Sailing Indonesia: Raja Ampat’s Hidden Horizons

Katharina is a 12-guest sailing vessel whose adventures explore the Ring of Fire, the string of volcanic islands that stretch out from Bali east to the Philippines. Katharina is a mix of traditional and modern design. Her hull and rigging are traditional, while the deck house and interior are custom designed to cater to Western tastes of space, privacy and comfort. While Indonesian traditional sailing vessels are customarily referred to as Bugi schooners, strictly speaking, Katharina is rigged as a ketch, the foremast being higher than the aft mast.

Why Sail Aboard Katharina

Choose this ship to sail aboard a modern vessel with rich cultural roots and a remarkable history of transformation. Katharina is a gorgeous sailing vessel that AdventureSmith Explorations is proud to represent among our many small ship cruises around the world. The founder of SeaTrek Sailing Adventures discovered her under construction in 1998 while he was paying a courtesy visit to some old Buginese friends who had moved to Batulicin. He spotted her slender hull under construction on the riverbank and made a deal with her builder, based on the Buginese principle that all boats are always for sale even before they are launched. This story, of how Katharina was rescued from a hard life of carrying cargo, is now an important chapter in the history of SeaTrek Sailing Adventures. She was baptized Katharina, and a French naval architect redesigned the superstructure and the interior of the hold.

AdventureSmith Explorations has been aboard the Katharina. Read our dedicated Katharina Ship Review, written by two of our specialists, for our firsthand take on life aboard. Or consult this page further for a detailed description of Katharina, including ship specs, deck plan, cabin images, a photo gallery and current links to all the trips she sails. Our team can help you compare the Katharina with other small cruise ships and yachts offering Indonesia cruises, Pacific Island cruises and Asia cruises, including private charter cruises.

History Aboard Katharina

The founder of SeaTrek Sailing Adventures discovered her under construction in 1998 while he was paying a courtesy visit to some old Buginese friends who had moved to Batulicin. He spotted her slender hull under construction on the riverbank and made a deal with her builder, based on the Buginese principle that all boats are always for sale even before they are launched. This story, of how Katharina was rescued from a hard life of carrying cargo, is now an important chapter in the history of SeaTrek Sailing Adventures. She was baptized Katharina, and a French naval architect redesigned the superstructure and the interior of the hold.

Katharina Design

The Bugis people of south Sulawesi, once feared as pirates, are known as the most skillful ship builders and sailors of Indonesia. Their vessels, perahu (smaller fishing boats) and pinisi (cargo carriers, like Katharina was intended to be), were and still are hand-crafted entirely from timber. The pinisi are elegant two-masted schooners with mainsails, top-sails and three jibs. Today, while still hand-built by native craftsmen from tropical hardwood and still with traditional rigging, they usually hold an engine in addition to the sails. The construction of of a pinisi hull always follows age-old and well-established design principles. What is most remarkable is that these huge handmade structures (in the case of Katharina, a total weight of 300 tons of wood) are made without any drawings, fully relying on the intuitive craftsmanship of its builders as passed along through many generations. Contrary to Western boat-building practice, the Bugis method of hull construction is to start with the planking and fit in the beams later.

Katharina is different from most traditional pinisis because she became a joint effort between western naval architects and traditional Bugis skills. The superstructure and the interior were redesigned to accommodate small groups of passengers for cruising in the Indonesian archipelago, offering an excellent standard of reliability, safety and comfort. Her spacious air-conditioned, en-suite staterooms, the dining/recreational area and the large deck space with comfortable chairs and sun beds make the Katharina perfectly suitable for extended passages and leisure cruises.

Common Areas Aboard Katharina

The deck area of Katharina is dominated by the 82-foot-tall main and top masts and a large central table around which you can enjoy meals alfresco. Just aft is the main lounge and bar, accessible on the port side and featuring a television, DVD player and music center. Note that WiFi is not available, however local SIM cards can provide intermittent internet access via your personal phone. On top of this main cabin there is a sun deck with deck chairs and comfortable day beds. Guests enjoy unlimited use of snorkeling equipment and two sea canoes. Katharina does not carry binoculars, so guests are recommended to bring their own. Redesigned in 2014, the salon and central dining areas now feature an upper deck shaded lounge.

Dining Aboard Katharina

Free tea, coffee, soft drinks, juices and mineral water is available on board Katharina, as are excellent meals and snacks. You'll enjoy a welcome drink and chilled towels to refresh you upon embarkation. Vegetarian diets can be accommodated upon request. Wine, beer and other alcholic drinks are available for purchase on board; however, Indonesia has high import taxes for alcohol, so guests are permitted to bring their own wine or liquor, which should be stored in staterooms as there is limited space in the ship's coolers.  

Safety & Sustainability Aboard Katharina

Katharina is fitted with all internationally required safety and communication equipment such as SSB and VHF radios, life jackets, life rafts and satellite telephone. Her crew is a well-trained, well-seasoned Indonesian crew of 13, several of whom have worked on the vessel since she was launched. Much attention is given to her maintenance; she has an annual docking period and periodical checks of all the technical installations on board. In 2014, Katharina received a complete overhaul of all auxiliary systems and was equipped with solar panels, wind generators and deep cycle marine battery systems so she would have the smallest possible carbon imprint.

Cabins & Deck Plan Aboard Katharina

The staterooms were completely redesigned in 2014, including natural light and a new state-of-the-art air conditioning system. Each stateroom aboard Katharina has a wardrobe, a built-in mini safe, individually controlled cooling systems and soft lightning. All staterooms have their own private bathroom with (warm & cold water) shower, wash basin, toilet and toiletries. Towels and beach towels are regularly changed. There is ample space to store your belongings and still move about with ease. And an added bonus is mattresses and light blankets available on the Top Deck for sleeping under the stars, an unforgettable experience that a cruise in the tropics affords. Voltage on board is 220 volts. In each cabin there is a socket suitable for 2-way European plugs. Two triple cabins offer a third bunk suitable for a child, increasing the guest count to 14 by request.

The 24-guest sailing vessel Ombak Putih combines traditional and modern design to bring authenticity and comfort to her itineraries in the Ring of Fire region stretching through Indonesia. This intimate vessel is a gaff-rigged ketch just oozing with Indonesian charm and an Old World sense of simple luxury. As a traditional pinisi-style ship she was built in the sturdy and efficient way that ironwood ships have been built for hundreds of years on the islands surrounding Sulawesi. She is well fit for her memory-making itineraries and her beauty as the perfect match for the stunning region and waters in which she plies. The Ombak Putih, means “white wave” in Bahasa Indonesia and is quite the appropriate ship for traveling from idyllic island to idyllic island throughout the remote intrigue of Indonesia.

Why Sail Aboard Ombak Putih

Choose the Ombak Putih for an intimate sailing adventure on a sustainably-minded traditional ship with an Indonesian crew. This ship is romantic for couples, family-friendly and ideal for a group of friends. Travelers are sure to be impressed by this ship's all-wood interiors, lending your voyage a feel that harkens back to the time of spice trade. Ombak Putih is fitted with all internationally required safety and communication equipment such as SSB and VHF radios, life jackets, life rafts and satellite telephone. Other safety measures include the reliable "work horse" Detroit Diesel engine, anchor chains instead of wire rope and many safety features demanded by the Australian coast guard for ocean-going vessels. Her crew is a well-trained, seasoned Indonesian crew of 16, several of whom have worked on the vessel since she was launched, complemented by a multilingual cruise director.

AdventureSmith Explorations has been aboard the Ombak Putih. Read our dedicated Ombak Putih Ship Review, written by two of our specialists, for our firsthand take on life aboard. Or consult this page further for a detailed description of Ombak Putih, including ship specs, deck plan, cabin images, a photo gallery and current links to all the trips she sails. Our team can help you compare the Ombak Putih with other small cruise ships and yachts offering Indonesia cruises, Pacific Island cruises and Asia cruises, including private charter cruises.

History of Ombak Putih

Ombak Putih's construction followed age-old and well-established design principles. Throughout Asia, the Buginese people from the island of Sulawesi are well-known for their shipbuilding skills; most remarkable about Ombak Putih is that this huge handmade wooden structure was made without any drawings, fully relying on the intuitive craftsmanship of its builders as passed along through many generations. A Dutch naval architect was hired to recalculate and verify all dimensions for ultimate seaworthiness, as well as design the interior and the deck house. Only first-quality ironwood timber was used, making the hull considerably thicker than most other wooden vessels (ranging from 10cm down below to 6cm near the deck). Construction on Ombak Putih began in May of 1996.

One year after construction started, six men started digging. In Batulicin, boats are not towed into the water. Instead, men dig away the soil underneath, thus creating a small canal out of which the boat is eventually pulled. On May 27, 1997, the Ombak Putih was launched, complete with the Buginese tradition of a goat being ritually sacrificed and its blood scattered over various important places of the ship.

Common Areas Aboard Ombak Putih

The charming, classy and clean Ombak Putih offers a variety of common spaces for all passengers to find a nook. The spacious enclosed salon has room to relax and read and includes the ship's library, presentation TV, small bar, coffee station, the electronic charging "dry zone" and mini-fridge. A charming outdoor dining and seating area on the main deck is where all meals are served (completely covered in canvas to protect from sun and rain) and offer plenty of room for viewing wildlife and wild seascapes from the rail. Ombak Putih does not carry binoculars, so guests are recommended to bring their own. The bow offers cushioned seating for six to watch the sunset and to lookout for dolphins. On the Top Deck, an uncovered bow facing area and the covered viewing area aft of the wheelhouse provide an ample supply of benches, loungers, couches and even bean bag chairs for reading, napping, journaling, socializing with shipmates or simply watching the jaw-dropping landscapes of Indonesia slip by.

Dining Aboard Ombak Putih

Free tea, coffee, soft drinks, juices, filtered water (reusable water bottle is provided) and mineral water is available on board Ombak Putih, as are excellent buffet meals and snacks. Enjoy a welcome drink and chilled towels to refresh your embarkation. Vegetarian diets can be accommodated upon request. Wine, beer and other alcoholic drinks are available for purchase on board; however, Indonesia has high import taxes for alcohol, so guests are permitted to bring their own wine or liquor, which should be stored in staterooms as there is limited space in the ship's coolers.

Meals are served in large dishes, buffet or family-style, with guests being able to select their own portions. Breakfast includes several cereal, granola and bread options alongside a changing menu of Western- and Eastern-style cuisine. Eggs and a small menu of choices are made to order upon request. Crackers, cookies and nuts are available self-serve any time of day, and the chef prepares an early evening traditional snack before each night’s dinner. Dinners include steak and seafood, soups and always a refreshing salad. Dessert is served plated at both lunch and dinner, and is most often an assorted tropical fruit plate punctuated by a few custards and cakes throughout the voyage.

Activities Aboard Ombak Putih

Take advantage of the marine life by using complimentary onboard snorkeling equipment, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, fishing gear and two tender boats. Beach towels and sarongs are provided and there is a freshwater on-deck shower for rinsing off after activities. Scuba diving may be arranged on select itineraries at an added cost. The 2:1 guest to guide ratio ensure guests are completely taken care of during any activity. No WiFi is available aboard the ship, and cell coverage should not be relied upon in the remote regions that the Ombak Putih sails.

Cabins & Deck Plan Aboard Ombak Putih

Ombak Putih can accommodate 24 guests in complete comfort and superb style. Her 12 cabins are a study in the efficient use of space aboard a ship—all boasting modern conveniences such as USB charging ports, air conditioning, stylish fixtures and ensuite bathrooms with a hot shower and toiletries. The beach sarongs and towels, reusable water bottles and small day-pack that await guests on the berth make it clear that time won’t be spent inside peering through the brass porthole. Towels and beach towels are regularly changed. There is ample space to store belongings and still move about with ease. Valuables and travel documents can be stored in the ship's safe. Voltage on board is 220 volts. In each stateroom there is a socket suitable for 2-way European plugs as well as USBs. An added bonus, mattresses and light blankets are available on the Top Deck for sleeping under the stars, an unforgettable experience that a cruise in the tropics affords.