The 42-metre wooden-hulled, Sulawesi-built schooner Samata liveaboard embraces its Sanskrit meaning of ‘tranquility’ and ‘balance’. This substantial and notably sturdy vessel specialises in all-inclusive, high-comfort dive cruises across Indonesia’s key destinations. The operational philosophy of the Samata is focused on combining smooth sailing and traditional Indonesian build quality with exceptionally high standards of service.
The operational schedule is planned to align with the archipelago’s seasonal bests. From May through September, the Samata focuses on the intense current diving of Komodo Island and Nusa Tenggara, initiating cruises directly from Labuan Bajo to maximise park time. In the transitional months of October and November, the boat explores the Forgotten Islands, the Banda Sea, and Ambon, before relocating to the highly bio-diverse reefs of Raja Ampat in West Papua from December until April.
Perhaps the most significant differentiator of the Samata liveaboard is the dedicated personal service. The vessel hosts a maximum of just 10 scuba divers, supported by a crew of 14 staff. This near 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio ensures meticulous attention to detail. Under French ownership, the hospitality is multilingual, with both English and French spoken.
The vessel maintains a consistent theme of luxury and comfort throughout its interior. Guests are accommodated in 5 double en-suite cabins, all furnished with appealing wood-panelled floors and high-quality fixtures. The primary social area is the air-conditioned saloon and dining space, which offers a welcome retreat from the tropical heat.
Given the intimate passenger capacity, the Samata is frequently booked for private whole boat charter, providing groups with the flexibility to establish bespoke diving trips and unique itineraries. The ample relaxation spaces, including outdoor seating areas and the sun deck, ensure plenty of room for downtime between dives.
For couples or small groups seeking the best diving of the Indonesian seasons in high style and comfort, the Samata liveaboard offers a trustworthy, luxury solution. The all-inclusive promise extends to soft drinks and beer, with a selection of wines available, reinforcing that booking a dive trip aboard the Samata is an investment in unparalleled service and focused exploration.
Samata is equipped with 4 VIP Suites (3 double bed and 1 twin bed) located on the lower deck, and a Master Suite on the upper deck. All cabins feature air-conditioning and private, en-suite facilities.
All the cabins have:
- Air-conditioning
- En-suite bathroom with hot-water shower, hand basin, towel & toiletries
- Portholes
- Reading lamp
- Bedding
- Cabinet, shelves & mirror
- 24-hour, 220v electricity supply
- Fire extinguishers
- Life jackets
- European-style 2-pin plugs
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 holiday on the Samata liveaboard in Komodo is defined by a consistent, enjoyable daily structure that keeps divers well-fed and ready for their next dive. The routine centres on 4 main mealtimes: pre-breakfast, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, complemented by generous snacks in between. Catering starts on the first day of the trip, beginning with either lunch or dinner depending on the time of guest arrival.
The day starts with a light pre-breakfast, setting the stage for the first dive of the morning. This is followed by a full breakfast after the first dive, ensuring a proper recharge. Lunch is then served, with the rest of the day structured around the afternoon diving schedule and an evening night dive option.
The dining experience on the Samata is a varied buffet-style affair with fixed menus, ensuring ample choice is always available. Meals are served in either the outside dining area or the comfortable air-conditioned saloon. The cuisine itself is a rich and diverse mix of international dishes: Chinese cuisine, local specialities, and BBQs.
The substantial dinner marks the final main meal of the day. This evening buffet provides a rewarding selection of options such as various meat, seafood, and vegetable-based entrées. The Samata crew is able to cater to vegetarians and other special diets, provided they receive prior notice of your specific requirements.
To keep you refreshed and focused between dives, a number of beverages and snacks are complimentary. Free of charge are biscuits, candy bars, bread/toast, fruit, water, soft drinks, beer, tea, and coffee. Wine is available for guests to purchase as an additional extra.
