Discovery cruises in Indonesia

Experience off-grid exploration through volcanic islands, ancient trade routes, and pristine coral reefs.

Discovery Cruises at a Glance

  • Destination: Lesser-visited regions of Indonesia including Wakatobi, Taka Bonerate, Halmahera, and the Banda Arc
  • Travel Style: Eco-friendly, small-group, slow travel—each journey follows the tides, allowing for unhurried exploration and connection with nature and culture
  • Duration Options: 8-, 9-, or 11-night cruises, with private charters available
  • Activities: Snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, village visits, wildlife encounters
  • Ocean: Coral atolls, deep reef walls, blue-water mangroves, manta rays, turtles, and colourful reef fish
  • Island: Volcanic peaks, white-sand beaches, forested trails, and historic coastal towns
  • People: Visit Bajau and Bugis sea communities, explore local markets, and experience traditional boatbuilding and spice heritage

Indonesia for liveaboard discovery cruises

As the seasons shift, our eco-friendly liveaboards follow the rhythm of the ocean—sailing from Raja Ampat in the northeast to Komodo in the central south, always in step with the best conditions Indonesia’s waters have to offer.

 

These are our Discovery Cruises: unhurried journeys where time is measured by the tide, the angle of the sun, and the soft hush of a distant horizon. It’s here that our spirit of exploration truly comes to life, as we weave between islands that rarely see visitors, let alone tour boats.

Nomad Archipelago for remote, off the beaten track liveaboard cruises in Indonesia

Each voyage is shaped by curiosity. We linger in sheltered bays, seek out new beaches, and slip into waters not yet mapped by the usual travel routes. There’s no rush—just the freedom to explore places untouched by commercial tourism, where nature still leads the way.

 

Along the way, we pause in places both remote and remarkable—Wakatobi’s reef-rich waters, the vast atolls of Taka Bonerate, the volcanic peaks of Halmahera and the Moluccas, and the spice-scented islands of the Banda Arc. These crossings are more than routes—they’re rare, immersive passages through some of Indonesia’s last truly wild places.

Our Discovery Cruise Destinations

The Moluccas Islands & Halmahera

Remote cruises in The Moluccas Islands & Halmahera

The Moluccas, or the Maluku Islands—once known as the fabled Spice Islands—are a scattered chain of lush, mountainous isles straddling the seas between Sulawesi and Papua. Rich in both history and biodiversity, this region was once the centre of the global spice trade, drawing traders and colonial powers from across the world. Today, it remains one of Indonesia’s most culturally rich and naturally striking destinations. Read More

Wakatobi National Park

Cruise the remote Wakatobi National Park

Wakatobi National Park, tucked away in Southeast Sulawesi, is a protected marine wonderland made up of four main islands and the vast coral reefs that surround them.

As part of the Coral Triangle, this area is home to some of the richest marine biodiversity on the planet, with more than 750 species of coral and over 900 species of fish.
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Taka Bonerate National Park

11-Night Three National Parks: Komodo, Wakatobi & Taka Bonerate Cruise

Taka Bonerate National Park, located in South Sulawesi’s Selayar Islands, is one of Indonesia’s best-kept secrets—a remote marine park defined by turquoise shallows, sunlit reefs, and one of the largest atoll systems in the world. From above, its circular reef structures stretch across the sea like a mosaic, enclosing lagoons so clear they seem almost unreal. Read More

Cruising the Banda Arc

Cruise the remote Banda Arc

Cruising the inner Banda Arc is a journey through one of Indonesia’s most storied and scenic regions—a sweep of volcanic islands rising from deep blue seas, scattered across the heart of the Banda Sea. Once the centre of the global nutmeg trade, these islands were fiercely contested by colonial powers, their quiet bays and sleepy towns today belying a history of ambition, conflict, and global intrigue. Read More

Discovery Cruise Experiences

Our Discovery Cruises follow the same slow travel rhythm as our journeys in Raja Ampat, Komodo, and the Banggai. Days unfold through a balance of ocean exploration and time ashore—snorkelling coral reefs in marine parks like Wakatobi and Taka Bonerate, kayaking through mangrove-fringed lagoons, hiking to hilltop viewpoints or through remote island villages. Whether you’re meeting Bajau sea nomads, paddling across a glassy bay, or drifting above untouched reef, the pace is always unhurried—and the experience always rewarding.

Discovery Cruises

We offer a selection of 8- to 11-night Discovery Cruises that trace rare routes through Indonesia’s lesser-known waters—journeys that drift between the Selayar Islands, Taka Bonerate, Wakatobi, Sulawesi, and the remote Banggai Archipelago. These longer voyages are shaped by our slow travel approach, allowing time for exploration without rush, and for deep connection with the people and places along the way.

8-Night Komodo & Taka Bonerate Cruise

8-Night Komodo & Taka Bonerate Adventure

8-Night Komodo & Taka Bonerate Cruise

A rare journey connecting the quiet charm of the Selayar Islands and Taka Bonerate Atoll with the wild drama of Komodo. From palm-lined shores and reef-fringed lagoons to traditional villages and rice terraces, this route follows a slow and varied rhythm—one that invites connection, curiosity, and moments of pure coastal stillness.

Experiences:

  • Explore the stilted homes, sandy paths, and boat-building beaches of Bonerate and Kalao Islands, meeting local communities along the way
  • Drift and snorkel through the remote coral reefs of Taka Bonerate National Park, with beach barbecues, village visits, and days spent off the map
  • Swim in turquoise waters and wander barefoot along the untouched sands of Jailamu and Panjang Islands
  • Hike through spice plantations and quiet villages on Tanah Jampea, crossing through forest and farmland
  • Discover Komodo’s iconic wildlife and dramatic landscapes, from dragon treks on Rinca to snorkelling with manta rays and turtles at coral-covered reefs
  • End each day anchored in silence, watching sunset skies from pink beaches or under palms swaying in the evening breeze
8-Night Sulawesi & Banggai Archipelago Cruise

An eight-night journey from the coastal heart of Sulawesi to the remote islands of the Banggai Archipelago, where life flows with the currents and communities are shaped by the sea. Along this slow passage, visit Bajau and Bugis villages, snorkel vibrant reefs, and discover hidden coves few others have explored. With each stop, experience the quiet wonder of a region where time moves gently, and the ocean is both guide and home.

Experiences:

  • Visit remote island villages and meet the Bajau—a sea-bound culture with deep roots in Indonesia’s maritime history
  • Snorkel coral reefs, blue-water mangroves, and shallow lagoons home to octopus, turtles, juvenile fish, and the endemic Banggai cardinalfish
  • Wander schoolyards, join beach bonfires, and share meals with local families in places rarely visited by outsiders
  • Explore winding coves and sand-fringed islets by Zodiac, with time to swim, paddle, and pause in places shaped by tide and wind
  • Unwind on long white-sand beaches, where barbecues are served under the shade of trees and the only footprints are your own
  • Discover the “blue mangrove,” where coral and mangroves intertwine in one of nature’s rarest and most colourful ecosystems
11-Night Three National Parks: Komodo, Wakatobi & Taka Bonerate Cruise

An immersive voyage through three of Indonesia’s most extraordinary marine national parks. From the dragon-guarded savannahs of Komodo to the reef-ringed atolls of Taka Bonerate and the stilted sea villages of Wakatobi, this twelve-day cruise unfolds across seldom-visited waters. Along the way, meet coastal communities shaped by the tides, drift above dazzling coral gardens, and explore island worlds far removed from the everyday.

Experiences:

  • Search for Komodo dragons and trek across the wild hills and monsoon forests of Rinca Island
  • Snorkel with manta rays and turtles in the nutrient-rich waters of Komodo National Park
  • Visit the traditional boatbuilding villages of Bonerate and Kalao Islands
  • Spend three days exploring the remote atolls of Taka Bonerate, with beach barbecues, village visits, and snorkelling among coral-ringed lagoons
  • Step ashore on Batuata Island to visit the local school, meet the village chief, and discover a place far from any beaten path
  • Explore the mangroves and reefs of Hoga and Kaledupa, and visit the stilted Bajo village built entirely above the sea
  • Visit the market and sea gypsy community of Wangi Wangi, the oldest Bajo settlement in the Wakatobi Islands
  • End the journey with a final snorkel and island walk in the remote Saponda Islands before disembarking in Kendari

Plan and book your cruise

Use the tool below to check live availability and explore our upcoming cruises. Filters let you search by date, duration, number of guests, and more. For each cruise, you can choose:

 

  • [Select Cabin] — to join a shared departure
  • [Book Charter] — for exclusive use of a boat

 

Once you’ve made your selection, the platform will guide you through a few steps to submit your details. When you click [Book], a provisional reservation will be made — no payment required at this stage — our team will then be in touch to confirm your booking and arrange payment to secure it.

 

If you need help planning your trip? Click [Enquire Now] to send us your preferred travel dates & traveller details — we’ll be happy to consult with you in planning the perfect cruise.

Online Availability & Cruise Planner - Discovery Cruises