Indonesia Scheduled Expeditions
Choose where you sleep
- Adelaar
- Amanikan
- Katharina
- Ombak Putih
- Plataran Ambasi
For those who do not have time for an extended sailing cruise, or whose taste for being on a boat extends only to a few days, a short sailing cruise to the Komodo National Park is a must do component of any Indonesia visit.
The natural beauty of this island group with its unique flora and fauna is breathtaking. From the highest ridges of Rinca Island to the smallest details hidden inside the colorful coral reefs of this magical part of Indonesia.
The big attraction, of course, is the world’s largest lizard, known as the Komodo Dragon, that lives on these islands and nowhere else.
Komodo National Park is located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores in Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands region. The park comprises of a coastal section of western Flores, the three larger islands of Komodo, Padar, Rinca, and 26 smaller islands. The Park protects both land (603 km²) and marine (1214 km²) environments, protecting a total area of 1,817 km². Although the Park was originally created to protect the Komodo dragons, it now provides protection for a fascinating variety of terrestrial and marine inhabitants.
While there are many options available for boat trips within the Komodo National Park, ranging budget converted fishing boats where you sleep in hammocks or on deck, to deluxe motor yachts and larger converted fishing boats. Perhaps the most evocative way to see these islands, however, is aboard a beautiful, traditional sailing Pinisi fully equipped with all the comforts.
On one of our recommended cruises around the islands and atolls of Komodo you will enjoy a ranger-led trek through Komodo National Park in search of the world renowned Komodo Dragon, visits to local villages, and still have ample time for swimming and snorkeling the colorful coral-rich waters. Some of the boats also have stand-up paddle-boards and sea kayaks on board for you to explore the coastlines and inlets by yourself.
Most Komodo cruises depart from Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores although some also depart from the island of Sumbawa. Symbiosis will be happy to advise which would be the best for you and to assist you with travel arrangements to and from Nusa Tenggara. We would also be pleased to help you to build a longer program in Indonesia that includes a visit to the Komodo National Park.
The Komodo National Park is a World Heritage Site in which you will be escorted by park rangers to view Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. Other wildlife on Rinca and Komodo Islands includes buffalo, deer, monkeys and wild horses. From the colourful reefs of Tatawa Island to the seductive setting and colours of Komodo’s Pink Beach.
Amanikan, a custom-built 32-metre coastal cruiser, features three above-deck cabins, a foredeck with bar for outdoor dining, and extensive dive facilities.
The master cabin is located at the stern of the upper deck and offers sweeping 270 degree views from both inside the cabin’s wraparound windows and a large private sun deck. Features a king-sized bed, en-suite bathroom with double vanities, double wardrobes, shower with separate toilet and air-conditioning.
The second cabin is situated on the main deck and features the same spectacular views as the master cabin from both inside the cabin and from a second private balcony with built-in daybed. Includes a queen-sized bed along with en-suite bathroom with double vanities, double wardrobes, shower with separate toilet and air-conditioning.
The Katharina is a traditional style Pinisi schooner, completely refurbished to a high standard of comfort in 2006.
Pinisi are elegant two-masted schooners with mainsails, top-sails and three jibs. Today, while still hand-built by native craftsmen and fully laid out in tropical hardwood with traditional rigging, they usually include an engine in addition to the sails.
The Katharina was conceived and equipped to accommodate small groups of passengers for cruising though the Indonesian archipelago, offering an excellent standard of reliability, safety and comfort.
Although Bugis people are famous for the skill in building vessels without the need of any paper or calculations, relying only on their ancestral knowledge, THe Katharina is a product of a joint effort between western naval architects and traditional Bugis skills. Much attention is given to the vessel's maintenance, heeding to an annual docking period and periodical checks to the all major technical installations on board.
The spacious air-conditioned, en-suite cabins, the dining/ recreational area and the large deck-space with comfortable deck chairs and sun benches make the Katharina perfectly suitable for extended exploratory or leisure cruises.
The Katharina is fully equipped with the latest in navigational equipment: radar, depth sounder, GPS, VHS, all band radios and satellite telephones. For personal safety, she also carries life-jackets, inflatable life-rafts, buoys and for the communication of emergency conditions beacons, flares and IPIRB.
The Katharina boasts 7 cabins:
The Ombak Putih is an almost traditional Pinisi sailing schooner, furnished to a high standard, and offering 12 double air-conditioned cabins, each with its own private bathroom.
Accommodation is below decks, where you will find twelve cabins, four with double beds and eight configured as twin-bunks. Unlike typical ship accommodation, your cabin provides ample space to store your stuff and still move about with ease. All cabins are air-conditioned (individually controlled) and have private bathrooms with warm and cold water.
The Ombak Putih is a mix of traditional and modern design. Her hull and rigging are traditional, while the deck house and interior were custom designed to adapt to Western tastes of space, privacy and comfort. While Indonesian traditional sailing vessels are customarily referred to as Bugis Schooners, strictly speaking she is rigged as a Ketch, the foremast being higher than the aft mast.
Construction: Kalimantan, Indonesia, 1996/7 
Crew: 16 (Indonesians), 1 European cruise director
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The Plataran Ambasi is a comfortable, boutique boat for the more budget conscious. She features 3 double cabins and one twin cabin, all en suite and air-conditioned. Ideal for charter by a family or small group.
2 Generators : Mitsubishi 220 Volts 24 hours
Upper deck
