The 36 metre MY Pelagian was built as a wide-ranging luxury motor yacht, stoutly constructed from steel to the highest international safety standards. Unlike crowded liveaboards, the Pelagian takes a maximum of just 10 guests, all accommodated in spacious en-suite cabins. That ratio matters. It means more room on deck, more attention from the crew, and a genuine sense of privacy throughout the cruise.
The Pelagian liveaboard specialises in diving Wakatobi, home to one of the most prolific coral reef systems on earth. Located in southeastern Sulawesi, this region sits within the Coral Triangle, where marine biodiversity reaches its global peak. The Pelagian ventures beyond the resort-adjacent reefs, taking you to remote, seldom-visited corners of the Tukang Besi archipelago. Expect pristine hard coral gardens, steep walls, and some of the finest muck diving in Indonesia, all without another dive boat in sight.
Getting to Wakatobi often raises concerns about long transfers and missed connections. The Pelagian liveaboard solves this directly. Return private charter flights from Bali fly you direct to the resort's own airstrip. You and your luggage arrive together, and you can be in the water for an afternoon dive on the same day. No waiting around. No lost bags. Just a straightforward start to your trip.
The diving infrastructure on the Pelagian is built for convenience and peace of mind. 2 custom-built 18 foot rigid inflatable dive tenders, each with twin 50 HP 4-stroke outboards, carry tank racks, stainless steel ladders, camera rinse tanks, and oxygen. Nitrox is provided free of charge. The tenders have whip lines from the Pelagian for filling tanks where they sit, so you never need to move your scuba gear off the tender until the cruise ends. That is a small detail, but one that makes a noticeable difference to the daily rhythm.
Between dives, Pelagian offers the kind of facilities that serious divers appreciate. A camera workshop with dedicated work space, plus a well-appointed galley serving fresh international and Indonesian dishes. The crew-to-guest ratio is high. The service is personal without being intrusive. And the operator behind it, Wakatobi Resort, has a hard-earned reputation for excellence, including credits with National Geographic and numerous film and magazine features.
Diving the remote reefs of Wakatobi demands a boat that is safe, comfortable, and logistically sound. The Pelagian liveaboard meets all 3. With steel-hulled stability, a decade of local operating experience, and a setup that removes every unnecessary hassle, it remains a trusted choice with scuba divers who want to explore one of the world's richest marine regions without compromising on comfort.
There is 1 Master king-size double bed cabin on main deck, 3 double bed cabins with extra bed (1 Deluxe and 2 Superlux), and 1 Standard cabin on the lower deck. All are en-suite.
The Master cabin is exceptionally large, with its own sofa and TV and DVD player. Because the cabin is on the main deck, you'll see that it's light and airy, and most accessible.
The double cabins are suitable for couples or friends as they have both double and single beds. They are long cabins, so are naturally lighted by several port holes each. The Superlux cabins have a queen-size bed and can be used for groups of 3.
The Standard cabin is smaller (but still reasonably well sized), with a single bed only.
All the Pelagian cabins have:
- Toilet and hot water shower - unlimited showering
- Towels, hairdryer, aromatherapy bath products
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Sea-view portholes
- Reading lamps
- Wardrobe & dressing table
- Bedding
- Daily cleaning service
- Mains outlet 220 Volts (2-prong) - 24 hrs
No. of bathrooms / showers - 5 / 5 - hot water
[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].
A day on the Pelagian liveaboard follows a relaxed rhythm that leaves plenty of room for diving, eating well, and doing absolutely nothing if that is what you need. The schedule is generous: nearly 2 hours between the first and second dives, 2-and-a-half hours between the second and third, and several quiet hours before any night dive. That pacing is deliberate. It keeps surface intervals safe, prevents that rushed feeling common on tighter cruises, and lets you actually enjoy the yacht you booked.
Morning
7 am - Coffee and tea are ready on the aft deck. Breakfast is cooked to order. Eggs any style, fresh fruit, homemade yoghurt, pancakes, or a lighter continental spread. No buffets. No standing in line. You sit down, you order, and the kitchen delivers.
8:30 am - First dive of the day. Briefing on the dive deck, then into the tenders. With 3 Dive Experience Managers on board, groups stay small. If you want to hunt for pygmy seahorses, follow one guide. If you prefer wide-angle reef sweeps, take another.
10 am - Back on board. Towels, hot drinks, and a snack are waiting. The chef might put out banana fritters, little savoury pastries, or fresh coconut. Change tanks, swap stories, and decide who saw what.
Midday
11:45 am - Second dive briefing. The site is usually close by. The tenders make short work of the transfer.
12:45 pm - Lunch. Served as individual plated courses. Starters include garden salads, quinoa salad, tomato and bocconcini with balsamic reduction, or a pasta salad. Main course offers three choices: meat, fish, or prawns, plus a vegetarian option. Think grilled mahi-mahi with sambal, slow-cooked beef rendang, or prawn curry with coconut rice. Indonesian dishes come with spiced sambal sauces on the side. If you want something specific, ask. The chef will make it if the ingredients allow.
2 pm - Surface interval. Read. Nap. Edit photos. The main salon is air-conditioned. The shaded deck has loungers. No one rushes you.
Afternoon
3:30 pm - Third dive briefing. Another site. Another habitat. The Pelagian carries a library of over 100 sites, so variety comes standard.
4:45 pm - Post-dive snack and drinks. Maybe spring rolls. Maybe fried plantains. Cold drinks and juices are always available. Wine and spirits are on hand for those who want them.
Evening
7 pm - Dinner. Three courses again, but dinner starts with soup. Cream of mushroom. Tomato basil. Sometimes a local chicken broth. The main course shifts to heartier dishes: seared tuna with ginger and soy, slow-roasted pork belly, or a rich vegetable tagine. Dessert might be sticky black rice pudding, chocolate mousse, or fresh mango with lime.
8:30 pm - Night dive briefing for those joining. The crew can run a full night dive or a gentle dusk dive, depending on the group. Mandarinfish at Magic Pier are a genuine highlight. Hundreds of them perform their courtship ritual right at dusk.
10 pm - Night dive returns. Hot chocolate or herbal tea on deck. The lights go down. The boat swings gently on its mooring.
Flexibility and Dietary Needs
The Pelagian liveaboard does not do rigid schedules. If the group wants to sleep in, breakfast shifts. If weather suggests a different site order, the captain changes it. Dietary requirements are handled without fuss: gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan, or just an aversion to coriander. Let us know in advance, and the chef adjusts. If you have a favourite dish, mention it. Guests have requested everything from homemade pasta to a specific birthday cake. The answer is almost always yes.
A Note on the Routine
3 scheduled dives per day, plus the option of a night dive. That is the standard. But if you want to skip a dive and stay on board with a book, no one questions it. If you want to do all 4, the crew supports it. The Pelagian is a 10-guest yacht with a 12-person crew. That ratio means the routine bends around you, not the other way around.
