Voyage guides for planning a phinisi trip
Practical explanations for comparing destinations, trip formats and arrival routes.
Best time to sail Raja Ampat
A practical overview of seasons, sea conditions, rainfall, and the periods most commonly used for liveaboard itineraries.
Shared departure vs. private charter
Understand how fixed departures differ from hiring an entire liveaboard, including privacy, flexibility, and how pricing is usually presented.
What is usually included on a phinisi voyage?
A checklist of the meals, transfers, activities, equipment, permits, and extras worth confirming in an operator's quotation.
Komodo or Raja Ampat?
Compare the two regions by access, typical voyage length, scenery, marine life, seasonality, and common trip formats.
Reaching Sorong
A simple planning outline for flights, arrival timing, hotel nights, and transfers before joining a Raja Ampat departure.
Reaching Labuan Bajo
What to consider when arranging flights, overnight stays, harbour transfers, and embarkation for a Komodo voyage.
Reaching Ambon
Basic arrival planning for Banda Sea itineraries, including buffer nights and typical transfer timing.
Reaching Maumere
A simple planning outline for flights, arrival timing, hotel nights, and transfers before joining an Alor departure.
Reaching Nabire, Manokwari or Biak
A simple planning outline for flights, arrival timing, hotel nights, and transfers before joining a Cenderawasih Bay departure.
Reaching Maumere or Kupang
A simple planning outline for flights, arrival timing, hotel nights, and transfers before joining a Forgotten Islands crossing.
Reaching Ternate
A simple planning outline for flights, arrival timing, hotel nights, and transfers before joining a Halmahera departure.
Reaching Kaimana
A simple planning outline for flights, arrival timing, hotel nights, and transfers before joining a Triton Bay departure.
Reaching Wangi-Wangi
A simple planning outline for flights, arrival timing, hotel nights, and transfers before joining a Wakatobi departure.
What is a phinisi?
A concise introduction to the Indonesian sailing tradition and how the word is used for today's liveaboard vessels.
Diving and snorkeling on a phinisi liveaboard
Certification levels, typical dive days, included gear and what to expect underwater.
Ready to compare liveaboards?
Browse available phinisi profiles by destination, trip format, travel period, and guest count.