Australia’s pioneering cruise line Coral Expeditions has launched a new series of voyages through the island trails of the East Indies: Komodo, Sulawesi, Borneo and the Indonesian archipelago. The three-voyage series aboard the state of the art expedition ship Coral Geographer will delve into the rich maritime and trading history, ancient island cultures and unique wildlife of the East Indies.
The first voyage in the series ‘In the Wake of the Makassans’ is a 14-night expedition departing home shores in Darwin on 20 March 2024. This voyage will follow ancient Makassan trading routes and witness the confluence of cultural heritage and natural beauty, setting a course for Sulawesi. On 3 April 2024, the second voyage ‘Sulawesi Circle’ will depart Makassar on a 20-night circumnavigation taking in a full coastal exploration of Sulawesi and the eastern coastlines of Borneo, home to rich native tradition and rare wildlife. The final voyage in the series ‘Into the Wilds of Borneo’ will depart on 23 April 2024. This 14-night voyage will call on seaside villages, wildlife sanctuaries and isolated atolls on the way to Singapore.
Throughout the voyages, guests will explore pristine marine environments including at Takabonarate and Wakatobi Marine Parks and with Bunaken and Lembeh offering some of the most vibrant dive and snorkel opportunities in the world. With an expert team and warm Australian hospitality, there is no better way to experience these remote places than by small ship.
Series Highlights
Enjoy a behind the scenes experience at Camp Leakey and learn from experts about the efforts to protect the native orangutans
Meet the people of Torajaland, high up in the mountains of Sulawesi, and encounter their astonishing cultural traditions and rituals
Aboard a traditional klotok, cruise the black waters of the Nipah waterway through the jungle of Tanjung Puting
Meet the beachside boatbuilders of Tana Beru and admire the skillful construction of Phinisi ships
Encounter rare and endangered wildlife including sun bears in natural conservation sanctuaries in Borneo and Komodo Dragons in the wild
Visit the stilt villages of the Bajau tribe who live off the sea and learn from their culture and lifestyle
Explore the turquoise waters and abundant marine life surrounding the tiny islands of Takabonarate Marine Park
Explore the remarkable floating markets of Banjarmasin, ‘the city of a thousand rivers’
Voyage Details
In the Wake of the Makassans | 14 Nights | Darwin to Makassar | 20 Mar 2024 | Coral Geographer
Sulawesi Circle | 20 Nights | Makassar to Makassar | 3 Apr 2024 | Coral Geographer
Into the Wilds of Borneo | 14 Nights | Makassar to Singapore | 23 Apr 2023 | Coral Geographer
Guests can book adjoining voyages to receive savings alongside loyalty benefits through Coral Expeditions’ Xplorers Club. Additionally, guests can find live voyage availability and book online though Coral Expeditions’ website.
