Rb 295
By Mark Stratton
JUNE 19, 2024

The Coral Triangle Overview

One of the world’s least-known adventure expedition cruise regions is the Coral Triangle, a faraway realm of warm, species-rich seas and island archipelagos.

Located around the western Pacific Ocean, the Coral Triangle ranges between the Indonesian archipelago and Timor-Leste and New Guinea, northwards towards the Philippines and Malaysian Borneo, and eastwards into the Solomon Islands. Covering 6 million square kilometres (2.3 million square miles) at its heart, the finest coral reefs on Earth in Raja Ampat off Western Papua. This 1411 island archipelago houses 75% of the world’s coral species in warm sea temperatures around 28ºC (83ºF). It is significantly more biodiverse than Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. 

Read more Close

Map

Coral Triangle Map

Traveller Snapshot: Why Visit?

You come to experience the finest marine biodiversity on Earth. Raja Ampat’s coral reefs are an explosion of colours and shapes, and the islands are paradisical. The surrounding Papua culture is married to the sea and rich in local lore.

When to Visit

Weather: The dry season is generally the best time to visit West Papua for an expedition cruise. During this period, you can expect sunny weather, calm seas, and excellent visibility for diving, snorkelling, and exploring the region's marine ecosystems. 

Wildlife: This is also an ideal time for wildlife spotting, including birdwatching and observing endemic species such as the Birds of Paradise.

Scenery: West Papua offers incredible natural beauty and biodiversity, including pristine rainforests, diverse wildlife, and vibrant coral reefs. 

Weather: The dry season is generally the best time to visit West Papua for an expedition cruise. During this period, you can expect sunny weather, calm seas, and excellent visibility for diving, snorkelling, and exploring the region's marine ecosystems. 

Wildlife: This is also an ideal time for wildlife spotting, including birdwatching and observing endemic species such as the Birds of Paradise.

Scenery: West Papua offers incredible natural beauty and biodiversity, including pristine rainforests, diverse wildlife, and vibrant coral reefs. 

Weather: The dry season is generally the best time to visit West Papua for an expedition cruise. During this period, you can expect sunny weather, calm seas, and excellent visibility for diving, snorkelling, and exploring the region's marine ecosystems. 

Wildlife: This is also an ideal time for wildlife spotting, including birdwatching and observing endemic species such as the Birds of Paradise.

Scenery: West Papua offers incredible natural beauty and biodiversity, including pristine rainforests, diverse wildlife, and vibrant coral reefs. 

Weather: The dry season is generally the best time to visit West Papua for an expedition cruise. During this period, you can expect sunny weather, calm seas, and excellent visibility for diving, snorkelling, and exploring the region's marine ecosystems. 

Wildlife: This is also an ideal time for wildlife spotting, including birdwatching and observing endemic species such as the Birds of Paradise.

Scenery: West Papua offers incredible natural beauty and biodiversity, including pristine rainforests, diverse wildlife, and vibrant coral reefs. 

Weather: The dry season is generally the best time to visit West Papua for an expedition cruise. During this period, you can expect sunny weather, calm seas, and excellent visibility for diving, snorkelling, and exploring the region's marine ecosystems. 

Wildlife: This is also an ideal time for wildlife spotting, including birdwatching and observing endemic species such as the Birds of Paradise.

Scenery: West Papua offers incredible natural beauty and biodiversity, including pristine rainforests, diverse wildlife, and vibrant coral reefs. 

Weather: It can be extremely cold, requiring appropriate gear and preparation. Shorter daylight hours, especially in February, can restrict the amount of time for activities.

Wildlife: Opportunities for snowmobiling, dog sledding, ice fishing, and visits to ice hotels.

Scenery: Optimal time for viewing the Aurora Borealis, especially in regions like Northern Norway and Iceland. 

Weather: The dry season is generally the best time to visit West Papua for an expedition cruise. During this period, you can expect sunny weather, calm seas, and excellent visibility for diving, snorkelling, and exploring the region's marine ecosystems. 

Wildlife: This is also an ideal time for wildlife spotting, including birdwatching and observing endemic species such as the Birds of Paradise.

Scenery: West Papua offers incredible natural beauty and biodiversity, including pristine rainforests, diverse wildlife, and vibrant coral reefs. 

This region's primary sailing season is between March and May and October and January. The weather is typically hot and dry, between 26°C and 32°C. While not all itineraries are the same, the stops mentioned are frequently built into Indonesia's expedition itineraries. Expedition leaders determine landings in real-time according to weather, swell, and tides.

Wildlife

Expect to explore coral gardens shaped into the forms of fans, brains, stag horns and toadstools. They will teem with fish and turtles, while reef sharks are never far away and harmless. Endemics include pygmy seahorses no more than 1cm long. Giant manta rays come to sea ‘cleaning stations’ to have their parasites expunged by fish like wrasse. The rainforest is loaded with exotic birdlife, including those perennial show-offs – birds of paradise.

Spinner Dolphins from Ship's Deck

Play Video

Cultural and Historical Significance

By definition, given its geographical extent, the Coral Triangle encompasses Indonesian, Malaysian, and Polynesian cultures, but at its heart, the Melanesian Papuan people are unique. Few cultures are so wedded to the land. A trip to a Papuan village will reveal the fertile gardens carved from the forest and discover the rituals and cycles of their use of pigs for ceremonial purposes or as reparations to settle a conflict. Over 830 languages are spoken across Papua New Guinea alone.

Adventure and Exploration

Exploration here is a true journey of discovery because this paradise realm of coral atolls and rainforested islands is little-known outside this region. As the name suggests, coral reefs and stellar marine life are the principal draw. Thus, expeditions to the likes of Raja Ampat will be set up to offer the finest diving and snorkelling imaginable. Bird lovers will also love this region, seeking endemics and those vainglorious bird-of-paradise.

Sustainable and Eco-Conscious Travel

Rb 274 Alex-Lindbloom Istock Raja Ampat
Corals in Raja Ampat: Photo Credit Istock.com/Alex-Lindbloom

Travellers need to be aware global coral reef systems are under threat due to climate change. Your expedition vessel will likely lead discussions about what is happening to them because of rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has been subject to coral bleaching due to high sea temperatures around 32ºC/90ºF, which kills the coral polyps, leaving vast white skeletal plains. This has also triggered invasions of crown-of-thorn starfish, which devour corals perniciously. Raja Ampat has largely escaped both, but outbreaks have been reported in recent years. Travellers can do their bit to protect corals by using reef-friendly sun protection products. 

Read more Show less

General Preparation and Research

Once you have found your small ship expedition, thoughts must turn to practicalities. Raja Ampat is part of West Papua, ergo Indonesia, so you must obtain their e-visa. It is cheap and quick to get. If you venture into the eastern side of New Guinea Island, then independent Papua New Guinea requires a separate visa.  Medically speaking, stick to purified water to avoid gastrological upsets, although avoid plastic bottles as they will likely end up in the sea. Consider anti-malarial tablets before you travel. SPF is a must, and if you snorkel, cover all exposed flesh with a cap, rash vest and long pants, or you will burn exposed to the hot sunshine. Buy a good marine identification guide, as they are often not to hand, and it's fun identifying the myriad species you observe. Be aware it is hot and wet all year, so clothing must be light.

Photographically, there are three levels of obtaining pictures underwater. You can enter with a basic point-and-shoot, like a Go Pro. It's terrific for videos but unsatisfactory for close-ups. You can cover your DSLR camera with a rubber housing and use its functions, but not to any great depths. Outex offers such a gadget, costing around £230 (c$US300). Serious photographers will use a plastic-housing rig with multiple control points and lighting. This will set you back at least £1000-2000 (c$US1300-2500). But this is, after all, a trip of a lifetime.