Diving is offered year-round to some of the best spots in the region. From June to September guests can enjoy thrilling diving in Komodo National Park. Visit world class dive sites Castle Rock, Crystal Rock and Manta Alley, with the chance to see the Komodo Dragon, manta rays, sharks and much more. In November, she moves to the diverse region of Raja Ampat, the epicenter of the Coral Triangle and known as one of the most bio-diverse marine areas in the world. There are also a limited number of crossing trips each year, where the Emperor Raja Laut travels between destinations and visits the Banda Islands where you visit rarely dived sites with the chance to see hammerheads, active volcanoes, amazing critters and fantastic pelagic action on this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Diving takes place from the 2 large RIB's and nitrox is available for those certified.
Explore Southeast Asia's remote islands aboard the classic schooner Emperor Raja Laut. Experience timeless journey's at the crossroads of ancient spice routes. The EmperorRaja Laut liveaboard is a traditional Indonesian phinisi built with tropical hardwood, creating a truly regal feel when sailing through the Indonesian waters. She accommodates just 12 guests in 6 en-suite cabins. There are 3 twin and 3 doubles, each with a mini-safe, storage space, en-suite bathroom and individually controlled AC. Social areas include the fully air-conditioned lounge with 49" HD flatscreen TV, library, games, movies and mini-bar, all located on the same deck as the cabins. Located on the upper deck is the sun deck with loungers both in the sun and shade as well as a dining table under the awning offering al-fresco dining with stunning Indonesian views.
Inspired by ships of centuries past that undertook journeys of exploration and trade to the Far East, Emperor Raja Laut is a modern interpretation of the gaff-rigged schooner. Effortlessly combining style and grace with modern technology Emperor Raja Laut is equipped for high-end expeditions.
BOAT FACILITIES
Lower deck: Lounge; fully air-conditioned with fridge, 49″ full HD flat screen and movie, music & book library, board games
Upper deck: Outdoor dining area, sun loungers, with and without shade and small internationally stocked bar
Free Starlink WiFi available
DIVING FACILITIES
2 dive guides
Diving Tender: 1 x 5.2m RIB with 75 Hp outboard + 1 x 5.5m with 85 HP outboard and ladders
Dive equipment rental: Full range on offer; rentals must be arranged prior to arrival. All divers are required to use a dive computer and SMB for every dive and a torch each for night dives.
Dive tanks: Equipped with 12 litre Aluminium tanks as standard and 15 litre Aluminium tanks on request. FREE Nitrox; up to 32% plus partial pressure system. 2 x CAT compressors
PADI courses available: PADI Discover Scuba, Advanced Open Water, Nitrox Speciality
Medical: Oxygen, comprehensive First Aid and AED available
Camera facilities: Charging stations, air gun, rinse tanks and camera table
CABINS
LOWER DECK TWIN
Lower deck twin cabins are approx. 12sqm with port holes two single bunk-style beds, individually controlled air con, fan and mini-safe. Ensuite bathroom with shower, 2 cabin towels and one sun deck towel per guest. Hairdryers available, on request.
LOWER DECK DOUBLE
Lower deck double cabins are approx. 9sqm, with port holes, queen-sized double bed, individually controlled aircon, fan and mini-safe. Ensuite bathroom with shower, 2 cabin and 1 deck towel per guest. Hairdryers available, on request.
Komodo - 7 nights
Komodo National Park is world renowned for the excellent quality and variety of diving. Generally, this cruise visits the Central and Southern Sections, depending on sea and wind conditions we may visit the Central and Northern Sections. A 7-night cruise generally takes in sites in the Central and Southern Sections of the Komodo National Park. On occasions the cruise will take in the Central and Northern Sections depending on sea and wind conditions, especially related to southerly swells.
In the north, the black sands of the Sangeang Volcano with its critters and bubble flows and the beautiful reefs surrounding Gili Banta. In the south, manta action and nutrient rich reefs with ocean flow from the Indian Ocean.
Central section reefs and small islands teem with life fed by the currents running between the islands of Komodo and Rinca.
The Komodo National Park is world renowned for the excellent quality and variety of diving. Water temperatures change between the north and south of the Park and provide varied encounters. In the north we have the black sands of the Sangeang Volcano with its critters and bubble flows and the reefs around Gili Banta. The south provides cooler temperatures with manta action and nutrient rich reefs with ocean flow from the Indian Ocean. The central section provides reefs and small islands teeming with life fed by the currents running between the islands of Komodo and Rinca. Add to this the chance to see the famous Komodo Dragon in its natural habitat, beautiful beaches, look-outs to climb and you have a paradise both below and above the water.
Best of Raja - 9 nights
Center of the Coral Triangle, Raja Ampat is the most biodiverse place on earth. Chance to see hammerheads, manta and other pelagic action combined with colourful pristine reefs.
Be mesmerized by patrolling pelagics hunting their next meal. Discover something for the first time, a walking shark! Copious fish life, immense colours and mysterious critters, truly something for everyone.
Misool’s sugarloaf islands, fifty shades of blue lagoons, deserted islands and dense, green mangroves.
Raja Ampat, which in Indonesian means the Four Kings, is a Marine Park world renowned for being the epicentre of marine biodiversity. The park covers a large area with approximately 170 nautical miles separating the northern and southern extremities. It would be possible to dive for weeks and weeks without seeing the same sites twice.
Raja Ampat can be divided into three sections covering the North, Central and Southern Sections. Spectacular scenery both above and below the water make this heritage area unique and a bucket list item for both divers and lovers of nature.
The 9-night trips take in the central and either northern or southern sections – depending on the season – with the 12-night cruises visiting all three.
Northern Section: Wayag, Kawe, Aljui Bay
Central Section: Gam, Penemu, Arborek, Cape Kri Area/Dampier Strait
Southern Section: Daram, Wayilbatan, Fiabacet, Pelee
Explore the map below for dive sites and descriptions.
Land visits: A walk to the panorama of Penemu, with stunning views of the lagoon and limestone rocks
Alor - 7 nights (add Banda for 12 nights)
Revel in stunning pelagic encounters and explore the hidden treasures within Alor’s hundreds of bays and coves where rare and elusive critters await you
Awe-inspiring encounters with dolphins and whales, various sharks and the shy mola mola. Stunning virgin reefs with glorious coral formations fed by the currents.
World-class macro diving and muck diving in Kalabahi Bay. Dramatic volcanic landscapes and fascinating land visits
The East Nusa Tenggara archipelago is an area difficult to reach other than from a liveaboard and offers the chance to explore one of the last diving frontiers in Indonesia. On the Alor trip, diving takes you to another dimension and anything can be expected as the ever-present currents bring incredible fish action with a world-class array of marine life from big to small.
Your day might start by diving a cleaning station frequented by mola mola and thresher sharks, continue on a seamount surrounded by trevallies and barracuda tornadoes and end with an incredible night dive trying to spot the elusive Rhinopias.
Sighting of whales and pods of dolphins are frequent and there will be plentiful encounters with sharks in a region that continually amazes.
But it is not only the marine life that entertains. You could meet freediving local children – who use goggles that are handmade with wood and glass bottles – see spectacular landscapes and explore villages that have kept strong their culture and traditional way of life.
The diving is amazing but a trip here about more than that. It is a life experience that will leave unforgettable memories.
For more info on the boat & trips, click HERE