Made up of over seventeen thousand islands, Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country is a land of diverse cultures, histories and languages, unique flora and fauna, breathtaking scenery and a majestic underwater world. During this island hopping expedition voyage from Bali to Papua New Guinea, we will visit some magnificent national marine parks, idyllic islands and areas of outstanding natural beauty. With our perfectly suited small ship, the MS Island Sky, we will be able to access islands and bays that the big ships simply cannot get close to and with our fleet of Zodiac landing craft, a friendly crew and excellent expedition team, we will truly make the most of our time in this unique part of the world.
The region we will be sailing through is certainly one of the least known and most inaccessible areas on the planet, but an absolute joy for the adventurous traveller who wishes to witness this extraordinary area, its diverse cultures and marvellous wildlife and who is weary of the more well-trodden paths around the world. Amongst the many experiences on offer will the be multiple opportunities to snorkel amongst pristine reefs and colourful corals, the chance to witness the Komodo dragons in their natural habitat, birdwatch for rare species including the endemic birds-of-paradise, beachcomb on idyllic islands, swim from beautiful beaches, visit remote villages where only relatively few travellers have been before and learn of the historical importance of the Banda Islands in the spice trade.
This is a truly unique trip and an unparalleled opportunity to explore one of the most intriguing places on the map. Afloat and ashore, our exploration will be filled with unforgettable images, remote idyllic islets, kaleidoscopic reefs and soaring white-tailed tropic birds. After a day’s exploration, we will be returning each evening to the comfort of the all-suite MS Island Sky, ready for the next day’s adventure.
Island Sky
The MS Island Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Hebridean Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
Itinerary
Day 1 London to Bali, Indonesia.
Fly by scheduled indirect flight.
Day 2 Bali.
Arrive and transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 3 Bali.
Enjoy a leisurely morning at the hotel or explore the local area at your own pace. We will check out in the late morning and after lunch will transfer to the MS Island Sky moored in Benoa. Sail this evening.
Day 4 Satonda Island.
After a morning at sea we arrive at diminutive Satonda Island, located between the large island of Sumbawa and the smaller Pulau Moyo. The island is wooded and uninhabited, with a fringing reef and a small but swimmable crater lake where the trees are decorated with ‘wishing’ stones, shells and pieces of coral. There will be an opportunity for our first snorkel here amongst the pristine reefs, colourful coral and abundant fish whilst guided walks inland will search for the local birdlife including the endemic island monarch and rufous chested flycatcher.
Day 5 Komodo Island & Pink Beach.
Today we visit Komodo to see the distant cousins of the dinosaurs, the Komodo dragons. These rare, huge lizards grow up to twelve feet in length and were only known to the western world in 1910 when a Dutch lieutenant first laid eyes on them. Escorted by the island’s wardens in the national park we will walk to the dragon’s feeding station, seeing the dragons in the wild. During our walk we also hope to see frigate birds, white buffalo and long tailed monkeys. Over lunch we will sail to Pink Beach, a beautiful sandy beach in the Komodo National Park renowned for its unique pink sand. Here you can relax on the beach, enjoy a nature walk or swim or snorkel from the beach.
Day 6 Taka Bonerate National Park.
Stretching south from the main island of Sulawesi into the Flores Sea is the stunning Taka Bonerate National Park. Spread out over 220,000 hectares this is one of the largest coral reef in Indonesia, rich in marine life and also habitat to a number of bird species. Using our small ship to navigate and our Zodiacs to land, we will find a suitable spot amongst the 21 islands of the park to spend the day. The crystal clear waters offer snorkellers a chance to explore the reefs where we find over 200 species of coral and almost 300 species of colourful reef fish, as well as dolphins and turtles. Alternatively enjoy a walk in the sand dunes where we will find many land, coastal and sea birds. We hope to meet with some of the National Park staff to learn about the coral transplanting and other conservation activities, as well as meeting the Bajo and Buginese ethnic groups that reside on the islands.
Day 7 Wakatobi National Marine Park.
Legendary underwater explorer and conservationist, Jacques Cousteau is said to have called the Wakatobi Islands, then known as the Tukangbesi Islands, an “Underwater Nirvana”. Now a National Marine Park, it comprises a total of 1.4 million hectares, of which 900,000 hectares are decorated with different, colourful species of tropical coral reefs. There are fringing atolls and barrier reefs and the national park is the habitat of large and small fish species, the playground of dolphins, turtles and even whales. Meanwhile on land we will meet the local Bajau people, explore mangrove forests and see the historical ruins, cannons and fortresses that spread out over the main islands.
Day 8 At Sea.
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as we cross the Banda Sea. Maybe join a lecture in the lounge or find a spot on deck.
Days 9 & 10 Banda Islands.
Since the first century the Banda Islands have played a major role in the spice trade, once being the sole producer of nutmeg in the world. Now these ten idyllic islands offer us a view into the past as well as some fine snorkelling sites. We will spend a day and a half here including time in Banda Neira, Banda’s main port and administrative centre. Remnants of an extravagant European lifestyle remain from the port’s heyday as a spice exporter in the Dutch era. It is a charmingly friendly place and almost devoid of tourism as it is so difficult to reach. We will visit the 1608 Dutch fortress of Benteng Nassau and hear of the tragic history. Next is Rumah Budaya Museum with its collection of Dutch artefact’s and historical memories. We hope to cross to Banda Besar, the largest island of the group where we will walk to the spectacularly located ‘capital’ village of Lonthoir. The central street is actually a flight of stairs that takes us up the hillside overlooking Gunung Api. We will discover the 17th century Benteng Hollandia fortress and the island’s fine mosque. Meanwhile on Pulau Ai there are still active nutmeg plantations, the remains of the 17th century Fort Revenge and colonial plantation mansions, although the main draw for many is the fantastic snorkelling from the sandy beaches.
Days 11 & 12 Raja Ampat.
Over the next day and a half we will explore the 1500 karst limestone islands which make up the archipelago of Raja Ampat, also known as ‘Four Kings’ after its four main islands, in the heart of the Coral Triangle. This area is renowned as having one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world and home to a huge variety of fish, turtles and coral reefs. Our itinerary will be flexible and in the hands of our Captain and Expedition Leader as we use our small ship and Zodiacs to find the best landing sites. We hope to visit the Misool Marine Reserve where we will be able to snorkel in the clear waters or take a walk in the forest of one of the many islands. During an island walk on Pulau Su we will find fruit bats in the trees while on Waigeo Island we can follow in the footsteps of the British naturalist, Alfred Wallace, who visited the island in 1860 to study the endemic birds-of-paradise. During a strenuous early morning hike we hope to see these lavishly attired birds whilst further walks may find kingfisher, lorikeets and parrots.
Day 13 At Sea.
Relax on board as we make our way to the beautiful Padaido Islands.
Day 14 Padaido Islands.
This morning we will take advantage of our small ship and fleet of Zodiacs to explore the islands off the coast of Papua. Our itinerary will be flexible and be guided by our Captain, Expedition Leader and local weather conditions and we hope to visit the Padaido Islands, a chain of 31 mainly uninhabited islands and the site of some of the world’s most intact and biologically diverse coral reef systems. Padaido is a local word, meaning indescribable beauty and we will snorkel in the reefs which harbour 95 coral species and 155 fish species.
Day 15 Jayapura, Papua.
Our last call in Indonesia is at Jayapura, the capital and largest city in Papua. We will drive inland to Lake Sentani, one of the largest lakes which is still virtually untouched by tourism. The people who call the shores of this magnificent lake home still live in a traditional manner and are renowned for their woodwork and pottery. Enjoy an excursion by boat to a small island in the middle of the lake where we can visit the village of Assei. Here master craftsmen practice Papuan wood carving techniques using traditional tools. Return to the ship via the Cenderwasih Museum which is home to a range of Papuan artefacts including Asmat carvings.
Days 16 & 17 Wewak & Sepik River, Papua New Guinea.
Arrive into Papua New Guinea at the port of Wewak. After clearing immigration formalities we will continue our journey to our anchorage at the mouth of the Sepik River arriving in the late afternoon. The Sepik River is the longest in Papua New Guinea and central to life for the communities that live here being used for trade in dugout canoes, fishing and cooking. We will use our Zodiacs to explore the river system surrounded by lush forest on the lookout for wildlife. We will also travel upriver and visit a local village where we will receive a traditional welcome of song and dance before exploring the village. See the Men’s House, the place where important decisions regarding the village are made and initiation ceremonies take place, learn about the process of sago palms and see pieces of tribal art and crafts.
Day 18 Garove Island.
Spend the morning cruising to the Witu Islands, a small group of volcanic reef-ringed islands situated within the Bismarck archipelago. Arriving at lunchtime we will spend our final afternoon on the largest of these, Garove Island. The fringing reef surrounding the island offers fine swimming or you can enjoy snorkelling amongst multi coloured corals. Ashore we will be welcomed by the islanders who will show us around the village visiting the church, school and recently built community house.
Day 19 Rabaul to Singapore.
We arrive this morning in the spectacular setting of Rabaul’s Simpson harbour. Six cone-shaped volcanoes ring Rabaul’s dramatic flooded-caldera harbour. Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled indirect flight to Singapore. Arrive this evening and transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 20 Singapore to London.
After breakfast in the hotel we transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London. Arrive this afternoon.
Dates and Prices
22 August to 10 September 2026 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
Magellan Deck Standard Suites | £12495 | £11995 |
Columbus Deck Superior Suites | £13395 | £12895 |
Marco Polo Deck Premium Suites | £14295 | £13795 |
Marco Polo Deck Corner Suites | £14895 | £14395 |
Erikson Deck Deluxe Balcony Suites | £16295 | £15795 |
Explorer Deck Owner's Balcony Suite | £16995 | £16495 |
Explorer Deck Island Suite | £17495 | £16995 |
Magellan Deck Standard for sole occupancy | £14495 | £13995 |
Columbus Deck Superior for sole occupancy | £16295 | £15795 |
Tour Reference Code: SCISk220826
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • Overnight hotel accommodation in Bali and Singapore with breakfast • Lunch in Bali on Day 3 • 16 nights aboard the MS Island Sky on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner • Noble Caledonia expedition team • Gratuities • Shore excursions • Transfers • Airport taxes • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, Indonesia & Papua New Guinea visa, dinners in Bali & Singapore.

During this expedition you will be visiting out of the way destinations and will be accompanied by an expedition team. Landings and excursions will be made by Zodiac landing craft. The use of Zodiacs will be key to the operation of the itinerary as shown. If you have any queries pertaining to the use of Zodiacs or the level of fitness required for this voyage, please do not hesitate to ask one of our experienced travel consultants.
Please be aware that our website does not display real-time availability. As a result, the categories and prices listed above are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please call us at 020 7752 0000 and speak with one of our experienced Travel Consultants.
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Deckplan
Island Sky
The MS Island Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Hebridean Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
What to Expect
Every expedition is unique and no two days are the same. Flexibility is key and often the whole day’s schedule will be changed to maximise your experience based on weather conditions or wildlife sightings. Each day holds something new and here are some extracts from previous expedition logs which will provide you with an idea of what to expect:
Pink Beach: The Zodiacs brought us ashore at Pink Beach for some great snorkelling and swimming on this most beautiful of the Komodos, a beach which really is pink, due to the red coral in the sugary sand. The fish and corals here, we agreed, were the most beautiful and diverse we had seen on the trip so far, and the bay was full of flipping fins for hours as we dove through the crystal clear waters in search of fishy photos and memories to store. Some entrepreneurial local folks were on hand to sell us strings of cultured pearls and carved wooden Komodos, both on the beach and at the ship. The weather co-operated, with warm temperatures, a light breeze and occasional clouds, and some trees on the beach offered welcome shade.
Raja Ampat: Considered the most diverse marine environment in the world, Raja Ampat is a series of islands sitting on the convergence of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, making it utterly unique. Gathering into the Zodiacs, we had plenty of time and opportunity to explore the many fine passageways and magnificent rock formations of this isolated area. For the bird lovers, numerous reef egrets (or reef herons) were seen cruising the water’s surface, while Brahminy kites and one or two sea eagles soared high overhead. Even the non-bird lover could not help but be thrilled as the white flash of the local cockatoos broke the stillness of the treetops. For those with eyes only for the marine environment, the ever-changing underwater terrain kept the views interesting and diverse. Coral mounds rose from aqua-blue depths and the multi-coloured fish and reefs were clearly visible clinging to the limestone outcroppings. Lunch was a brief respite, as we gathered back in our Zodiacs to head ashore for an afternoon of exploring the underwater environment. There were options available for everyone from absolute beginners to advanced snorkellers and the underwater world could not possibly disappoint. An entire afternoon spent here gave everyone time to not only enjoy the water, but also get some beach time in, reading on the sand or finding a quiet corner to savour. Our birder was also ashore pointing out the fascinating local bird species and a highlight, even for a weathered experts, were the hanging parrots.
Videos
Also of Interest
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An island hopping adventure from Papua New Guinea to Fiji including the Solomon Islands & Vanuatu aboard the MS Island Sky
Itinerary at a glance
- Singapore / Rabaul / Marovo Lagoon / Tetepare Island / Honiara / Santa Ana / Nembao Village / Espiritu Santo Island / Port Havannah / Tanna Island / Lautoka
Island Hopping in the South Pacific
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Itinerary at a glance
- Fiji / Levuka Island / Fulaga / Nuku’alofa / Neiafu / Nuku Island / Niue / Rarotonga / Atiu / Aitutaki / Bora Bora / Papeete
Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000