Coral Expeditions – Raja Ampat, Palau and Micronesia Review

We recently set sail on Coral Expeditions’ remarkable 17-day voyage through the remote regions of West Papua, Palau and Micronesia aboard the luxurious Coral Geographer vessel. This trip was not a typical cruise – it was an immersive experience into some of the planet’s most untouched and culturally rich destinations. Each day brought new encounters, whether it was snorkelling over vibrant coral reefs, hiking up breathtaking island viewpoints or meeting indigenous communities living in harmony with their stunning surroundings. In this Coral Expeditions cruise review, we’ll dive into every detail of our 17-day voyage and help you decide if this expedition is the right fit for your next adventure.

A low cloud drifted down the imposing volcano to our starboard side as the Coral Geographer slipped silently into the Zonnegat Channel, the gateway to Banda Neira.

The air was thick with the scent of salt and spice, a subtle reminder of this island’s storied past.

Local Kora Kora canoes glided out from the shore, their rowers chanting in unison to the beat of a drum, the sound echoing off the volcanic slopes of Gunung Api.

We leaned over the railing, mesmerised, as these sleek, traditional vessels raced us into the caldera.

Ahead, the sleepy town of Banda Neira came into view, its flower-lined streets and crumbling Dutch ruins steeped in history.

The island felt alive. Its past as the heart of the global spice trade still whispering through its nutmeg groves and moss-covered forts.

This was more than a destination; it was a living story, and we were about to turn its next page.

We recently returned from one of the most remarkable expedition trips we’ve ever embarked on – a 17-day adventure from Darwin to Yap in Micronesia, including the Spice Islands, Raja Ampat in West Papua and Palau, with Australia’s true small-ship pioneers Coral Expeditions.

The moment we boarded the luxury vessel, the Coral Geographer, we knew this was going to be a trip unlike any other.

We were destined to sail through some of the most remote and breathtaking regions on Earth in unrivalled luxury, led by some of Australia’s best expedition guides.

Each day would bring about a new adventure, from snorkelling over vibrant coral reefs to hiking rugged peaks with jaw-dropping views.

But it wasn’t just the destinations that made this journey special. It was the people, the stories, and the sense of discovery that came with exploring places so untouched, it felt like we had the world all to ourselves.

In this Coral Expeditions cruise review we’ll dive into every detail of our 17-day Micronesia Mariner itinerary and help you decide if this expedition is the right fit for your next adventure.

Check out our full video review of this tour!

EXCLUSIVE – We have partnered with Coral Expeditions to offer readers of NOMADasaurus a very special deal on any one of their itineraries! Contact us at (hello@nomadasaurus.com) if you’d like to learn more.

Coral Expeditions Cruise Review – Micronesia Mariner Itinerary

Ever since our first journey to Antarctica onboard a small ice-strengthened ship, we have always been fascinated by the idea of expedition cruising and the places it can open up.

70% of the planet is covered by ocean, and there is an overwhelming amount of destinations that can only be reached by sea.

That is the appeal of expedition cruising.

While many people are drawn to the well-trodden paths of Europe or Southeast Asia for their holidays, we’re more inclined to gaze at an atlas and lose ourselves in the allure of the the tens of thousands of islands and atolls that are peppered across the Pacific Ocean.

The types of locations that are rarely visited due to the challenges and time it can take to reach them.

That alone is often enough reason for people to succumb to the idea that those intrepid destinations are beyond their dreams.

Yet when you’re on a ship that’s purpose is to explore these off-beat tracks, a new world lies in front of you.

As we stepped onto the Coral Geographer, a 120-passenger luxury expedition ship operated by Australia’s pioneers in small-vessel adventures, we prepared to immerse ourselves in that wild world.

We recently embarked on an unforgettable 17-day adventure with Coral Expeditions, taking us through the stunning regions of West Papua, Raja Ampat, Palau and Micronesia.

The itinerary was wild, filled with encounters with remote tribes, navigating Avatar-esque landscapes, snorkelling and diving pristine reefs and a varied array of culture and history.

And it was better than we ever could have imagined.

Note – This tour is not on Coral Expeditions website anymore but Raja Ampat and Spice Islands Tour is very similar and visits many of the same places as the Micronesia Marina Tour.

In this Coral Expeditions review we’ll share the highlights of our trip, what made it so special, and why this journey is perfect for those seeking a truly unique and immersive experience while getting off the beaten track.

About Coral Expeditions

Coral Expeditions is an Australian small-ship expedition cruise company that has been pioneering unique travel experiences since 1983.

Based in Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Expeditions has a focus on remote, hard-to-reach destinations, offering travellers the opportunity to explore some of the world’s most untouched corners, all while maintaining a deep respect for the environments and cultures they encounter.

Most famous for their iconic itineraries through the Kimberley and around the Great Barrier Reef, in recent years the company has set their sights further afield.

They’ve created fascinating, bucket list journeys such as circumnavigating Australia, exploring Papua New Guinea and sailing across the Indian Ocean to Africa.

Coral operates a small fleet of purpose-built luxury expedition ships, including the Coral Geographer, Coral Adventurer, and Coral Discoverer.

The company designs each voyage to take advantage of the unique features of their ships.

With passenger numbers limited to a maximum of 120, Coral Expeditions ensures an exclusive, personal experience where guests can truly connect with the places they visit and with their fellow travellers.

Their small ships are equipped with custom-designed Explorer tenders, which allows for easy access to remote beaches, hidden bays and small ports while maintaining protection and comfort that can be absent in Zodiacs.

It’s not just their luxurious vessels and mind-blowing itineraries that sets Coral apart.

One of the hallmarks of Coral Expeditions is their expert team of naturalists, historians and local guides who accompany each voyage, offering insights that enrich the guest experience.

The focus on education, combined with the freedom to explore ashore and at sea, ensures that guests leave not only with unforgettable memories but also a deeper understanding of the places they visit.

On the Micronesia Mariner voyage Alesha and I were even invited onboard to conduct photography workshops as well as capture the guests enjoying themselves throughout the adventure.

For those seeking a more immersive and responsible way to explore remote destinations, Coral Expeditions provides a unique blend of adventure, comfort, and cultural connection.

What’s the Difference Between a Cruise and an Expedition?

It’s important to highlight that these aren’t cruises – they are expeditions.

The difference being that a cruise is typically centred around relaxation and entertainment aboard a large ship, visiting well-known destinations with a focus on leisure.

The itinerary is more-or-less set in stone, and only extenuating circumstances will change that.

An expedition on the other hand is more adventurous, and while the itinerary is planned out, it’s subject to change based on a whole variety of factors and it’s up the Expedition Leader (EL) and the captain to determine what every day actually looks like.

Expeditions prioritise discovery, education, and active engagement with the environment and local cultures.

Arrival Day and Safety Briefings

Our trip began in Australia’s northernmost city of Darwin, where guests came from far and wide (but mainly Australia) to meet the Coral Expeditions team and their ship from the next 17 days.

We made our way to the Darwin port to be greeted by the Coral Expeditions crew waiting and guide us through the terminal for check in and bag drop off.

The immigration and check-in process went very smoothly, and with our cabin information in hand we went through security, checked out of Australia and boarded the Coral Geographer. 

As we walked up the gangway we were greeted by Captain Andrew and one of his officers, Josh, who were personally welcoming each guest onto the ship.

This was our 10th expedition cruise, yet it was the first time we had ever been greeted by the ship’s Captain before. Normally the ship crew and the expedition team are two separate entities, and besides a formal welcome and a farewell drink at the end, you never really see or engage with the officers.

It was a trademark of Coral’s values to have the entire team, from deckhands to guides to restaurant staff to engineers and officers be part of what would soon feel like one big family.

Stepping inside one of the hotel staff led us to our cabin, number 413 on the 4th floor.

Our room was a Promenade Deck Stateroom and we were surprised at how big and comfortable it was. We found our luggage already waiting for us, which had been transported directly from the port onto the ship.

It was quite literally minutes from clearing immigration to being checked-in to our room, and before we knew it we were out on the back deck with scones in one hand and a coffee in the other, meeting our fellow guests.

READ MORE: Check out our complete article about the Coral Geographer here!

The passengers were from around the world, and we mingled with people from different parts of Australia, Switzerland, New Zealand and the USA.

About an hour later everybody was on the ship and there was an announcement over the PA by the captain that the mandatory safety briefing was about to take place, so we all gathered in the Bridge Deck Lounge to get our life vests and went through the procedures in the unlikely event of an emergency.

With the formalities out of the way it was time to officially start the adventure.

Dawn, our expedition leader for the voyage, held an introductory session in the Bridge Deck Lounge where we were told what lay ahead of us for the next 17 days, and also met the rest of the expedition team.

There were 5 guides, Naomi, Jacob, Dawn, Chrissy and Katie, 2 guest lectures, Bia and Sandra, and us as the guest photographers.

As the meeting came to an end we all went to the outer decks to watch Darwin disappear in the distance as the ship set sail.

Sea Days

Leaving Darwin we had two full sea days ahead of us to reach our first destination in Indonesia.

Luckily there’s plenty to do to pass the time on sea days, and the expedition team filled the hours with all kinds of educational and entertaining activities.

Most sea days are more-or-less the same, so we’ll wrap them all up into one section here.

A typical sea day starts with breakfast, served from 7:30am onwards and runs until around 9am so you can enjoy a bit of a sleep-in or a leisurely morning if you’d like.

Then it’s typically a run of sessions from the onboard guest lecturers or expedition team talking about history, biology, geology, wildlife, culture or even photography workshops, which is what we were offering onboard.

For anyone doing optional activities like scuba diving there might also be briefings on these days so everyone knows what to expect when you get to your next destination.

There’s also opportunities to explore the ship with the crew, and this varies from bridge and engine room tours and even insights from the head chef on how they cater the high-end food experiences on a ship for all the guests.

For fun the expedition team and restaurant staff also organise events such as trivia, movie nights, games, art workshops, wine tasting, cocktail making and more.

If you’re feeling like you just want to take things easy though the sea days are also a perfect opportunity to relax with a book in hand and watch the world pass you by.

Visiting Tual, Indonesia

After sailing across the Timor Sea we arrived in the bustling city of Tual in Indonesia’s Maluku province for our official welcome into the country.

Customs and immigration came aboard to handle the formalities and soon we were boarding the Xplorers and making our way into the city.

Tual is the largest city in the Kei islands in southeastern Indonesia and not often visited by tourists.

Like most of the country, Tual is predominantly Muslim, but there is a sizeable Christian population as well and everyone lives in harmony.

Being an Islamic city the hospitality is second to none, which we soon encountered once we stepped ashore.

Docking against a concrete pier our group was welcomed by some local musicians playing traditional songs and we boarded the waiting buses to head into the village of Kampung Taar.

When we arrived we were astounded to find what felt like the entire population of Kampung Taar out on the streets, with banners waving in the air, people smiling and snapping photos and musicians playing tunes for the crowd.

It turns out we were the first tour company to ever visit the village, and everybody had come down to welcome us to their home.

It’s not an exaggeration to say we had never experienced anything like this in our lives.

People gathered around to take photos with us and practice their English, and what was meant to be a quick walk to the local school took almost 30 minutes.

The excitement was genuine and we couldn’t wipe the smiles off our faces.

We arrived to the school and enjoyed a great performance from some of the local kids when we realised that it was a Sunday.

Dawn, the expedition leader, told us that it was company policy to not disturb children when they are meant to be studying at school, but everyone was so thrilled with our visit that the entire school came down anyway.

After the performance the expedition team handed over a donation of school supplies and we continued down to the church for a tour and more dancing.

Shortly after we kept walking to the town square, where the mayor of Kampung Taar gave a formal welcome for us to the village and invited us to try some local dishes.

The music kicked off again and many of the locals grabbed the Coral Expeditions’ guests to hit the square and dance while the mayor sang karaoke.

Eventually it was time to board the buses and head back to the ship, and by the end we had lost count of how many photos we had taken with the truly wonderful villagers.

It felt like we’d take two steps forward towards the bus and three steps back, as more and more people took selfies with us, asked for us to pose with their children or just wanted to chat.

We finally made it back to the Coral Geographer, but everybody onboard felt like they had left a part of their heart behind.

What an incredible start to this once-in-a-lifetime expedition.

Banda Neira – Welcome to the Spice Islands

The next day we woke early and enjoyed our misty transit into Banda Neira, a volcanic island steeped in rich history as part of Indonesia’s Spice Islands.

For centuries European explorers and traders battled for control of this tiny volcanic archipelago, where nutmeg and mace, once more valuable than gold, were exclusively found. 

The Dutch East India Company eventually seized power, resulting a years of control and influence that can still be seen today.

Our arrival at Banda Neira was truly spectacular as locals met us at the entrance to the harbour in traditional Kora Kora canoes and raced us into the Zonnegat Channel.

Beating on their drum and paddling ferociously the Coral Geographer slowed its pace and allowed the locals to guide us into the island.

The morning was spent snorkelling and scuba diving the famous lava flow, formed after the eruption of the Gunung Api volcano in 1988.

The lava flow, now covered in colourful corals, created an underwater paradise teeming with vibrant marine life.

It was stunning to encounter how nature has regenerated after such a dramatic event.

With our first water activity now completed we returned to the ship for lunch and then headed into the town of Banda Neira.

Met once again with music and a lovely introduction from a village elder we then broke up into smaller groups and went on a guided walking tour

In the afternoon, we explored the town of Banda Neira with a local guide, learning about its fascinating Dutch colonial past and visiting a nutmeg plantation.

Tasting fresh nutmeg and cinnamon right off the tree was a highlight, offering a glimpse into the island’s deep connection to the spice trade. 

We ended the day with some drinks and local snacks at Fort Belgica, a 17th-century fortress high on a hill with sensational views of Gunung Api for sunset.

A local band played for our group on the fort while we enjoyed a performance inspired by the traditional nutmeg dances of the past.

With the sun dipping down over the volcano and another impromptu dance party fuelled by tasty wines, beers and good vibes, it was a perfect end to our time in the Spice Islands.

Snorkelling and Diving in Raja Ampat

A highlight of the itinerary, and what has since become a core focus of future tours with Coral Expeditions, is a visit to Raja Ampat, an archipelago in West Papua on the eastern end of Indonesia.

There’s over 1500 jungle-covered islands here, and Raja Ampat is most famous for its stunning beaches and being home to some of the most pristine coral reefs on the planet.

In fact it’s known to have some of the best scuba diving in the entire world, and is considered a bucket list destination for many.

We were fortunate enough to visit 3 destinations in Raja Ampat during our Coral Expeditions cruise.

Misool, Raja Ampat 

Our first stop in Raja Ampat was a place called Misool, one of the 4 main islands in the archipelago.

It was an overcast day but with little wind, and the entire ship was itching to get out and explore the ‘Last Paradise on Earth’.

We jumped off their long, timber pier that juts out from the island and hiked up to the top of Puncak Harfat (Harfat Peak).

It was straight up about 300 stairs with a boardwalk curving itself around mountain.

The majority of passengers hiked up, and some even ran to the summit!

The view from the top was truly incredible, and we could see the reefs beneath the surface and countless limestone islands rising out of the sea.

It’s hard to fathom that places like this exist on this planet.

After the hike we all went snorkelling off of the pier, and Jacob, the Coral Expeditions dive instructor, held a ‘Discover Scuba’ session for some of the new divers in the group.

Before lunch we jumped back in the Xplorers and enjoyed a scenic cruise back to the ship.

Misool is also known for having a small number of petroglyphs, and we took a detour to see them.

Found on a few small caves, there are some remarkable ancient rock paintings estimated to be between 3,000 and 5,000 years old.

Although the locals have no tradition of rock painting, anthropologists suggest these may have been made by early visitors, possibly ancient tribes from Australia.

These petroglyphs are a unique archaeological phenomenon in Indonesia.

Back onboard we had a delicious lunch and then cruised on out into the waters of Misool once more.

During the break Jacob, Josh the local guide, Elliot one of the coxswains onboard and Jarryd had gone for a bit of an explore to try and find a place for snorkelling and scuba diving.

Jacob, being the guide in charge of scuba diving, had found a location with beautiful reefs and great visibility, which had also never been visited before by anyone on Coral Expeditions.

So in the true sense of adventure, that is where we all went.

Anchored next to a bommie the guides double-checked conditions before getting everyone kitted up for the afternoon’s activity.

The snorkelling and diving were fantastic, and the Coral Expeditions team even brought out the kayaks for anyone that wanted to go for a paddle as well.

Wayag, Raja Ampat

Our next stop in Raja Ampat was Wayag, one of the most picturesque bays we have ever seen and we won the weather lottery with a perfect bluebird day and glass-like conditions.

With a day like this we had a feeling the Coral Expeditions team had something special for us.

The morning began with another snorkel and scuba diving session and the reefs we encountered were vibrant and healthy with over 20m of visibility.

In the afternoon the Coral team dropped us off at our own private beach with free time for guests to do anything they liked – snorkelling, kayaking, relaxing or hiking.

Jarryd immediately set his sights on Pinditio Peak with a small group, and climbed to the summit to to soak up the out-of-this-world views from the top.

Gaining this birds-eye vantage point over the limestone karsts of Raja Ampat on a cloudless day was surreal, and was well worth the effort despite the humidity.

When he returned we both jumped into the ocean and went for a snorkel, swimming alongside black-tip reef sharks and clown fish.

Eventually the expedition team called us back to shore and said we had to move to the next location for a surprise.

It was a lovely 10-minute cruise to the other side of the bay when we saw in the distance a glistening beach with sun chairs setup on the sand.

Nearing the beach we heard music drifting through the palm trees, and as we disembarked we saw a bar setup in the shade.

The restaurant staff had brought beer, wine, soft drinks and champagne, along with canapés, for a stunning sunset drinks session on our own private beach.

It didn’t take long for the guests (and crew) to break into a dance party, while others kicked back in the chairs with drink in hand enjoying the sun dip down over the limestone peaks.

The Moi Tribe at Sorong, Raja Ampat

For our final day in Indonesia we stopped off at the island of Sorong, known as the gateway to Raja Ampat, for an incredible opportunity to meet the Moi Tribe.

The Moi Tribe is an indigenous ethnic group living primarily in Sorong that traditionally practices a lifestyle of living off the land, relying on hunting, fishing, and agriculture, and have a deep cultural connection to their ancestral lands.

At the pier we jumped into some chartered buses and headed out to one of their villages, which has been designated as a reserve for the Moi people very close to the city.

Once we arrived we were immediately met with members of the tribe, wearing mesmerising head pieces and adorned with body and face paint.

As we walked down the muddy road towards them we were treated to a powerful singing performance, matched with dancing and warrior-like moves.

The chief welcomed our group, presented some passengers with necklaces and then the Moi Tribe led us deeper into their reserve.

Beneath the dense canopy of the wet forest we watched the older men play guitars, drums and traditional instruments while the young boys and girls danced away.

Scattered around the reserve were different exhibits featuring niche food that the Moi tribe live on, examples of how they harvest honey and some ladies selling handicrafts.

After about an hour it was time to head back to the Coral Geographer and continue our adventure north.

Our time with the Moi Tribe was truly special, and we were so appreciative that they shared their rich culture with us.

Welcome to Palau

It took a few days for us to sail from Indonesia to Palau, but it was worth the wait to explore one of the world’s least-visited nations.

Captain Andrew allowed the local pilot to board to assist with navigating the notoriously narrow passage into the country, and the officers kept the bridge open so all the guests could watch this exciting entrance.

Our adventure in Palau began with a warm welcome at the Palau Pacific Resort, where we were treated to a traditional dance performance and cocktails.

The dancers, dressed in colourful traditional attire, moved like powerful warriors to rhythmic beats, sharing stories of the island’s rich heritage through their performance.

It was a perfect introduction to Palau’s culture, giving us a glimpse into the traditions that are still very much alive today.

The next day in Palau had the two of us splitting up for different activities.

Jarryd opted to go diving with Sam’s Tours, the premier dive operator on the island, and I went for a mix of snorkelling in the morning and a boat cruise in the afternoon.

I started the morning snorkelling at three stunning locations around Rock Island. Each site was uniquely beautiful, but the highlight was definitely exploring a shipwreck resting beneath the clear waters.

The wreck is now a vibrant artificial reef, teeming with marine life, and our group loved swimming around the submerged ship.

The other two snorkelling spots were equally breathtaking, with pristine coral gardens and schools of colourful fish dancing around us.

In the afternoon we set off for a lovely cruise around Nikko Bay.

The water here was extremely clear, offering views of the lush limestone formations reflected on the surface.

I loved the cruise and would highly recommend it for anyone coming through Palau.

Jarryd’s day was a bit more adventurous, and he headed out on a boat for 2 different dives.

The first site was a stunning limestone roll brimming with coral, with almost no current making for a very calming drift dive.

He spotted 5 green turtles on his dive, along with a host of other small creatures.

His second dive site was the famous German Channel, regarded as one of the best dive locations in the world.

Unfortunately visibility was very low, but he did see 3 beautiful manta rays and a few black-tip reef sharks.

Our short visit to Palau just whet the appetite, and made us want to return in the future for a dedicated dive trip.

It was time to continue our journey north though, onto our next and final country of the expedition.

The Stone Money of Yap, Micronesia

The Federated States of Micronesia is another one of the least-visited countries in the world, with around 21,000 tourists stepping foot inside the nation a year.

The reason Micronesia sees so few visitors isn’t because a lack of beauty, culture and history – it’s purely due to how difficult and expensive to get to, which is another reason this trip with Coral Expeditions is so special.

Our entry to the FSM was at Yap, the capital of the country, and an island that we were very excited to visit for one main reason.

Yap, one of the most unique islands in the Pacific, is known for its fascinating cultural traditions and incredible marine life.

But what Yap is most famous for is its iconic and ancient stone money, or Rai stones, which are large circular discs used in traditional ceremonies and as a symbol of wealth.

Despite their massive size, these stones hold great cultural significance and are scattered throughout the island, making them one of the main reasons visitors come all the way to Micronesia.

Our day in Yap was going to offer a mix of two different activities, splitting the Coral Expeditions passengers up into separate groups.

The first group would enjoy a lovely snorkelling session at the local house reef, and the second group would take a tour of the island to visit some cultural and historical sites, along with the famous stone money, then the groups would swap for the afternoon.

Our morning was spent in the water, and the house reef was surprisingly clean and vibrant, despite it being just a few hundred metres from the pier.

We took the Xplorers out and jumped in, allowed to swim freely for a few hours, with a highlight being the huge numbers of pipe fish we came across.

After the snorkel we returned to the ship for lunch, then it was time to join a bus tour to check out the island.

For a few hours we drove around Yap in some yellow school buses, with a local guide taking us to a number of fantastic spots.

The first location was one of the community centres where we were treated to a lovely dance performance from the local schoolkids.

Once we had been mesmerised by the dancing we headed to a gorgeous, seaside reserve filled with stone money to learn about the history of both Rai and shell money from a local guide.

For 30 minutes we learnt all about how Rai and shell money have been used as forms of currency for centuries in this remote Pacific island.

Rai was used to buy land, livestock, food and even as a dowry when marrying a woman.

Rai stones can weigh up to several tons and hold value not for their size but for the effort it took to quarry and transport them to Yap from islands hundreds of kilometres away.

The journey was very dangerous, and the money was difficult to get back to Yap, which is why the larger and harder the stone was to get, the more valuable it became.

The hole in the middle is for transport. They would put a large pole through the hole and have people on each side to lift it onto small boats for the perilous ocean passage back to Yap.

Some of the Rai Stones would fall off the rafts and land in the bottom of the sea. But surprisingly they still held their value, and their existence came down to trust amongst the community.

The stone money wasn’t traded in a typical currency exchange way. Ownership of a stone might change many times over the years, but the stone itself often would stay in one place – everyone simply knows who the current owner is using a ledger, which some say has been the inspiration for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency!

Although Rai is not used for everyday purchases anymore, they are still used for symbolic transactions, along with large and rare shells.

Our next stop was to see a downed Japanese Zero fighter plane, a relic from World War II and a real highlight for history buffs.

The last place for us to visit was one of the stone money banks, where a large number of the stone money has been stored.

It was such a fascinating trip around the island of Yap to learn all about stone money, and we’re so glad that it remained a prominent feature of Coral Expeditions’ itinerary.

Visiting Ulithi, Micronesia

Our visit to Ulithi, one of the most remote islands in Micronesia, was a truly unique experience.

Isolated from the modern world, the island holds strong its traditional customs and community life.

Before we could step ashore, Captain Andrew had to seek permission from the island’s chiefs, who still play an integral role in governing the island and maintaining its cultural practices.

Even though Coral Expeditions had organised our visit with the chiefs a year in advance using local fixers, this sign of respect and courtesy was still expected from the heads of the island and we were of course happy to oblige.

Once we received the green light we were warmly welcomed by the chiefs themselves, who then showed us around their beautiful island.

Ulithi is steeped in tradition, and it was fascinating to see how the island has adapted some modern technologies in a sustainable way.

The chiefs proudly showed us their solar power station, which provides renewable energy to the community, and led us to the community hall, school and other parts of the island.

We met some wonderful people on the island, but there was one request they made – please not share any images of the locals online.

Due to that more than reasonable ask, we will not be sharing any images of the people of Ulithi.

After a few hours of wandering around and learning about the way of life they continue to embrace we headed back to the ship for lunch.

The afternoon was spent snorkelling and diving at one of the neighbouring coral reefs to Ulithi, which was spectacular as always.

The Deserted Island of Sorol, Micronesia

To wrap up our truly incredible adventure through the Pacific, we spent our last day on the deserted island of Sorol in Micronesia.

The palm-speckled beaches and turquoise seas felt like stepping into another world straight out of a movie.

Completely uninhabited, Sorol was a perfect place to finish our expedition, allowing us to pause and soak in the sheer beauty of this scarcely-visited atoll.

We wandered around the island, chilled on the beach and went for a snorkel before jumping in a zodiac to make the short high-tide crossing to an adjacent stretch of sand that’s home to a colony of boobies.

The day didn’t end there. After returning to the ship we headed out to our final coral reef, another one which had not been visited by anyone at Coral Expeditions before, for a calm and stunning snorkel/dive activity.

Conditions could not be any better, and we were rewarded with 60-meter visibility – something we had never experienced before.

The marine life wasn’t abundant, but the swim throughs, coral and almost unlimited visibility with no current made this one of the nicest dives we have ever done.

Our Final Night and Back to Yap

For our final night onboard the Coral Geographer the entire staff came together to throw a special event.

There were cocktails on the back deck, canapes floating around and a few speeches from Captain Andrew and Dawn.

Naomi then showcased the end-of-expedition slide show, featuring many of our own images that we’d been tasked to capture while onboard the Coral Geographer, while the entire ship drank and reminisced about this incredible adventure.

The final dinner was spectacular, and the chefs really did bring their A-game to wrap things up.

It was a very civilised evening though, and almost everybody was fed and in bed by 10pm, with just a few excited people hanging out in the bar until late.

In the morning we woke up in Yap and said goodbye to our entire expedition team and fellow guests. The crew really had gone above and beyond every single day, and saying good bye to them all wasn’t easy.

Like all of the other expedition cruises we’ve been on, you really become a family by the end of it. The shared experiences in untouched parts of the world while navigating the seas by ship really forms strong friendships.

This was our first Coral Expeditions adventure, and it surely won’t be our last.

It surpassed all of our expectations, and the itinerary, service and experiences they put together was one of the most fantastic tours we’ve been part of.

Couple that with the beauty and remoteness of the locations we visited, and it’s little wonder that they are the true pioneers in expedition travel for this part of the world.

Stepping off the ship felt surreal, but we left with full hearts, new friendships, and a story we’d relive for years to come.