15 Oct 2023

World Famous Raja Ampat Views and Snorkelling at Misool Island

Arriving to a string of limestone islands and towering cumulus clouds with Frigatebirds diving around Heritage Adventurer we know we were in for a spectacular day on Misool Island.

While Tim Flannery headed away to the local village to check in with locals regarding the island's marsupials, a formation of Zodiacs wound their way through the incredible karst landscape of Misool Island. Shallow reefs made difficult navigating, but revealed incredible rewards of ancient rock art painted 5,000 years ago, screaming Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and Hornbills, and some of the most beautiful coral formations adjoining a myriad of tiny islands. Plants hung precariously onto every island with virtually no obvious water among the arid limestones.

After ascending the 100m climb to the top of Harfat Peak we were rewarded with the world-famous Raja Ampat view of coral fringed islands as far as the eye could see. Three different viewpoints made the climb so worthwhile as did the atmospheric mix of clouds and blue lagoons dotting the many islands.

After lunch it was time to go snorkelling in a dramatic channel cutting though the islands with a deep drop off. In the evening Tim debriefed us all on his day's discoveries in the lounge over a well-earned drink.

Images © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions