Kurabesi Explorer

Kurabesi Explorer is a classic 28m wooden Phinisi schooner, built from ironwood, for an exclusive maximum of just 12 guests. It combines a traditional atmosphere with modern conveniences and has been out on the seas since 2015. The liveaboard is fully owned by Indonesian professionals with the purpose of promoting nature conservation, sustainable tourism, local culture and community empowerment, with emphasis on the eastern Indonesian regions of Papua, Maluku and Ternate. In 2018 it won the Liveaboard of the Year at the Blue Green 360 awards.

There are a total of 6 guest cabins on the lower and main decks that can accommodate 12 guests. Each cabin has a private bathroom with hot water, flush toilet and shower; individually controlled air conditioning; changed towels, bed sheets and covers; reading lights; and storage space and cabinets. The cabins and furniture are made from teakwood, creating a warm and comfortable atmosphere. The boat also offers a laundry service.

There is an indoor lounge on the main deck; it has a library and reading nook. Also on the main deck is the dive and research platform at rear, a dedicated camera room, and a minibar service that includes soft drinks, an international wine and spirits selection, and cold beer. Tea and coffee making facilities, as well as mineral water, are available 24 hours per day. On the upper deck you will find the bridge and navigation room, and an open-air dining area. The sun deck features deck chairs - perfect for enjoying the tropical weather. There is plenty of space on both the sun-deck and semi-covered decks for all guests to find comfort and privacy if required.

Diving activities are conducted from the 2 x motorised 40 HP tenders. Both the cruise director and dive guide will lead dives. There is a Bauer Mariner air compressor, and tanks with both DIN and yoke valves. Fresh water showers are available on deck for your return from the beach or diving. And there is a complete first aid kit and emergency oxygen system, just in case. As for non-diving activities, each expedition includes social activities, such as land excursion and village visits. There are 2 sea kayaks, a paddleboard, snorkeling sets with floats, binoculars for bird-watching, fishing tackle, barbeque and outdoor camping equipment. All in all, we are sure you will love your Indonesian liveaboard cruise on Kurabesi.

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Notes: Child policy (sleeping in parents cabin): Infants (up to 3 years): free of charge. Children of 3-7 year: 20% off full price
Return client discount: 5% off full price
Indonesian nationals/dive instructor: 10% off full price

Dive experience: PADI Advanced Open Water or CMAS level 2, with a minimum of 50 sea dives. However, divers with a lower level will be able to participate, but with specific training at additional cost. Please ask us for more information.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, return transfers to the boat from local hotel/airport, dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced English-speaking divemaster(s) (max. 4 divers per guide), tanks, weights and weightbelts, local guides for land excursion and village visits., all taxes.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment rental (incl dive computer: US$ 40 per day), Port and park fees (payable in advance - Raja Ampat: US$ 150, Cenderawasih: US$ 250, Banda/Maluku: US$ 150), diving insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival, cash (IDR, EUR, GBP, USD), PayPal and cards are accepted, or you can pay via bank transfer.

Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, torch (US$ 10 per day), 15 litre tank (US$ 10 per day). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival.

How to get there: Raja Ampat: The Kurabesi departs from the harbour in Waisai. You can fly directly to Sorong from Jakarta, Ujung Pandang (Makassar) and Manado. From Bali there are convenient connections via Ujung Pandang (Makassar) and Manado. Meet at 7:30 am at the Misool Filling Station, just opposite Sorong Airport, where we’ll have a coffee or tea. You will then board the 9 am ferry to Waisai, arriving at 11 am, ready to board the liveaboard directly.
The last dive on these cruises will be 10:30 am on the final day, and then the boat returns and arrives in port shortly thereafter. You will disembark after lunch and in time for the ferry at 2 pm. Expected time of arrival back in Sorong is 4 pm.
Banda Sea: These liveaboard safaris depart at 11 am from the jetty at Tulehu Harbour, Ambon (meet at the jetty on the morning of your cruise). You can fly direct to Ambon from Jakarta, Bali, Sorong or Surabaya.
The last dive on these trips will be 1-2 pm on the final day, and then the boat returns and arrives in port shortly thereafter. You will disembark after lunch at 5 pm.
All: Due the timing of domestic flights, it is highly likely you will need to stay at least 1 night before and after a trip. In all cases, please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving. For more information see our Indonesia travel information section.

Non-diver rate: 5%.

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travellers may choose to share a cabin or pay a supplement of US$ 250 per night for their own cabin.

Dive clubs and group discounts: See whole boat charter rate below.

Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 14 guests and 2 additional persons can join free of charge (max. 16 guests).

Banda Islands & Ambon (8 Days / 7 Nights - 19 Dives)

Trip highlights: turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Nusa Laut, Banda Islands: Run, Banda Neira, Pulau Ai, Hatta, Pulau Suanggi. Island visits.

Day 1
Land at Pattimura Airport, Ambon where the Kurabesi crew greets you and takes you to Tulehu harbour for boarding. Your first hours on board will be spent on getting to know the boat, the crew and the other guests that will share this fantastic diving safari with you. Once all guests are onboard, we get underway to Nusa Laut for 2 afternoon dives, before departing during the evening for the Banda Islands. Lunch and dinner will be served.

Days 2-7
This expedition never fails to deliver great diving on pristine and colourful corals that attract hundreds of different species of fish, from tiny critters to big pelagics. Even dolphins and whales can be spotted in the Banda Sea. Schools of fish will welcome you in their habitats, especially reef fish such as damsels, anthias, soldierfish and angelfish. You will also travel to some less known dive sites while touring around the Banda Islands and Ring of Fire with high chances to see endemic species like the Ambon scorpionfish, or be surrounded by dogtooth tuna, and spot shy mobula rays swimming out in the blue. For many though, the real stars of the show are the chance encounters with hammerhead sharks.
Fresh cooked meals are served on board 4 times per day, which include a wide range of delicious Indonesian food, with mild level spice to satisfy various palates. We use local ingredients and curated natural products for a 100% Indonesian culinary experience. Meals are served buffet style in the open-air dining section on the main deck. A pre-breakfast (6 am), breakfast (9 am), lunch (12 noon) and afternoon snacks will each be followed by dives. Dinner is before an optional night dive at 7 pm. Biscuits, bread/toast, candy bars, cakes and fruit are available throughout the day. Tea, coffee, soft drinks and drinking water will keep you hydrated.
This cruise will also involve several land excursions, including a visit to the old town of the Dutch colonialism era, and exploring the spice trail at a 400 year old nutmeg plantation.
Please note that only 2 morning dives will take place on the last full day of the safari. Then the boat cruises back to port.

Day 8
Farewells and a light breakfast before heading to an Ambon hotel or the airport.

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Raja Ampat National Park Central (7 Days / 6 Nights - 19 Dives)

Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat: Pulau Senapan, Penemu, Tanjung Putus, Arborek, Kri Island, Mioskon, Gam Island. Snorkeling, kayaking, Island tours, cultural experience

Day 1
Land at Sorong Airport, where the Kurabesi crew greets you and takes you to the harbour for boarding. Your first hours on board will be spent on getting to know the boat, the crew and the other guests that will share this fantastic diving safari with you. Once all guests are onboard, we get underway to Pulau Senapan for an afternoon dive, before departing during the evening for Penemu. Lunch and dinner will be served.

Days 2-6
Raja Ampat is considered the home to the largest marine biodiversity in the world. Bumphead parrotfish, turtles, jawfish, mushroom coral pipefish, triggerfish, school of sweetlips and soft coral crabs welcome you to the national park, one of the best dive destinations in the whole world. Endemic wobbegongs, epaulette sharks, blacktip reef sharks, schools of trevallies and barracudas, sting rays and lots of nudibranchs are all commonly encountered. From oceanic manta rays to smaller peacock mantis shrimps, Raja Ampat has it all.
Fresh cooked meals are served on board 4 times per day, which include a wide range of delicious Indonesian food, with mild level spice to satisfy various palates. We use local ingredients and curated natural products for a 100% Indonesian culinary experience. Meals are served buffet style in the open-air dining section on the main deck. A pre-breakfast (6 am), breakfast (9 am), lunch (12 noon) and afternoon snacks will each be followed by dives. Dinner is before an optional night dive at 7 pm. Biscuits, bread/toast, candy bars, cakes and fruit are available throughout the day. Tea, coffee, soft drinks and drinking water will keep you hydrated.
This cruise will also involve several island tours and cultural experiences.
Please note that only 2 morning dives will take place on the last full day of the safari. Then the boat cruises back to port.

Day 7
Farewells and a light breakfast before heading to a Sorong hotel or the airport.

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Raja Ampat National Park South (8 Days / 7 Nights - 20 Dives)

Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat - Matan Island, Misool: Balbulol, Daram, Bood, Wayilbatan, Wagnab, Harfat Lagoon. Snorkeling, kayaking, Island tours, cultural experience

Day 1
Land at Sorong Airport, where the Kurabesi crew greets you and takes you to the harbour for boarding. Your first hours on board will be spent on getting to know the boat, the crew and the other guests that will share this fantastic diving safari with you. Once all guests are onboard, we get underway to Matan Island for an afternoon dive, before departing during the evening for Misool. Lunch and dinner will be served.

Days 2-7
Raja Ampat is considered the home to the largest marine biodiversity in the world. Bumphead parrotfish, turtles, jawfish, mushroom coral pipefish, triggerfish, school of sweetlips and soft coral crabs welcome you to the national park, one of the best dive destinations in the whole world. Endemic wobbegongs, epaulette sharks, blacktip reef sharks, schools of trevallies and barracudas, sting rays and lots of nudibranchs are all commonly encountered. From oceanic manta rays to smaller peacock mantis shrimps, Raja Ampat has it all.
Fresh cooked meals are served on board 4 times per day, which include a wide range of delicious Indonesian food, with mild level spice to satisfy various palates. We use local ingredients and curated natural products for a 100% Indonesian culinary experience. Meals are served buffet style in the open-air dining section on the main deck. A pre-breakfast (6 am), breakfast (9 am), lunch (12 noon) and afternoon snacks will each be followed by dives. Dinner is before an optional night dive at 7 pm. Biscuits, bread/toast, candy bars, cakes and fruit are available throughout the day. Tea, coffee, soft drinks and drinking water will keep you hydrated.
This cruise will also involve several island tours and cultural experiences.
Please note that only 2 morning dives will take place on the last full day of the safari. Then the boat cruises back to port.

Day 8
Farewells and a light breakfast before heading to a Sorong hotel or the airport.

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Raja Ampat National Park North & Central (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)

Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat: Mioskon, Penemu, Wayag, Uranie, Kawe, Arborek, Kri Island, Kabui. Snorkeling, kayaking, Island tours, cultural experience

Day 1
Meet at Fave Hotel in Sorong, where the Kurabesi crew greets you and takes you to the harbour to catch a fast boat to Waisai, to board the liveaboard. Your first hours on board will be spent on getting to know the boat, the crew and the other guests that will share this fantastic diving safari with you. Once all guests are onboard, we get underway to Sunset Beach at Mioskon, before departing during the evening for Penemu. Lunch and dinner will be served.

Days 2-7
Raja Ampat is considered the home to the largest marine biodiversity in the world. Bumphead parrotfish, turtles, jawfish, mushroom coral pipefish, triggerfish, school of sweetlips and soft coral crabs welcome you to the national park, one of the best dive destinations in the whole world. Endemic wobbegongs, epaulette sharks, blacktip reef sharks, schools of trevallies and barracudas, sting rays and lots of nudibranchs are all commonly encountered. From oceanic manta rays to smaller peacock mantis shrimps, Raja Ampat has it all.
Fresh cooked meals are served on board 4 times per day, which include a wide range of delicious Indonesian food, with mild level spice to satisfy various palates. We use local ingredients and curated natural products for a 100% Indonesian culinary experience. Meals are served buffet style in the open-air dining section on the main deck. A pre-breakfast (6 am), breakfast (9 am), lunch (12 noon) and afternoon snacks will each be followed by dives. Dinner is before an optional night dive at 7 pm. Biscuits, bread/toast, candy bars, cakes and fruit are available throughout the day. Tea, coffee, soft drinks and drinking water will keep you hydrated.
This cruise will also involve several island tours and cultural experiences.
Please note that only 2 morning dives will take place on the last full day of the safari. Then the boat cruises back to port.

Day 8
Farewells and a light breakfast before taking the fast boat from Waisai back to Sorong and a hotel or airport.

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Cenderawasih Bay (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, great macro life/ marine diversity

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Cenderawasih Bay: Manokwari Bay, Swande,Tridacna Atol, Kuwon, Kabuai, Angrameos, Kwatisore, Napan Yaur, Rurebo, Iweri. Snorkeling, kayaking, Island tours, cultural experience.

Day 1
Land at Rendani Airport, Manokwari, where the Kurabesi crew greets you and takes you to the harbour for boarding. Your first hours on board will be spent on getting to know the boat, the crew and the other guests that will share this fantastic diving safari with you. Once all guests are onboard, we get underway for 2 afternoon World War 2 shipwreck dives, before departing during the evening for Swande. Lunch and dinner will be served.

Days 2-7
In Cenderawasih Bay you will explore WW2 shipwrecks, rarely visited deep outer atoll dive sites, pristine hard coral gardens, soft corals and massive elephant ear sponges .Green turtles, schools of barracudas, surgeonfish, and on the reefs you can expect to see impressive tridacna clams, mating cuttlefish, popcorn shrimp, gobies, boxer crabs, ribbon eels and more. But the highlight of the area will be the snorkeling with whale sharks. These gentle giants are attracted to local fishing platforms (bagans) and the leftover nutrients. You will also normally spend a morning or two to swim, snorkel and dive with the whale sharks.
Fresh cooked meals are served on board 4 times per day, which include a wide range of delicious Indonesian food, with mild level spice to satisfy various palates. We use local ingredients and curated natural products for a 100% Indonesian culinary experience. Meals are served buffet style in the open-air dining section on the main deck. A pre-breakfast (6 am), breakfast (9 am), lunch (12 noon) and afternoon snacks will each be followed by dives. Dinner is before an optional night dive at 7 pm. Biscuits, bread/toast, candy bars, cakes and fruit are available throughout the day. Tea, coffee, soft drinks and drinking water will keep you hydrated.
This cruise will also involve several island tours and cultural experiences.
Please note that only 2 morning dives will take place on the last full day of the safari. Then the boat cruises back to port.

Day 8
Farewells and a light breakfast before heading to a Manokwari hotel or the airport.

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Raja Ampat, Banda & Forgotten Islands (11 Days / 10 Nights - 25 Dives)

Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat - Misool: Balbulol, Wayilbatan, Daram, Koon, Banda Islands, Run, Banda Neira, Hatta, Serua, Nil Desperandum, Dawera. Snorkeling, kayaking, Island tours, cultural experience

Day 1
Land at Sorong Airport, where the Kurabesi crew greets you and takes you to the harbour for boarding. Your first hours on board will be spent on getting to know the boat, the crew and the other guests that will share this fantastic diving safari with you. Once all guests are onboard, we get underway for Misool. Lunch and dinner will be served.

Days 2-10
Raja Ampat is considered the home to the largest marine biodiversity in the world. Bumphead parrotfish, turtles, jawfish, mushroom coral pipefish, triggerfish, school of sweetlips and soft coral crabs welcome you to the national park, one of the best dive destinations in the whole world. Endemic wobbegongs, epaulette sharks, blacktip reef sharks, schools of trevallies and barracudas, sting rays and lots of nudibranchs are all commonly encountered. From oceanic manta rays to smaller peacock mantis shrimps, Raja Ampat has it all.
The Forgotten Islands in the eastern Banda Sea are a remote chain of islands that offer some of the best diving in Indonesian waters. Attractions include gin-clear waters, patch reefs and coral bommies, and spectacular wall dives on impossible drop-offs. The nutrient rich currents can bring sunfish, dogtooth tuna, reef sharks and schooling hammerhead sharks, as well as maybe sailfish.
The Banda Sea never fails to deliver great diving on pristine and luxuriant corals that attract hundreds of different species of fish, from big pelagics to tiny critters, with high a chance to see endemic species like the Ambon scorpionfish. Even dolphins and whales can be spotted from the boat in the Banda Sea. Schools of fish will welcome you in their habitats, especially reef fish such as damsels, anthias, soldierfish and angelfish. The remote islands act like magnets to attract large schools of surgeonfish, silky and hammerhead sharks, giant trevally, barracuda, rainbow runners, even thresher sharks and mola mola, and lots of sea snakes.
Fresh cooked meals are served on board 4 times per day, which include a wide range of delicious Indonesian food, with mild level spice to satisfy various palates. We use local ingredients and curated natural products for a 100% Indonesian culinary experience. Meals are served buffet style in the open-air dining section on the main deck. A pre-breakfast (6 am), breakfast (9 am), lunch (12 noon) and afternoon snacks will each be followed by dives. Dinner is before an optional night dive at 7 pm. Biscuits, bread/toast, candy bars, cakes and fruit are available throughout the day. Tea, coffee, soft drinks and drinking water will keep you hydrated.
This cruise will also involve several island tours and cultural experiences.
Please note that only 2 morning dives will take place on the last full day of the safari. Then the boat cruises back to port.

Day 11
Farewells and a light breakfast before heading to a Saumlaki hotel or the airport.
Note this itinerary may operate in the reverse direction. Please check the exact port details.

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[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].

There are a total of 6 guest cabins; 2 cabins with double beds and 4 with bunk-beds; 5 are on the lower deck and 1 on the main deck. All have private en-suite bathrooms.

The cabins have: No. of bathrooms / showers - 8 / 10 - hot water