Kids in sea gypsy village Bajau Laut, Indonesia, on a wooden boat in front of houses on stilts over emerald water on a sunny day.
Red and orange-colored shell sea turtle swimming in cool blue waters in Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Village children leaning in and smiling for the camera in Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Celebes crested macaque black monkey hiding between large green leaves in the Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Indonesia.
Dilapidated village painted in bright colors and standing on wooden stilts above the water in Indonesia.
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Asia / Pacific Indonesia Cruise

Sailing Indonesia: The Undiscovered Frontier

Explore beyond the reaches of popular port towns to see a more authentic, undiscovered Indonesia. These remote itineraries go where few passenger ships do, and reap the rewards of their custom yet flexible itineraries and excellent local guides leading the way.

Choose from routes that cruise Sulawesi, the Maluku Islands, the Spice Islands and the stretches in between. These are truly the most remote and least-visited parts of the Indonesian archipelago. And a highlight is passage aboard the 24-guest Ombak Putih or 12-guest Katharina. These traditional pinisi-style ships are AdventureSmith favorites for private charter cruises due to their romance, Indonesian culture, rustic charm and superior service. Complimentary onboard snorkeling equipment, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, fishing gear and tender boats equip guests with daily adventures on every route. Learn a bit more about each one:

On the main 14-day itinerary, travel from the spice port of Ternate to the shipbuilding port of Bitung in North Sulawesi while sailing through the islands that fringe the Molucca Sea. Numerous highlights include remote island cultures, Bajau sea gypsies, birds of paradise and other exotic birdlife, volcanic peaks and ample opportunity for snorkeling on fantastic coral reefs and in lakes filled with freshwater stingless jellyfish. Experience Halmahera, the island where famed naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace developed the idea of natural selection via survival of the fittest, then wrote and sent it on to Charles Darwin.

On the alternative southbound 16-day Corals, Cultures & Dragons sail the length of Sulawesi from Bitung Harbor down to Flores Island. The journey is the reward here as you cruise along and meet fishermen and villagers who only see your ship once every few years. While you won’t have the chance see birds of paradise or Halmahera on this route, you’ll trek to see the rare maleo bird, snorkel with sea turtles and seek out black-crested macaques, with the grand finale of seeing Komodo dragons in Komodo National Park. Another similar southbound route sails from Ternate in the Spice Islands to Flores, also over 16 days days with Komodo National Park a final stop.

Read on for more details about these remote Lesser Sundas and Sulawesi cruises, or learn more about all of AdventureSmith’s Indonesia cruises.



Itinerary

Rare Species, Remote Cultures & Remarkable Corals: Ternate to Bitung Itinerary

The main, 14-day Rare Species, Remote Cultures & Remarkable Corals: Ternate to Bitung cruise sails clockwise around the Molucca Sea, from the spice port of Ternate in North Maluku, south along Halmahera, east to Central Sulawesi and north to the shipbuilding port of Bitung in North Sulawesi. In this, one of the least visited parts of the Indonesian archipelago, opportunities abound to spot exotic birdlife, explore colorful coral reef and interact with communities housed both on land and sea.

Route map of Sailing Indonesia: The Undiscovered Frontier small ship Sulawesi cruise, operating from Ternate to Bitung with visits to islands fringing the Molucca Sea.
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Day 1
Embark Ternate, Indonesia, to Halmahera

Start the adventure with a tour of Ternate’s historical highlights before boarding the ship, meeting the crew and settling into your new home for the next two weeks. Over lunch, the ship sets sail for the short journey to Halmahera Island’s Dojinga Village, a pivotal place in scientific history, where the naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace first came up with the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. Later in the afternoon, enter the water for the first time and snorkel or swim over the first coral reef of the trip. Then head south as the sun sets behind the perfectly conical volcanic islands peaks of the northern Moluccas.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

lunch, dinner

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Day 2
Guraici Archipelago

Today visit the Guraici Archipelago, a chain of islands with white sandy beaches, vibrant coral reefs and some lovely local villages. Spend a full day here snorkeling, swimming and pay a visit to one of the villages to meet the local people. The islands are part of a government-controlled conservation area, designed to protect the reefs and the many beautiful marine species that live there. These protected waters also provide the perfect location for beginner or rusty snorkelers to become familiar with the water and to home their skills for the many days of snorkeling that lie ahead.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 3
Bacan

Today brings a search for some very special species of butterfly, some unique birds and some quirky mammals. Explore the deep forest and rivers of Bacan Island, where Wallace first saw what he called the most beautiful butterfly in the world, the Golden Birdwing. While trekking, be on the lookout for other species that might present themselves, including cuscus, the black-crested macaque and some hornbills. After lunch, spend the afternoon snorkeling and swimming on the nearby reef and beaches.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 4
Balang Belang Island

Spend today exploring the islands and local habitats of Balang Belang Island, which offers fantastic snorkeling both on the reefs and the mangroves, which act as a nursery to many marine species, including baby sharks and many kinds of school fish. Explore the huge inland lagoon from the boat’s tender. The island is home to healthy populations of birds including parrots, tree swift, imperial pigeon and many more.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 5
Mangoli

Today will be a day for snorkeling, culture and history in the middle of the Banda Sea, in the remote and breathtaking Sulu Archipelago. Spend the morning exploring the beaches and reefs of Mangoli Island, where the reefs are teeming with fish and other marine life. True to the desert island locale, enjoy a kayak, paddle or swim, and explore and relax on the white-sand beaches. Later, feast on some history and culture while visiting the local village market and the ruins of a 17th century Dutch fort which once protected the spice trade along these routes.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 6
Talibau

The cultural experiences ratchet up a notch today with a war dance performed in our honor, while the nighttime will be filled with Indonesian music. Go ashore on Talibau Island and be treated to a traditional dance known as the “cakalale,” by local warriors. Also enjoy exploring the local village and meeting the people of this remote isle. The afternoon is set aside for snorkeling on a reef teeming with fish, before moving to another deserted island for swimming, kayaking and relaxing. This evening the crew will prepare a beach BBQ and perform traditional Indonesian folk songs and sea shanties.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 7
Bokan Islands

The Bokan Islands are an area of unsurpassed beauty and today is a day of marine exploration and relaxation. Snorkel, swim, paddle and kayak around the glorious reefs, beaches and islands that offer many caves and snorkeling spots. Enjoy the rare privilege to swim in a small marine lake filled with stingless jellyfish, the exotically named Danau Piasu Botangan, one of only 20 lakes of its kind in the world.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 8
Banggai

A trio of unique experiences are in store today, involving culture, conservation and wildlife. Visit the bustling Indonesian island port town of Bangaii, a place filled with activity and commerce. Visit the local market and explore the neighborhoods, the sultan’s palace and the maleo bird egg museum, all from brightly-colored motor rickshaws.

Visit LINI, an NGO doing great work with coral restoration on the surrounding reefs and working with local fishermen to find sustainable solutions for supplying fish to overseas markets and the live aquarium fishing trade. Finish the day with a snorkel on a local reef that features the most elegant, but very threatened, Banggai Cardinal Fish–a darling of saltwater aquarium lovers worldwide.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 9
Peleng & Central Sulawesi

Today brings the chance to see possibly one of the strangest and most unique flightless birds found in the world–the Maleo. After a morning snorkel, sail north to visit the endemic Maleo in their beachside environment, the symbol of the province within which it lives. Visit a conservation project on the mainland where scores of Maleo live and breed. Watch them at their sandy nesting sites from a camouflaged hide as they go about their business. Later in the afternoon, set sail for the Togean Islands National Park for some island hopping and spectacular snorkeling, wildlife and culture.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 10
Togean Islands National Park: Kabalutan Village

The Bajau sea gypsies of southeast have a very unique way of life, living in harmony with the water. Go ashore to Kabalutan Village, where a population of about 2,500 Bajau call home, and be welcomed into their world to meet and talk with them about their lives. In the afternoon, snorkel and swim on some pristine coral reefs before moving farther into the park.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 11
Togean Islands National Park: Malenge

Some great wildlife experiences await today, both in the water and the air, with birds, fish and invertebrates as the main features. Enjoy a snorkel on the lush reefs near the island of Malenge before taking snorkel and mask for a rare second swim with stingless jellyfish in nearby Lake Mariona, the second jellyfish lake on the cruise route. Visit a local village, meet the people and enjoy a late afternoon walk in the local forest before being witness to a most amazing show of nature as flocks of hornbills come flying in to roost in the trees–a once-in-a-lifetime sight.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 12
Togean Islands National Park & At Sea

Waking up in the east of the park, go snorkeling and visit a local village before setting sail on a long crossing towards the Sulawesi mainland. Relax, watch the world go by and take in the beauty of the sea from the ship. In the afternoon, the chef will offer a cooking class for those interested in learning how to prepare some traditional Indonesian dishes. For everyone else, it’s sunbathing, reading, relaxing and reflection. Finish the day with cocktails served on the back deck before a specially prepared dinner is served, followed by a party with the crew’s band providing the music and entertainment.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 13
North Sulawesi

This morning, awake on the outside elbow of North Sulawesi and opt for some more cultural exchanges and some impressive snorkeling. After breakfast, go ashore to a remote village and meet the local people who will share in their way of life. Also go for a walk in the nearby forest on the lookout for birds. Snorkel a local reef before the ship heads north, stopping off en route for another snorkel and a swim towards the end of the day before the crew throws a final beach BBQ with opportunities to dance and sing into the night under the stars, next to a roaring bonfire.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 14
Disembark Bitung Harbor to Manado City, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Wake up just off the coast near the Tasikoki Rescue Center and go ashore for a short tour of the impressive facilities at this NGO. Hear all about their conservation program and enjoy the chance to see orangutan, tarsiers, hornbills, monkeys and other endangered wildlife. After a final swim and snorkel on the beach, take a short sail into Bitung Harbor. Say a fond farewell to the crew and tour leaders and head to Manado City for onward flights.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast, lunch

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Accommodations and meals as indicated in itinerary; group airport transfer Ternate and Manado City; beverages including coffee, cocoa, tea, soft drinks and fruit juice; limited laundry service (2 items per day free of charge, service stops 2 days before disembarkation); guided excursions; use of snorkeling gear and sea kayaks/canoes.

Exclusions

International flights; transfers in Ternate; alcoholic beverages; pre- and post-trip hotel accommodations; gratuities; a 2.5% foreign credit card transaction fee if using a credit card to pay for any onboard purchases; insurance of any kind (medical and medivac/air evacuation strongly encouraged due to the remote nature of itineraries); fuel surcharge ($400 per person, per departure).

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 25% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Your trip/cruise is transferrable should you provide an alternate participant at the same fare. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 91 days – 25% of total trip cost
90 to 60 days – 50% of total trip cost
59 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations’ Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The main, Rare Species, Remote Cultures & Remarkable Corals: Ternate to Bitung cruise begins in Ternate, Indonesia (TTE) and ends in Bitung with a transfer to Manado City, Indonesia (MDC). Transfers to and from the vessel will be provided. Plan flights to arrive to Ternate anytime prior to day 1 of the itinerary. Further arrival & departure guidelines to plan flights will be provided upon booking. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit ourBooking Flights resource page. Note: Your passport must be valid 6 months after your Indonesia trip concludes.

Activities

Opportunities to explore the land and sea are made available most days of your trip and might include trekking, cultural tours, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding or nature exploration. Although all activities are inclusive, they are always optional, just inform your Tour Leader if you prefer to stay on board. Other activities may include jumping off the boat, beach volleyball with the crew and fishing (a simple spool of fishing line and hooks are available on board).

Room Configuration

Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin for solo use may do so at a 75% supplement of the per-person listed rate in select cabins upon availability. If you are willing to share accommodations with another guest of the same gender, the single supplement will be waived; if no room-share match is found, no single supplement will be charged.

Families & Children

Families traveling with children are welcome aboard, but keep in mind that this is an adventure cruise and parents must watch their children at all times. Both boats have higher side railings than on normal traditional Buginese schooners, but there are steep staircases to consider if bringing smaller children. Children 12 years and younger will be charged 50% of the cruise fare if they share a triple cabin with parents. If sharing a cabin with other children, only the third child will receive the discount.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, National Park regulation or at the captain’s discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.

Corals, Cultures & Dragons: Bitung to Komodo Itinerary

The alternative, 16-day Corals, Cultures & Dragons: Bitung to Flores cruise sails from the shipbuilding port of Bitung in North Sulawesi south to Flores, with a visit to Komodo National Park. As you cruise nearly the entire length of Sulawesi, visit remote villages, go trekking and birding, meet with local NGOs, enjoy ample opportunities to snorkel and paddle, and seek out Komodo dragons. Another similar 16-day From the Spice Islands to the Dragon Islands route aboard Katharina sails southbound from Ternate to Komodo; day-by-day itinerary available upon request.

Side by side sepia maps showing southbound cruise route from Bitung and Ternate to Komodo
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Day 1
Embark Bitung Harbor, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Be welcomed aboard the boat, meet the crew and fellow passengers, settle into your seaborne home for the next two weeks and set sail. The first stop is at the Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue Center, about a one-hour cruise to the south. Go ashore by tender and have a guided tour of the center. Learn about conservation efforts and meet some of the wildlife that reside here including tarsiers, monkeys, hornbills and orangutans. In the afternoon, snorkel on the nearby reef. Later in the afternoon, set sail on the journey south.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

lunch, dinner

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Day 2
Punten Island & Ratatotok

In the morning wake up at Punten Island. After breakfast go for your first snorkel on a beautiful reef with a wide variety of fish, corals and other creatures.

In the afternoon, snorkel again off the uninhabited island of Ratatotok, again with some great coral reefs. In the late afternoon, the ship sets a southerly course for an overnight trip to the next destination.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 3
North Sulawesi & Botuborani Whale Sharks

Today visit a local village and meet with the local people and see how they live. Stop into a school and take a tour through the clove plantations that support the local economy.

Back on the boat, make a five-hour cruise to the small seaside town of Botuborani, where an absolute highlight might await – the chance to swim with whale sharks. Then your captain sets course southwest for the overnight passage to the Togean Archipelago, one of Indonesia’s wonderful national parks.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 4
Togean Islands National Park: Malenge

Some great wildlife experiences await today, both in the water and the air, with birds, fish and invertebrates as the main features. Enjoy a snorkel on the lush reefs near the island of Malenge before taking snorkel and mask for a rare second swim with stingless jellyfish in nearby Lake Mariona, one of only 20 lakes in the world that are home to these amazing creatures. Visit a local village, meet the people and enjoy a late afternoon walk in the local forest before being witness to a most amazing show of nature as flocks of hornbills come flying in to roost in the trees–a once-in-a-lifetime sight.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 5
Togean Islands National Park: Kabalutan Village

Today offers the first encounter with the Bajau sea gypsies of Southeast Asia, a people with a very unique way of living with the sea. Go ashore to Kabalutan Village, where a population of about 2,500 Bajau call home, and be welcomed into their world to meet and talk with them about their lives. Then head to the southernmost tip of the park and have a long snorkel before setting sail to the southeast for a most unique wildlife encounter the following morning.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 6
Peleng, Central Sulawesi & Dua

Today brings the chance to see possibly one of the strangest and most unique flightless birds found in the world–the Maleo. One of Sulawesi’s most interesting birds, the Maleo is a flightless fowl with some very unusual characteristics and behaviors, and also the symbol of the province within which it lives. Visit a conservation project on the mainland where scores of Maleo live and breed. Watch them at their sandy nesting sites from a camouflaged hide as they go about their business. Later in the morning, cruise south and snorkel in the afternoon on a beautifully rich reef in front or Pulau Dua, or “two islands” in the Indonesian language.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 7
Banggai

A trio of unique experiences are in store today, involving culture, conservation and wildlife. Visit the bustling Indonesian island port town of Bangaii, a place filled with activity and commerce. Visit the local market and explore the neighborhoods, the sultan’s palace and the maleo bird egg museum, all from brightly-colored motor rickshaws.

Visit LINI, an NGO doing great work with coral restoration on the surrounding reefs and working with local fishermen to find sustainable solutions for supplying fish to overseas markets and the live aquarium fishing trade. Finish the day with a snorkel on a local reef that features the most elegant, but very threatened, Banggai Cardinal Fish–a darling of saltwater aquarium lovers worldwide.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 8
Padai Kecil & Bokan Islands

A visit to another Bajau sea gypsy community awaits today. Once again meet and experience one of Southeast Asia’s famous nomadic cultures. After the visit with the sea gypsies on Padai Kecil Island, snorkel on one of the local reefs and then set sail later in the afternoon, heading south to the wonderful Wakatobi National Park.

Today the brave will also enjoy the rare privilege to swim in a small marine lake filled with stingless jellyfish, the exotically named Danau Piasu Botangan.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 9
Wakatobi National Park: Wangi Wangi

This is day one of two in the Wakatobi National Park, a very hard-to-reach archipelago filled with fascinating culture and also one of Indonesia’s best national parks, with outstanding underwater life and natural beauty. In addition to snorkeling in the morning and afternoon, enjoy a personalized tour of the island of Wangi Wangi, with highlights that include a seaweed farm, meeting with a traditional weaving community and the ruins of a centuries’ old Dutch fort–a relic of the ancient Spice Trade.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 10
Wakatobi National Park: Binongko

More fascinating culture and snorkeling awaits today, with a visit to a famous local blacksmith and a drift snorkel on the Wakatobi Resort’s magnificent house reef. Snorkeling comes first in the morning, and then during lunch cruise to nearby Binongko Island, where the local craftsmen use hand-operated bellows on the furnace in the blacksmith shop to produce machetes and knives that are highly sought-after across Indonesia.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 11
Kakabia

Awake to a sky filled with the sight of brown- and red-footed boobies and lesser frigate birds, many of which will be circling the boat and trying to land on the stays and masts. Enjoy Kakabia Island, an uninhabited sea mount in the middle of the Flores Sea that’s rich in upwelling nutrients and a perfect habitat for birds to fish and raise their young. Spend the day here snorkeling and exploring, and make an attempt to go ashore (tide depending) for an afternoon of swimming, kayaking, paddling and fun.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 12
Tinabo Island

Today will be another relaxing day on Tinabo Island. Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, birdwatching and exploring. In the evening, the crew will set up for a beach BBQ and party on the sand under a tropical night sky filled with stars.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 13
Bonerate

Today, walk among the hulls and hulks of a huge unlaunched flotilla of pinisi ships being built on a remote island archipelago. Meet the shipwrights and discover their age-old shipbuilding traditions practiced for centuries in this forgotten corner of the world; traditions that use basic plans, wood, and a collection of simple tools and age-old techniques. Bonerate is rarely visited by tourists, and seeing this open-air boatyard is an experience to be savored. While walking through the village and along the beaches, meet the locals and gain a new appreciation for island life and for the kind of boat you have been cruising on for twelve days.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 14
Komodo National Park

Giants will loom large today: Komodo dragons, flying foxes and manta rays–three of the biggest and most impressive animals in Indonesia. Rise early in the Komodo National Park for a privately arranged, ranger-led walk around the island of Rinca to see not only Komodo dragons but also their preferred menu of prey–monkeys, deer, pigs and buffaloes. After lunch on board, go in search of manta rays as they glide by while feeding in the current at their local cleaning stations. This evening, as the sun starts to set, we will gather on the deck and be witness to a most spectacular event as thousands of flying foxes leave their mangrove forest homes en mass on their nightly fruit-foraging missions.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 15
Komodo Island & Gili Lawa Darat

Go ashore in the early morning on Komodo Island for another walk through the savanna and forests of Komodo Island in search of dragons and other wildlife. Then set course northwards in search of manta rays at a popular cleaning station, followed by a snorkel with sea turtles.

At dusk, you will have the chance to climb to a viewing point on Gili Lawa Darat Island, which offers magnificent views of the sunset and the Komodo National Park.

Accommodations

Katharina, Ombak Putih

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 16
Disembark Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia

The final day will be one of snorkeling and culture. After an optional morning swim and snorkel, enjoy a private tour to a local village high up on a mountain plateau where welcoming elders offer betel nut and arak, a potent local alcoholic brew. Witness the traditional “caci” whip dance and the bamboo dance, performed by the villagers for generations. After a final Indonesian lunch on the boat, say farewell to the crew and transfer to Komodo airport for the flight back to Bali and your onward journey.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast, lunch

Read More
Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Accommodations and meals as indicated in itinerary; airport transfers in Flores and Ternate; beverages including coffee, cocoa, tea, soft drinks and fruit juice; limited laundry service (2 items per day free of charge, service stops 2 days before disembarkation); guided excursions; use of snorkeling gear and sea kayaks/canoes.

Exclusions

International flights; transfers in Bitung; alcoholic beverages; pre- and post-trip hotel accommodations; gratuities; a 2.5% foreign credit card transaction fee if using a credit card to pay for any onboard purchases; insurance of any kind (medical and medivac/air evacuation strongly encouraged due to the remote nature of itineraries); fuel surcharge ($400 per person, per departure).

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 25% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Your trip/cruise is transferrable should you provide an alternate participant at the same fare. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 91 days – 25% of total trip cost
90 to 60 days – 50% of total trip cost
59 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations’ Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The alternative, Corals, Cultures & Dragons: Bitung to Flores cruise begins in Bitung, Indonesia, accessed from Manado City, Indonesia (MDC), and ends in Labuan Bajo, Flores (LBJ). Transfers to and from the vessel will be provided. Plan flights to arrive to Manado City anytime prior to day 1 of the itinerary. Further arrival & departure guidelines to plan flights will be provided upon booking. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit ourBooking Flights resource page. Note: Your passport must be valid 6 months after your Indonesia trip concludes.

Activities

Opportunities to explore the land and sea are made available most days of your trip and might include trekking, cultural tours, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding or nature exploration. Although all activities are inclusive, they are always optional, just inform your Tour Leader if you prefer to stay on board. Other activities may include jumping off the boat, beach volleyball with the crew and fishing (a simple spool of fishing line and hooks are available on board).

Room Configuration

Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin for solo use may do so at a 75% supplement of the per-person listed rate in select cabins upon availability. If you are willing to share accommodations with another guest of the same gender, the single supplement will be waived; if no room-share match is found, no single supplement will be charged.

Families & Children

Families traveling with children are welcome aboard, but keep in mind that this is an adventure cruise and parents must watch their children at all times. Both boats have higher side railings than on normal traditional Buginese schooners, but there are steep staircases to consider if bringing smaller children. Children 12 years and younger will be charged 50% of the cruise fare if they share a triple cabin with parents. If sharing a cabin with other children, only the third child will receive the discount.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, National Park regulation or at the captain’s discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

These ships are AdventureSmith favorites for private charter. Contact us for charter pricing and details.

Feb 06 - Feb 19, 2025
Ombak Putih • 14 days
themed trip icon of a blue bird flying
From $10950USD
Per Person
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Feb 19 - Mar 03, 2025
Katharina • 13 days
small ship alternate itinerary icon with a grey background
From $10200USD
Per Person
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Feb 22 - Mar 07, 2025
Ombak Putih • 14 days
From $10950USD
Per Person
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Mar 26 - Apr 10, 2025
Katharina • 16 days
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From $12500USD
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Mar 27 - Apr 11, 2025
Ombak Putih • 16 days
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From $12500USD
Per Person
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Accommodations

Learn About the Small Ships on Your Itinerary

Motorsailer
Katharina

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.

Motorsailer
Ombak Putih

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 from Bali to the Philippines.

Expert Reviews

Reviews from Our Experts So You Know What to Expect

Lis Larson • October 28th, 2019
Expert Review: Sailing Indonesia’s Undiscovered Frontier Sulawesi Cruise

AdventureSmith sails Indonesia's most remote reaches, along the eastern coast of Sulawesi. Learn our insights on this trip and the highlights of a Sulawesi cruise.

Lis Larson • January 17th, 2020
Expert Aboard: Katharina & Ombak Putih Ship Review

Learn about the food, cabins, crew and more from AdventureSmith experts who've been aboard these unique Indonesian sailing vessels.

Testimonials

Hear It from Travelers Who Have Explored with Us

"A Special Way to See Indonesia"

We went to untouched places that we didn't know existed in Indonesia. We were able to still see all the hot spots in Bali on our own before we took this cruise, but this offered something entirely different than any of our friends had ever experienced in Indonesia.

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Accommodations
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Meals
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"Truly Epic"

Overall trip was amazing. Absolutely no issues logistically. Unless you have months on your hands to stumble around foreign countries and really figure it out on your own, a quality specified travel agency like Adventuresmith is absolutely necessary for a trip of this caliber.

Overall
5 /5 Star Created with Sketch.
Accommodations
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Book with the confidence that comes from experience.

100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip.

Extend Your Trip

Additional Travel Options Before or After Your Cruise

Add to Wishlist
9 - 10 Day Cruise
Sailing Indonesia: Whale Sharks, Corals & Komodo Dragons

Experience Indonesia's whale sharks, corals & dragons round-trip from Flores aboard the 24-guest Ombak Putih or 12-guest Katharina. Encounter the famous Komodo dragon, swim with whale sharks, snorkel in pristine coral reef and explore beautiful deserted beaches.

From $5450USD
Apr May Jun Jul Aug
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8 - 13 Day Cruise
Aqua Blu Ambon & Spice Islands Cruise

Embrace culture, nature and wildlife on this 8-day Spice Islands cruise aboard the 30-passenger luxury Indonesia yacht Aqua Blu, including regular dive opportunities.

Special Offer
From $9415USD
Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec
Add to Wishlist
8 Day Cruise
Aqua Blu Raja Ampat Cruise

Cruise Indonesia's stunning Raja Ampat in style aboard the 30-guest Aqua Blu luxury expedition yacht. This 8-day cruise explores the world's most biodiverse environments by snorkel and diving, with secluded beach visits along the way.

Special Offer
From $9415USD
Jan Feb Mar Dec
More to Explore

Trips You Might Also Like

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Sailing Indonesia: The Undiscovered Frontier