03 Oct 2019

Exploring Waigeo and Wayag Islands

Greeted by another beautiful morning, this time moored in the scenic waters of Alyui Bay on the northern coast of Waigeo Island, however it was what was below the water's silvery surface that had drawn the Spirit of Enderby here.

Home to exceptionally rich and diverse coral reefs that are protected both by nature and local communities, we entered the crystalline waters from a small beach and explored the edge of a deep water channel. Presenting with a series of underwater vistas, large shallow shelves and abrupt drop offs to enjoy, the abundance and variety of neon-lit fish was startling and the corals, if possible, were even better that the day before. Exceptional visibility added to Heritage Expeditions' well-travelled international expedition team declaring it one of the very best snorkel sites Spirit of Enderby has ever visited!

During lunch we ventured across the equator into the Northern Hemisphere to visit the cluster of uplifted limestone islands dotting an azure sea known as the Wayag Islands. Our Zodiac cruise ashore proved endlessly captivating with the constantly changing vistas. For the keen, or super enthusiastic, we scaled the near vertical trail up the rock face, assisted by ropes in places, of the highest of these limestone islands for a grandstand view. The exertion duly rewarded by jaw-slackening views of the jagged, jungle-capped islands cutting through the impossibly blue water.

Image: Wayag Islands © The Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia