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.
Aurora accommodates up to 21 guests in 9 double or twin cabins, with en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning and daily housekeeping services. The on-board expert chefs will delight you with local and international buffets for every taste, served in the air-conditioned saloon. Special menus are available, such as vegetarian, vegan and gluten free.
Diving is conducted from 2 large, high-speed twin-engine tenders (max. capacity of 8 divers, plus guides and crew). The dive zone includes a briefing area with whiteboard, wetsuit and drying racks, diver storage boxes, and 2 rinse tanks. All guest equipment is handled by the crew. There is also a camera room on the main deck. There will be 3-4 dives per day (max. 70 minutes per dive), including night dives, and guests are split in to 4-5 dive groups. Nitrox is free of charge for EANx-certified divers. Emergency oxygen and a defibrillator are available.
After a full day of thrilling dives and unforgettable experiences with the professional guides, guests can relax in the air-conditioned saloon or enjoy the gorgeous view from the sun deck, replate with sun loungers. There is a video library, hi-fi with IPod docking station, and for the more energetic, sea kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
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 crew will collect you at Kaimana Airport and transfer you to the harbour where the Aurora liveaboard awaits. Cabins will be assigned to each guest and there will be a boat briefing to familiarise you with the boat's facilities and crew. Once all guests are onboard and port clearance has been granted, the yacht will depart for a check dive and then in to Triton Bay. Lunch and dinner will be served during the first day of your cruise.
Core Days
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 wobbegong 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.
Triton Bay is considered a dive destination of absolute world class with its own unique attractions. It is relatively unexplored, with wonderful biodiversity and unique soft coral gardens. Huge forests of black coral and rugged rocks provide fantastic scenery both above and below water. Potential sightings include whale sharks, epaulette sharks, resident pilot whales, squadrons of bumphead parrotfish. Critter appearances include frogfish, ornate ghost pipefish and nudibranchs galore.
Meals are served in the air-conditioned saloon. Breakfast is à la carte. Pancakes, crepes, any style of eggs, nasi and mee goreng, French toast, bacon, yogurt, and fruit are served. Lunch is buffet style and usually features Indonesian cuisine and pasta. A 3-course dinner is served after the last dive, and includes salad, vegetables, seafood, beef or chicken, with a fresh homemade dessert. Snacks and soft drinks are available throughout the day.
Normally there are 4 divers per day. However, on the penultimate day there will only be 2 dives before the boat travels back to port, normally arriving during the evening.
Day 12
Wake up to your final breakfast on board before heading back to Sorong Airport in time for your flight
Note: this trip sometimes runs in reverse so check exact port details above.
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 crew will collect you at Ambon Airport and transfer you to the harbour where the Aurora liveaboard awaits. Cabins will be assigned to each guest and there will be a boat briefing to familiarise you with the boat's facilities and crew. Once all guests are onboard and port clearance has been granted, the yacht will depart for a check dive and then on to Nusa Laut. Lunch and dinner will be served during the first day of your cruise.
Core Days
The Banda Sea never fails to deliver great diving on pristine and colourful 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. You will also travel to some less known dive sites to the south of the islands, such as Manuk and Serua. These spots act like magnets to attract large schools of surgeonfish, barracuda, big tuna, Spanish mackerel, giant jacks, sea snakes, mobula rays swimming out in the blue, and even thresher sharks. But perhaps the greatest attraction is the opportunity to encounter large schools of hammerhead sharks, a very rare sight in this modern world. The cruise will also involve a land tour to the historically fascinating Spice Islands.
Meals are served in the air-conditioned saloon. Breakfast is à la carte. Pancakes, crepes, any style of eggs, nasi and mee goreng, French toast, bacon, yogurt, and fruit are served. Lunch is buffet style and usually features Indonesian cuisine and pasta. A 3-course dinner is served after the last dive, and includes salad, vegetables, seafood, beef or chicken, with a fresh homemade dessert. Snacks and soft drinks are available throughout the day.
Normally there are 4 divers per day. However, on the penultimate day there will only be 2 dives before the boat travels back to port, normally arriving during the evening.
Day 10
Wake up to your final breakfast on board before heading back to Ambon Airport in time for your flight
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 crew will collect you at Sorong Airport and transfer you to the harbour where the Aurora liveaboard awaits. Cabins will be assigned to each guest and there will be a boat briefing to familiarise you with the boat's facilities and crew. Once all guests are onboard and port clearance has been granted, the yacht will depart for a check dive and then on to the Dampier Strait. Lunch and dinner will be served during the first day of your cruise.
Core Days
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.
Meals are served in the air-conditioned saloon. Breakfast is à la carte. Pancakes, crepes, any style of eggs, nasi and mee goreng, French toast, bacon, yogurt, and fruit are served. Lunch is buffet style and usually features Indonesian cuisine and pasta. A 3-course dinner is served after the last dive, and includes salad, vegetables, seafood, beef or chicken, with a fresh homemade dessert. Snacks and soft drinks are available throughout the day.
Normally there are 4 divers per day. However, on the penultimate day there will only be 2 dives before the boat travels back to port, normally arriving during the evening.
Final Day
Wake up to your final breakfast on board before heading back to Sorong Airport in time for your flight.
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 crew will collect you at Sorong Airport and transfer you to the harbour where the Aurora liveaboard awaits. Cabins will be assigned to each guest and there will be a boat briefing to familiarise you with the boat's facilities and crew. Once all guests are onboard and port clearance has been granted, the yacht will depart for a check dive and then on to the Dampier Strait. Lunch and dinner will be served during the first day of your cruise.
Core Days
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.
Meals are served in the air-conditioned saloon. Breakfast is à la carte. Pancakes, crepes, any style of eggs, nasi and mee goreng, French toast, bacon, yogurt, and fruit are served. Lunch is buffet style and usually features Indonesian cuisine and pasta. A 3-course dinner is served after the last dive, and includes salad, vegetables, seafood, beef or chicken, with a fresh homemade dessert. Snacks and soft drinks are available throughout the day.
Normally there are 4 divers per day. However, on the penultimate day there will only be 2 dives before the boat travels back to port, normally arriving during the evening.
Day 7
Wake up to your final breakfast on board before heading back to Sorong Airport in time for your flight.
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, Suangg, Ambon: Laha or Tulehu Bay. Visit Kita Kita waterfalls.
Day 1
The crew will collect you at Kaimana Airport and transfer you to the harbour where the Aurora liveaboard awaits. Cabins will be assigned to each guest and there will be a boat briefing to familiarise you with the boat's facilities and crew. Once all guests are onboard and port clearance has been granted, the yacht will depart for a check dive and then in to Triton Bay. Lunch and dinner will be served during the first day of your cruise.
Core Days
Triton Bay is considered a dive destination of absolute world class with its own unique attractions. It is relatively unexplored, with wonderful biodiversity and unique soft coral gardens. Huge forests of black coral and rugged rocks provide fantastic scenery both above and below water. Potential sightings include whale sharks, epaulette sharks, resident pilot whales, squadrons of bumphead parrotfish. Critter appearances include frogfish, ornate ghost pipefish and nudibranchs galore.
The Banda Islands never fail to deliver great diving on pristine and colourful 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 cruise will also involve a land tour to the historically fascinating Spice Islands.
Meals are served in the air-conditioned saloon. Breakfast is à la carte. Pancakes, crepes, any style of eggs, nasi and mee goreng, French toast, bacon, yogurt, and fruit are served. Lunch is buffet style and usually features Indonesian cuisine and pasta. A 3-course dinner is served after the last dive, and includes salad, vegetables, seafood, beef or chicken, with a fresh homemade dessert. Snacks and soft drinks are available throughout the day.
Normally there are 4 divers per day. However, on the penultimate day there will only be 2 dives before the boat travels back to port, normally arriving during the evening.
Day 12
Wake up to your final breakfast on board before heading back to Ambon Airport in time for your flight
Note: this trip sometimes runs in reverse so check exact port details above.
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 crew will collect you at Manokwari Airport and transfer you to the harbour where the Aurora liveaboard awaits. Cabins will be assigned to each guest and there will be a boat briefing to familiarise you with the boat's facilities and crew. Once all guests are onboard and port clearance has been granted, the yacht will depart. Guests have the whole day to settle in and prepare their scuba diving equipment for the adventures ahead. Lunch and dinner will be served during the first day of your cruise.
Core Days
Cenderawasih Bay is Indonesia’s largest marine park and best known for incredible scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities with large numbers of whale sharks. There are also several World War II wrecks to investigate and some top class muck diving locations with critters galore, such as pygmies, tiger prawns, nudibranchs and sea snakes. Other top attractions are the various turtle species, dugongs and dolphins.
Meals are served in the air-conditioned saloon. Breakfast is à la carte. Pancakes, crepes, any style of eggs, nasi and mee goreng, French toast, bacon, yogurt, and fruit are served. Lunch is buffet style and usually features Indonesian cuisine and pasta. A 3-course dinner is served after the last dive, and includes salad, vegetables, seafood, beef or chicken, with a fresh homemade dessert. Snacks and soft drinks are available throughout the day.
Normally there are 4 divers per day. However, on the penultimate day there will only be 2 dives before the boat travels back to port, normally arriving during the evening.
Day 10
Wake up to your final breakfast on board before heading back to Manokwari Airport in time for your flight
[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].
