Known in Indonesian as the ‘King of the Sea’, the gaff-rigged schooner Emperor Raja Laut liveaboard lives up to its stately name. Built following the heritage of Borneo tallships, this classic vessel offers a highly intimate liveaboard experience, limiting its capacity to a maximum of 12 guests. This low number ensures spacious accommodation and a high level of personal service, providing divers with a superb platform from which to explore Indonesia’s vast diving regions.
The seasonal movements of the Emperor Raja Laut are strategically timed to coincide with the best diving conditions in key areas. Guests can experience the currents and marine density of Komodo National Park between June and September. From November, the Raja Laut is based in the world-class dive haven of Raja Ampat. For those seeking even more remote exploration, there are occasional longer trips scheduled to include the fabled Banda Islands.
Accommodation centres around comfort and privacy. Guests are housed in double or twin en-suite cabins. For indoor unwinding, a small, cosy air-conditioned lounge is located on the lower deck, equipped with a minibar and an entertainment system featuring TV, DVD, and music.
Surface time is best spent on the spacious upper deck, where the true character of the Emperor Raja Laut comes to life. Multiple seating areas offer a pleasant mix of sun and shade, perfect for relaxing and watching the dramatic Indonesian coastline glide by. Meals are flexible, served either in the comfortable indoor dining area on the main deck or al-fresco on the shaded upper deck.
Dive safety and convenience are priorities on the Raja Laut liveaboard, with 2 dedicated dive guides overseeing the small guest numbers. Operations are conducted from 2 large RIBs with powerful outboards, facilitating quick and precise access to dive sites, a necessity in the archipelago's dynamic waters. Scuba divers will benefit from complimentary nitrox to safely maximise bottom time, and the provision of surface marker buoys (SMBs) is included at no extra charge on the Emperor Raja Laut.
Emperor liveaboards enhance booking confidence with a clear, all-inclusive pricing structure - there are no hidden extras such as taxes, fuel surcharges, or route supplements, and all marine park fees are absorbed into the cruise price. A further benefit for solo travellers is the special guarantee offered by the Emperor Raja Laut liveaboard: a same-sex cabin share is promised, or, if an un-booked cabin is available, it is offered for private use without an additional single supplement.
Banda, Ambon, Alor & Forgotten Islands (13 Days / 12 Nights - 33 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Alor: Boardroom, Babylon, Cave Point, Clown valley, Wall of Pura, Kalabahi Bay, Banda Islands: Pohon Miring, Batu Kapal, Batu Kapal Pinnacle, Banda Neira Jetty and Lava Flow; Forgotten Islands: Wetar, Gunung Api, Terbang and Nil Desperandum. Banda Neira land excursion/
Day 1
Once you've boarded the Emperor Raja Laut in Kalabahi Bay/Alor, you'll be shown to your cabin. You'll have a chance to get to know your fellow divers and meet the liveaboard crew. A full safety briefing will be given for the trip ahead. The meals served on your day of check-in will depend on when you arrive. After a good night's sleep on board, it'll be time for your first full day of diving!
Core Days
The waters around the Alor archipelago are full of incredible marine life. You'll find amazing small critters like hairy frogfish, Halimeda ghostpipefish, rhinopias, and a variety of shrimp, including hairy and tiger shrimps. Look out for wonderpus octopus and pygmy seahorses too. But the scuba diving here isn't just about macro life. You can also spot larger species like whitetip reef sharks, bamboo sharks, and schools of fusiliers. You might even come across oversized bumphead parrotfish. Cave Point offers a great mix of wide-angle scenery and opportunities for macro photography, making it a brilliant spot for divers of varying experience levels. Wall of Pura is a treat for both photographers and underwater enthusiasts. The wall is absolutely covered in an extraordinary variety of both hard and soft corals, creating a vivid ecosystem. Within the many cracks and crevices of the wall, divers can discover small, interesting creatures, including pygmy seahorses, a range of colourful nudibranchs, and other critters, making it a dream location for macro photography.
The Banda Islands offers fantastic diving on pristine, lush corals that attract a huge variety of marine life, from massive pelagic fish to tiny critters. You may even be lucky enough to see endemic species like the Ambon scorpionfish. Batu Kapal is a renowned dive dite, specifically known for its dramatic underwater topography and abundant marine life. The name, which translates to "Ship Rock" in Indonesian, is derived from a pinnacle that breaks the surface of the water, resembling a ship.
The remote Forgotten Islands are a magnet for large schools of surgeonfish, silky and hammerhead sharks, giant trevally, barracuda, and rainbow runners. There are also opportunities to see thresher sharks, mola mola, and lots of sea snakes. The topography of Nil Desperandum consists of steep walls and sloping coral gardens that are covered in vibrant, healthy soft corals and gorgonian fans. This rich ecosystem is not only a home for large animals but also provides a habitat for an array of smaller creatures, like colourful reef fish and macro life. From the boat, keep an eye out for dolphins and whales.
Since the liveaboard trip includes the Banda Islands, you'll have the chance for some land visits to places like the nutmeg plantation, historic forts, and the maritime museum on Banda Neira.
Day 13
After breakfast it is time to pack your gear and say your farewells, before disembarking from Raja Laut and being transferred to Ambon airport in time for your onward flight.
Note: this trip sometimes runs in reverse, so please check exact port details in your trip information.
Komodo National Park (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: shark action, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs/manatees, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities
Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Gili Lawa Lawa, Tatawa, Sebayor, Makasar Reef, Wainilu, Batu Bolong, Padar, Nusa Kode, Manta Alley. Komodo dragon tour.
Day 1
Upon boarding the Emperor Raja Laut liveaboard in Labuan Bajo, you'll be shown to your cabin, meet your fellow divers and the crew, and attend a full safety briefing. Meals on your check-in day depend on your arrival time. After a good night's sleep on board, you'll wake up ready for your first full day of diving!
Core Days
Although Komodo is famous for its strong currents, it is home to breathtaking dive sites. Normally, the cruises explore the central and southern areas, including Cannibal Rock and Manta Alley. However, the captain may reroute to the northern sites of Sangeang Volcano and Gili Banta, if conditions are more favourable. In either region, you can look forward to diving among pristine coral reefs, packed with schools of fish. You'll also encounter impressive rock formations and spot barracudas, trevallies, tuna, and reef sharks. The sheer abundance of colour of the reefs is an unforgettable experience!
As the name suggests, Manta Alley is famous for its high concentration of manta rays. It's a key cleaning and feeding station for these majestic creatures. It's not uncommon to see multiple mantas at once, sometimes even dozens on a single dive. They gracefully glide through the water, seemingly unbothered by divers, providing an awe-inspiring show.
Sangeang is an active volcano, and its geothermal activity creates a spectacular underwater environment. The most famous dive site - Bubble Reef - is a must-see. Here, you'll witness streams of volcanic gases, like champagne bubbles, rising from the black, sandy seafloor. You can even feel the warmth of the sand and rocks in some areas, a surreal reminder of the power of the earth below.
The southern dive sites can have cooler water, with temperatures sometimes dropping to 20°C. For this reason, we recommend a 5mm wetsuit and a hood for diving in this area.
Beyond the spectacular scuba diving, you'll also enjoy an unforgettable shore trip to see the famed Komodo dragons. On the second-to-last day of the cruise, the boat will return to port during the afternoon to spend the final night there.
Day 8
After breakfast, you will pack your gear, say your goodbyes, and disembark the Raja Laut for your transfer to Labuan Bajo Airport in time for your onward flight.
Raja Ampat National Park (10 Days / 9 Nights - 22 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 - Gam, Penemu, Airborek, Cape Kri area, Wayag, Kawe, Aljui Bay, Misool: Daram, Wayilbatan, Fiabacet and Sel Pele. Land visits from: Aljui Bay pearl farm, Mt Pindito hike, birds of paradise tour, speedboat lagoon tours, caves visit Misool.
Day 1
After you board the Emperor Raja Laut in Sorong, you'll be escorted to your cabin. You'll then have time to meet your fellow divers and the crew, before attending a full safety briefing for the cruise. Your check-in day meals will be served based on your arrival time. Diving will start with a check dive, either on the same day or the following day, depending on your time of boarding.
Core Days
Welcome to Raja Ampat, the ultimate scuba diving destination nestled within the Coral Triangle. On your liveaboard safari, you'll get to experience the best of this underwater world with 3 daily dives and a night dive on most full diving days. Prepare for an incredible diversity of dive sites. You'll explore deep pinnacles swarming with schools of fish, and walls draped in soft corals and gorgonian fans that shelter tiny nudibranchs and pygmy seahorses. Witness majestic manta rays at their cleaning stations, and encounter a cast of characters including bigeye trevally, wobbegongs, and crocodilefish. When the sun sets, the night dives reveal a world of nocturnal critters, from scuttling lobsters and crabs to a variety of unique shrimp.
Cape Kri is renowned as one of Raja Ampat's most famous and biodiverse dive sites. It's often described as a "fish-soup" for the sheer number of species you'll encounter and holds a world record for the most fish species (374) counted on a single dive.
Aljui Bay, located on the island of Waigeo in northern Raja Ampat, is a beautiful and serene destination known for its stunning landscapes and pristine waters with amazing macro life. It is a large, fjord-like bay with towering limestone cliffs and lush rainforests that create a peaceful and secluded atmosphere.
The Fiabacet region of Misool is famous for its concentration of dramatic, limestone karst formations that rise from the water, creating a stunning backdrop both above and below the surface. These unique landforms are home to a series of world-class dive sites, characterized by vibrant reefs, dramatic underwater topography, and a spectacular diversity of marine life.
Your adventure isn't limited to the water. In addition to the spectacular dives, you'll also get to enjoy fascinating land excursions. In the north, you can visit the Aljui Bay pearl farm, hike to the scenic overlook on Mt. Pindito, spot incredible wildlife on a birds of paradise tour, or explore hidden lagoons by speedboat. Further south, you'll explore the stunning limestone caves of Misool.
Day 10
Following breakfast, the Raja Laut crew will help you pack your gear and say farewell. You'll then be transferred to Sorong Airport for your flight home.
Raja Ampat, Banda Sea & Ambon (13 Days / 12 Nights - 33 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: Banda Islands, Raja Ampat - Misool: Daram, Wayilbatan, Fiabacet, Pele, Gam, Penemu, Airborek and Cape Kri. Land excursions.
Day 1
Once you've boarded the Emperor Raja Laut in Sorong, you'll be shown to your cabin. You'll then get to know your fellow divers and meet the liveaboard crew before listening to a full safety briefing for the cruise. The meals served on your check-in day will depend on your arrival time. After a good night's sleep on board, it's time for your first full day of diving!
Days 2 - 12
On this cruise, you'll have plenty of unforgettable underwater encounters. You can expect to see amazing macro life around Ambon, where you'll search for weird and wonderful critters. Then, when you get to the Banda Islands, you'll find beautiful coral gardens surrounded by schools of surgeonfish, bigeye trevally, and turtles.
Encounters with large pelagic fish are also a possibility on this fantastic dive safari! In Banda's incredibly clear waters, you'll come across barracuda, bumpheads, and a myriad of smaller creatures hiding in gardens of table corals.
Gunung Api is an active volcano that last erupted in 1988, and the underwater lava flow has created a unique and stunning dive site. The volcanic ash has spurred an incredibly fast regrowth of hard corals, particularly massive table corals. It's a testament to nature's resilience and is an amazing place to see thriving coral gardens. It is also known for its population of sea snakes.
Hatta Island is known for its pristine coral gardens and excellent visibility. It's also a great spot for seeing a wide variety of reef fish, as well as the possibility of encountering larger marine life, like eagle rays and hammerhead sharks.
Raja Ampat is a true scuba diver's paradise, located in the heart of the Coral Triangle. You'll experience a huge variety of environments, from deep dives around pinnacles swarming with schools of fish to walls covered in soft corals and gorgonian fans, which are home to nudibranchs and pygmy seahorses.
Other possibilities include watching mantas at cleaning stations and spotting bigeye trevally, wobbegongs, and crocodilefish. On night dives, you can discover nocturnal critters, mainly crustaceans like lobsters, crabs, and shrimps..
Pele is known for its "kaleidoscope" of colours. The site features a sloping coral wall that leads to a submerged ridge, both of which are draped in a breathtaking array of soft corals and gorgonian fans. The colours are incredibly vibrant, making it a dream for underwater photographers. The topography includes pinnacles, undercuts, and overhangs that provide shelter for a wide range of creatures.
Cape Kri is legendary for a world-record fish count set by renowned marine biologist Dr. Gerald R. Allen. On a single dive, he counted an astonishing 374 different fish species. This record stands as a testament to the site's incredible biodiversity and the sheer abundance of marine life.
In addition to all the spectacular diving, you'll also enjoy some land visits on your cruise. In Banda Neira, you can explore a nutmeg plantation, historic forts, and a maritime museum. In the north of Raja Ampat, these may include the Aljui Bay pearl farm and Mt Pindito, as well as a birds of paradise tour and speedboat lagoon tours. In the south, you can visit the caves of Misool.
Day 13
After breakfast it is time to pack your gear and say your farewells, before disembarking and being transferred to Sorong Airport in time for your onward flight.
Note: this trip sometimes runs in reverse so please check your trip info for exact port details.
[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].
All meals on the Emperor Raja Laut liveaboard can either be enjoyed in the indoor main deck dining area, or on the upper deck in the open air, where there is adequate shade to allow you to dine in comfort, starting with dinner on Day 1. Meal times shift depending on whether the day includes 3 or 4 dives, and also on how far the boat travels between dive sites. Emperor Raja Laut follows the schedule of light breakfast, dive, full breakfast, dive, snack, lunch, dive, snack and on occasion night dive and then dinner, sleep and repeat.
On offer is a varied menu of International and Italian cuisine, as well as local Indonesian dishes. With advance notice, various dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, and halal, can be accommodated.
Sample menu items:
- Breakfast: A spread of cold cuts, fresh fruits, and muesli. You can also enjoy a variety of breads with butter, along with yoghurt. In addition to these options, the kitchen will prepare your eggs just the way you like them - poached, boiled, or fried.
- Lunch: Enjoy a meal with options like vermicelli soup, mashed potatoes, and rice. These are served with your choice of savoury proteins, including shish tawook, zinger chicken, meatballs, and koshary.
- Dinner: Typically, you'll find roast beef, pasta, sweetcorn soup, and grilled chicken on the menu. These are served with rice, vegetables, and a choice of 4 fresh salads. Desserts are available to finish your meal.
- For vegan guests, a variety of delicious dishes are on offer, which may include options like vegan lasagne, tofu curry, and vegetables. These are served with sides such as rice, pasta, and french fries.
Enjoy the complimentary bar snacks, which include biscuits and fresh fruit. For beverages, you'll have access to a variety of options throughout the day, including tea, coffee, soft drinks, and drinking water.
Alcoholic beverages, including beer, bottled wine, and a selection of spirits, are available for purchase . You can also buy chocolate bars and other sweet treats on board.
