14 Oct 2023

Exploring the Jungles, Villages, Coral Reefs and Birding on Seram Island

After an afternoon and overnight sailing, Heritage Adventurer arrived offshore of Seram Island just as it was getting light. This northern part of Seram, the largest island in the Moluccas, is sparsely populated, and features steep slopes and impressive, precipitous limestone cliffs, covered with areas of luxurious tropical rain forest that extends to the distant peaks of the Manusela National Park.

As soon as we were ready, we headed ashore in our Zodiacs near the village of Rumah Olat, east of Sawai Town. Here we boarded flat-backed trucks with improvised seating and headed to the forest bouncing along the narrow roads to the early morning chorus of parrots and Friarbirds.

Once we reached the Trans-Seram Highway, the birding group headed up to an accessible part of the National Park at c.800m, while other guests enjoyed nature walks near the park's lower ranger station. Some of us were fortunate enough to encounter exotic animals such as a Spotted Cuscus, and even a Boa Constrictor. Meanwhile the birders were enjoying sightings of endemic Moluccan birds such as Red Lories, Seram Leaf Warblers and Streak-breasted Fantail, as well as an incredible diversity of wonderful butterflies.

During the late morning, most guest enjoyed the opportunity to visit one of the villages where, among village life, a variety of fresh spices were drying in the sun including cloves and nutmeg. After lunch and repositioning the ship, we headed ashore again to enjoy a couple of hours snorkelling before continuing our journey eastwards to the remote tropical paradise of Raja Ampat's Misool Island.

Images © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions