Contact Phinisi Raja Ampat: Arrange Your Private Charter

This is the direct contact point for securing a private charter aboard our traditional phinisi schooner. Our expedition planners are based in Bali and possess intricate, firsthand knowledge of the Raja Ampat archipelago. We facilitate a seamless planning process for discerning divers and private groups seeking an authentic passage through the most biodiverse marine region on Earth. Every inquiry is handled with discretion and precision, ensuring your expedition is tailored to your specific objectives, from scientific research and underwater photography to multi-generational family holidays. See also: Phinisi Raja Ampat Home.

Your Direct Line to Raja Ampat’s Premier Diving Sanctuaries

To begin the conversation about your private phinisi expedition in Raja Ampat, please use the secure form below or contact our office directly. We operate on a first-come, first-served basis for charter dates, with peak seasons from October through April often booked more than 18 months in advance. Our team provides a comprehensive consultation to align your group’s diving certifications, interests, and desired timeline with the optimal itinerary. We adhere to a strict 4-hour service level agreement for initial responses during business hours, ensuring your planning process begins without delay.

The Phinisi Raja Ampat Schooner: A Heritage of Indonesian Maritime Craft

Our vessel is not a replica; it is a genuine two-masted Indonesian schooner, constructed by the Konjo boat builders of South Sulawesi, who have passed down this craft for centuries. The hull is made from Ulin, or ironwood, prized for its density and resistance to marine borers, while the superstructure is crafted from local teak. The schooner measures 36 meters in length overall with a beam of 7.5 meters, providing stability in the varied sea conditions of the Indonesian archipelago. Last refitted in 2023, the vessel accommodates a maximum of 12 guests in six private, en-suite, air-conditioned cabins. A dedicated crew of 12, including a European cruise director, a PADI-certified divemaster, and a professional chef, ensures a service ratio of 1:1. This attention to detail defines the authentic phinisi liveaboard Raja Ampat experience, combining traditional seafaring with contemporary comfort and safety standards.

Curated Itineraries: Dampier Strait, Misool, and Beyond

Our expeditions are not fixed routes but curated passages through Raja Ampat’s most significant marine ecosystems. The choice between the northern and southern regions depends entirely on season and your group’s specific interests. The Dampier Strait is famed for its high-voltage channel dives and dense fish populations, highlighted by sites like Cape Kri, where Dr. Gerald R. Allen documented a world-record 374 fish species on a single 90-minute dive in 2012. In contrast, a phinisi cruise Raja Ampat to the south explores Misool, a protected 1,220-square-kilometer marine reserve characterized by its dramatic karst island topography and rich soft coral gardens. This area, part of a larger 46,000-square-kilometer marine protected area network, offers a more exploratory feel. The following table provides a high-level comparison for initial planning.

The Diving Proposition: PADI-Certified Guidance in the Coral Triangle

Diving is the central pillar of every phinisi expedition Raja Ampat we operate. Our vessel is equipped to the standards of a PADI 5-Star Dive Resort, offering a superior level of service and safety. We maintain a strict divemaster-to-diver ratio of 1:4, ensuring personalized attention on every dive. For certified divers, Nitrox is available (EANx32) to extend bottom times and enhance safety margins on repetitive dives. Our equipment inventory consists of regularly serviced Scubapro and Mares gear. The dive program typically includes three to four dives per day, including dusk or night dives, scheduled around optimal tidal conditions. Water temperatures remain a consistent 28-30° Celsius (82-86° Fahrenheit) year-round. Our dive tenders are custom-built fiberglass boats, each powered by two 40hp engines for swift and safe access to dive sites.

• Expert Guidance: Our dive team possesses hundreds of logged dives within Raja Ampat, capable of locating rare species from the 2cm-long Denise’s pygmy seahorse to the endemic Raja Ampat walking shark (Hemiscyllium freycineti).
• Comprehensive Briefings: Each dive is preceded by a detailed briefing covering topography, expected currents, marine life highlights, and safety procedures.
• Photography Support: A dedicated camera room with charging stations and rinse tanks is available for underwater photographers and videographers.

Charter Inclusions and Expedition Investment

A private charter of our Raja Ampat phinisi schooner is an all-inclusive proposition designed for clarity and ease. The investment secures exclusive use of the entire vessel for your group of up to 12 guests. The charter fee covers all operational aspects of the expedition, allowing you to focus solely on the experience. Private charters are priced from USD 8,500 per night for the entire vessel, with a minimum duration of seven nights. This rate is comprehensive, with very few supplemental costs. We believe in transparent pricing to facilitate straightforward financial planning for your group. A charter with Phinisi Raja Ampat is a significant investment in a private, expertly guided exploration of the world’s last marine frontier.

The charter fee includes:

• Exclusive use of the 36-meter phinisi schooner and its 12-person crew.
• All meals, snacks, soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee.
• Up to four guided dives per day, including tanks, weights, and belts.
• Services of a PADI Divemaster and European Cruise Director.
• All shore excursions, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
• Round-trip transfers from Sorong’s Domine Eduard Osok Airport (SOQ) to the vessel.

The fee excludes: International and domestic flights, alcoholic beverages, crew gratuities (typically 5-10% of charter fee), dive equipment rental, Nitrox fills, and the mandatory Raja Ampat Marine Park Entry Permit (currently IDR 1,000,000 per person, valid for 12 months).

Planning Your Transit to Sorong (SOQ)

The gateway to any phinisi liveaboard Raja Ampat expedition is the city of Sorong in West Papua. Its airport, Domine Eduard Osok Airport (SOQ), is the designated meeting point. Our team manages all logistics from the moment you arrive. We greet you at the airport arrivals hall and provide a private, air-conditioned transfer directly to the harbor where the schooner is moored, a journey of approximately 15-20 minutes. Most international travelers connect to Sorong via one of two major Indonesian hubs: Jakarta’s Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (CGK) or Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). Direct flights from these hubs to Sorong are typically overnight, arriving in the early morning. Airlines such as Garuda Indonesia and Batik Air operate these routes. We recommend arriving in Indonesia at least one day prior to your scheduled charter departure to mitigate any potential travel delays. Our planning team can advise on optimal flight schedules and trusted domestic carriers.

Phinisi Raja Ampat is a fully licensed Indonesian charter operator, adhering to all national maritime safety and environmental regulations. Our commitment is to provide a professionally managed, low-impact presence in this critical ecosystem.