Choose Your Activity
Choose Where You Sleep
- Aurora
- Liburan Paradise
- Mermaid I
- Ondina
- Tambora
Indonesia Liveaboard Diving
Choose where you sleep
- Aurora
- Liburan Paradise
- Mermaid I
- Ondina
- Tambora
Amongst of the newest frontiers for adventurous divers in Indonesia are the many islands of the Laut Maluku - the Maluku Sea - that lies between Sulawesi’s northern peninsular and the now famous dive sites of Raja Ampat on West Papua’s Birdshead Peninsular.
The main diving areas are around largest island of the group, Halmahera, sometimes referred to as the Spider Island due to its shape, located to the east of the Northern Sulawesi Peninsular.
Routes vary depending on the boats, but a typical North Maluku dive cruise can start or end in Ternate, the main city in Halmahera, or from either North Sulawesi, Ambon in the southern Maluku, or Sorong in West Papua to the east. The latter with typically include dives at the world famous Raja Ampat group of islands, while a Sulwesi visit can include the critter heaven of the Lembeh Strait and the Bunaken Marine Park.
North Maluku is a macro paradise but also offers regular encounters with pelagics. These rarely visited seas can claim some of the world’s richest marine environments, filled with unspoiled corals, tiny critters as well as pelagics. If bizarre and rare creatures are what appeal to you, it is a well-kept secret that dives in the waters around Maluku outshine many of the world’s most famous destinations in terms of the odd and amazing. Maluku’s seas can be considered one of the world’s premier muck capitals with plenty of strange creatures just waiting to be captured by your camera.
East Sulawesi
An exploration of the Togian islands, Banggai & Tukang Besi (Wakatobi)
This long exploration of Sulawesi's east coast leads first to the Togian Islands, to the wild and unknown Banggai islands, and to the lush archipelago of Tukang Besi in the deep south.
Great variety of marine environments are formed by islands that alternate from volcanic lava blocks to white coral cays as we follow the currents from north to south, giving rise to great species diffusion. We will especially looking for the pygmy seahorses which, although common in all Indonesia, reach their peak of diversity in Sulawesi.
Liburan
The MS Liburan Paradise offers dive cruises around the southern part of Halmahera, Maluku (Moluccas), based out of Ternate, typically of around one to two weeks duration.
Divers can expect 3 boat dives per day plus a couple of night dives each week. Each dive is carefully prepared and checked beforehand, ensuring optimum conditions.
A typical day begins at around 6:30 am (wake up time) for an optional light breakfast with bread, tea or coffee. Then gear up for the first dive of the day about 7:30.
After the first dive it's time for the first real feed of the day - a hot breakfast that you choose from a selection of Chinese and Indonesian favourites.
The entire day is dedicated to scuba diving unless the ship is steaming to a new dive location or a shore a expedition planned. However there will often be chances to go ashore at other times so long as a tender is available. Just ask a member of crew to take you.
Dives on the Liburan are signalled by a bell; when the bell rings it's time to begin the briefing and then suiting up for the next dive in 15 minutes’ time.
Between dives you can enjoy a massage or just relax on one of the sundecks, in the shady rear lounge deck or in the air-conditioned saloon.
Lunch is served around 13:00 after the second dive and usually consists of a soup, and a variety of warm dishes, both Chinese and Indonesian.
At around 3:00 PM it is time for the third dive of the day, which is followed by afternoon snack.
The food-dive-food routine continues until the third dive of the day, after which you can enjoy a lazy late-afternoon on our sundeck, lounging back and soaking in the wonderful landscape with a cup of coffee or tea and some snacks.
A night dive and should not be missed as it offers a chance to see some of the most unusual reef critters in the world. A night dive available only 2 times a week. About 8:00 the bell rings for dinner which is served by the stewards in the main salon, the dinner time is normally after a night dive.
Tambora
Tambora specialises in the exotic, offering many alternative cruise routes that take you to Halmahera and the islands northern Maluku. Some of these also include dives in Raja Ampat, West Papua, and the Lembeh Strait of Northern Sulawesi.
Tambora’s newly designed cruise itinerary, Halmahera Horizons, tours the East, South and Southwest sides of the large and sprawling island of Halmahera, between Buli to the Northeast and Ternate to the West. Dive highlights include Buli Bay, Weda Bay, the Widi Archipelago, Bacan and the Goraici Islands
Among the Volcanoes either starts or ends in northern Sulawesi, with dives at the world famous Lembeh Strait, renowned for having some of the best muck diving in the world.
Beneath Cliffs and Cloves either starts or ends in West Papua that includes some of the best dives in the southern Raja Ampat islands.
The Spice Trail, new for 2015, takes in the best of both northern and southern Maluku, venturing from Halmahera to the spice islands of the Banda Sea and ending up in Ambon... another muck diving mecca.
The programs will revisit many of the long time favourite dive spots as well as exploring and pioneering a selection of new areas.
In the north Maluku there will be dives around the Eastern, Southern and Southwestern shores of the vast and sprawling island of Halmahera, adding Buli Bay, Weda Bay and the Widi Archipelago, Bacan, Latalata, and the Goraici islands.
Cruises are typically around 2 weeks long, with Ternate being at other end of the trip.
Northern Lights - Dive and Explore the Extreme North of Raja Ampat and Halmahera's Buli Bay
This newly designed cruise itinerary will combine North Raja Ampat - both known highlights including Kawe, the Equator Islands and Wayag as well as the currently undived archipelagos further North and West - with Eastern Halmahera’s Buli Bay.
Mermaid
Raja Ampat ~ Halmahera ~ Lembeh (or return)
Sailing between the western point of Papua to the northern point of Sulawesi offers such a wealth of biodiversity starting with the spectacularly beautiful reefs around the Raja Ampat area to the Island of Halmahera and on to the “critter heaven” of the Lembeh Straits. Mermaid’s cruise runs between Sorong Papua and Bitung in North Sulawesi or return.
Along the way to the famous muck diving capital of Lembeh Strait explore the magnificent diving and abundance of fish life on the surrounding small islands of Tifore and Pulau Pisang. Travel through breathtaking scenery with lush tropical green forests and a multitude of impressive volcanoes really a photographer’s paradise. Underwater discover vibrant soft and hard coral slopping reefs and pinnacles to which are home to a plentitude of fish and blacktip reef sharks.
Long, lazy dives in the black sand strait of Lembeh where a myriad of rare and unusual underwater animals can be found. Keep your eyes firmly set on seeing the small wonders.
Ondina
Raja Ampat, Central Maluku & East Sulawesi
The Aurora
The MSY Aurora is a twin mast motor sailor, constructed from teak in the traditional “Pinisi” style, and designed for a demanding clientele of diver looking for a high standard of comfort.
Utilising modern and environmentally friendly operating principles, the Aurora offers scuba safaris to some of the World's richest marine environment all around Indonesia.
The construction of Aurora began in December 2007 at a traditional shipyard in South Sulawesi, and she was launched in the summer of 2009.
All cabins have individually controlled AC, en-suite bathroom and shower. There is a saloon/restaurant with library, computer room/study room with PC, DVD, video, photo, recharging batteries, and a spacious sun deck.
Technical data
- Overall length: 42 m
- Width: 9 m
Tonnage: 75 tons- Sailing surface: 300 m2
- Power: 1 engine: Nissan 420 HP, cruising speed: 8-10 knots.
- Accomodation: 7 double cabins of which 3 dispose over a third bed.
- All cabins have individually controlled AC, ensuite bathroom and shower.
- Stairs on both sides lead to the diving tenders
Saloon/restaurant with library, computer room/study room with PC, DVD, video, photo, recharging batteries- Open sitting corner at bow; the roof of the restaurant is a very spacious sun deck.
Equipment on board
GPS, radio, sat-phone, echo sounder- 2 generators for 220 V in each cabin (2-pole plug, without the third earth pole – like in continental Europe)
- 2 compressors for air, 1 compressor Nitrox
- 3 tenders for each 8 persons
- water maker 6000 ltr/ day
Safety devices
- First Aid kits
- emergency oxygen
- manual fire extinguishers
- 406 EPIRB – Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
- life vests for all passengers including crew members
- 2 life rafts
- Sailing surface: 300 m2
Top: Cabins
Bottom:
1- foredeck, preparation area for scuba diving
2- Restaurant/bar
3- Captain’s bridge
4- Diving equipment/compressors/ laboratory
5- Lounge/photo/video area
The Liburan Paradise
The MS Liburan Paradise is a luxury liveaboard offering dive cruises around the southern Halmahera region of the Maluku archipelago, based out of Ternate.
At 36m long and 8m wide, Ms Liburan Paradise offers 8 comfortable, air-conditioned cabins, each with private bathroom, accommodating up to a maximum of 16 guests. The spacious common living areas include a large saloon, 
equipped with comfy chairs, TV and DVD entertainment centre, 2 decks for relaxing or sunbathing and a great dive platform.
The local boat crew is highly experienced having been exploring the area since 2008.
Cabins come in 4 types: the Standard cabins are located on the 
main deck and feature twin beds. On the upper deck are the Master cabins, one of which has twin and the other a double bed. On the sun deck is one large, premium cabin with big double bed whilst on the lower deck are two “single cabins” that are normally offered for just one guest, but are actually equipped with bunks making it possible to take an extra person if needed.
The sun deck has a covered area and a smaller area with a flybridge. The dive deck and dive platform are found at the rear of the main deck next to the dining area.
At 45 square metres, the dive deck has plenty of room for divers and equipment. There are charging stations and a photo or video table for underwater photographers to use.
The 14 square-meter diving platform at the stern of the ship is equipped with outdoor showers and allows easy access points into the dive boat or directly into the water.
The Mermaid I
M/V Mermaid I is a 28 metre, twin-engined steel motor yacht. She comfortably holds 15 guests in 1 Master State Room (king bed), 1 Single and 4 Deluxe Cabins (double or twin beds) and 2 Budget Cabins (double/twin beds) below deck.
The master, single and deluxe cabins have ensuite bathrooms, refrigerator and panoramic sea view windows. The budget cabins are below decks with ensuite bathroom and refrigerator. All cabins have TV and DVD access, bathrobes and toiletries and loads of fluffy towels.
The large, purpose-built dive deck and wide stern dive platform with two exit ladders and fresh water showers are perfect for diving. 4 camera rinse tanks ensure your valuable equipment is well looked after.
Thai and western meals are served in the Sawasdee Restaurant, equipped with large windows to enjoy the views. After meals, you may relax in the saloon, equipped with 
TV/DVD and music center, and an extensive library and full range of marine life books.
There are two outside decks, one shaded with outside seating and one sundeck with sunshade and cushioned sun beds. NITROX is available on every cruise.
Boat Information
- Name : Mermaid I
- Destination : Indonesia
- Seasons : June to October
- Capacity : 15 guests (max no. guests)
About the cabins
-
Cabin Facilities Rooms: 3 double beds 4 twin sharing, 1 single with private bathroom, Showers & toilets, Hot Water, TV, video and stereo.
- Ele ctricity : 220V
- Sockets:
Technical Data
-
Length x Beam : 28 m / 94 feet,7 m / 21 feet.
- Engines : 2x 450 HP
- Max speed : 12 knots
- Cruising speed : 9.5 knots
- Navigation equipment : GPS and radar for safety and ease of navigation.
- Communications equipment : VHF and SSB radios, a satellite phone, plus mobile telephone communications equipment.
Fuel capacity : 18,000 Litres- Fresh water capacity : 20,000 Litres
Further Information
- Dive Entry : platform or dinghy
- Life jackets : yes
- Life rafts : Yes
- Boat Crew :
New:
1. Membrane System
Filling at 600 litres a minute equals fast turn arounds and unlimited nitrox available for all divers - no matter your destination or tank size - 12 litres or 15 litres - your choice!
2. More Camera Tables!
The membrane system means lots of extra deck space so more good news - 2 extra camera tables have been added and fresh water rinse containers... masses of room for all photographers on board. Plus added shelving for guest's to keep their small items close to hand on the deck...
3. Warm deck towels
Towels straight out of the dryer after each dive - just heaven!
4. Kayaks
For those who want to relax on the quiet waterways around Komodo and Burma, Mermaid now has some kayaks on board for those with a spirit of adventure.
5. How do you like your eggs?
Cooked to your specification in the saloon and served piping hot - as one would expect from any 5 star service!
The Ondina
SMY Ondina is a traditional "Pinisi" style sailing schooner that has been beautifully restored to a high level of comfort and is fully equipped for dive safaris in the Kommodo National Park and other parts of Eastern Indonesia.
Expertly managed by charismatic Spaniard, Enrique, the SMY ONDINA sails the inner seas of Indonesia in search of "adventure" diving - exploring remote reefs that have been rarely dived before, if ever.
Itineraries are planned to find the best diving conditions available in each area. Embarkation points include 
Bira or Kendari in Sulawesi, Maumere in Flores, Bima in Sumbawa or Sorong in West Papua, and the duration of the trips are designed to dovetailwith available flight connections. Cruises last from 8 to 14 days and will usually include opportunities to go ashore to discover some of the unique cultures and wildlife to be found in the Indonesian archipelago... including the extraordinary Komodo 
Dragon and Birds of Paradise.
The Ondina has gone all out to provide comfort for the select few that cruise with this fine traditional Pinisi Schooner. Her cabins are very well appointed, the dive deck is known as being one of the best, with special camera counters and staff that know how to take care of you and your gear. Nitrox and E6 processing available.
Full Boat Dive Charters
For groups, the Ondina can be chartered and itineraries can be personalised to suit your group needs, likings or skills. In this case, book early before she already has other commitments! Depending on where you wish to sail and 
dive, there may be a charge for relocation to/from her original port of embarkation.
Non-Diving Charters
We can also arrange non-diving Cruises. The are many wonderful routes to be enjoyed in Indonesia without diving: Paradise beaches, fishing villages, island hopping, National Parks, traditional rituals and millenary ceremonies will make the best frame for a well deserved exotic holidays.
Boat Information
Name : SMY Ondina- Destination : Indonesia
- Seasons : Year around
- Capacity : 16 maximum (max no. guests)
About the cabins
- Cabin Facilities Room : 8 double cabins with air conditioning and en suite bathrooms
Electricity : 220V- Sockets:
Technical Data
- Length x Beam : 32 x 8 metres
- Engines : 400Hp MAN Medium Duty
- Max speed :
- Cruising speed : 9 knots
- Navigation equipment : VHF Radio with Global Maritime Distress Signal System (GMDSS), SSB Radio, ICOM VHF hand sets
- Communications equipment : ERICSSON R190 Telephone: Access South East Asia Satellite and GSM
Fuel capacity/range : 12Tn- Fresh water capacity : 10Tn
Further Information
- Dive Entry : 3 dinghies: 2 semirigid and 1 rigid with 40 and 25 HP YAMAHA engines
- Life jackets : 2 Solas Life Rafts for 30 pax
- Life rafts : Yes
- Boat Crew : Captain, Cruise Director, Dive Master, 3 sailors, engineer + assistant, cook, 2 service staff and a masseuse
The Tambora
Tambora was built by traditional boat builders on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, in the centuries-old tradition of a wooden Phinisi. The design and materials used guarantee immense strength and resilience of all key structural elements, especially the keel, hull and decks. Slight adjustments have been made to the original design, which was geared rather for cargo ships ferrying goods and commodities across the Indonesian archipelago, as compared to a modern liveaboard carrying passengers. Among others, they include a double keel and relatively smaller beam, to minimize rolling of the vessel in heavy seas.
Tambora has been entirely constructed out of iron wood and chosen Javanese teak. While her hull has been painted white, the superstructure, decks and roofs have all been finished with a view towards preserving the natural beauty of the teak wood. All decks and the salon rooftop feature teak parquet flooring. This way, the rustic charm and warmth of a traditional wooden vessel has been preserved. All guest suites and rooms on board have been designed by a renowned Indonesian interior designer, and built-to-design by an experienced interior architect. 
Guest suites are well appointed and tastefully designed in a perfect blend of traditional Indonesian motifs and modern functionality.
The traditional Phinsi-style arrangement of the sails has been kept unchanged. Experiencing Tambora under sails, with a good wind blowing, is an amazing sight and a great way to travel through the Indonesian islands.
Great care has been taken to optimally combine the space and atmosphere on deck with the activities of liveaboard diving. Dinghies are equipped with customised racks to store diver’s gear in between dives; tanks do not need to be carried back and forth but can be re-filled directly on the dinghies. At night and during longer periods of sailing, all gear is stored away from the elements in the dive station. No dive gear is left sitting around on deck.
Spacious ...
Tambora has been sized and configured to comfortably accommodate a maximum of 16 divers:
- Eight spacious guest suites, each at least 15m2 in size, and with a large en-suite bathroom
- Choice of double and large twin beds (no bunk beds!)
All beds longitudinally aligned with the vessel, so our guests sleep in the direction of the vessel movement- Each guest suite comes with a writing desk. If you like, you can fill in your logbook or review the shots from the day’s diving in the privacy of your own suite
Ample storage space for clothes, bags, books, magazines, etc.- Large salon with separate dining and relaxing sections, offering enough space during mealtimes, as well as for chilling out over a chat and drinks with fellow divers, with a book in your hands, or working on your laptop
- Three separate lounge decks – bow, aft and salon rooftop – provide enough space and privacy, and can be fully shielded from the sun
Well appointed ...
Guest suites and the large salon make life on board as easy as possible:
Showers in all en-suite guest bathrooms come with individually adjustable hot and cold water- Separate shower and hand towels for each guest
- Each guest suite comes with a writing desk. So if you like, you can fill in your logbook or review the shots from the day’s diving in the privacy of your own suite
- All guest suites are equipped with individually controllable air conditioning
- Individual reading lights above each bed
- Plenty of power outlets (European 220V type) in your suite and throughout the vessel
- 2-4 portholes per guest suite for natural light, as well as a fresh sea breeze when opened!
The large salon is well ventilated at most times, but also has its own air conditioning for those rainy days- Large flat screen TV/DVD with home cinema surround sound in the salon
- Satellite-based communication for phone calls, your personal email and internet access
Quiet ...
Noise – as such, or as a consequence of excessive vibration – can seriously spoil life on board. Noise has also been proved to contribute to fatigue and seasickness. Tambora has been designed and built to keep excessive noise under control:
- Throughout the entire vessel, separating walls have been soundproofed with noise absorbing materials. This helps mitigate noise, as well as guarantee the privacy of our guest suites
Engine room bulkheads are extra thick to absorb engine noise- Similarly, all ceilings and decks have been soundproofed to mitigate step noise
- Tambora’s power train employs a flexible coupling to reduce vibration and thus structure-borne noise
- Her five-blade propeller is made of a special, very stiff alloy, minimizing internal vibration of the blades which are a key source of structural noise
- All engines under deck sit on flexible, shock-absorbing mountings
- Our “silent” water-cooled air conditioning system does not need noisy radiator fans
Cool ...
Among the natural luxuries of travelling at sea is enjoying the breezes when sitting out on deck. Conversely, inside a vessel, and especially under deck, temperatures can be too hot for comfort. Wherever possible, Tambora has been designed to mitigate this:
All ceilings and decks have been thermally insulated, to prevent the rooms underneath from heating up under the intense tropical sun- Tambora’s hull is painted white to reflect sunlight. As trivial as it sounds, this makes a huge difference to temperatures inside!
- All guest suites as well as the large salon feature individually controllable air conditioning
Savory ...
- Tamboda's Chef serves a menu of tasty Indonesian, European and Japanese specialties, freshly prepared in the boat's well-equipped kitchen. Five meals a day mean there is a tasty bite awaiting you when you surface.
Snack prior to the first dive of the day: coffee, tea, fruit juice, milk, toast, selection of biscuits- Breakfast after the first dive: choice of omelet, scrambled eggs, bacon and eggs, pancakes; also toast, marmalades, and fruits, served with coffee, tea, fruit juices, milk and soft drinks
- Lunch: served, soup and main course, kept rather light!
- Afternoon snack after the third dive of the day: variation of cakes, fruits, and Indonesian specialties, with coffee and tea
Dinner: buffet-style, with a different theme every evening- Drinks are on a help-yourself basis available in the salon: drinking water, a broad selection of local coffees, tea, milk, a range of soft drinks soft drinks and beer are all included in the cruise fare
- Wine and liquor are charged on a separate basis
Lowest Possible Carbon Emissions
For the time being, there is no way to operate a ship like Tambora without burning fossil fuels – by the ships’ main engine, to thrust the ship forward when there is not enough wind, and by its auxiliary engines to generate the electric power required to illuminate rooms and cabins, keep food fresh, prepare meals, fill dive tanks, and many others. While the usage of diesel cannot (yet) be avoided, Tambora's crew go to length to keep it as low as possible. This means lower carbon emissions into the atmosphere. It also means no need for fuel surcharges.
Tambora’s propulsion system has been engineered for maximum fuel efficiency. At the heart is a new, genuine marine engine, which is significantly lower on fuel consumption. The five-blade propeller has been custom-designed and fabricated from a special, stiffer alloy, minimising power losses due to both internal vibration and unnecessary slip.
The electrical system, too, has been designed end-to-end with a view towards maximum fuel efficiency, including:
- A range of genuine marine and industrial power generators with different output, allowing us to always choose the most suitably sized engine under different load conditions
- Capacitor banks to smooth power needs and curb peaks
- Over-sized marine cabling throughout the entire vessel, resulting in lower distribution losses
- The exclusive usage of power saving lighting throughout the entire vessel; searching for a conventional light bulb is a futile exercise on Tambora!
- The thermal insulation of all decks and ceilings, and the usage of a white, reflecting paint on the outer hull above the waterline, avoids the vessel’s interior from heating up too much under direct sunlight, so that air conditioners do not need to run so hard to keep temperatures comfortable
