The remote Raja Ampat archipelago is a tropical idyll of pristine coral reefs and rich marine biodiversity roughly located between Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines.
This unexplored ‘Coral Triangle’ has all the hallmarks of an exotic escape, with rarely visited reefs packed with fish, uninhabited islands and sleepy villages void of visitors.
Now a new luxurious wooden phinisi (a ship with two masts) is to launch, making this region all the more special.
Alila Purnama will sail from Sarong in west Papua on six-day expeditions around the islands of Gam, Miskon and Yangello, stopping off at pearl farms, wild beaches and reefs, where you can dive day and night in calm blue coral waters filled with wobbegong sharks, manta and eagle rays and schools of barracuda fish.
The boat has been built from teak in the traditional Indonesian style as used by the Bugis seafarers from south Sulawesi and has all the mod cons of an ultra modern hotel.
It sleeps ten guests (looked after by a crew of 16) in four en-suite cabins and one master suite with private balcony and large sundeck for relaxation.
There’s a small restaurant serving supremely fresh seafood, a library, lounge, bar, dining area, dive centre, outdoor deck with oversized daybeds and spa therapist on hand to give treatments.
Alila Purnama is available exclusively from $9,000 a night.
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