23 nights · Papua New Guinea · Departs Port Moresby · Visiting Wewak PNG, Jayapura, Waigeo Island Indonesia, Raja Ampat Islands Indonesia, Misool Island Indonesia, Triton Bay, Darwin · Aboard Emerald Cruises on the Emerald Xara
Image courtesy of Emerald Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Emerald Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Emerald Xara |
| Duration | 23 nights |
| Port calls | 8 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $18,509 per person |
| Year built | 2028 |
| Guests | 128 |
| Cabins | 64 |
| Crew | 92 |
| Length | 120 m |
| Beam | 16 m |
| Cruising speed | 22.0 kn |
Port Moresby is Papua New Guinea’s capital, set beside the Gulf of Papua and framed by dry hills. The National Museum and Art Gallery introduces the country’s cultural diversity. Parliament Haus draws on traditional Haus Tambaran design and is a striking landmark. At Port Moresby Nature Park, forest paths reveal native birds and tree kangaroos. Beyond the city, coastal scenery and village visits offer a different perspective on the capital.
Wewak sits on Papua New Guinea’s north coast, facing the Bismarck Sea and the Sepik region. Its palm-fringed shoreline and compact market town offer a quieter introduction to the country. On Wewak Hill, wartime memorials and Japanese gun positions recall the Pacific campaign. Inland, the Sepik River is known for carved houses and ceremonial traditions. Nearby islands provide a striking change of scene, reached by local boat.
Jayapura, capital of Indonesia’s Papua province, sits on the island’s north coast. Curving around Humboldt Bay, it pairs a busy waterfront with steep, forested hills and lively local markets. Nearby Lake Sentani offers island scenery and a window into the region’s enduring traditions. The city was called Hollandia during the Allied campaign in New Guinea during World War II. Come for a rare encounter with Indonesia’s far eastern frontier and a gateway to Papua’s landscapes and cultures.
Waigeo is the largest of Raja Ampat’s four main islands, a forested outpost in Indonesia’s far west. Waisai, the regency capital, is the usual base for reaching nearby reefs and island villages. Divers come for clear water, coral gardens and exceptional marine life in the Dampier Strait. On land, guided dawn walks offer a chance to see the red bird-of-paradise, native to Waigeo and nearby Batanta.
Raja Ampat rewards travellers who value wild places over polished resorts. This Indonesian archipelago lies off West Papua’s Bird’s Head Peninsula, famed for exceptional marine life and clear, warm seas. Its four principal islands—Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool—anchor a maze of forested islets and limestone karsts. Snorkel above coral gardens, look for manta rays, or boat into sheltered lagoons. Here, nature sets the itinerary.
Misool is the southernmost of Raja Ampat’s four main islands, set among the reefs of Indonesia’s Southwest Papua province. Limestone towers rise above clear lagoons, while coral reefs shelter manta rays, turtles and abundant reef fish. Reaching Misool requires a boat journey, commonly aboard a liveaboard or via a remote resort. Bring time for diving or snorkeling: the island’s appeal lies beneath the surface as much as along its dramatic coastline.
Triton Bay rewards the journey to Indonesia’s remote West Papua with vivid reefs and limestone islands rising from calm water. Near Kaimana, this little-visited coast is known for rich marine life, including whale sharks that gather around traditional fishing platforms. Explore quiet coves, local villages and forest-fringed beaches by boat. Leave time to snorkel: the bay’s coral gardens are its chief attraction, best seen below the surface.
Darwin is Australia’s northern gateway, where the Timor Sea meets a city shaped by tropical heat and Asian influence. Its compact waterfront puts the harbour within easy reach. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory offers insight into Indigenous cultures and the region’s wartime past. Beyond town, Kakadu’s wetlands and Litchfield’s waterfalls reward a longer stay. Visit in the dry season for easier travel and clear, warm days.
Published September 29, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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