Outside normal working hours, or in the unlikely event we are unable to take your call, please leave a message on our answerphone and we will call you back as soon as possible.
For guests travelling with Regaldive requiring urgent assistance, please refer to your travel notes for relevant contact information.
Outside normal working hours, or in the unlikely event we are unable to take your call, please leave a message on our answerphone and we will call you back as soon as possible.
For guests travelling with Regaldive requiring urgent assistance, please refer to your travel notes for relevant contact information.
Dutch 'schooner style' sailing yacht Emperor Raja Laut will be taking guests to the world-renowned diving areas of Raja Ampat, Triton Bay, the Banda Sea and Komodo National Park. Her itineraries range from 7 to 12 nights.
Raja Laut means 'King of the Sea' and stepping on board this schooner inspired yacht built from tropical hardwood, you will experience a truly regal sense of sailing the Indonesian seas; freedom, style and comfort. Asia's geography, climate, logistics and infrastructure present its own unique challenges and, with this in mind, the Raja Laut was designed with the specific requirements for yacht charter in South East Asia.
This beautiful, traditional sailing yacht was built in south Sulawesi in 2005. She has spent much of the last 12 years sailing around Southeast Asia for private charter and will be Emperor Divers' introductory boat in the magical Indonesian archipelago.
With 12 berths, the attention to detail and level of service from the seven crew and three dive guides will aim to leave guests wanting to return time and time again. A strong team will see Emperor teaming up with Andrew Laughlin, who has spent the last 10 years building and managing Indonesian liveaboards and has over 30 years' experience in the diving and yachting industry. He is also a PADI Master Instructor and Yacht Master.
Likely encounters include mantas, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks and pygmy seahorses, as well as Komodo Dragons on land. Indonesia offers riches for all and is a truly magical place.
ACCOMMODATION
Offering 12 berths on the Lower deck: 3 x twin (bunk bed) cabins, 3 x double cabins, each with ensuite, individually controlled air-conditioning, fan and mini-safe.
Lounge: Lower deck, fully air-conditioned with fridge
Upper deck: Outdoor dining area, sun loungers, with and without shade and small bar
Entertainment: 49" full HD flat screen and movie, music & book library and board games
Diving in these areas is often undertaken in remote locations. Some of the dives can be quite challenging, suiting only more experienced divers in exciting, bizarre and unpredictable currents. Liveaboard diving does not get more adventurous than this!
Liveaboards diving to and from Bali
Eastwards from Bali, a string of picturesque islands stretch east towards Komodo, offering a wealth of different dive sites to choose from as you dive your way to or from Komodo National Park. Lombok, Gili Islands, Sumbawa, Moyo, Satonda and Sangeang are the main land masses, with numerous other islets.
This group of islands further east are surprisingly dry, looking more like parched grassland on steep volcanic formed slopes than the expected lush green tropics, unless visiting during the more rainy season (winter months), This area is truly a YEAR ROUND diving destination, with itineraries and dive sites tailored to the prevailing weather conditions. If the liveaboards operate there year round, you know it is good!
Liveaboards with itineraries encompassing Bali and Komodo National Park: Mermaid I, Mermaid II, Indo Aggressor and the Indo Siren.
How do I get there?
The best gateway is via Bali’s Denpasar airport.
Boat and itinerary dependant, an internal flight from/to Bali from/to Bima (Sumbawa Island), Labuan Bajo or Maumere (Flores Island) may be required. Overnights prior and after the boat are usually required due to flight schedules, plus Regaldive always advise to have some slack in an itinerary in case of internal flight delays.
Liveaboard diving in Komodo, Flores & Alor
Komodo: Officially declared a World Heritage Site in 1986, the Komodo National Park (Komodo, Rinca and Padar Islands) is the largest protected marine zone on the planet. The variety of islands within the park, combined with the current, wave and wind exposure have resulted in an incredible diversity of coastal and marine habitats.
Underwater, strong currents and deep upwelling’s transport nutrient-rich waters throughout the area, which supports a cornucopia of life. Mangrove forests, sea grass beds and pristine coral reefs define the main habitats within the borders of the park. Dive sites vary from walls and coral gardens to pinnacles, drop offs and quiet bays that are ideal for macro lovers seeking rarely seen species.
So far over 1000 fish species, 260 reef building coral species and 70 sponge species have been recorded in the Komodo National Park, with a particularly high number of organ pipe coral, which accounts for the famous pink sand beaches. Turtles and marine mammals frequent Komodo's waters along with whales and mantas that are occasionally seen migrating through the park.
The park is also home to many rare and endemic land species including a population of the world's largest lizard, the Komodo Dragons. Most of Regaldive’s cruises covering the park incorporate an island visit to see these interesting reptiles in their natural environment.
Flores and Alor: The currents that flow through the straits which connect the Banda and Savu seas create thrilling drift dives that attract large animals such as whales, tuna, sharks (including hammerheads), giant groupers, eagle and manta rays, napoleon wrasse, schools of big eye jacks, mola-mola, and other pelagic fish. In the Pantar strait between Alor and Pantar pilot-whales and dolphins are common as they pass between the islands during their seasonal migration to the Pacific Ocean.
Liveaboards with itineraries encompassing Komodo National Park, Flores & Alor: Mermaid I, Mermaid II, Indo Aggressor, Indo Siren and Emperor Raja Laut.
How do I get there?
The best gateway is via Bali’s Denpasar airport.
Boat and itinerary dependant, an internal flight from/to Bali from/to Bima (Sumbawa Island), Labuan Bajo (West Flores) or Maumere (East Flores) may be required. Overnights prior and after the boat are usually required due to flight schedules, plus Regaldive always advise to have some slack in an itinerary in case of internal flight delays.
Liveaboard diving Ambon and Raja Ampat
Twenty percent of West Papua’s land (formerly Irian Jaya) and marine parks are designated conservation areas. With over 3000 fish and 400 coral and sponge species recorded, as well as dolphins, dugongs, green, hawksbill and leatherback turtles, this area will not fail to amaze. Above water, exotic creatures such as the Venus Fly trap inhabit the region.
Liveaboards with itineraries encompassing Ambon, Maluku Islands: Mermaid I, Mermaid II, Dewi Nusantara and Emperor Raja Laut
Liveaboards with itineraries encompassing Raja Ampat: Mermaid I, Mermaid II, Emperor Raja Laut, Indo Siren and Dewi Nusantara.
How do I get there?
The best gateway can be via Jakarta airport, Bali’s Denpasar airport or Manado airport.
Internal flights to/from either Ambon, Sorong and Maumere, boat itinerary dependant. Overnights prior and after the boat are usually required due to flight schedules, plus Regaldive always advise to have some slack in an itinerary in case of internal flight delays.
Some great Raja Ampat footage from our friends at Mermaid Fleet:
Liveaboard diving in Manado, Sulawesi
Manado lies at the Northern tip of Sulawesi, located in a bay and surrounded by a dramatic volcanic landscape. Manado is host to some of the finest diving in South East Asia.
Divers will experience everything from the smallest pygmy seahorses and nudibranchs, to eagle rays, orcas and pilot whales. Manado is an idyllic, tranquil diving destination with an outstanding and celebrated bio-diversity.
There is said to be a greater variety of marine life in the seas off North Sulawesi than anywhere else on the planet and outstanding diving is available year round. The area is a centre of marine bio diversity and is home to many unusual species, ranging from prehistoric fish like coelacanth through to some recognised household names like reef sharks and the eagle ray.
Liveaboards with itineraries encompassing Manado, Sulawesi - Lembeh Strait, Bunaken and Sangihe Islands: N/A
How do I get there?
The best gateway is Manado Airport (Sulawesi) via Singapore on Singapore Airlines. Other international flights may be arranged into Jakarta, with a separate ticket on Garuda or Lion Air to Manado. Overnights in Jakarta may be required.
Overnights prior and after the boat are usually required due to flight schedules, plus Regaldive always advise to have some slack in an itinerary in case of internal flight delays.
This remote island southeast of Indonesia is surrounded by the Timor and Banda Seas. Timor-Leste offers divers many different sites with diverse topography and an array of marine life in this little explored area. Pristine corals, sandy muck diving slopes and off shore pinnacles await the adventurous diver.
Timor-Leste, once governed by Indonesia, has a tumultuous history with a strong influence from the Portuguese, which remains one of this small nation's official languages. The young nation is made up of the eastern half of Timor island, Atauro island to the north and the tiny island of Jako, yet despite being an island nation does not have a strong fishing background.
*Timor-Leste is an independent state and not part of Indonesia. However, for sake of geographic proximity and ease of operation, Regaldive currently incorporate the country under this area as the region slowly grows its diving potential.
How do I get there?
The best gateway is via Bali’s Denpasar airport.
An internal flight from/to Bali into Dili, Timor-Leste is required, with daily flights available. There is also a flight from Singapore on an Air Timor charter, but we recommend the route via Bali.
Overnights prior and after the boat are usually required due to flight schedules, plus Regaldive always advise to have some slack in an itinerary in case of internal flight delays.
Liveaboards diving to and from Bali - How do I get there?
The best gateway is via Bali’s Denpasar airport.
Boat and itinerary dependant, an internal flight from/to Bali from/to Bima (Sumbawa Island), Labuan Bajo or Maumere (Flores Island) may be required. Overnights prior and after the boat are usually required due to flight schedules, plus Regaldive always advise to have some slack in an itinerary in case of internal flight delays.
Liveaboard diving in Komodo, Flores & Alor - How do I get there?
The best gateway is via Bali’s Denpasar airport.
Boat and itinerary dependant, an internal flight from/to Bali from/to Bima (Sumbawa Island), Labuan Bajo (West Flores) or Maumere (East Flores) may be required. Overnights prior and after the boat are usually required due to flight schedules, plus Regaldive always advise to have some slack in an itinerary in case of internal flight delays.
Liveaboard diving Ambon and Raja Ampat - How do I get there?
The best gateway can be via Jakarta airport, Bali’s Denpasar airport or Manado airport.
Internal flights to/from either Ambon , Sorong and Maumere, boat itinerary dependant. Overnights prior and after the boat are usually required due to flight schedules, plus Regaldive always advise to have some slack in an itinerary in case of internal flight delays.
Liveaboard diving in Manado, Sulawesi - How do I get there?
The best gateway is Manado Airport (Sulawesi) via Singapore on Singapore Airlines.
Other international flights may be arranged into Jakarta, with a separate ticket on Garuda or Lion Air to Manado. Overnights in Jakarta may be required. Overnights prior and after the boat are usually required due to flight schedules, plus Regaldive always advise to have some slack in an itinerary in case of internal flight delays.
Flight Information
Flights are available on multiple airlines serving this region, for example: Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways and Garuda Indonesia.
Flight duration: Approx. 15 - 17 hours including flight change.
Passports & Visas
Passengers travelling to Indonesia and Timor-Leste should have minimum six months valid on their passport from the date of return to the UK, plus one full page free. Hotel receptions may be required to take a photocopy of your passport for registration purposes.
British nationals travelling to Indonesia on holiday can enter the country purchasing a visa on arrival for up to 30 days at certain ports of entry, including international airports in Jakarta and Bali. The cost of this is Rp 500,000pp.
For further information about entry requirements, visit the website of the Indonesian Embassy in London or your nearest Indonesian embassy.
Visitors to Timor-Leste require a visa, which British passport holders can purchase on arrival at the airport. A 30 day tourist visa, single entry costs US $30. It is your responsibility to check that your passport complies with Indonesian and Timor-Leste entry requirements.
Vaccinations
There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio. Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure with your GP or local travel clinic.
Advice on Malaria, Dengue Fever and Japanese Encephalitus should be sought before travelling specific to the area of your boat's itinerary.
Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk, from your local healthcare provider or from a specialist travel clinic.
Itineraries
Please note that liveaboard itineraries can change without notice. The itinerary will depend on several factors including, but not limited to, weather, diving ability of guests & the number of other boats already present at the various dive sites. All dive sites visited are subject to weather conditions and are at the discretion of your dive guides and vessel captain.
"We were a bit late into Bali, but the pickup was there and the Solaris Hotel was fine. The dive kit was no problem on the Garuda flight. From what people told us in Labuan Bajo, Garuda are reliable and highly regarded. We were slightly delayed on the return to Bali, but the pickup was again there as expected.
Bintang Flores was also good, and we had a nice few days in Labuan Bajo, which is quite a bustling little town.
The Emperor Raja Laut is very nice. The crew and guides were fantastic. Briefings were clear, particularly so when we were diving some of the more challenging sites. Sophie and Flo were also great hosts, sitting with us and chatting in the evenings. We spent the week diving with Tamrin, a local Indonesian free-lance guide who was on the boat for the week. He was great: nice and slow, just as we like it, and great at spotting things. We asked for Spanish Dancers on a night dive and got two! The boat crew were friendly and helpful all week.
Food was good too with ample veggie catering. We were lucky to only have seven guests on board, so there was plenty of room.
The diving itself lived up to expectation. The corals are amazing and we had some great wildlife, from mantas to tiny squid and all points in between! I'd definitely go back to the area again. The land trips to see the dragons and walk up to a couple of viewpoints were also impressive, and seeing the dragons from the RIB in Horseshoe Bay was a highlight.
We'd definitely recommend the Raja Laut, Flores diving and this itinerary. "
The diving was tremendous!
"We were a bit late into Bali, but the pickup was there and the Solaris Hotel was fine. The dive kit was no problem on the Garuda flight. From what people told us in Labuan Bajo, Garuda are reliable and highly regarded. We were slightly delayed on the return to Bali, but the pickup was again there as expected.
Bintang Flores was also good, and we had a nice few days in Labuan Bajo, which is quite a bustling little town.
The Emperor Raja Laut is very nice. The crew and guides were fantastic. Briefings were clear, particularly so when we were diving some of the more challenging sites. Sophie and Flo were also great hosts, sitting with us and chatting in the evenings. We spent the week diving with Tamrin, a local Indonesian free-lance guide who was on the boat for the week. He was great: nice and slow, just as we like it, and great at spotting things. We asked for Spanish Dancers on a night dive and got two! The boat crew were friendly and helpful all week.
Food was good too with ample veggie catering. We were lucky to only have seven guests on board, so there was plenty of room.
The diving itself lived up to expectation. The corals are amazing and we had some great wildlife, from mantas to tiny squid and all points in between! I'd definitely go back to the area again. The land trips to see the dragons and walk up to a couple of viewpoints were also impressive, and seeing the dragons from the RIB in Horseshoe Bay was a highlight.
We'd definitely recommend the Raja Laut, Flores diving and this itinerary. "
Sean B and Clare D - Stockport
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