La Galigo
La Galigo is traditional two-masted Phinisi designed and built for divers by divers, making it the perfect choice for your Indonesian live aboard experience. The boat caters to individuals as well as full boat charters and can sail with up to fourteen guests with seven well-designed spacious cabins with privately controlled air-conditioner and ensuite bathroom.
Your Indonesian crew has collectively spent many years sailing and diving around the 18,000+ stunning islands that make up Indonesia. The schedule is primarily split between Raja Ampat (Oct-Apr) and Komodo (May-Sep), although they do offer the opportunity to dive in Wakatobi, Banda, Ambon, Maumere, Alor and beyond. The vessel is a predominantly a dive live aboard but they are happy to tailor special interest charters on request.
La Galigo has several deck areas to relax between dives and take in the exceptional surroundings or just read a book. Indoors you will find the air-conditioned communal space, where the internationally trained chef will serve you a mixture of Indonesian and International fusion cuisine. The communal lounge area is also filled with an extensive library of books, games and a TV and is the perfect space to share your experiences of an impeccable day’s diving.
Land tours are an integral part of our outlined itineraries, allowing you to experience the breathtaking beauty and diverse cultures that Indonesia has to offer. The purpose-built dive deck at the rear of the vessel allows plenty of room for gearing up and lots of camera space for underwater photography enthusiasts, and with the deck being at sea level, it is designed with guest comfort and accessibility in mind.
Lower Deluxe Cabins
Deluxe cabins come with a private en-suite bathroom with hot water showers, climate control, and American spring mattresses. The Deluxe option is perfect for anyone who might suffer from sea sickness due to their lower positioning on the vessel and their tendency to move less if there is some swell. The rear two deluxe cabins may be altered to accommodate 2 singles or 1 double, so please make us aware of your preference when booking with us.
Max occupancy: 2 people
Bedding: Double OR Twin (amenable)
Ensuite Bathroom:Yes
Aircon: Aircon with control in room
Cabin size – 12m²
Upper Deck Master Cabins
The Master cabins are located on the upper deck, a little more secluded, and a great place to wake up in the morning to witness sunrise, a room with a world class view. Both our Master cabins have private en-suite facilities with hot running water, A/C with in-room control, and American spring mattresses for your comfort. Both Master cabins can either be prepared as two single beds or a double, so please let us know what is required when booking direct with us.
Max Occupancy: 2 people
Bedding: 1 x Queen Double OR Twin (amenable)
Ensuite Bathroom: Yes
Aircon: Aircon with control in room
Cabin size – 14m²
Upper Deck Suite
The Suite is the premium option when it comes to your liveaboard experience, with a 48” HD flatscreen TV, private lounge room with sofas and coffee tables, and an exquisite private balcony with seating for both dining and relaxing. The balcony offers 270 degree panoramic views of the Archipelago, and is a delightful place to unwind after a hard days diving. With an oversized en-suite, powerful A/C system, and large American spring mattress, prepare to be comfy. The Suite also has it’s own refrigerator, so please let our customer service team know during the booking phase if you would like us to fill it with anything prior to your embarkation, and we will do our best to assist you.
Max Occupancy: 2 people
Bedding: 1 x King Double ONLY
Ensuite Bathroom: Yes
Aircon: Aircon with control in the room
Cabin size – 22m²
Jurassic Komodo - Diving the Komodo Islands offer a scuba diver just about every type of tropical scuba diving imaginable – from warm, calm and colorful shallow reefs teeming with hundreds of colorful reef fishes and crammed with Nudibranchs, Lion Fish, Scorpion Fish, Frog Fish and so much more, to current-swept deep cool water seamounts, walls and pinnacles patrolled by sharks, tuna and other big fish. * Please note exact sailing/dive itinerary is at the discretion of the captain and dive master.
Day 1 - Labuan Bajo
We will collect you from your hotel or Labuan Bajo airport between 8:00 – 9:00 on the day of departure to welcome you onboard La Galigo. After a refreshing welcome drink, a quick breakfast and a safety briefing of our ship, we aim to anchor up around 10:00am from Labuan Bajo.
After around 2 hours sailing we will arrive at our first destination, the islands of Sebayor kecil and besar, where we will conduct 2 dives after lunch. We have selected this area for our first day as it is relatively protected from the currents renowned in the area, a provides a great opportunity to practice with your reef hook, or just get back into the swing of things after a lengthy lay off from diving. After an calm night dive, we relax for our first Dinner together and pop over to see our friends at Komodo Island resort to watch the stars and get to know each other.
Day 2 - West Komodo
After a morning dive at Tatawa kecil, we go in search of Manta rays at the world class dive site we call Karang Makassar. After lunch, we will head to one of the highlights of Komodo diving, Batu Bolong, with a chance to see some large pelagic species such as Giant Trevally and Barracuda, as well as sharks and Napoleon Maori Wrasse. Later that afternoon we set sail for the northwest part of Komodo, for a small trek to witness the ever amazing Komodo sunset, dipping behind the nearby active volcano called Sangeang. For the night dive, we will stay in the bay close to the trekking area, and dive the site Stranger Things, for a chance to get your first glimpse of the macro in the national park.
Day 3 - North West komodo
Day three is our personal favourite in terms of diving, and all 3 of the dives normally conducted on this day are what we would consider unforgettable. The morning is spent on both Crystal Rock and Castle Rock, two submerged pinnacles that are home to an abundance of marine life. Teams of hunting Trevally and Big-Eye Jacks patrol the blue waters of the reefs, chasing large schools of smaller fish. Eagle Rays glide effortlessly in the currents whilst the reef sharks hunt their next meal. In the afternoon we visit the fast becoming famous Cauldron / Shotgun. This dive site is the equivalent of an underwater rollercoaster, words alone do not do the site justice. Back in June 2017, the worlds fist non captive Megamouth shark was recorded on this site, and the video went viral through national Geographic. The night dive will be spent on China Shop, or Gili Lawa Darat Bay, dependent on mooring conditions.
Day 4 - South West Komodo
Awake early in the morning to complete our diving at a wonderful site called the Golden Passage in the northern most part of western Komodo, a drift dive where you can encounter schools Sweetlips and Snappers, as well as Mantas and Sharks.
During breakfast we head slightly south in the national park, on the way, repeating either Karang Makassar or Batu Bolong, (dependant on conditions and the group), or visit a new site Mawan, for another chance to catch some Manta Rays. After the days morning dives, we end up at the island of Siaba. Siaba provides you with the opportunity to spot the elusive Dugong during the day, and dependent on conditions, can also be home to eagle rays. At night, Siaba has a great muck dive site we call Dunia Kecil (Small world), a place with a variety of macro possibilities, including flamboyant cuttlefish and many varieties of ghost pipe fish. We have on occasion here been lucky enough to spot different species of octopus, including the Wunderpuss, and the famous Blue Ring Octopus.
Day 5 - Rinca Island
2 dives in the morning of the penultimate day of your trip, the first at Pengah Kecil, a small island that is easily to circle on a single tank dive. Sharks, turtles and a variety of rays can be spotted cruising the walls and the shallow staghorn coral of the site. The final dive of your trip will be at a place the loclas have named Wainilu, which translates as ‘cold water’. Here we go in search of Ribbon Eels, Ambonese Scorpionfish or even Rhinopias. After lunch we go on a simple trek, searching to the Komodo Dragons on the island of Rinca, before heading out to Pulau Kalong, to watch the delay migration of thousands of fruit bats, as they leave their daily island of residence around sunset, in search of fruit.
Day 6 - Disembark
La Galigo will be anchored up in the morning around 2:00 am in Labuan Bajo, in preparation for you to catch your flight, or check in to your hotel. Guests are welcome to stay onboard until 11:00 am, whereupon we will assist you with transportation to your desired location.
* Ultimate Komodo Trips add 2 days to the schedule which allows us to explore that little bit further south, ensuring we get to share with you the Ultimate Komodo experience. As well as spectacular diving Komodo is popular for its savannah-like landscapes, volcano-shaped islands, endemic Komodo dragons.
While diving Raja Ampat North, you will be amazed at the graceful oceanic manta rays gliding effortlessly through the warm clear water. Children smile and dance as the sun sets over tranquil villages, the perfect segway into a balmy night dive under the island’s jetty, with an astonishing abundance of nocturnal marine life. These are the hall marks of diving Raja Ampat north.
Day 1 - Sorong/Waisa
Day 1 starts with your pickup from either your Hotel or the Airport. If we are collecting you from your Hotel it is generally around 07:30 – 08:00, if you are arriving on the day of departure, it is important that your arrival time is before 07:30. When we have collected you, we will head directly to the Ferry Port, where you will be met by a member of staff who will accompany you to Waisai. The ferry crossing is around two hours. Upon your arrival in Waisai, it is only short walk to transfer to La Galigo.
Once onboard you will be met by the Cruise Director and a welcome drink. After you have been shown to your rooms and unpacked your luggage, it’s time for a welcome briefing before we have some lunch, then you have some time to relax and soak up the amazing surroundings on route to our first dive of the day.
Day 2 - Piaynemo
Whilst in Penemu we will conduct 3 dives, allowing us time to trek the outlook of Bintang lagoon. Dive sites visited will depend on the conditions but we never miss a chance to dive the site made famous by Max Ammer, Melissa’s garden. The large colourful reef system at the top of the dive site, with its thousands of Anthias dodging predators is what gives Melissa’s garden its name. There is also and an opportunity to dive Kerou channel, which is located close to Leo’s reef, a fish breeding farm funded by Hollywood legend, Leonardo DiCaprio. Overnight we sail to the northernmost part of Raja Ampat, and what awaits is one of the most breathtaking sceneries in Indonesia.
Day 3 - Wayag Island
You awake in the morning cruising between limestone formations on the way to the now infamous lookout of Mt. Pindito. This small mountain has become synonymous with Raja Ampat, and the bay is also home to a Manta breeding station. The best time to hike this hill is early morning, before temperatures rise, but the rewards for climbing are well worth it. The beaches here are also pristine, with fine white sand and turquoise waters surrounding the limestone cliffs of the islands. After trekking, we will endeavor to dive either Way-out-Rock or Figure 8 Rock, both submerged pinnacles home to large pelagic fish, and the occasional passing Manta. While you have lunch, the boat will cruise to the eastern side of Wayag. Here is where we plan to dive the legendary dive site, Cathedral, which is renowned for its spectacular topography and swim throughs. Following the dive, we take a short trip to the Wayag Ranger station, which is also a Black Tip Reef Shark breeding area. Here we will hopefully get the chance to do some snorkeling with these baby sharks under the ranger jetty, and also conduct a night dive on the same stretch of reef.
Day 4 - Kawe & Aljui Bay
In Kawe Island we will do 3 dives. Dive sites visited here are very heavily dependent on day-to-day unpredictable conditions such as swell, but one of our favourite sites in the area is Changgo, located on the equator in the east of Kawe Island. Black Rock and Eagle Rock are both well known for their currents and their Manta populations, and we will dive these sites late morning and early afternoon. Around 4 pm, La Galigo will move into Aljui Bay, one of the world’s most spectacular bays to watch the sunset, and also do some great muck diving, at sites such as the Fuel Dock or the Pearl Farm Jetty.
Day 5 - Gam & Western Dampier Strait
We wake up just off the coast in Gam Island. There are some great dive sites around this area with vibrant fish covered reefs and plenty of stunning macro subjects. Two sites we regularly visit in Gam are Mayhem and Citrus Ridge. As we have lunch we will cruise down to the Western Dampier Strait, to a dive site named Manta Ridge, for an opportunity to dive with the Manta ray population often located here. In the late afternoon, we take a land tour onto the peaceful Arborek Island. The village itself is tranquil and surrounded by beautiful beaches. Arborek is also home to what we consider to be one of the best night dives in the world, Arborek Jetty, for a chance to find Walking Sharks, Blue-ringed octopus, and many other critters.
Day 6 - Central Dampier Strait
Day 6 is almost like a highlights reel of Raja Ampat, and in the morning we often visit Cape Kri, with its schools of Barracudas and Snappers, as well as passing Manta Rays and Sharks. After Kri, we take a visit to another world-class dive site, Blue magic, a submerged reef with Mantas and Giant Trevally nursing the currents, to Wobbegong sharks hiding under bommies. Our afternoon is often spent at either mikes point or Sardine, dependent on the currents in the area, but either dive site is memorable in its own right. The night is spent underneath Saonek Jetty, spotting critters in the seagrass.
Day 7 - Eastern Dampier Strait
On the penultimate day of the trip, we will repeat one of the guests favourite dive sites from the day before, then move onto Mioskon, for a shallow dive to allow you to gas off in time for your flight. The afternoon can be spent snorkelling or relaxing on the beach whilst we prepare a beach BBQ, before setting course for Sorong around 11 am.
Day 8 - Disembark
From around 05:00 am La Galigo will be anchored in Sorong in preparation for you to catch your flight, or check in to your hotel. Guests are welcome to stay onboard until 11:00 am, whereupon we will assist you with transportation to your desired location.
*La Galigo does not guarantee this outlined itinerary, and itis to be considered as a rough guideline. Information compiled here is based on past trips we have conducted and includes common dive sites and routes we often visit. Weather and sea conditions in the area can be unpredictable, and La Galigo retains the right to alter an itinerary from advice of the ship’s captain, cruise director, or owner for the safety of the vessel, it’s passenger and crew.
