blue sky and glassy water as Heritage Adventurer sat just outside the main entrance of Wayag Lagoon in Raja Ampat, conditions were perfect for a Zodiac cruise. As our Zodiacs skipped over the impossibly blue water within the lagoon complex we were greeted with the amazing honeycomb-like limestone islands around the main lagoon. We cruise around these jagged outcrops and islands we're impressed by the tenacity of the vegetation which has found its way to these islands as we observe Kingfisher, Sea Eagles and a juvenile Manta Ray and Blacktip Reef Shark suggesting these protected waters double as nurseries for various marine megafauna.

We ended the cruise at a beautiful white sandy beach at the base of Mount Pindito, marvelling at the beauty of the beach and its clear turquoise waters. Tackling the hike up the island's jagged limestone our efforts are rewarded with postcard views of Wayag Lagoon and its various shades of blue sprawling out in front of us. Returning to the beach we don our snorkelling gear and slowly swim around the shallow reefs exploring a maze of Staghorn Coral and reef walls complete with fish cleaning stations and incredible hard coral structures.

Back on board our trusty expedition ship we are greeted by the appearance King Neptune and two mermaids poolside ready to initiate the humble polliwogs that dare to cross his Equator. With some magical strokes of his trident, wise words and fishy baptisms we welcomed the newly-initiated shellbacks as we approach Aljui Bay and our next snorkeling excursion.

Arriving at a beautiful white sandy beach in the middle of the main island we're greeted by Hornbill on the lushly-vegetated island. The snorkel this time is on a sheer limestone wall of the island where we observe schools of Bumphead Parrotfish and Blue and Gold Fusiliers at the pressure point before exploring the coral wall. With crystal clear visibility, we can see that there's not a single inch of the wall that is free from coral formation including white and translucent-based soft coral with bright purple cauliflower-like ends as we are visited by schools of Fusiliers and Rainbow Runners, some Silverside baitfish and a troop of Striped Trevally hunting the reef.

We celebrate another incredible day on Indonesian Explorer at the Bistro's al fresco dining area for an incredible sunset barbeque and cocktails.

Images © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions