Cruise eastern Indonesia aboard Aqua Blu

Eastern Indonesia is an archipelago of thousands of islands spread across seas that few travellers reach: the dry, volcanic islands of Komodo National Park, the old nutmeg ports of the Banda Sea and the limestone labyrinth of Raja Ampat. There are almost no hotels of quality in most of it. The practical way to see it is by boat, and Aqua Blu, operated by Aqua Expeditions, is the most comfortable of the boats.

What the experience is

Aqua Blu began life in 1968 as a survey vessel of the Royal Navy, one of four ships of her class built to chart coastal waters. She was later converted into a private yacht and then rebuilt for expedition cruising. She carries a small number of guests in 15 suites, all facing the sea, with a crew almost as numerous as the passengers. On board are a sun deck, a lounge and bar, an outdoor Jacuzzi and a spa cabin.

The ship follows the seasons around the archipelago. Around Komodo, guests walk with rangers to see the dragons, snorkel over reefs swept by strong currents and climb to viewpoints over pink-sand bays. From Ambon the ship sails to the Banda Islands, where nutmeg once made fortunes and where Dutch forts and planters’ houses still stand beneath an active volcano. In Raja Ampat, in West Papua, the days are spent among mushroom-shaped islets above what is regarded as the richest coral reef system on earth.

Excursions are by tender, with guides for diving, snorkelling, kayaking and paddleboarding, and visits ashore to villages. The cooking draws on the spices and seafood of the islands.

When to go

The itinerary decides the season. Komodo is sailed mainly in the middle of the year, during the dry season, and Raja Ampat in the months around the turn of the year, when its seas are calmest. Voyages through the Spice Islands take place in the periods between the two.

Getting there

Cruises begin and end at small regional airports reached by domestic flights from Bali or Jakarta: Labuan Bajo for Komodo, Sorong for Raja Ampat and Ambon for the Spice Islands. The operator arranges the connections.

Why OKYTO recommends it

Because these are among the most beautiful waters in Asia and among the hardest to reach, and a small ship with a serious crew is the only way to see them properly. On land, Ta’aktana in Labuan Bajo is a base before or after a Komodo voyage.