What It’s Really Like on a Tropical Expedition Cruise: Raja Ampat to the Philippines

With Charlie Mason

When people think of expedition cruising, Antarctica often comes to mind. But expedition ships are just as much at home in warm waters, reaching remote islands, hidden anchorages and communities that larger vessels simply can’t.

After joining Swan Hellenic’s voyage on their Raja Ampat & Philippines expedition cruise, our Cruise Consultant Charlie came back with plenty of stories to share. From pristine coral reefs and tiny tarsiers to warm welcomes from island communities, here’s what stood out most on this journey through Indonesia and beyond.

First impressions: a different kind of expedition

“I’d only ever associated this style of ship with the Polar regions,” Charlie explains. “So it felt strange at first climbing into a Zodiac wearing flip-flops and a T-shirt instead of a parka and boots.”

That feeling quickly disappeared.

“The ship still delivers everything you’d expect from an expedition vessel, but in a completely different environment. You’re exploring remote islands instead of ice, and snorkelling over coral reefs instead of cruising through sea ice. It really showed me that expedition cruising isn’t defined by the destination – it’s about how you experience it.”

Throughout the voyage, the small ship was able to reach places that larger vessels simply couldn’t, allowing guests to spend time in quiet anchorages, remote villages and narrow island channels where tourism is still rare.

Raja Ampat: a world beneath the surface

If there’s one thing Charlie would encourage future travellers to do, it’s get in the water.

“I couldn’t wait to snorkel, and Raja Ampat absolutely lived up to everything I’d heard.”

Known as one of the world’s richest marine environments, the reefs were every bit as colourful as expected.

“The coral was some of the healthiest I’ve ever seen. We often hear about the pressures facing coral reefs around the world, but here everything felt vibrant and full of life. There were turtles everywhere, countless species of tropical fish, and every snorkelling site offered something different.”

The beauty of the experience wasn’t just what was beneath the surface, though. Many of the viewpoints overlooking Raja Ampat’s famous limestone islands offered equally memorable moments.

“Piaynemo really does deserve its reputation. The climb is warm, especially later in the day, but the views across the islands are extraordinary. What surprised me most was how peaceful it felt. There weren’t crowds waiting for photographs, so you could simply enjoy being there.”

Life ashore: communities that make you feel welcome

While Raja Ampat’s marine life is world-famous, it was often the people Charlie remembers most.

“The friendliness was incredible. Life is much simpler than we’re used to, but the sense of community was everywhere you went.”

Village visits became one of the defining experiences of the voyage.

“Because these islands receive so few visitors, you never felt like just another tourist. You genuinely felt welcomed.”

In the Philippines especially, local communities greeted the ship with music, dancing and smiles.

“One island told us we were their first visiting ship of the year. The children were just as excited to see us as we were to meet them.”

On another visit, the community had spent the evening before painting flags in the exact colours of the ship to welcome everyone ashore.

“It was such a thoughtful gesture and something none of us expected.”

Indonesia and the Philippines: similar warmth, different experiences

Although the itinerary links Indonesia and the Philippines, Charlie found each destination offered its own character.

“The people shared the same warmth and hospitality, but culturally they were quite different.”
Raja Ampat focused much more on nature.

“It was all about snorkelling, diving, visiting tiny islands and enjoying the incredible marine environment.”

The Philippines offered something different.

“There was a stronger cultural focus. Every island seemed to have its own traditions, history and identity. Even moving between islands, you could feel those differences.”

When asked if he had a favourite stop, Charlie didn’t hesitate.

“Cuatro Islands was probably my favourite islands stop of the whole voyage. It’s one of those places that doesn’t see many visitors, so there was a real sense of discovery. The welcome we received from the community was unforgettable, and it felt like we were experiencing everyday island life rather than a performance put on for tourists.”

One island even told us we were the first visiting ship of the year. The children were just as excited to see us as we were to meet them.

With thousands of islands to choose from, careful itinerary planning makes all the difference.

“I thought Swan Hellenic did an excellent job selecting islands that felt authentic while still offering plenty to discover.”

Wildlife above and below the water

For wildlife enthusiasts, this voyage delivers on both land and sea.

“The underwater world was definitely the highlight,” Charlie says. “But there were some wonderful moments on land too.”

One encounter stood out above all others.

“Seeing wild tarsiers on Bohol was unforgettable. They’re incredibly small, with enormous eyes that almost don’t look real. They honestly look like something Disney would invent.”

Birdlife was another pleasant surprise, with the expedition team’s onboard ornithologist helping guests appreciate species they might otherwise have overlooked.

Life on board in tropical waters

Warm-water expedition cruising brings a different rhythm compared with Polar voyages.

“The ship almost becomes your floating hotel, ready for the next day’s exploration.”

With warm evenings and calm weather, life naturally moved outdoors.

“We had several barbecues on deck where everyone sat outside enjoying dinner under the night sky. It’s a completely different atmosphere to cold-water expeditions.”

The onboard dining also reflected the destinations.

“It was lovely to see Indonesian and Filipino influences appearing in the menus. The food is always excellent on Swan Hellenic, but having those local flavours made the experience feel even more connected to where we were.”

Is this itinerary only for divers?

Although Raja Ampat is famous among divers, Charlie believes this voyage has much broader appeal.

“There were only a few days specifically dedicated to diving. If you don’t dive, you’re certainly not missing out.”

Snorkelling, Zodiac cruises, village visits, guided walks and time ashore ensure there’s plenty for everyone.

“I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to explore Indonesia and the Philippines in a way very few travellers ever experience.”

A few practical tips

One thing travellers should be prepared for is the heat.

“It can be very warm, especially at viewpoints where there’s little shade. Plenty of water and high-factor suncream are essential.”

There’s also one item Charlie wishes he’d packed.

“Water shoes. I completely forgot mine, but they would have made walking across hot sand and rocky shorelines much more comfortable.”

The one moment Charlie would relive

When asked what he’d do differently if he could experience the voyage again, the answer came without hesitation.

“I’d grab my snorkel and get back in the water as quickly as possible.”

One particular site stood out above all the others.

“Pulau Mansuar was the best snorkelling of my life. I’ve been lucky enough to snorkel and dive all over the world, but nothing has come close. The visibility, the sheer number of fish, the coral… everywhere you looked there was something happening. It felt like swimming in a giant natural aquarium.”

The beauty of the experience wasn’t just what was beneath the surface, though. Many of the viewpoints overlooking Raja Ampat’s famous limestone islands offered equally memorable moments.

For Charlie, that’s what this voyage captures so well. It’s not simply about travelling between Indonesia and the Philippines. It’s about experiencing places that feel wonderfully unhurried, meeting communities who genuinely welcome you, and exploring islands that many travellers never get the chance to visit.

It’s expedition cruising in a completely different setting – and every bit as rewarding.

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