Itinerary

Manila, Verde Island & Silonay Island, Philippines, Boac, Culion Island, Purao & Johnson Island, Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan, Philippines, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysian Borneo, Bandar Seri Begawan, Bruinei, Miri, Kuching, Bako National Park, Kuching Wetlands, Santubong Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, Singapore

Description

An Equatorial Adventure Acroos North Borneo | Manila to Singapore | 16 nights

Pricing is based on departure 19 December 2025

Itinerary Map

Join us on our inaugural 16-night voyage aboard Coral Geographer as we traverse the northern coastlines and equatorial waters of Borneo from Manila to Singapore.

Our journey begins in Manila and takes us through the Philippines, Malaysia, the Sultanate of Brunei, Malaysian Borneo, and into Singapore, exploring rich traditional culture, ancient rainforests, and unparalleled marine biodiversity. We’ll dive and snorkel at Verde and Silonay Islands, immersing ourselves in the vibrant marine life at the heart of the Coral Triangle.

On Marinduque Island, we’ll uncover unique traditions, and at Culion Island, we’ll visit the historical village and explore the UNESCO-inscribed leprosy archives. As we continue to Purao and Johnson Islands, you’ll enjoy rarely seen aquatic and geographical wonders before connecting with conservation efforts in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Our voyage leads us to Malaysian Borneo, where we’ll savour a signature dinner in Kota Kinabalu, sampling local cuisine in a traditional longhouse set amongst exotic jungle surroundings.

• Dive and snorkel at the geographical centre of the Coral Triangle amongst the most biodiverse marine habitats in the world
• Explore the historical village of Culion and the leprosy archives inscribed into the UNESCO Memory of the World Register
• Visit Iban longhouses deep in the jungles of Brunei and learn about past traditions in modernity
• Enjoy an exotic cultural feast event interacting with diverse ethnic groups at Mari Mari Cultural Village
• Explore one of the world’s most unique cave systems and archaeologies – Niah Caves
• Meet resident Orangutans and hear about the continuing plight of dislocation from natural environments at the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre
• Explore the seven complete ecosystems of Bako National Park and look out for the proboscis monkey and the 264 species of birds found in the area with a local expert birding guide

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

Manila, Philippines

Board Coral Geographer from 4:00pm and settle into your stateroom to relax as we set sail across the South China Sea. Join the Captain’s welcome drinks and meet your crew and fellow guests as the sun sets.

Verde Island & Silonay Island, Philippines

Nestled in the Philippine archipelago that forms part of the Coral Triangle, this morning we arrive at the Verde Island, known as the ‘Centre of Marine Biodiversity of the World’ and ‘the Amazon of the Oceans.’ With the highest concentration of marine species in the world, here we will swim, snorkel and dive, exploring this underwater wonderland.

Boac,Marinduque Island, Philippines

The province of Marinduque is a heart-shaped island situated between Tayabas Bay and the Sibuyan Sea and is considered the geodetic centre of the Philippines.

Culion Island,Philippines

Culion Island is surrounded by 41 minor islands, forming part of the Calamian group. It was a former leprosarium, starting in 1906 under American colonial rule and continuing through the American Commonwealth of the Philippines era.

Purao & Johnson Island,Philippines

his is our last opportunity to enjoy the remote beaches of the Philippines before heading to Malaysia Borneo. Spend the morning swimming or snorkelling off the sandbar at Johnson Island, home to stingray, dugong, coral and seagrass meadows. Spend a relaxing afternoon onboard as we travel to Puerto Princesa.

Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan,Philippines

It’s an early start this morning as we explore the UNESCO-listed Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a New Seven Wonder of Nature. Discover St. Paul’s Underground River Cave, over 24km long, showcasing stunning limestone karst formations and an underground river. Traverse the peninsula via overland transfer for this unique experience.

Kota Kinabalu & Palau Tiga Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

Awake this morning and join our Chef for a waterfront market experience in Kota Kinabalu, at the Pasar Besar (Central Market). Spend your free time exploring the old-world charm of the narrow, quaint lanes filled with handicrafts, people, colours, food, and more.

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Today we enter Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. With the same family line ruling Brunei for over six centuries, the peak of the Sultanate of Brunei occurred between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines.

Miri, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

Miri is a coastal city in north-western Sarawak, Malaysia, located near the border of Brunei, on the island of Borneo. Miri was founded in 1910 when the first oil well was drilled by Royal Dutch Shell and quickly flourished to become the administrative centre of the northern region of Sarawak by 1929. Miri was the first landing point of Japanese troops in Borneo and the subsequent Japanese occupation led Miri to become a target of allied air raids, leading to the destruction of the oil refinery facilities in Miri.

Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

During World War II, Kuching was occupied by Japanese forces from 1942 to 1945. After the formation of Malaysia in 1963, Kuching retained its status as state capital and was granted city status in 1988.

Bako National Parl, Santubong, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

Bako is Sarawak’s oldest national park, covering an area of 2,742 hectares at the tip of the Muara Tebas peninsula and home to seven different ecosystems and a variety of wildlife such including 264 species of bird, wild boars, snakes, and monkeys.

Kuching Wetlands, Santubong, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

Spend our last morning in Malaysian Borneo with a cruise through the Kuching Wetlands. Located just 15km from Kuching, Malaysia designated the park as a RAMSAR site, a wetland of international importance.

Singapore, Singapore

Arrive in Singapore ready to disembark Coral Geographer at 8:00am. Bid farewell to new-found friends, the Master and crew.

Launched in March 2021, Coral Geographer is the newest addition to our fleet, purpose-designed to access remote wilderness shores around the world that are often inaccessible to large cruise vessels. 

Coral Geographer is as comfortable as she is capable – her design draws on the latest technical advances as well as Coral Expeditions’ 37 years of experience building and operating expedition ships. The ship’s lightweight dual Xplorer tenders, a trademark feature of all our vessels, extend the capabilities of the ship by allowing deeper exploration on shore excursions. These ‘safari jeeps’ of the sea are fast, sturdy, and comfortable and developed to allow easy boarding from the ship and walk-off disembarkation onto remote shores.

Able to navigate into shallow bays, disembark onto remote islands, and visit small villages without overwhelming the environment or community, Coral Geographer explores the hidden nooks and crannies of Australia’s Kimberley Coast, Australia’s West and South coastlines and international voyages including to New Zealand, Sulawesi, Japan and the Philippines.

Coral Geographer carries a maximum of 120 guests, delivering Coral Expeditions’ renowned warm Australian hospitality, intimate onboard atmosphere, and world-class expedition experience.