Indonesia's top-rated liveaboards

The many islands of Indonesia are a hotspot for liveaboard scuba safaris, with a fleet of phinisis and motor yachts traversing across the country, delivering divers to the top sites at the perfect time. But, if you’re considering a liveaboard trip in Indonesia, how do you decide which of the many boats will offer the best experience? 

To help answer this question, we’ve combined our expert knowledge with reviews and feedback from our guests to identify Indonesia’s very best liveaboards across a range of categories. Keep reading to find your favourite. 

Seven Seas is a stunning traditional phinisi with simple yet stylish furnishings throughout. The dive deck is well-equipped for easy adventure, offering nitrox, camera rinse areas, rental equipment, and three tenders to ferry guests to and from dive sites. And, guests can also make use of six double kayaks provided for self-guided exploration.

Measuring an impressive 45-metres in length, this spacious liveaboard accommodates up to 16 guests in comfort, allowing plenty of communal space for social interaction and relaxation. And, each of the double staterooms still has enough space for a king size bed, while the twin staterooms feature oversize singles. 

Wisesa is a 30-metre phinisi combining modern comfort with traditional charm and an all-round adventurous attitude. When it comes to diving, two dinghies are on hand to transport guests between sites, while rental equipment, camera rinse facilities and sidemount support ensure divers of all levels are catered for. Plus, snorkelling equipment, kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards are also readily available.

Accommodating only eight guests, this vessel guarantees undivided attention for everybody on board, whatever their watersport might be during dedicated voyages, and. And, the vessel’s multiple inviting lounge spaces turn surface intervals and periods of navigation into convivial communal moments that are sure to become cherished memories.

Solitude Adventurer is an expertly-renovated 36-metre catamaran providing exceptional services throughout Indonesia’s best dive destinations. The vessel’s scuba facilities leave little to be desired, incorporating optional nitrox upgrades and complimentary Nautilus Lifelines. Underwater photographers are exceptionally well cared for, thanks to a camera bench on the dive deck, as well as an editing room equipped with an air gun and camera towels. 

Spread over four decks, this salubrious vessel is more like a modern hotel than a liveaboard. Casual yet stylish social areas have been decorated with sumptuous furnishings and a few first-class facilities such as massage chairs. The vessel’s cabins are also superb, offering plenty of space and an abundance of natural light. And, for an elevated dining experience, meals are meticulously crafted in the glass-walled galley, while unlimited snacks such as biscuits and instant noodles are available throughout the day.

Carpe Diem is a well-appointed phinisi offering elegant liveaboard experiences in some of Indonesia’s most remote regions. Facilities include well-appointed lounges, as well as free-to-use watersports equipment such as kayaks and paddleboards – and the area in front of the deckhouse makes for an unparalleled yoga studio. Carpe Diem also comes stocked with 12 sets of Mares scuba equipment which is free to use for all divers.

Accommodating just ten guests, this traditional wooden vessel was specifically designed to deliver highly personalised service to small groups of like-minded travellers. Carpe Diem’s dedicated crew also welcomes children on board, making it a great choice for families in search of some quality time together. 

Measuring 45-metres long, the steel hulled Blue Manta is one of the largest and most spacious dive liveaboards in Indonesia, accommodating up to 22 guests in total comfort. But, space isn’t the only thing on offer here, guests will also benefit from exceptional standards of service, smooth sailing, and contemporary indoor and outdoor communal areas – including a luxurious lounge and comfortable sundeck with possible massage services. 

What’s more, Blue Manta is one of Indonesia’s best liveaboards for underwater photographers, boasting a spacious camera room, individual rinse tanks, an outdoor work table, and blow-dry stations. Plus, a maximum of four divers per guide, and groups split by experience level and air consumption, give photographers’ the best chance of capturing that perfect shot.

Tiare is an elegant wooden liveaboard born out of five passions – the ocean, diving, photography, cuisine, and the country of Indonesia. This refined phinisi now offers luxurious liveaboard voyages throughout the archipelago, enthusiastically welcoming both divers and non-divers and happily catering to their differing needs.

Designed to feel like home, with an added dose of luxury, Tiare comes with comfortable, chic communal spaces and a bar stocking imported wines and a selection of cigars for connoisseurs. The vessel’s sophisticated style of hospitality continues throughout the diving operations, with ample space for every diver, easy access to warm showers, and a ‘wash and dry’ wetsuit service. An indoor camera area is also available, as is nitrox for certified guests.

Cruising Komodo National Park year-round, Nusantara offers a choice of concise itineraries lasting between two to four nights. And, no matter which trip you select, you'll enjoy a carefully-considered combination of underwater exploration and topside adventure. This recently-refurbished liveaboard has been well-designed for divers, featuring a spacious shaded dive deck, as well as a small swim platform and easy-to-use ladder providing access to the water. 

Nusantara is a fun and social vessel setting new standards for affordable liveaboard diving. This lively liveaboard is perfect for budget-savvy travellers of all kinds, offering a choice of casual dorm-style sleeping arrangements either below deck or beneath the stars.

Custom-designed for liveaboard diving, Ambai offers some of the most interesting itineraries in Indonesia. The vessel’s indoor and outdoor social spaces are warm and inviting, while onboard massage services make it easy to relax during surface intervals. Up to four dives are offered each day, nitrox is free for certified guests, and a dedicated camera room is available for maintenance and preparation.

This vessel’s unique voyages last between nine-nights and two-weeks at sea, often visiting off-the-beaten-path dive destinations such as Halmahera and the Togian Islands. Ambai’s dive deck is also well-prepared for exploration in such remote areas, offering easy access to a spacious dive platform and the ability to receive all three tenders at the same time. 

Guests aboard Coralia will find themselves enveloped in exclusive service and first-class facilities. This 48-metre phinisi’s eight cabins include four spacious master suites with private open-air terraces, while social spaces are furnished with daybeds, canopy-covered sofas, and audio/visual entertainment. Built specifically for divers, Coralia’s dive deck comes equipped with warm showers, a changing room, equipment storage, and two tenders. Nitrox is free to certified divers and a dedicated, air-conditioned camera room can be found on the main deck.

Coralia is owned and operated by Papua Explorers, one of Raja Ampat’s finest eco resorts, and was built to high standards of sustainability using natural materials. Laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, and the complimentary bathroom amenities on board are all reef-safe and organic, and the crew limits single-use plastic where possible. The vessel also collaborates closely with the resort’s Raja Ampat SEA Centre – an initiative that facilitates public education and hands-on conservation projects.

Jakare is a gorgeous Indonesian phinisi that blends traditional design with modern comforts. Guests aboard this vessel will immediately slip into a state of complete relaxation, making full use of the comfortable day beds, bean bags, and breezy mattresses on the sundeck. Of course, Jakare also offers an array of dedicated dive facilities, including an oversized dive deck, devoted briefing area, modern camera facilities, and nitrox.

Blending traditional charm with modern comforts, Jakare is one of Indonesia’s most Instagram-worthy liveaboards. This vessel’s inspired design features stunning wooden interiors that have been expertly finished in gorgeous tones of chocolate and gold. Each of Jakare’s charming cabins and multi-level social spaces has been tastefully styled with chic decor, such as indigenous art and locally produced crafts. 

Sea Safari VI is a spacious and stable wooden phinisi built exclusively for liveaboard diving. The vessel is roomy enough for guests to spread out during surface intervals and comes equipped with a few luxurious facilities such as an on-deck Jacuzzi. Sea Safari VI offers all that you'll need to enjoy a week or more of easy diving – including high-quality rental equipment and nitrox fills – and all scuba operations are conducted from accompanying tenders with generous shaded dive decks.

Accommodating up to 20 guests in ten comfortable cabins, this vessel is ideal for larger dive groups and offers additional complementary spaces to bookings of 12 or more guests. Sea Safari VI’s multiple lounge areas also ensure plenty of versatile communal space, ensuring guests can enjoy both social interaction and peaceful seclusion throughout the trip.