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Indonesian Transit Liveaboards
Top Dive Trip Options and Travel Information
Most people who make the decision to come to Indonesia, to do a liveaboard at the epicentre of the world marine biodiversity, have a specific destination in mind. Some come for Komodo, others Raja Ampat or the Banda Islands. Many of the liveaboard cruises that focus on these areas deliver a stunning experience and are undoubtedly the best way to see the whole of that region. However, there are other options…
When seasonal changes make it wise for a liveaboard to relocate between 2 of the bigger regions, unique ‘transit trips’ arise. The port of departure and the port of arrival may be in completely different parts of Indonesia. This means that the line-up of dive sites in between promises a very unusual and interesting combination of scuba diving. This may include some sites that are seldom, or possibly never before, dived. For example, between Raja Ampat and Komodo seasons, you might find an unusual itinerary like Raja Ampat, Banda Sea & Alor or Banda Islands & Flores.
Some liveaboards prefer to move around the archipelago more than others. These boats do not stay put in any given region for months on end. Instead their schedule is full of interesting trips that sample the delights of several different sub-destinations and cover a huge area of water between ports. A few of the more eye-catching routes out there include Ambon, Banda Islands, The Forgotten Islands & Alor; Ternate, Lembeh & Manado, Raja Ampat & Halmahera; and even Raja Ampat & Lembeh Strait. [More details on these dive sites: Indonesia].
Liveaboard Diving Transit Safari Options in Indonesia
• Transit Trips
The classic transit trips in Indonesia include trips that allow liveaboards to relocate between Raja Ampat and Komodo, such as Raja Ampat, Banda Sea & Alor. These trips can be found by looking at the liveaboard schedules during the change of seasons. In April and May several boats relocate from Raja Ampat to Komodo, and they relocate again in the opposite direction in November and December.
Another common route between top spots is Raja Ampat to Ambon. These liveaboard trips can take place any time during the main Raja Ampat season. For some boats this means all year long, for others it means November to April. Other more unusual trips undertaken by Indonesian liveaboards that have a varied and far-reaching span of destinations can be found by browsing through the schedules, looking for the most exciting combination of regions.
Transit trips tend to be favoured by experienced and adventurous divers looking for something a little bit different. They often cover large areas so can be longer in terms of duration. It is not unusual for a transit trip to last anywhere between 9 and 14 nights.
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Cruises Raja Ampat, Komodo, Trit...
- Cabins have private en-suite bat...
- ENOS diver locator devices
- Dedicated restaurant, camera & c...
- Large, spacious boat
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Cruises Raja Ampat, Komodo, Band...
- All cabins with private bathroom...
- 24 hour satellite Wi-Fi internet...
- Complimentary laundry service
- Designated dry camera room, came...
- Large, steel-hulled boat
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Visits Raja Ampat, Cenderawasih,...
- All cabins have ensuite bathroom...
- Dedicated air-conditioned restau...
- Complimentary glass of wine with...
- Large boat with masseuse, video/...
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Maximum of 12 guests only
- Seaview cabin options with priva...
- Scuba equipment rental included ...
- Cabins have private bathrooms
- Paddleboards onboard
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Cruises Komodo, Raja Ampat, Band...
- All cabins have en-suite private...
- Camera room, rebreather friendly...
- Individual diver locator devices...
- Free spirits and beer
- Paddleboards, waterskis and wake...
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Visits Komodo, Raja Ampat, Banda...
- Cabins have en-suite bathrooms, ...
- Cabin for single traveller
- Most cabins have seaview windows...
- Spacious, steel-hulled liveaboar...
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Visits Komodo, Raja Ampat, Banda...
- Komodo cruises use port in Bali
- Cabins with en-suite private bat...
- 2 saloons on board
- Steel hulled boat
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Cruises Raja Ampat, Sangalaki, L...
- Cabins with ensuite bathrooms, a...
- Multiple camera tables, indoors ...
- Built by divers for divers
- Thick steel double hulled boat
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Visits Raja Ampat, Banda Sea, Su...
- Complimentary nitrox for certifi...
- Cabins with ensuite bathrooms
- Air-conditioned restaurant
- Wet room with table for cameras,...
- Sea kayaks onboard
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Visits Raja Ampat, Banda Sea & K...
- All cabins have ensuite bathroom...
- Dedicated camera room with editi...
- Spacious, fast, luxury aluminium...
Customer rating: Very good!
- Cruises Raja Ampat, Halmahera, B...
- All cabins with private ensuite ...
- Dedicated camera room, table, ri...
- Sea kayaks for guest use
Customer rating: Very good!
- Maximum of 8 guests
- Year round Raja Ampat liveaboard...
- Short, affordable cruises
- Small dive groups
- Cabins with shared bathrooms
Customer rating: Very good!
- Visits Komodo, Raja Ampat, Alor,...
- Large cabins with ensuite bathro...
- Maximum capacity of only 14 gues...
- Spacious, traditional Phinisi sc...
Customer rating: Very good!
- Visits Raja Ampat, Komodo, Banda...
- Cabins with en-suite bathrooms
- Small dive groups and flexible i...
- Specialist photography and explo...
Customer rating: Very good!
- Cruises Komodo, Raja Ampat, Alor...
- All cabins with private bathroom...
- Sea kayaks, SUPs
- Prices inclusive of port and par...
- Large, luxury boat with many rel...
Customer rating: Good
- Visits Komodo, Raja Ampat and th...
- Maximum of 12 guests only
- Unlimited diving, day and night
- Cabins have en-suite bathroom
- Large boat with spa, camera room...
Customer rating: Good
- Cruises Raja Ampat, Komodo & Ban...
- All cabins have private bathroom...
- Cabins with seaview windows
- Spacious dining and relaxation a...
- Up to 4 guides on board
- No hidden extras
Customer rating: Good
- Liveaboard cruises throughout In...
- Specialist in experienced diver ...
- Pioneer in remote regions
- Superb and spacious customised d...
- All cabins have private en-suite...
Customer rating: Good
- Short trips focus only on the Ra...
- All cabins have en-suite bathroo...
- 2 air-conditioned saloons, spaci...
- ENOS diver tracking system
- Sea kayaks, stand-up paddleboard...
- Onboard Jacuzzi
Customer rating: Good
- Visits Komodo, Raja Ampat, Halma...
- Cabins have en-suite bathrooms
- Jacuzzi, paddleboards, jetski on...
- Complimentary laundry service
- Large steel hull yacht
Customer rating: Average
- Cruises mostly Komodo, also Alor...
- Maximum of 8 guests only, with 1...
- Cabins with private bathrooms an...
- Use of Nautilus LifeLine
- Large luxury boat with 2 indoor ...
Customer rating: Average
- Visits Komodo, Raja Ampat and th...
- ENOS Diver Locator System
- Cabins above the waterline with ...
- All cabins have en-suite bathroo...
- Park fees included
- Large phinisi schooner
Customer rating: Be first to rate!
- Liveaboard trips throughout Indo...
- All cabins have private en-suite...
- Special menus for dietary requir...
- Onboard laundry service
- Inclusive price policy
- Large phinisi schooner
Customer rating: Be first to rate!
- Specialises in Raja Ampat diving...
- Global award-winning liveaboard
- Cabins have en-suite bathrooms, ...
- Open Water Diver courses availab...
- Kayaks and paddleboards
- Large phinisi with spa, camera r...
Customer rating: Be first to rate!
- Visits Komodo, Raja Ampat, Banda...
- Maximum of 12 guests only
- Cabins have en-suite bathroom an...
- Complimentary beer and wine
- Massage and spa treatment area
- Large boat with camera room
Customer rating: Be first to rate!
- Cruises to Komodo, Raja Ampat & ...
- Classic Borneo tallship
- En-suite cabins
- Maximum of only 12 guests
- No hidden extras
- Small dive groups
Customer rating: Be first to rate!
- Cruises Komodo, Raja Ampat, Band...
- All cabins have private bathroom...
- Upper deck cabins have seaviews ...
- Sea kayaks, massage and laundry ...
- Large luxurious boat
Customer rating: Be first to rate!
- Maximum of only 14 guests
- Visits Komodo and Raja Ampat
- Short, affordable cruises
- Toured Komodo for over 14 years
- Small dive groups
Customer rating: Be first to rate!
- Visits Komodo and Raja Ampat
- All cabins have private bathroom...
- Paddle board & Kayak activities
- Passenger substitution allowed
- Large phinisi schooner for max. ...
Customer rating: Be first to rate!
- Visits Komodo, Raja Ampat and th...
- Large luxury yacht with spa and ...
- Cabins have en-suite bathrooms
- Accompanying dive boat
- Yoga classes
Customer rating: Be first to rate!
- Cruises Raja Ampat, Banda Sea
- ENOS tracking devices for divers...
- All cabins have ensuite bathroom...
- Stand-up paddleboard and kayaks
- Large boat
Customer rating: Be first to rate!
- Includes Raja Ampat, Banda Sea, ...
- Most cabins have ensuite bathroo...
- Dedicated camera room
- 4 dive tenders
- Satellite internet
- Large, steel-hulled boat purpose...
The Climate, Diving Season and Best Time to Visit
Indonesia's climate is quite even throughout the year. Much of the country is covered in tropical rainforest so unsurprisingly heat, high humidity and rainfall are all likely to be experienced. Dry season is May to September and wet season October to April. Around the coastal areas you can expect even temperatures of around 28°C or 29°C.
You can find more specific regional conditions and seasonal information throughout our website on destination-specific pages.
Liveaboard Ports of Departure and How to Get There
Transit trips between the seasons for Raja Ampat and Komodo normally depart from Sorong in West Papua. You can fly to Sorong direct from Bali, Jakarta, or via Ujung Pandang or Manado. These trips normally arrive in the port of Maumere on Flores. You can fly to Maumere direct from Surabaya, Bali and Kupang.
Transit trips involving Raja Ampat, Ambon & the Banda Islands use the ports of Sorong and Ambon. You can reach Ambon from Jakarta, Bali (often via Ujung Pandang) and Manado.
You can view which ports the various boats use on their trips in the 'Departures & Prices' section of each boat's webpage. We will send you full departure details during the booking process. Whichever ports your boat uses, normally the boat operator provides a transfer to the boat from the local airport or hotels (if you overnight beforehand).
Most people fly into Indonesia to Jakarta (Java), Manado (Sulawesi) or Denpasar (Bali). More information on: how to get to Indonesia.
We recommend you take out insurance to cover diving and travel activities, including trip cancellation. See our insurance programme for a competitive quotation:
Places to Stay
If you plan on staying in Indonesia before or after your liveaboard diving safari, you can find a large range of accommodation options at hotelscombined.com, our affiliated hotel reservation specialists. Browse their website, use their on-line chat to ask questions, then simply use your credit card to make your booking:
All bookings carry a 'Low Price Guarantee' to ensure you get top-dollar value for money.
Useful References
- Indonesia dive sites
- Diving videos
- Trip reports: Seahorse
- Map of Indonesia
- Frequently asked questions
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