The central region lies generally between the 3rd and 7th parallels. This region contains the historically significant Spice Islands of the Banda Sea and the lesser-known Kai, Wakatobie and Gorong groups. Further east is central Papua, home of the fantastic Asmat coastal tribes.
Cruising west from Ambon are the Selayar group of southern Sulawasi, Bira the home of traditional wooden boat building, Makassa the ancient sea port and the entire south coast of Southern Kalimantan. Again we only list a few of our favourite stops amongst the many hundreds of anchorages on offer here.
South Papua’s coast is vast low, flat land as opposed to the mountainous rain forests of the remaining interior of the province.
This coastal region is home to the Asmat tribes, who fiercely hold onto their traditional culture. They have been able to do so because much of this area is phenomenally remote and completely unexplored. Its massive size and inhospitable boggy landscape dictate that its primitive semi-nomadic peoples depend entirely on vast networks of rivers and creeks for food and transport.
Until recently headhunting was the norm for avenging the death of a family member. Strong and dignified, the Asmat peoples accept visitors entirely on their own terms. The livelihoods in this region are fishing and farming as opposed to the multinational mining and logging in the interior mountains.
>>> Click here for a complete list of anchorages in Southeast Asia Pilot.
