The Aurora cruises all year to the most spectacular and breath-taking diving regions of the Indonesian archipelago, where spectacular waters and stunning landscapes wait to be discovered. This 42m long phinisi liveaboard was built in Sulawesi, offering all the advantages of a modern boat combined with the charm of a traditional one. The friendly crew ensure guest comfort and satisfaction during all trips.
The Aurora is a highly desirable liveaboard operating year-round in the Indonesian archipelago, granting divers access to the most spectacular and remote regions, including the breath-taking waters and stunning landscapes of Raja Ampat, Komodo, and the Banda Sea. This impressive 42-metre long Phinisi liveaboard was constructed in Sulawesi, balancing the traditional charm of a wooden sailing boat with the essential advantages of modern navigation and accommodation. The dedicated, friendly crew focuses on guest satisfaction and comfort throughout every expedition.
Comfortable living spaces are assured on the Aurora. The vessel can accommodate up to 21 guests across nine generously sized double or twin cabins, each appointed with private en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, and a professional daily housekeeping service. Onboard expert chefs ensure a satisfying experience for every palate, preparing varied local and international buffets served within the air-conditioned saloon. Furthermore, they cater expertly to specific dietary requirements, with special menus readily available for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free guests.
Diving operations from the Aurora liveaboard are executed with precision and a high diver-to-guide ratio. Guests are typically divided into small groups of 4 to 5 divers, ensuring highly focused attention from the professional guides. Dive site transfers are conducted using 2 large, high-speed tenders equipped with twin engines, each capable of carrying up to eight divers plus crew. This minimises transit time and maximises diving opportunities.
The dedicated dive deck on the Aurora is equipped for professional divers. It features a specific briefing area complete with a whiteboard, individual storage boxes for gear, and dedicated wetsuit and drying racks. 2 rinse tanks are provided for gear maintenance. Crucially for divers looking to maximise bottom time, nitrox is provided free of charge for those who hold EANx certification. Safety is further prioritised with emergency oxygen and a defibrillator readily accessible on board.
For those requiring specialist facilities, the main deck hosts a dedicated camera room for the careful preparation and storage of underwater photography equipment. The typical Aurora diving schedule offers 3 to 4 dives per day, which often includes memorable night dives, with each dive session lasting up to 70 minutes. This provides certified divers with extensive access to Indonesia’s richly diverse marine environments.
Beyond the diving, relaxation and exploration opportunities abound. After a full day of thrilling dives, guests can choose to unwind in the cool, air-conditioned saloon, or take in the gorgeous views from the sun deck, furnished with comfortable loungers. For entertainment, there is a video library and a hi-fi system featuring an iPod docking station. For more active exploration away from the reefs, the Aurora carries sea kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, allowing guests to leisurely explore the calm waters and remote coastlines. This balance of professional diving logistics, traditional boat styling, and comprehensive comfort makes the Aurora liveaboard an excellent choice for experienced divers.
Banda Islands & Ambon (10 Days / 9 Nights - 32 Dives)
Trip highlights: turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Ambon Bay: Laha, Tulehu Bay: Nusa Laut, Suanggi, Manuk, Serua, Banda Islands: Pulau Hatta, Banda Neira
Day 1
The Spice Islands' call to the deep is answered the moment you arrive in Ambon, the designated port of embarkation. The dedicated Aurora crew will meet you for the transfer to the yacht. After a full safety briefing and cabin assignment, you will enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner before the Aurora liveaboard sets sail overnight for the Banda Islands.
Core Days
This tour is designed for scuba divers to undertake a significant traverse of Indonesia's Eastern waters, blending world-class pelagic action with the unique biodiversity of the Spice Islands. The Banda Sea never disappoints, boasting pristine, colourful corals that attract hundreds of different species of fish, from large pelagics to minute critters.
The heart of this expedition lies in the Banda Islands themselves. Diving around historic sites like Pulau Hatta and Banda Neira, you will find reefs thriving in gin-clear water, supported by deep, oceanic currents. These currents create the opportunity to encounter large pelagic schools, with the area being globally famous for possible sightings of massive schools hammerhead sharks.
Further excitement is found at the remote, volcanic islands of Manuk and Serua. These locations act as vital oceanic magnets for marine life; Manuk is known for its high population of sea snakes, while Serua attracts schools of tuna, giant jacks, and Spanish mackerel. Additionally, a land tour is typically included to Banda Neira, allowing guests to walk the historically fascinating streets of the original Spice Islands.
We complete the safari by exploring the area around Ambon, providing a stark contrast to the blue-water action. Dive sites in Ambon Bay, such as Laha and Tulehu Bay, offer world-class muck diving. Here, the Aurora dive guides assist in locating rare and endemic species, including the Ambon scorpionfish, in these unique black sand environments. The Aurora liveaboard ensures maximum bottom time and diverse experiences across this remarkable range of habitats.
Day 10
The Aurora returns to the disembarkation port of Ambon. Wake up to your final breakfast onboard before saying your goodbyes to the crew and heading ashore.
Cenderawasih Bay (10 Days / 9 Nights - 30 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, great macro life/ marine diversity
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Cenderawasih: Pasir Putih, Pulau Purup, Pulau Roon, Kwatisore, Pulau Rouw, Yapen, Pulau Num, Numfoor, Manokwari
Day 1
The whale shark capital of Indonesia throws open its doors upon your arrival in Manokwari, the designated port of embarkation. The dedicated Aurora crew will meet you for the transfer to the yacht. After a full safety briefing and cabin assignment, dinner is served as the Aurora liveaboard sets sail overnight for the initial anchorages in Indonesia’s largest marine park.
Core Days
This cruise is specifically tailored for divers, presenting a distinct blend of spectacular biodiversity and historical exploration unique to Cenderawasih Bay. The primary draw is the incredible opportunity for prolonged diving and snorkelling encounters with large numbers of whale sharks, particularly around areas like Kwatisore. The Aurora provides unparalleled access to witness these gentle giants feeding, a truly humbling spectacle.
The geology of the bay, isolated from global current cycles, has fostered a high degree of endemic species, complementing the marine megafauna. Beyond the living treasures, the park holds significant World War II history. Exploration of the various wrecks scattered near locations like Manokwari and Yapen offers a fascinating counterpoint to the vibrant reefs, allowing you to investigate the wartime past of the region.
The remote islands within the bay offer an impressive diversity of dive environments. Sites around Pulau Roon, Pulau Purup, Pulau Rouw, Pulau Num, and Numfoor are famous for pristine hard coral gardens, but also feature top-tier muck diving locations. These sheltered, sandy environments yield spectacular sightings of cryptic life-look for rare nudibranchs, pygmies, tiger prawns, and sea snakes. Furthermore, the chance to spot dugongs and various turtle species adds to the extraordinary charm of diving with the Aurora liveaboard.
Day 10
Wake up to your final breakfast onboard the Aurora. The vessel will have returned to Manokwari, where you will disembark and say your goodbyes to the crew.
Raja Ampat & Triton Bay (12 Days / 11 Nights - 40 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Triton Bay, Namatote, Sagin, Mormon, Pulau Pisang, Raja Ampat - Misool: Yilliet, Fiabacet, Walib, Wayjlbatan, Jef Pelee, Mesenta, Boo; Fam Island, Dampier Strait. Visit Kita Kita waterfalls.
Day 1
The legendary marine wilderness of Raja Ampat and Triton Bay awaits, beginning the moment you land in Kaimana, the port that launches this exclusive dive expedition. The dedicated crew of the Aurora liveaboard will be waiting to whisk you to the vessel. Once settled, you will receive a full briefing and cabin assignment. Dinner is served as the Aurora begins its night cruise toward Triton Bay.
Core Days
This signature diving expedition is designed for certified divers, expertly spanning the exceptional soft coral gardens of Triton Bay before moving through the remote islands and culminating in the unparalleled biodiversity of Raja Ampat. The focus is on providing a comprehensive, experience-led exploration of these 2 world-class regions. The stability and expertise of the crew are fundamental to diving these remote regions with confidence.
Triton Bay is a world-class diving frontier distinguished by its lush, vibrant soft coral coverage and picturesque underwater scenery. Specific sites such as 7th Heaven, GT Rock, and Little Komodo offer superb wide-angle opportunities, where huge forests of black coral and rugged pinnacles like David's Rock provide spectacular scenery. This region, including Namatote and Sagin, is renowned for its soft coral gardens, benefiting from the nutrient-rich waters that attract vast concentrations of fish life. Surface intervals include a trip ashore to the Kita Kita waterfalls near Momon and a stop at the remote Pulau Pisang archipelago.
The Aurora then transits to the Raja Ampat sector, where the focus shifts to the pristine southern islands of Misool. Sites like Fiabacet, Wayjlbatan, Jef Pelee, and Boo showcase the sheer density of life in the Coral Triangle. These bommies and walls are densely packed with coral and feature an astonishing array of macro and wide-angle subjects, including the endemic wobbegong shark. The final stages of the trip take in the Central Raja Ampat region, defined by the hydrodynamics of the Dampier Strait. This area, alongside Fam Island, is characterised by exhilarating current-swept dives at famous sites, which are known magnets for schooling pelagic fish, including barracuda, trevallies, and oceanic manta rays. This extensive scope validates the confidence placed in the Aurora liveaboard for accessing the best of Eastern Indonesia.
Following a final 2 morning dives, the Aurora concludes its passage in Sorong.
Day 12
Enjoy a final breakfast onboard before disembarking and heading ashore.
Raja Ampat National Park Central (7 Days / 6 Nights - 20 Dives)
Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat: Dampier Strait, Penemu, Mansuar, Batanta, Fam
Day 1
The call of the Dampier Strait is answered as your arrival in Sorong launches your Central Raja Ampat diving experience. The professional Aurora liveaboard crew will meet you for the transfer to the yacht. After a full safety briefing and cabin assignment, you will prepare your gear for a possible afternoon check dive. Dinner is served as the Aurora begins its night cruise toward the first Central Raja Ampat anchorages.
Core Days
This tour provides an authoritative exploration of the Central Raja Ampat National Park, a diving area distinguished by its immense fish biomass. The dominant feature is the Dampier Strait, where tidal flows funnel nutrient-rich water over submerged pinnacles and ridges. These high-energy sites create an environment of perpetual motion, featuring phenomenal hard and soft coral systems that act as magnets for schooling pelagics. You will be surrounded by large congregations of trevallies, snappers, and barracuda, making for exhilarating wide-angle photography.
The route dedicates significant time to the Mansuar and Fam Island groups. Mansuar is consistently rated for its productivity, offering strong currents that favour big fish sightings, particularly oceanic manta rays at cleaning stations. Penemu allows for a stunning topside excursion to the viewpoint, followed by dives at Melissa's Garden, an expansive, shallow coral field showcasing pristine hard coral health. The experienced guides aboard the Aurora ensure encounters with the region's unique residents, including endemic wobbegongs and epaulette sharks.
To provide a complete picture of the area’s ecology, the Aurora will also visit Batanta. This volcanic site offers a fascinating shift in environment, famous for its black sand slopes which invite slow, deliberate muck diving. Here, macro enthusiasts are rewarded with sightings of cryptic life such as frogfish and various pipefish. This intense focus on the central region instils confidence that your time with the Aurora liveaboard will capture the very best of Raja Ampat’s central core.
Day 7
The Aurora returns to the disembarkation port of Sorong. Enjoy a final breakfast onboard before saying your goodbyes to the crew and heading ashore.
Raja Ampat National Park South & Central
Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat - from Farondi, Misool: Yilliet, Fabiacet, Walib, Wayllbatan, Pelee, Mesenta, Boo; Daram, Dampier Strait: Mioskon, Blue Magic, Sardines; Penemu: Melissa's Garden, Mansuar, Batanta
Day 1
The starting gun for your definitive Raja Ampat scuba expedition sounds upon your arrival in Sorong, the port of embarkation. The dedicated crew of the Aurora liveaboard will be waiting to whisk you to the vessel. Once settled, you will receive a full briefing and cabin assignment, often followed by a check dive before dinner. The Aurora then begins its night cruise toward the first remote dive areas.
Core Days
This popular dive tour gives access to both the pristine southern islands of Misool and the dynamic, nutrient-rich channels of the central region. The southern sector is characterised by dramatic limestone pinnacles and spectacular concentrations of soft corals. Diving around Yilliet, Fabiacet, Walib, and Wayllbatan, you will be immersed in the sheer density of invertebrate life that defines the Coral Triangle. Dive sites like Pelee, Boo, and Daram offer a profound sense of isolation, with reefs that are maintained in immaculate condition, hosting countless species of reef fish.
Moving north, the focus transitions to the central and western islands, showcasing the sheer scale and variety of the coral habitats. The Penemu dive region is home to Melissa's Garden, an enormous shallow plateau where fields of pristine hard coral stretch as far as the eye can see. Nearby, Mansuar and its surrounds are renowned for their abundant schooling fish, where snapper and sweetlips create living clouds above the vibrant reef structure.
The final exploration focuses on the high-energy environments of the Dampier Strait, known for powerful currents that act as magnets for pelagic activity. Sites such as Mioskon, Blue Magic, and Sardines are celebrated hotspots where schools of trevallies, barracuda, and oceanic fish converge. This area provides exceptional opportunities to spot endemic species, including the walking shark and the endemic wobbegong shark. The volcanic island of Batanta is included in the Aurora itinerary, offering rich muck diving where photographers can seek out cryptic critters like frogfish and various pipefish, completing the full spectrum of Raja Ampat's underwater wealth. This extensive access to key areas instils high confidence in the quality of diving aboard the Aurora liveaboard.
Final Day
You will wake up for a final breakfast onboard the Aurora. The vessel will have returned to the disembarkation port of Sorong, where you will say your farewells to the crew.
Raja Ampat, Banda Sea & Ambon (12 Days / 11 Nights - 40 Dives)
Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat - Farondi, Misool: Yilliet, Fiabacet, Walib, Wayjlbatan, Jef Pelee, Mesenta, Boo; Fam Island, Dampier Strait; Koon, Banda Islands: Pulau Hatta, Banda Neira, Ambon
Day 1
The ultimate traverse of the Coral Triangle to the historic Spice Islands commences with your arrival in Ambon for embarkation. The dedicated Aurora crew will meet you for the transfer to the yacht. After a full safety briefing and cabin assignment, you will enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner before the Aurora liveaboard sets sail overnight for the Banda Islands.
Core Days
This transit trip undertakes a significant traverse of Indonesia's Eastern waters, blending world-class pelagic action with the phenomenal biodiversity of the Coral Triangle. Starting in the historic Banda Sea, sites such as Koon and Pulau Hatta feature impressive, deep drop-offs where pristine corals thrive in clear, nutrient-rich water. This dive area is renowned for attracting large schools of fish and is known for possible sightings of oceanic traffic. A land tour to Banda Neira, one of the historically significant Spice Islands, is included, allowing you to walk the land that once inspired global trade.
Continuing the voyage, the Aurora carries you towards the unparalleled biodiversity of Raja Ampat, focusing initially on the remote southern sector of Misool. This region is defined by its karst geology, where pinnacles and walls are utterly saturated with soft corals and massive sea fans. Diving around Farondi, Yilliet, Fiabacet, Walib, Wayjlbatan, Pelee, Mesenta, and Boo provides exceptional access to the most species-rich reefs on the planet, guaranteeing close encounters with small marine life and large schools of reef fish. The Aurora then explores the Central Raja Ampat area, centring on the high-energy environments of the Dampier Strait. Famous dive sites around Fam Island and the strait itself are fed by strong currents, acting as natural magnets for pelagic activity. Here, you can expect thrilling dives with large schools of trevallies and barracuda.
Finally, before disembarkation, the cruise often provides a final contrast with the unique muck diving around Ambon. These black sand habitats are a photographer's dream, home to endemic species such as the Ambon scorpionfish, providing a fitting conclusion to the comprehensive dive safari offered by the Aurora liveaboard.
Day 12
The Aurora returns to the disembarkation port of Sorong. Enjoy a final breakfast onboard before saying your goodbyes to the crew and heading ashore.
Raja Ampat, Lembeh & Halmahera
Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat - Fam Island, Dampier Strait, Misool: Pulau Pisang, Halmahera: Strait of Patintie, Goraichi Islands, Tifore Island, Lembeh Strait
Day 1
The definitive exploration of the Coral Triangle to the famed muck sites of Sulawesi commences with your arrival in Sorong, the port of embarkation. The dedicated crew of the Aurora liveaboard will meet you for the transfer to the yacht. After a full safety briefing and cabin assignment, dinner is served as the vessel sets course for the Central Raja Ampat area.
Core Days
This dive expedition offers the full ecological spectrum of Eastern Indonesia, combining vast, current-fed coral systems with world-leading cryptic marine life. We commence in Raja Ampat, focusing on the sheer volume of life found in the Dampier Strait and near Fam Island. These areas feature dynamic currents that nourish the reefs, creating spectacular displays of fish biomass-expect to see massive schools of trevallies, snappers, and barracuda patrolling the coral slopes. Exploration moves to the outer bounds of Misool, including Pulau Pisang, where limestone bommies and walls are adorned in luminous soft corals and sea fans, providing excellent wide-angle subjects alongside sightings of the resident wobbegong shark.
The Aurora then transits towards the Halmahera Sea, a pristine region bridging the gaps between the major dive areas. Diving sites in the Strait of Patintie and around the Goraichi Islands and Tifore Island showcase exceptional conditions, including vibrant reefs and clear visibility. Halmahera is a geological mixing pot, featuring volcanic rock formations, ridge systems, and pinnacles that attract large schools of surgeonfish and batfish, with occasional sightings of oceanic pelagics.
The final geographical pivot brings us to the globally renowned Lembeh Strait. For macro specialists, this area is a pilgrimage site. The volcanic black sand is the perfect canvas for finding bizarre and beautiful cryptic species. Your Aurora dive guides will help locate the elusive mimic octopus, harlequin shrimps, flamboyant cuttlefish, and numerous species of frogfish and nudibranchs. Spending time in Lembeh provides a profound, intimate contrast to the wide-angle exuberance of Raja Ampat, confirming the versatility of this Aurora cruise.
Final Day
Wake up for your final breakfast onboard the Aurora. The vessel will have arrived at Bitung, the port of disembarkation, for your transfer ashore.
Triton Bay, Banda Sea & Ambon (12 Days / 11 Nights - 40 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, whales, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Triton Bay, Namatote, Sagin, Mormon, Koon, Banda Islands: Pulau Hatta, Banda Neira, Nusa Laut, Suanggi, Ambon: Laha or Tulehu Bay. Visit Kita Kita waterfalls.
Day 1
The ocean's most secluded treasures become accessible the moment you arrive in Kaimana, the port that launches this exclusive dive expedition. The professional crew of the Aurora liveaboard will meet you for the transfer to the yacht. After a safety briefing and cabin assignment, you will enjoy dinner as the Aurora begins its overnight transit.
Core Days
This grand scuba expedition is engineered for divers, presenting an authoritative blend of the endemic soft coral systems of Triton Bay with the high-octane pelagic environments of the Banda Sea. Triton Bay is a frontier dive destination, considered world-class for its lush, unique soft coral gardens and dramatic submerged topography. Dive sites around Namatote, Sagin, and Mormon feature magnificent black coral forests and rugged rock formations, attracting impressive squadrons of bumphead parrotfish. Macro enthusiasts are rewarded with rare finds like frogfish and ornate ghost pipefish. A memorable surface break includes a trek to the Kita Kita waterfalls.
The Aurora then plots its course across the deep Banda Sea, a body of water famed for attracting oceanic megafauna. Koon Island is a crucial waypoint, known for pristine coral and abundant fish activity. This region introduces the historic Banda Islands. Pulau Hatta and Banda Neira offer rewarding wall dives on healthy, colourful coral, attracting large schools of reef fish-damsels, anthias, soldierfish, and angelfish are widely present. The open ocean exposure increases the chance for whale and dolphin sightings from the deck of the Aurora.
The current-swept sea mounts of Nusa Laut and Suanggi promise some of the expedition’s most exciting encounters, with strong upwellings that frequently draw schooling hammerhead sharks and other big pelagics into clear view. Concluding the sub-surface exploration, the focus shifts to Ambon's famed muck sites at Laha or Tulehu Bay. These black sand slopes are an intimate macro paradise, known for endemic creatures such as the Ambon scorpionfish, providing a final, rewarding contrast to the open-ocean diving.
Day 12
Wake up to your final breakfast on board before disembarking in Ambon.
[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].
The dedicated daily routine aboard the Aurora liveaboard is precision-built for divers exploring Indonesia's finest sites. With 4 dives scheduled on most days, your time on the water is maximised. All meals are enjoyed in the comfort of the air-conditioned saloon.
Following your first morning dive, a hearty à la carte breakfast is served. The morning menu is varied and substantial, providing the necessary fuel for multiple dives. Guests can select from fresh pancakes, crepes, eggs cooked any style, French toast, bacon, and Indonesian staples such as nasi and mee goreng, always served with fruit and yogurt.
Lunch is presented as a buffet, usually focusing on comforting Indonesian cuisine alongside pasta dishes. After the final dive of the day, a relaxed and satisfying 3-course dinner is served. This evening meal offers a choice of protein, including seafood, beef or chicken, served with salad and vegetables, and finished with a fresh homemade dessert.
Snacks and soft drinks are available continuously throughout the day to keep your energy up between dives.
The regular 4-dive schedule adjusts only on the penultimate day, featuring 2 dives before the Aurora makes its final travel back to port, normally arriving during the evening. Furthermore, the cruise includes a land tour to the historically fascinating Spice Islands, offering a memorable cultural experience ashore.
