Imagine waking up to crystal-clear waters, remote islands, breathtaking marine life and incredible vistas just outside your cabin. Liveaboard yachts in Indonesia offer a unique and luxurious way to explore the country’s diverse landscapes, world-class dive sites, and untouched destinations.
From the vibrant reefs of Raja Ampat to the dragon-inhabited shores of Komodo National Park, a liveaboard adventure is the perfect way to experience Indonesia’s secrets in style and comfort.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about liveaboard yacht experiences in Indonesia, including top destinations, costs, luxury operators, regulations, and the unforgettable experiences that await you.
Key Takeaways: Liveaboard Yachts in Indonesia
✔ Liveaboards Offer a Unique Way to Explore Indonesia – Wake up to stunning landscapes, world-class dive sites, and luxury onboard comforts while sailing through Indonesias most breathtaking locations.
✔ Phinisi Yachts Define Indonesian Liveaboards – These handcrafted wooden sailing ships combine traditional design with modern luxury, offering an authentic and comfortable cruising experience.
✔ Top Destinations Include Raja Ampat, Komodo & More – From swimming with whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay to exploring historic Spice Islands, liveaboards provide exclusive access to remote wonders of Indonesia.
✔ Luxury Meets Adventure – Expect gourmet meals, expert dive guides, sun decks, and even onboard bars while exploring hidden lagoons, coral reefs, and cultural landmarks.
✔ Liveaboards Cater to All Budgets – From budget-friendly dive boats ($186/day) to ultra-luxury yachts ($10,000+/night), there’s an option for every traveler’s preference.
✔ Why Choose a Liveaboard? – Unparalleled diving, crowd-free destinations, and the freedom to customize your itinerary make liveaboards the ultimate way to explore Indonesia’s 17,000+ islands.
What is a Liveaboard?
A liveaboard is a yacht, boat, or ship designed for extended stays at sea, offering guests the chance to explore remote destinations without returning to land each night.
Unlike traditional day trips, liveaboards provide accommodations, dining, and activities onboard, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in their adventure, whether it’s diving, island hopping, or simply enjoying life at sea.
Liveaboards come in a variety of styles, from budget-friendly dive boats to ultra-luxurious private yachts. In Indonesia the most popular type of boat is the Phinisi, a traditional handcrafted wooden sailing ship, inspired by Indonesia’s maritime heritage, built from ironwood and teak.
Whether you’re a diving enthusiast, nature lover, or someone seeking an unforgettable ocean escape, a liveaboard is the ultimate way to experience Indonesia’s stunning archipelago.
Why Choose a Liveaboard Yacht in Indonesia?
✔ Over 17,000 islands to discover – Many are inaccessible without a yacht.
✔ Customise your itinerary – Private charters allow you to build your own trips. You choose where you go and how long you stay in each place.
✔ Diverse marine life – Indonesia is part of the Coral Triangle, home to the richest biodiversity on Earth.
✔ Unparalleled diving opportunities – Explore remote reefs, vibrant coral gardens, and encounters with whale sharks, manta rays, and rare underwater creatures.
✔ Multiple dive/snorkel sites per day – Wake up near world-class reefs without long boat transfers.
✔ Luxury & exclusivity – Private yachts offer 5-star service, fine dining, and world-class diving with expert guides.
✔ Exclusive & crowd-free experiences – Unlike land-based resorts, liveaboards bring you far from the tourist crowds.
Typical Features of a Liveaboard Yacht in Indonesia
Liveaboard yachts in Indonesia range from simple dive-focused boats to ultra-luxurious private yachts, each designed to provide a comfortable and immersive experience at sea. Here are some of the key features you can expect:
✔ Private & shared cabins – Options range from budget-friendly bunk beds to spacious master suites with panoramic ocean views.
✔ Air conditioning & en-suite bathrooms – Most mid-range and luxury liveaboards offer climate-controlled cabins with private bathrooms and hot water.
✔ Lounges & sun decks – Relax in open-air lounges, shaded decks, and sunbathing areas perfect for enjoying Indonesia’s stunning scenery.
✔ All-inclusive gourmet meals – Most liveaboards have experienced chefs onboard and prepare fresh Indonesian and international cuisine, often with seafood caught the same day.
✔ Onboard bars & refreshments – Many liveaboards have a bar onboard serving beers wines and freshly made cocktails, perfect as you sail through sunset between the islands.
✔ Dedicated dive equipment and spaces – Liveaboards like Calico Jack or Zen ScubaSpa are fully equipped dive yachts offering spacious areas for gear storage, equipment setup, and easy water entry.
✔ Nitrox availability – Many boats offer enriched air (Nitrox) for longer and safer dives.
✔ Camera stations – Special camera tables, rinse tanks, and charging stations for underwater photographers.
✔ Kayaks, paddleboards and toys – Perfect for exploring hidden lagoons and secluded beaches. Yachts like Dunia Baru even carry their own Seadoo jetskis and huge inflatable slide for their guests to enjoy.
✔ Speedboats & tenders – Used for shore excursions, village visits, and reaching remote dive sites these smaller boats allow you to go where your liveaboard cannot.
✔ First-aid & emergency equipment – Oxygen tanks, defibrillators, and trained medical personnel on board for your peace of mind in remote locations.
✔ Wi-Fi availability – Most luxury yachts now offer Starlink connection onboard, but expect to disconnect in many remote locations.
Top Liveaboard Destinations in Indonesia
Raja Ampat
✔ Home to 75% of the world’s coral species
✔ Incredible dive sites like Cape Kri, Blue Magic & Misool
✔ Luxury liveaboards depart from Sorong
Raja Ampat is the arguably jewel of liveaboard destinations in Indonesia. With over 1,500 islands, this marine paradise is home to 75% of the world’s coral species, countless fish species, and some of the best dive sites on Earth.
A liveaboard is an incredible way to navigate its remote waters, reaching hidden reefs, secret lagoons, and untouched beaches that are impossible to access from land.
Raja Ampart is well known for diving liveaboards thanks to it’s countless dive sites, from Cape Kri and Blue Magic to Misool’s soft coral gardens, every dive here is a world-class experience.
In more recent times it has become a popular destination for non divers, looking to experience stunningly beautiful locations onboard a luxury charter yacht.
Komodo National Park
✔ Home to the legendary Komodo dragons
✔ Drift diving in strong currents with manta rays & reef sharks
✔ Spectacular landscapes, pink beaches & hiking trails
Komodo National Park is a great destination for adventure seekers and divers alike. A liveaboard allows you to explore the park’s best dive sites, where thrilling currents bring manta rays, reef sharks, and massive schools of fish.
Above the water, you can trek to see the legendary Komodo dragons, relax on Pink Beach, and kayak through stunning volcanic landscapes.
With no airports, the remote nature of Komodo makes a liveaboard the ultimate way to experience its unspoiled beauty.
Cenderawasih Bay
✔ The unique opportunity to swim and snorkel with whale sharks
✔ Unique WWII shipwreck diving opportunities
✔ Calm, clear waters perfect for underwater photography
Cenderawasih Bay forms the largest Marine Park Area in Indonesia, and offers one of the rarest wildlife encounters in the world—swimming with whale sharks.
Along with Triton Bay, it is one of the very few known places on earth where the whale sharks have developed a unique relationship with local fishermen, frequently gathering around bagans (floating fishing platforms).
The bay is also home to many WWII shipwrecks, airplane wrecks, pristine reefs, and historical sites.
A liveaboard is the best way to spend extended time in this remote paradise due to its size and very limited land accommodation options.
The Spice Islands
✔ A historic region rich in spice trade history & colonial architecture
✔ Colorful coral reefs, rare marine life & volcanic landscapes
✔ Remote islands with a mix of cultural and diving experiences
Sailing through the Spice Islands on a liveaboard is like stepping back in time. Once the center of the world’s spice trade, this region is filled with colonial history, traditional villages, and exotic landscapes.
Aboard a liveaboard, you can explore hidden dive sites, volcanic islands, and vibrant coral gardens that few travelers ever see. This destination is perfect for those who want a mix of history, culture, and spectacular diving in one unforgettable journey.
Triton Bay
✔ Known for its soft coral gardens & rare marine species
✔ Frequent whale shark encounters near fishing platforms (bagans)
✔ A remote paradise with breathtaking limestone cliffs & lagoons
Triton Bay is one of Indonesia’s last truly wild frontiers. Known for its soft coral gardens, rare marine species, and breathtaking limestone cliffs, it’s a remote paradise best explored by liveaboard.
The bay’s nutrient-rich waters attract whale sharks, making it a top spot for divers and snorkelers looking for big marine life encounters.
With few resorts or day boats, a liveaboard ensures exclusive access to the region’s untouched dive sites, secret caves, and lush rainforest-covered islands.
Cost of Liveaboard Yachts in Indonesia
The cost of liveaboards in Indonesia can vary hugely depending on the level of luxury, itinerary length, and inclusions like gourmet meals, dive equipment, and private guides.
It is also important to understand the difference between charters and open trips which is one of the main factors that determines the cost of a trip. Charters typically are significantly more expensive, as it is essentially a private boat. With open trips, you join other guests, and only pay for the cabins and services you require.
✔ Budget Liveaboards: $186–$300 per day (basic cabins, shared facilities).
✔ Mid-Range Liveaboards: $300–$600 per day (private rooms, upgraded amenities).
✔ Luxury Liveaboards: $900+ per day (private charters, fine dining, spa services, expert dive guides).
✔ Ultra-Luxury Yachts: $10,000+ per night (fully crewed yachts with custom itineraries).
