Jelajahi Laut is a luxury liveaboard sail boat that was built in South Sulawesi in 2021 from ironwood and teak. Her name means "Explore The Sea", and guests can do exactly that on diving cruises through the best of Raja Ampat, Komodo, and the Banda Sea, always taking you to the best spots and away from the crowds.
Jelajahi Laut is just 27m long but is 7m wide, so there is plenty of space for the maximum of just 12 guests. The vessel was designed by experienced diver owners, optimising guest comfort with a spacious kit up area and camera station, where divers gear up and prepare for their underwater adventures. What's more, there are 11 boat crew, plus a Cruise Director and dive staff, making a staff - guest ratio of almost 1:1, meaning the level of guest service is very high.
There is a sun deck and shaded area, perfect for taking a nap or reading a book on a sun bed or one of the comfy beanbags. The saloon, as well as serving as an indoor dining area, has a widescreen TV and sound system, FISH ID books, board games, and a designated battery charging zone. There are also 2 stand up paddleboards for guests to further explore the sea.
There are 6 cabins onboard Jelajahi Laut, ranging from the very enticing Seaview Cabins that feature private balconies, to Deluxe cabins for couples or friends, and economy 3-share Standard cabins. All cabins feature ensuite private bathrooms.
The shaded dive deck is very spacious and located towards the bow of the boat. Here you will find handy a shower and bathroom, as well as large equipment rinse tanks. Diving activities are conducted from 2 fibreglass tenders with twin 40 HP outboards. Nitrox is also available. Safety features include SART, EPIRB, AIS, GPS, depth sounder, VHF radio, as well as smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, life jackets, life rings, flares and 2 life rafts. There is also a satellite phone for emergencies.
Raja Ampat National Park North & Central (8 Days / 7 Nights - 24 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 - Mioskon, Dampier Strait: Cape Kri, Sawandarek village jetty, Yenkoranu Jetty, Arborek, Manta Sandy, Penemu, Jef Fam Islands, Kawe, Aljui Bay, Yangeffo, Gam, viewpoint hike, bird of paradise jungle trek, village visit
Day 1
You’ll meet in Sorong Harbour in the morning, where you can have a coffee or tea and wait for all guests to arrive. Once everyone is ready, you'll get on the speedboats and board Jelajahi Laut. Once onboard, you’ll enjoy a fresh juice or coconut, while listening to a welcome introduction of guests and crew, followed by a general safety briefing and explanation of the boat. Then you'll settle into your cabin, while staff set up the diving area. A light lunch follows and soon after, at around 3 pm you’ll head for a check dive on the slopes of Mioskon Island. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Dinner is served on the main deck. Toast your Raja Ampat diving holiday with sunset drinks before turning in for the night.
Core Days
Your diving holiday routine will be a rotation of diving, eating and relaxing. The dive site selection will be determined by the cruise director who will consider the natural elements (current, weather and tide) as well as the interests and experience of the group, to make sure each dive is safe and suitable. Raja Ampat provides plenty of sites to suit even the most experienced or particular diver.
After breakfast all divers and guides meet on the dive deck where you will listen to the dive briefing of the 1st morning dive. Expect to witness the beauty of Raja Ampat - the most biodiverse region in the world, from the very first dives till the end of your trip. You will be pleased to discover pristine coral reefs, incredible visibility, sponges, sea fans and an explosion of marine life in different sizes and shapes. Countless nudibranchs and invertebrates will be hard to find without the help of the expert guides, while there will be no need for help to identify a wobbegong or epaulette shark, or to enjoy the view of manta rays being cleaned by wrasses. You can also check out reef sharks swimming near the sandy bottom, schools of mackerel, tuna and barracuda hunting anthias, glassfish and other small dwellers of the reef.
All this activity requires energy so you'll need to replenish your levels. Meals are served a la carte in the dining area of the indoor saloon. You can enjoy a pre-breakfast (at 6 am, before the first dive), a main breakfast at 8:30 am, lunch (at noon), afternoon snacks, and then dinner at 7:30 pm. The cuisine is a mixture of Indonesian and international dishes. Local dishes include Beef Rendang, Soto Ayam, Nasi Campur, Thai green curry, and grilled fish. One evening will include a beach barbeque.
Day 8
After coffee and a small breakfast, the speedboats will take you to land and for a short hike up a hill in the jungle to spot the red Bird of Paradise perform its mating rituals. Back onboard again for healthy breakfast, after which it’s time to gear up one last time and go for the final dive of the trip. Then it’s time to wash all the gear, pack up, have some tasty lunch and take some group pictures with all crew involved. Back in Sorong, you can meet up with the crew for dinner and go for a game of pool or karaoke afterwards.
Raja Ampat National Park South & Central (10 Days / 9 Nights - 25 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 - Mioskon, Misool Eco Reserve, Romeo, Yillet, Boo, Jellyfish Lake, Penemu, Jef Fam Islands, Dampier Strait: Cape Kri, viewpoint hike, bird of paradise jungle trek, village visit
Day 1
You’ll meet in Sorong Harbour in the morning, where you can have a coffee or tea and wait for all guests to arrive. Once everyone is ready, you'll get on the speedboats and board Jelajahi Laut. Once onboard, you’ll enjoy a fresh juice or coconut, while listening to a welcome introduction of guests and crew, followed by a general safety briefing and explanation of the boat. Then you'll settle into your cabin, while staff set up the diving area. A light lunch follows and soon after, at around 3 pm you’ll head for a check dive on the slopes of Mioskon Island. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Dinner is served on the main deck. Toast your Raja Ampat diving holiday with sunset drinks before turning in for the night.
Core Days
Your diving holiday routine will be a rotation of diving, eating and relaxing. The dive site selection will be determined by the cruise director who will consider the natural elements (current, weather and tide) as well as the interests and experience of the group, to make sure each dive is safe and suitable. Raja Ampat provides plenty of sites to suit even the most experienced or particular diver.
After breakfast all divers and guides meet on the dive deck where you will listen to the dive briefing of the 1st morning dive. Expect to witness the beauty of Raja Ampat - the most biodiverse region in the world, from the very first dives till the end of your trip. You will be pleased to discover pristine coral reefs, incredible visibility, sponges, sea fans and an explosion of marine life in different sizes and shapes. Countless nudibranchs and invertebrates will be hard to find without the help of the expert guides, while there will be no need for help to identify a wobbegong or epaulette shark, or to enjoy the view of manta rays being cleaned by wrasses. You can also check out reef sharks swimming near the sandy bottom, schools of mackerel, tuna and barracuda hunting anthias, glassfish and other small dwellers of the reef.
All this activity requires energy so you'll need to replenish your levels. Meals are served a la carte in the dining area of the indoor saloon. You can enjoy a pre-breakfast (at 6 am, before the first dive), a main breakfast at 8:30 am, lunch (at noon), afternoon snacks, and then dinner at 7:30 pm. The cuisine is a mixture of Indonesian and international dishes. Local dishes include Beef Rendang, Soto Ayam, Nasi Campur, Thai green curry, and grilled fish. One evening will include a beach barbeque.
Day 10
After coffee and a small breakfast, the speedboats will take you to land and for a short hike up a hill in the jungle to spot the red Bird of Paradise perform its mating rituals. Back onboard again for healthy breakfast, after which it’s time to gear up one last time and go for the final dive of the trip. Then it’s time to wash all the gear, pack up, have some tasty lunch and take some group pictures with all crew involved. Back in Sorong, you can meet up with the crew for dinner and go for a game of pool or karaoke afterwards.
Raja Ampat, Banda Sea & Ambon (15 Days / 14 Nights - 45 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 - Mioskon, Dampier Strait: Cape Kri, Yenbubba Jetty, Sawandarek Village, Penemu, Jef Fam Islands, Misool: North, East, South and West; Madorang, Koon, Gunung Api, Banda Islands: Pulau Hatta, Ai, Run, Suanggi; Nusa Laut, Ambon Bay, viewpoint hike, historic fort and museum tour
Day 1
You’ll meet in Sorong Harbour in the morning, where you can have a coffee or tea and wait for all guests to arrive. Once everyone is ready, you'll get on the speedboats and board Jelajahi Laut. Once onboard, you’ll enjoy a fresh juice or coconut, while listening to a welcome introduction of guests and crew, followed by a general safety briefing and explanation of the boat. Then you'll settle into your cabin, while staff set up the diving area. A light lunch follows and soon after, at around 3 pm you’ll head for a check dive on the slopes of Mioskon Island. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Dinner is served on the main deck. Toast your Raja Ampat diving holiday with sunset drinks before turning in for the night.
Core Days
Your diving holiday routine will be a rotation of diving, eating and relaxing. After breakfast all divers and guides meet on the dive deck where you will listen to the dive briefing of the 1st morning dive. The dive site selection will be determined by the cruise director who will consider the natural elements (current, weather and tide) as well as the interests and experience of the group, to make sure each dive is safe and suitable.
Expect to witness the beauty of Raja Ampat - the most biodiverse region in the world, from the very first dives till the end of your trip. You will be pleased to discover pristine coral reefs, incredible visibility, sponges, sea fans and an explosion of marine life in different sizes and shapes. Countless nudibranchs and invertebrates will be hard to find without the help of the expert guides, while there will be no need for help to identify a wobbegong or epaulette shark, or to enjoy the view of manta rays being cleaned by wrasses. You can also check out reef sharks swimming near the sandy bottom, schools of mackerel, tuna and barracuda hunting anthias, glassfish and other small dwellers of the reef.
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.
All this activity requires energy so you'll need to replenish your levels. Meals are served a la carte in the dining area of the indoor saloon. You can enjoy a pre-breakfast (at 6 am, before the first dive), a main breakfast at 8:30 am, lunch (at noon), afternoon snacks, and then dinner at 7:30 pm. The cuisine is a mixture of Indonesian and international dishes. Local dishes include Beef Rendang, Soto Ayam, Nasi Campur, Thai green curry, and grilled fish. One evening will include a beach barbeque.
Day 15
You'll enjoy 1 more morning dive on the final day in the famous muck of Ambon Bay, before cruising back to port, say your farewells, and a transfer to a local hotel or airport. Breakfast will be served during the day.
Note these trips sometimes run in reverse so please check the exact port information. If ending in Sorong, expect to arrive at around 4 pm.
Raja Ampat, Lembeh & Halmahera (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, beginner divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat: Dampier Strait, Jef Fam Islands, Misool (Boo, Fiabacet, Daram); Pulau Pisang, Halmahera: Strait of Patinti, Goraici Islands, Tifore; Lembeh Strait. Viewpoint trek in Penemu, Jellyfish Lake.
Day 1
This unique liveaboard adventure onboard the Jelajahi Laut is designed to showcase the very best of Eastern Indonesia's underwater world. You will journey from the vibrant, fish-filled reefs of Raja Ampat, through the remote and wild Halmahera Sea, and finally to the critter-rich black sands of Lembeh Strait. This is a trip of contrasts, offering unparalleled biodiversity and unforgettable diving experiences.
Your adventure begins in Sorong Harbour in the morning. After a welcome tea or coffee, you'll be transferred to the Jelajahi Laut. Once onboard, enjoy a refreshing drink during a welcome introduction and safety briefing. Settle into your cabin and enjoy a light lunch before your first check dive at a site like Mioskon. The evening is yours to relax. Celebrate the start of your journey with sunset drinks and dinner on the main deck.
Core Days
Raja Ampat is the epicenter of marine biodiversity, and this liveaboard itinerary explores its 2 most famous regions. The journey begins in the Dampier Strait, the pulsating heart of the Coral Triangle. Here, powerful currents nourish reefs that explode with life, creating scenes of breathtaking abundance. You'll dive amidst massive schools of fish, including barracuda and jacks, while reefs sharks patrol in the blue. Iconic sites like Cape Kri and Sardine Reef offer some of the highest fish density on Earth, and Manta Sandy provides a front-row seat to graceful mantas at their cleaning station. The adventure then sails south to the ethereal beauty of Misool, a protected area of stunning limestone karsts and impossibly clear waters. Misool’s reefs are a masterpiece of colour, blanketed in some of the world's most vibrant soft corals. Drift through underwater cathedrals at Boo Windows, witness the manta ray ballet at Magic Mountain, and explore pinnacles at Fiabacet with wobbegongs and schools of sweetlips for company.
The Jelajahi Laut then enters the less-explored waters of the Halmahera Sea. This transitional phase is an adventure in itself, offering a taste of true remote liveaboard diving. The region is characterised by its wild, volcanic landscapes and nutrient-rich currents that attract a fascinating mix of pelagic action and unique macro life. Dive sites like the Strait of Patinti are known for powerful currents that bring in manta rays and schools of trevally. The remote islands of Goraici and Tifore offer pristine coral gardens and submerged pinnacles where you might encounter everything from schooling barracuda to rare critters hiding in the reef.
The grand finale of the liveaboard voyage is the legendary Lembeh Strait, the undisputed 'Muck Diving Capital of the World'. After the vibrant colours of the reefs, Lembeh presents a fascinating contrast: a dark, volcanic sand bottom that serves as the stage for the ocean's most bizarre and elusive creatures. This is the ultimate destination for macro photographers and critter enthusiasts. Here, the hunt is on for the rare, the unusual, and the masters of camouflage. Your guides will expertly point out ribbon eels, flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopus, hairy frogfish, blue-ringed octopus, and a staggering variety of nudibranchs. Every sandy patch holds a potential new discovery, making each dive a treasure hunt.
Day 13
Enjoy one final morning muck dive in Lembeh Strait. After breakfast and lunch onboard, Jelajahi Laut will cruise to port. Say your farewells to the liveaboard crew and fellow guests before receiving a transfer to a local hotel or Manado Airport.
Note: This itinerary sometimes runs in reverse. Please check your specific departure details.
North Sulawesi & Sangihe (10 Days / 9 Nights - 25 Dives)
Trip highlights: dolphins, dugongs/manatees, great macro life/ marine diversity
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Bunaken Marine Park, Bangka Island, Sangihe Islands, Lembeh Strait
Day 1
This liveaboard adventure with the Jelajahi Laut is a comprehensive exploration of North Sulawesi's most celebrated marine environments. From breathtaking walls and vibrant reefs to volcanic seascapes and the world's best muck diving, this itinerary offers an unparalleled diversity of underwater experiences.
The cruise begins at the jetty in Manado in the morning. After a welcome coffee or tea, you'll be transferred via speedboat to the Jelajahi Laut. Onboard, enjoy a fresh juice or coconut while receiving a welcome introduction, safety briefing, and boat tour. Settle into your cabin and enjoy a light lunch before heading out for your first check dive in the legendary Bunaken Marine Park. The evening is yours to relax. Enjoy dinner on the main deck and toast the start of your liveaboard trip with sunset drinks.
Core Days
Your introduction to North Sulawesi's wonders begins at the world-renowned Bunaken Marine Park. This area is famous for its spectacular vertical wall dives, which plummet hundreds of meters into the deep blue. As you drift along these sheer drop-offs, you'll be surrounded by immense sponges, giant gorgonian fans, and vast schools of bannerfish and pyramid butterflyfish. The park is also a sanctuary for sea turtles, which are commonly seen gliding effortlessly along the reef. The clear waters and incredible biodiversity set a high bar for the liveaboard trip, offering a classic, awe-inspiring reef experience that is both dramatic and serene.
With Jelajahi Laut sailing east from Bunaken, you'll discover the pristine coral gardens of Bangka Island. This region offers a different charm, with stunning slopes and bommies blanketed in a kaleidoscope of soft and hard corals. The water is typically exceptionally clear, allowing sunlight to illuminate the vibrant hues of the reefs, which are teeming with anthias and schooling fusiliers. Bangka provides a perfect balance to Bunaken's dramatic walls, with dive sites that invite you to slow down and appreciate the intricate beauty of a healthy, flourishing coral ecosystem, all set against a backdrop of idyllic island scenery.
The cruise then ventures north to the remote and wild Sangihe Islands. This archipelago is a frontier for adventure diving, dominated by dramatic volcanic landscapes. The highlight is diving on an active underwater volcano at Mahengetang, where you can witness bubbles of volcanic gas rising from the seafloor, nurturing a unique and thriving ecosystem. The reefs here are pristine and less explored, offering a sense of discovery. The nutrient-rich waters support not only stunning coral growth but also a higher likelihood of encountering pelagic species, making every dive an exciting prospect in this raw and powerful environment.
The grand finale of your Jelajahi Laut liveaboard expedition is the legendary Lembeh Strait. This is where the focus shifts from the grand and colourful to the rare, unusual, and masterfully camouflaged. The volcanic black sand slopes may seem barren at first glance, but they are a thriving habitat for an incredible concentration of macro life. With the help of expert guides, you'll hunt for critters like the wonderpus, Banggai cardinalfish, stargazers, and a bewildering array of sea slugs. Lembeh is a paradise for underwater photographers and anyone fascinated by the ocean's most bizarre inhabitants, providing a mind-bending and unforgettable conclusion to your journey.
Day 10
Enjoy one final dive in Lembeh. After breakfast and lunch onboard the liveaboard, the Jelajahi Laut cruise to port. Say your farewells to the crew and fellow guests before receiving a transfer to a local hotel or Manado Airport.
Note: This itinerary sometimes runs in reverse. Please check your specific departure details.
Lembeh Strait & Togian Islands (12 Days / 11 Nights - 33 Dives)
Trip highlights: turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Central Sulawesi: Tomini Bay - Banggai Islands, Tompotika, Togian Islands, Gorontalo; North Sulawesi: Lembeh Strait
Day 1
The diving safari begins at the waterfront in Luwuk, where you will board the Jelajahi Laut liveaboard. After a warm welcome with a refreshing drink, you'll receive a safety briefing and a tour of the vessel. Settle into your cabin as the crew prepares the dive deck. A light lunch will be served, followed by your first sample of the underwater world with a check dive in the Banggai area. The evening is yours to relax; enjoy dinner on the main deck and sunset drinks before retiring for the night.
Core Days
This Jelajahi Laut expedition showcases the incredible diversity of marine habitats in Central and North Sulawesi. You will sail from the remote island archipelagos of the south, through the heart of Tomini Bay, past dramatic continental walls, and culminate in the world's most famous muck diving destination.
Your liveaboard adventures begin in the secluded Banggai Archipelago and the nearby Tompotika peninsula, a region of breathtaking island scenery and phenomenal biodiversity. These remote waters are a haven for explorers, featuring submerged pinnacles, ridges draped in vibrant soft corals, and reefs teeming with fish life. The area is a macro photographer's dream, but its crown jewel is the chance to encounter the endemic and beautifully patterned Banggai cardinalfish in its natural habitat. Diving here feels like discovering a well-kept secret, offering a sense of untouched adventure with every dive.
Cruising north into the sheltered waters of Tomini Bay, the liveaboard will reach the idyllic Togian Islands. This archipelago is a diver's paradise, boasting everything from lush coral gardens and submerged seamounts to the dramatic slopes of an active volcano. The reefs are vibrant and healthy, attracting huge schools of pelagics like barracuda and reef sharks. Adding a touch of history to the natural beauty, you can explore the B-24 Bomber wreck, a remarkably preserved WWII relic that has been transformed into a thriving artificial reef, resting peacefully in shallow water.
As the Jelajahi Laut continues north, the underwater landscape transforms into the dramatic, sponge-covered walls of Gorontalo. These near-vertical drop-offs are a spectacle, adorned with unique, spiral soft corals and massive sponges that create a vibrant tapestry of colour and texture. The region is renowned for its unusual marine life, but the most awe-inspiring encounter is the possibility of swimming alongside the ocean's largest fish. Gorontalo is one of the few places where you have a genuine chance to meet resident whale sharks.
The liveaboard tour ends in the Lembeh Strait, the undisputed capital of muck diving. This is where the bizarre, the rare, and the masters of camouflage come to life on black sand slopes. While the previous destinations offered grandeur and pelagics, Lembeh is a treasure hunt for critters. Prepare to be amazed by an endless variety of exotic life, from the comical mimic octopus and flamboyant cuttlefish to a stunning array of nudibranchs and crustaceans. It is the perfect finale for underwater photographers and macro enthusiasts, offering unparalleled opportunities to witness the ocean's most unusual creatures.
Day 10
Savour one final morning dive in the famous muck of the Lembeh Strait. Afterwards, Jelajahi Laut will cruise to port where you'll say your farewells. A transfer from the liveaboard will be provided to a local hotel or Manado Airport. Breakfast and lunch will be served during the day.
Note: This itinerary operates in both directions. Please check your specific trip departure 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].
