A Day-by-Day Yacht Adventure
Yacht Tiaré
Expedition & Adventure Ship
Day 1: Arrival in Sorong & Embarkation
Our crew will welcome you at Sorong Airport and escort you to Tiare.
- 12:00 PM – Embarkation at Sorong Port
- Welcome ceremony, safety briefing & dive gear prep
- Meet your Expedition Lead and the Shark Science Team Gibbs & Walker
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Introduction to our shark-focused mission:
Special Collaboration Announcement:
This expedition is part of an ongoing scientific project in collaboration with Gibbs Kuguru, National Geographic shark scientist.
Together, we’re working to understand the genetic diversity and behavior of Raja Ampat’s sharks through non-invasive tagging and DNA collection. - Begin crossing to Waisai (6 hours)
Evening Lecture: “Sharks of Raja Ampat: Apex Guardians of the Coral Triangle”
Shark Fact #1: Sharks have roamed the oceans for over 400 million years – long before dinosaurs.
Day 2: Waisai – Coral Reefs & Shark Realms
Dive Sites: Mioskon, Blue Magic, Friwinbonda, Oh Yes!
- Mioskon Reef – blacktip reef sharks often patrol these shallow corals.
- Blue Magic – strong currents, schooling fish, grey reef sharks and sometimes oceanic mantas.
- Night Dive at "Oh Yes!" – potential for sightings of epaulette (walking) sharks and bamboo sharks.
Mini Talk: “Shark Superpowers: Senses, Speed, and Survival”
Shark Fact #2: Sharks can detect a drop of blood in 25 gallons of water and sense electrical fields with their Ampullae of Lorenzini.
Day 3: East Mansuar – Biodiversity & Behavior
Dive Sites: Cape Kri, Otdima Reef, Yenbuba Jetty
- Cape Kri – a record-breaking site (374 species in one dive) with frequent blacktip and grey reef shark encounters.
- Reef exploration and shark behavior observations for data collection.
- Evening check-in with scientists about shark sighting logs.
Workshop: “Shark Identification 101”
Shark Fact #3: Reef sharks have “home ranges” – they live in the same reefs for many years.
Day 4: West Mansuar – Drift with Predators
Dive Sites: Manta Ridge, Lalosi, Sawandarek Jetty, Arborek Jetty
- Manta Ridge – glide with manta rays and sharks in high-current zones.
- Arborek Jetty – dusk dives often bring out wobbegong sharks, nurse sharks, and the elusive epaulette shark.
Lecture: “Genetics & Conservation – Gibbs Kuguru’s Work with Sharks”
Explore how genetic diversity helps sharks survive and how tagging can guide marine protected areas.
Shark Fact #4: Epaulette sharks can survive without oxygen for up to an hour – an evolutionary advantage for reef life.
Day 5: Yanggefo – Mayhem, Currents & Science
Dive Sites: Mayhem, Citrus Ridge, Gam Ridge, Batu Rufus
Shark Science Field Day (conditions permitting)
- Today may include a Shark Tagging Demonstration, led by our marine biologist with techniques and methodology contributed by Gibbs Kuguru.
- Guests may have the opportunity to observe or assist (non-invasively) in shark identification, tracking, or DNA sample collection.
Note: Participation is subject to scientific permits, shark behavior, and sea conditions.
Interactive Briefing: “How Shark Tagging Works: Tools, Ethics & Goals”
Shark Fact #5: DNA from sharks helps scientists track migration patterns and population health.
Day 6: Piaynemo – Science Meets Beauty
Dive Sites: My Reef, Melissa’s Garden, Keruo Channel
Trekking: Piaynemo Viewpoint
- Melissa’s Garden – lush coral beds with frequent blacktip sightings
- Afternoon trek to the iconic Piaynemo viewpoint
- Continue submitting your shark sighting logs to help with the data collection.
Evening Talk: “Why Shark Conservation Needs You”
Shark photography slideshow + guest highlights
Shark Fact #6: Sharks play a vital role in maintaining the balance of coral reefs by keeping prey populations healthy.
Day 7: Batanta – Waterfalls, Mantas & Memories
Dive Sites: Manta Way
Activities: Waterfall Trek & Sandbank Tapok
Evening: Return Crossing to Sorong (5 hours)
- Final dives at Manta Way – mantas and reef sharks often swim side by side.
- Trek to the Batanta waterfalls – jungle meets ocean.
- Sunset picnic on Tapok Sandbank
Farewell Celebration:
- Shark Expedition Recap
- Conservation pledge signing
- Certificate of Participation in the Shark Monitoring Program
Shark Fact #7: Without sharks, ecosystems unravel. Their survival ensures the health of the reefs we love to dive.
Day 8: Sorong Disembarkation
- 09:00 AM – Disembarkation & Airport Transfer
- Farewell hugs, photo ops with crew, and goodbyes from your Expedition Leader.
- You leave not just as divers, but as shark advocates.
