Into the Blu: Raja Ampat aboard Aqua Blu

“From 400 feet up in the air, the coral reef looks like a painter’s palette of turquoise, aqua, and deep sapphire. Aqua Blu doesn’t look out of place in this environment, but it’s obvious that she’s just visiting. Raja Ampat was here long before we arrived, and Raja Ampat will go on long after we stop visiting.”

Indonesia was the third destination that Aqua Expeditions chose to operate in after their pioneering start in the Peruvian Amazon (aboard Aria Amazon and Aqua Nera), and their expansion into the Mekong River with Aqua Mekong. The company has since expanded into Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands with Aqua Mare. In Indonesia, Aqua Blu is your luxury small-ship sanctuary for bespoke itineraries exploring the remote waterways, limestone karst islands, and marine sanctuaries of this vast archipelago.

Karl Kannstadter’s 400-foot aerial drone photograph of an Aqua Blu expedition tender gliding across vibrant, living coral reef gardens in Raja Ampat.

Ship Shape: Royal Navy Pedigree Meets Superyacht Luxury

Aqua Blu has a very interesting history. She was built in 1968 and originally christened the HMS Beagle, a British Royal Navy coastal survey ship named in homage to Charles Darwin’s historic vessel. After being decommissioned in 2002, she was converted into an elegant private yacht. When acquired by Aqua Expeditions in 2019, she underwent an extensive, multi-million-dollar refurbishment led by Dutch designer Cor D. Rover to become the upscale expedition yacht she is today.

The cabins on board are the epitome of class. Spacious, elegantly designed, and equipped with modern amenities, they offer the comforts of a premium boutique hotel in the most remote corners of Indonesia. With only 15 individually appointed ocean-view suites catering to a maximum of 30 guests, the vessel provides an intimate, uncrowded ambiance far removed from mainstream commercial cruising.

Expedition guests boarding one of Aqua Blu’s twin tenders for morning snorkeling and marine exploration.

Crystal-clear visibility reveals pristine coral plateaus thriving directly below the tender boats.

The Culinary Journey & Exceptional 27-Member Indonesian Crew

The culinary experience aboard Aqua Blu is equally impressive. Under the direction of celebrated consulting chef Benjamin Cross, executive chefs craft exquisite meals blending authentic Indonesian flavors with refined international cuisine, ensuring a gastronomic journey on par with the expedition itself. Fresh line-caught fish, organic island herbs, and vibrant spices take center stage at every meal.

The caliber of the crew on Aqua Blu sets this voyage apart. Knowledgeable, attentive, and always eager to please, they ensure that every aspect of the journey is seamless. Their insights into the local cultures and marine ecosystems enrich the experience, making it not just a cruise but a profound journey of learning and discovery.

One of the hallmarks of Aqua Expeditions is the all-inclusive nature of their voyages. The small-ship experience ensures personalized attention and an intimate atmosphere. Every aspect of the journey—from guided excursions and top-tier water sports to sommelier-selected wines, spirits, and five-star dining—is meticulously planned and included, allowing guests to immerse themselves fully without any concerns about hidden extra charges.

Daily Diversions: Birds of Paradise, Hidden Lagoons & Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Speaking of excursions, on Aqua Blu they range from guided walks over mossy forest trails to observe elusive birds of paradise in the wild (our group was privileged to spot eight of them during a dawn hike) to gentle stand-up paddleboarding, floating down a crystal-clear cool jungle stream, and kayaking in serene, sheltered limestone bays. And again, every guided excursion is completely included.

The iconic sugarloaf limestone karst formations and emerald lagoons of Pianemo, reached via Zodiac excursion from Aqua Blu.

At no time does this feel like an intense divers-only trip. Karl made sure to experience non-SCUBA activities firsthand—with a dedicated snorkel tender and an experienced staff naturalist leading guests, snorkeling is given the exact same premier status and attention as deep diving.

The Deep Dive: Exploring the Heart of the Coral Triangle

In the early 1990s, Karl enrolled in a “Learn to Dive” program in the City of Toronto Continuing Education booklet, completing the open-water qualification in Mexico. Over the years, Karl explored premier dive sites around the globe—the Red Sea, the Great Barrier Reef, and Fiji. These days Karl dives sporadically when the opportunity presents itself (Aruba here, Galápagos there). But the diving in Raja Ampat is a class of its own.

Forget One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish—these are underwater gardens of hard and soft corals stretching as far as the eye can see, with species that look as though they were invented by Dr. Seuss. The waters teem with thousands of colorful reef fish, green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, and the legendary tasselled wobbegong shark (a carpet shark so bizarre and magnificent it must be seen to be believed).

A green sea turtle glides gracefully through warm, turquoise waters along Raja Ampat’s protected reefs.

Emerald limestone karst islets encircled by living reefs in the heart of Indonesia’s marine protected areas.

Life on Board: Sun Deck Sundowners, Sambal Classes & Evening Briefings

On board, the expedition offers an array of activities to satisfy leisure seekers. For those in need of quiet relaxation, the Sun Deck provides a breathtaking 360-degree vantage point to soak in the dramatic seascapes of the archipelago. Evening sundowners are sublime from this perch as the tropical sun dips below the horizon.

Guests thirsting for culinary knowledge can take an interactive cooking class with the ship’s chefs to master the art of making sambal, Indonesia’s iconic spicy condiment. During quiet afternoons, there are nature documentaries to watch in the multimedia lounge, books to peruse in the library, insightful lectures by resident marine biologists, and lively daily evening briefings summarizing the day’s wildlife sightings and outlining the schedule for the morning ahead.

Aqua Expeditions’ Raja Ampat voyage aboard Aqua Blu is more than just a luxury cruise; it is an expedition into the heart of one of Earth’s last great travel frontiers. It marries high adventure with unconditional comfort, making it an unmissable journey for discerning travelers.

Frequently Asked Questions: Cruising Raja Ampat on Aqua Blu