Description
Boat
Tambora is a 42 meter wooden Phinisi-style live-aboard that offers great comfort and flair, and at the same time is optimally geared towards supporting a diving operation in terms of safety, convenience, and efficiency.
Tambora has been entirely constructed out of Sulawesi iron wood and chosen Javanese teak. While her hull has been painted white, the superstructure, decks and roofs have all been finished with a view towards preserving the natural beauty of the teak wood. All decks and the salon rooftop feature teak parquet flooring. This way, the rustic charm and warmth of a traditional wooden vessel could be preserved.
There is a large salon with separate dining and relaxing sections on the upper deck, with large flat screen TV/DVD with home cinema, it offering enough space during mealtimes, as well as for chilling out over a chat and drinks with fellow divers, with a book in your hands, or working on your laptop.
Outside the salon, there is a large outdoor lounge area with lounge beds for relaxation. There are 3 separate lounge decks on board - provide enough space and privacy, and can be fully shielded from the sun.
Tambora allows guests to to move about the vessel unobstructed. There are no narrow gangways and staircases.
Tambora's chef serves a menu of tasty Indonesian, European and Japanese specialties, freshly prepared in the well-equipped kitchen. Five meals per day mean there always is a tasty bite awaiting guests when they are on the surface!
Tambora has a large dive platform is located at the backboard side of the vessel, three easy steps down from the main deck.
The dive stations is divided into two separate sections, both is well equipped. The wet section features personal dive baskets, two large rinsing tanks, filling station and storage for dive tanks. The dry section features large desktop area as work space, as well as to store sensitive (and often bulky) equipment when not in use, large number of power sockets.
Tambora also can provide satellite-based communication for phone calls, your personal email and internet access with an additional charge.
Cabin
Tambora has 8 spacious guest cabin, it can accommodate up to 16 divers:
All cabins are at least 15sqm in size, with large en-suite bathroom, writing desk, air-conditioning, ample storage space, reading lights, power outlets (European 220V type).
2 Double Bed Cabins:
Located on the main deck, with a large double bed, portholes.
2 Double Bed Cabins:
Located on the lower deck, with a large double bed, portholes.
4 Twin Beds Cabins:
Located on the lower deck, with two single beds, portholes.
Diving
4 dives per day, depending on conditions and route.
Normally, dive provided on the day of arrival and departure.
2 dives will be provided on the day before departure.
All diving will provide experienced guide to lead the dive.
Other information
- Nitrox：Available with additional cost
- 15L Tanks：Available with additional cost
- Technical Dive Available:Not available at the moment
- REBREATHER Dive：Not available at the moment
- Dive Equipment Rental：Available, rate on request
- Dive insurance：Divers must have valid dive insurance
- Wi-Fi Internet ：Available with additional cost
- Laundry Service：Available with additional cost
- Massage Service：Not available at the moment
- Payment on board：By cash (USD/IDR) or credit card
- Crew Number：Unknown, including 2 dive guides
Itineraries
Raja Ampat
South & Central Raja Empat
Raja Empat has only fairly recently been discovered as scuba diving’s new frontier, and has very quickly gained a reputation as one of the world's finest dive areas, perhaps the finest amongst all in terms of biodiversity. New species keep being discovered here, and considering the vast geographic expanse of this group of islands, this is set to continue for years and years!
Our cruises depart from and return to Sorong, the area’s major town on the tip of the Bird’s Head Peninsula. Soon upon leaving Sorong harbor, Tambora will sail in crystal clear waters, among an endless string of densely forested and mostly uninhabited islands. The vast expanse and sheer number of islands allows us to pick itineraries and dive sites that suit during any season.
We will start things off diving the superb sites of the Dampier Strait. This is where waters from the Pacific and the inner Indonesian Seas first meet, providing for an extreme wealth of marine creatures including manta rays, schooling trevally and jacks, reef sharks, and the bizarre wobbegong shark. From here, cruises continue southwards towards Misool and the labyrinth of little islets surrounding it (Note: cruises in the June-August time period will turn north towards Waigeo and Wayag). You can expect it all – big pelagics, reefs teeming with life, great macro sites, and vibrantly colored night dives!
From Sorong, the major town on the Bird’s Head Peninsula and in the West of Indonesian New Guinea, you can connect easily to destinations across Indonesia.
Hidden Bays & Painted Rocks
South Raja Ampat, Fak Fak, Triton Bay
This cruise between Kaimana and Sorong takes us along the New Guinea coast and through South and Central Raja Empat to some of the world’s very best yet at the same time very little dived sites.
We will leave Kaimana bound south along the towering New Guinea coast line. A backdrop of steep limestone cliffs topped by pristine rain forest make for eerie scenery; oftentimes for kilometers, galleries of rock paintings delineate ancient burial grounds. The sea underneath is rich in nutrients and offers stunning biodiversity. We start with diving Triton Bay, with its exuberant soft coral gardens, large forests or black coral, and an amazing array of reef fish. Turning around to head up North, we dive for a couple of days along the Papuan coastline and off Fak Fak, where the diving offers great variety – splendid reef systems, some of the fishiest dives in the entire country, as well as some stunning rock and cave formations. From here onwards we move further up North towards the Southern part of Raja Empat, diving Misool and the labyrinth of islets and rocks surrounding it. Also here, the surface and underwater scenery are equally pristine, and each and every anchorage will be a picture-book experience. On our way into Sorong, we stop at the South shore of the island of Batanta, one of the Four Kings, for the only black sand diving Raja Ampat has to offer.
Please note that we are conducting this cruise in both directions, from Kaimana to Sorong (as described above) and also in the reverse sense, from Sorong to Kaimana. Kaimana can be reached best from Jakarta or Ambon while Sorong, the major town on the Bird’s Head Peninsula and in the West of Indonesian New Guinea, offers connections to many destinations across Indonesia including Jakarta, Makassar, Ambon, Manado, Manokwari or Jayapura.
Sulawesi's Secret Sites
Lembeh, Bunaken, Toli-Toli, West Sulawesi
This cruise takes us through largely uncharted and undived waters along the north coast of the island of Sulawesi, prior to arriving in the well known Bunaken National Park, Bangka-Talisei islands to the north of Sulawesi, and Lembeh Strait.
Leaving Palu, the Tambora will sail a northerly course, and we will dive some of the bays and capes along the Makassar Strait between the islands of Sulawesi and Borneo. Our next stop is Toli-Toli Bay, a large bay offering a broad variety of dive sites: some of the sheerest walls in the country, current-swept rocks where large schools of fish aggregate and terrific macro sites. We will spend 2-3 days diving and exploring Toli-Toli Bay prior to continuing our journey along the journey towards the East, following the Celebes Sea shoreline.
We will dive a series of sites along this coastline, including some large atolls offshore as well as fringing and patch reefs closer to the mainland; the dive sites here are characterized by a mixture of hard and soft coral gardens. Rarely visited and dived as it is, this section of the cruise also offers plenty of opportunities for further exploration.
Heading further East, we will reach Bunaken National Marine Park, the islands off the Northern tip of Sulawesi, and eventually the Lembeh Strait.
Palu, our port of embarkation, can easily be reached from Bali, Manado, Singapore (via Balikpapan) or Jakarta. We will disembark in Bitung, the harbor of Manado, from where guests can adjourn to a resort in the Manado area, or the airport for their onward flight connection.
More
| Destinations | Alor, Wakatobi, Banda Sea, Raja Ampat, Halmahera |
|---|---|
| Facilities | Nitrox support, Sidemount Friendly, Watersport equipment, Camera Station, Nautilus GPS, Massage or Spa, Wi-Fi, Laundry |
| Languages spoken | English |
Schedules & routes
Prices & conditions
Included
- Transfers from airport and/or hotel to the yacht
- VAT and local taxes
- Full-board meal plan (including snacks)
- Complimentary beverages (water, tea, coffee)
- Soft drinks
- Diving activity (incl. tanks, weights, weight belts)
- Dive guide service
- Use of Kayaks or/and SUPs
- Land excursions and activities throughout the trip
- Dive insurance (mandatory requirement)
- Boat accident insurance
- Cabin towels and complimentary toiletries
- Cabin cleaning service
Not included
- Domestic flights in destination country
- Marine park fees & Port fees
- Fuel surcharge
- Alcoholic beverage
- Dive equipment rentals
- Larger tank (15 L)
- Nitrox fills
- Dive courses on board
- Massage/Spa service
- Dive insurance (mandatory requirement)
- Travel insurance (trip cancellation insurance)
- Wi-Fi
- Crew gratuity
Useful information
Alor
Best time for diving
April to November, as this is when both visibility and weather are at their best, while September is the best time to spot Mola Mola. The currents usually are strongest in October and November, making conditions more challenging. From late December until early March, Alor is usually considered as off-season due to the rainy season.
About temperatures
Air : winter months are between 26°C - 29°C, summer months are between 27°C - 32°C.
Sea : between 25°C - 27°C from March to April & October to November, between 27°C - 30°C from May to September. Thermoclines are common year round, the water can drop at times to 22°C or lower.
Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a 5 mm full wetsuit. If you get cold easily, we recommend also bring gloves and a hood, or even a 7 mm full wetsuit.
Diver requirement
Suitable for all levels of diver from beginners to experienced. However, in the open blue, the current can be strong at times, so divers should to be comfortable with their skills. While the muck dive sites only have little current. You can find out more informations about diving in Alor here : Alor
Embarkation / Disembarkation
Alor liveaboard trips are usually from Maumere to Maumere, guests need to fly to Maumere airport (MOF).
However, some liveaboards often combine Alor with other destinations like Komodo, Banda Sea, Raja Ampat. Then you might only need to arrive or depart from Maumere.
Visa Requirements
Indonesia offers a free visa on arrival service for many nationalities which allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 30 days. A list of countries that are eligible for visa on arrival can be found on the Indonesian Government's Directorate General of Immigration.
Please note: Immigration officials in Indonesia may ask for proof of onward travel (e.g. a return or onward air ticket).
Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over the age of 9 months arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Money Matters
The local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), all liveaboards accept cash payments in USD.
Rupiah can be purchased from all major banks and exchange outlets. Credit and debit cards are also accepted in major hotels, restaurants & shops.
Drones
There are very few restrictions on the use of drones for photography purposes within Indonesia. Please check Drone laws in Indonesia for details.
Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.
Wakatobi
Best time for diving
Year-round, Wakatobi offers fantastic diving conditions throughout the year. So it's more about the above-water weather, rather than the underwater conditions.
Easterly winds from June to October, and Westerly winds between December and April. November and May are usually transitional months. July and August see a slight increase in wind, and the sea ripples somewhat; visibility is still fine. The weather in these months is a little cooler than the months on either side, making it a great time to visit for those who prefer to sleep without using an air-conditioner at night.
Underwater visibility is mostly between 20m and 50m, with an average of 35m with generally mild currents.
About temperatures
Air : generally ranges between 26°C - 30°C year-round.
Sea : November until March are between 28°C - 30°C, March to May averages 28°C, June averages 27°C, July and August averages 26°C, September is between 26°C - 27°C, October averages 28°C - 30°C.
Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend 3 mm full wetsuit, as you will making several dives in a day on the liveaboards, so you may get cooled off quite a bit.
Diver requirement
Suitable for all levels of diver from beginners to experienced.
You can find out more informations about diving in Wakatobi here : Wakatobi
Embarkation / Disembarkation
It really depends on the cruise/liveaboard you chose, it can be depart from/to Wangi-wangi (WNI), Bau Bau (BUW), Tomia (TQQ), Kendari (KDI).
Some liveaboard trips also combine Wakatobi with other destinations like Komodo, North Sulawesi. Then the arrangement will be different, please ask our agent to know the exact port for your trip.
Visa Requirements
Indonesia offers a free visa on arrival service for many nationalities which allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 30 days. A list of countries that are eligible for visa on arrival can be found on the Indonesian Government's Directorate General of Immigration.
Please note: Immigration officials in Indonesia may ask for proof of onward travel (e.g. a return or onward air ticket).
Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over the age of 9 months arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Money Matters
The local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), all liveaboards accept cash payments in USD.
Rupiah can be purchased from all major banks and exchange outlets. Credit and debit cards are also accepted in major hotels, restaurants & shops.
Drones
There are very few restrictions on the use of drones for photography purposes within Indonesia. Please check Drone laws in Indonesia for details.
Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.
Banda Sea
Best time for diving
October to November & March to April, the seas are generally calmer during these months and in October to November there is higher chance to see hammerhead sharks. From May to August the surface conditions can get quite rough.
The visibility is generally good to excellent in Banda Sea areas, except in Ambon bay and in other bays for critter dives. Currents are low to moderate on most of the sites, however, strong currents may occur at times.
About temperatures
Air : range between 25°C - 31°C year-round.
Sea : range between 26°C - 29°C year-round.
Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a 3 - 5 mm full wetsuit throughout the year.
Diver requirement
Most dive sites are suitable for all levels with a few exceptions that are suitable only for advanced divers. You can find out more informations about diving in Banda Sea here : Banda Sea
Embarkation / Disembarkation
The embarkation / disembarkation can be in Ambon (AMQ), Kaimana (KNG), Maumere (MOF), Sorong (SOQ), Waisai (RJM), Saumalaki (SXK) etc. As some of the Banda Sea trip will combine with other destinations like Raja Ampat, Halmahera, Triton Bay. So please ask our agent to know the exact port for your trip.
Visa Requirements
Indonesia offers a free visa on arrival service for many nationalities which allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 30 days. A list of countries that are eligible for visa on arrival can be found on the Indonesian Government's Directorate General of Immigration.
Please note: Immigration officials in Indonesia may ask for proof of onward travel (e.g. a return or onward air ticket).
Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over the age of 9 months arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Money Matters
The local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), all liveaboards accept cash payments in USD.
Rupiah can be purchased from all major banks and exchange outlets. Credit and debit cards are also accepted in major hotels, restaurants & shops.
Drones
There are very few restrictions on the use of drones for photography purposes within Indonesia. Please check Drone laws in Indonesia for details.
Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.
Raja Ampat
Best time for diving
Mid October to April, the wind then picks up in May until the end of August, causing rougher seas and this means Misool area in the south will be shut from June to September. From July until September the diving in the north still can be enjoyable. The visibility can vary from 10 - 30 meters, current can be from mild to strong at times.
About temperatures
Air : fairly constant between 25°C - 31°C year-round.
Sea : it is warm all year round, about 27°C - 31°C
Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a 3 mm full wetsuit throughout the year.
Diver requirement
Intermediate to Advanced level. You can find out more informations about diving in Raja Ampat here : Raja Ampat
Embarkation / Disembarkation
Most of the embarkation / disembarkation will be in Sorong (SOQ).
Few liveaboards also departs from Waisai (RJM).
The easiest to fly through to & from Sorong (SOQ) via Jakarta (CGK), Makassar (UPG), Bali (DPS), or Manado (MDC).
Visa Requirements
Indonesia offers a free visa on arrival service for many nationalities which allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 30 days. A list of countries that are eligible for visa on arrival can be found on the Indonesian Government's Directorate General of Immigration.
Please note: Immigration officials in Indonesia may ask for proof of onward travel (e.g. a return or onward air ticket).
Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over the age of 9 months arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Money Matters
The local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), all liveaboards accept cash payments in USD.
Rupiah can be purchased from all major banks and exchange outlets. Credit and debit cards are also accepted in major hotels, restaurants & shops.
Drones
There are very few restrictions on the use of drones for photography purposes within Indonesia. Please check Drone laws in Indonesia for details.
Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.
Halmahera
Best time for diving
October to November and March to May, Halmahera can be dived all year round, but due to the monsoon season, from June to September it can be windy and the sea can be rough. And from December to February is considered as the rainy season.
Visibility is usually very good, ranging from 20-30 meters, Inside the bays the visibility may be less. Currents can be strong in the straits, weak in the areas protected by the islands.
About temperatures
Air : generally ranges between 25°C - 32°C year-round.
Sea : it is warm all year round, about 27°C - 31°C
Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a 3 mm full wetsuit throughout the year.
Diver requirement
Suitable for all levels, however, divers should have some experience to enjoy the drift dives there. You can find out more informations about diving in Halmahera here : Halmahera
Embarkation / Disembarkation
Depending on which itinerary you choose, the embarkation / disembarkation can be in Bitung > Manado (MDC), Ternate (TTE), Bacan (LAH/WUB), or Morotai (OTI). The international airport with the best connections is Jakarta (CGK). You can also route through Bali (DPS) if you prefer.
However, some liveaboard trips will combine Halmahera with other destinations like Sulawesi (Lembeh), Raja Ampat, then the embarkation and disembarkation will be different. So please ask our agent to know the exact port for your trip.
Visa Requirements
Indonesia offers a free visa on arrival service for many nationalities which allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 30 days. A list of countries that are eligible for visa on arrival can be found on the Indonesian Government's Directorate General of Immigration.
Please note: Immigration officials in Indonesia may ask for proof of onward travel (e.g. a return or onward air ticket).
Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over the age of 9 months arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Money Matters
The local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), all liveaboards accept cash payments in USD.
Rupiah can be purchased from all major banks and exchange outlets. Credit and debit cards are also accepted in major hotels, restaurants & shops.
Drones
There are very few restrictions on the use of drones for photography purposes within Indonesia. Please check Drone laws in Indonesia for details.
Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.
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