Guided Wildlife Watching & Whale Sharks in Indonesia
Explore the coasts of West Papau and the Raja Ampat archipelago in Indonesia with traditional boat Katharina.
Anchor in bays of limestone spires as you snorkel mysterious caves, world famous coral reefs and swim with manta ray, sea turtles and whale sharks. Enjoy traditional villages as the local people welcome guests with open arms performing fascinating traditional Indonesian dance rituals.
Trek through the rainforest with your guide in search of the Bird of Paradise and watch the sunrise over the stunning volcanic landscapes as you breathe in the fresh ocean air. Enjoy tropical island exploration at its finest with a bucket list adventure holiday on board traditional Indonesian vessel Katharina.
- Traditional Indonesian Villages
- World famous Coral Reefs
- Rainforest trekking
- Birds of Paradise
- Whale Sharks
- Ancient Cave Paintings
- Private ensuite cabins
- Package Travel Cover
- Full board
Need some help?
Talk to the team
Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592
A day to day guide
D A Y 1
Start your Indonesian wildlife tour on the island of West Papau in Indonesia. A crew guide will meet you at the airport and take guests directly to the boat. The first stop once guests have settled into their cabins will be Triton Bay.
D A Y 2
Cruise through undisturbed coves, caves and lagoons as the boat heads north through the Namatote Passage. The high cliffs here are a gallery to prehistoric art with cave paintings, glyphs and pictorial signs left by nomads high on the rocks. Spend the afternoon with ultimate tropical relaxation making use of the boats kayaks and paddle boards or sitting back on board with a book.
D A Y 3
The limestone landscape of Triton Bay is full of natural wonders. Tall cliffs and numerous islands are separated by blue lagoons and narrow channels. Local fisherman collect baitfish here and keep them in nets attached to specially built platforms known as “bagans”. These baitfish nets attract the graceful whale sharks so if we are lucky, spend a couple of hours swimming with these magnificent creatures.
After lunch, take the boats kayaks and paddle boards to explore the limestone landscape and beautiful white sandy beaches before heading west to begin our overnight crossing to the west coast of Papua.
D A Y 4
The primal scene of a jungle waterfall where a roaring river surrounded by rainforest pours into the sea is quite a sight to wake up too. Enjoy breakfast in this picturesque anchorage as you spend some time here swimming though the waterfall and exploring the nearby coral reefs.
D A Y 5
After a freshly prepared buffet style breakfast, head ashore where guests can visit a local village, meeting the residents as they share their traditions of fishing and growing nutmeg.
Back on board the boat, cruise to a picturesque cluster of tropical islands where guests can explore the beaches and crystal clear waters with vibrant coral reefs.
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D A Y 6
Let the crew cruise overnight as guests wake up on the southern Raja Ampat island of Misool, a picturesque archipelago of forest covered limestone islets teeming with colourful reefs. Swim through a fascinating dome-roofed sea cave with giant stalagmites and stalactites. Next, explore the mysterious stingless jellyfish lake, one of only 20 in the world where these incredible creatures live.
After lunch, take the boats tender’s to explore the many bays and inlets along the coast watching for native bird species before stopping to see some prehistoric cave paintings said to be between 3000-5000 years old. As the evening draws in, enjoy a beach BBQ and bonfire with the crew with singing and dancing late into the night.
D A Y 7
Today, guests can enjoy a relaxing day of snorkelling, swimming, exploring the coastline by paddle board or kayak or kick back with a book on the white sand beaches and enjoy a little slice of tropical paradise. Enjoy dinner aboard as the crew cruises north to reach the island of Waigeo for the first of our tropical bird encounters.
D A Y 8
An early start begins before dawn as guests travel to a local village and are met by local guides to take us on our first jungle trek in search of the beautiful Wilson’s Bird of Paradise performing mating rituals upon the forest floor. As the rainforest wakes, our walk back to the boat will be accompanied by the sounds of the rising animals where there will be the opportunity to watch a number of bird species along the way.
A freshly prepared buffet style, late breakfast sets guest up for the rest of the day as guests enjoy snorkelling, swimming and exploring the reefs and islands of the local area by kayak or paddle board.
D A Y 9
Today is the second and final early morning as guests head off in search of the Red Bird of Paradise high up in the canopy of the rainforest. Extroverted, show-offs, these fascinating creatures dance and squawk their way through the trees trying to impress their female friends.
Return to Katharina for breakfast as guests prepare to snorkel some of Raja Ampat most impressive coral reefs of the Dampier Strait. If the tides are in favour, there may be the opportunity to watch some larger marine animals, attracted by the currents bringing nutrient rich water.
End the day on a local island where the local village kids show guests around their beautiful village and join the locals to perform some impressive traditional folk dancing. Tonight sees an impressive farewell dinner with the captain and crew to mark the end of your Indonesian adventure.
D A Y 1 0
Spend the morning anchored off the white sandy beach of a small tropical island where guests can enjoy a final swim and snorkel before our last lunch onboard. The crew will take you offshore to the airport for your onward travel.
Please note that this is a guide as to what to expect from your sailing holiday in Indonesia. With the ever changing wind and tides, flexibility is key. Our mission is to provide the best experience possible for our guests given the current conditions and when unexpected opportunities for adventure may present themselves along our cruise routes.
Sometimes weather conditions, tides or other local factors dictate that we need to vary from the published route, and at times there are special opportunities to explore and discover new locations, events and activities. These explorations will always be a definite enhancement to the published itinerary and will be undertaken after discussion and agreement among guests. Ultimately, the boat captains and your tour leader will make decisions to maximise trip safety and your overall enjoyment, so please come prepared to be flexible!
Travel insurance notes
As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.
Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.
This voyage will likely be more than 12miles offshore.
Package Travel Regulations
This trip is covered by our Package Travel Regulations (PTR) Insurance. Please click here to view the Terms & Conditions.
Life on board
Our sailing holidays in Indonesia on board traditional Pinisi vessel Katharina are simple pleasures, tropical paradises, and unforgettable locations. Indulge in a world of adventure as you discover the natural beauty of the Indonesian archipelago from the water. Walk barefoot along sandy shores, enjoy delicious local cuisine, and wonder at the endemic wildlife species across the islands.
Have fun!
Katharina has ample on-board facilities and a professional crew to organise activities as guests unwind and relax in a tropical playground. Snorkelling, swimming, paddle-boarding, fishing or even kayaking are all included in the ticket price. (For those wanting a private charter in Indonesia, scuba diving can be arranged up to 2x a day for a maximum of eight divers per charter.)
Kick back and relax in the sun with a good book, either on the sun deck, in the cool of your air-conditioned cabin or on a sandy beach ashore. The crew can also help to arrange further activities (at an additional cost), from Indonesian cooking classes, and rock climbing to kite surfing and wakeboarding.
A typical day
Start your day with a buffet-style breakfast before setting off to explore another island and anchorage. If the wind permits, watch as the sails are set (or get involved if you’d like) and this graceful vessel glides through crystal clear waters. Depending on the wishes of the group, perhaps head ashore to explore an island or harbour village or arrange an excursion with the crew. Each voyage has a dedicated guest host who knows the area well and will be on hand to make local connections.
Enjoy lunch onboard or take a picnic, use the boat’s water activities, or relax on the sundeck with a book. The choice is truly yours. Evening meals are prepared on the boat, and nighttime beach bonfires, dancing, and local music are a great way to end the day!
Eat
The generous galley sits in the stern of the ship, where the dedicated on-board chef conjures up freshly-prepared meals showcasing the very best of Indonesian cuisine and hospitality. Explore the colourful Indonesian markets in the local villages as the chef picks the freshest produce and local delicacies. The Indonesian Ocean is a vast resource for local fishing, too, so whether you are picking up the catch of the day from the local fishing boats or running your own line from the stern, fresh seafood is certainly top of the menu!
Sleeping and Relaxation
The top deck is a raised sun-lounging area sitting on the roof of the saloon and bar, giving guests secluded relaxation and stunning views. On the main deck, Katharina is rigged traditionally to make best use of the wind as the weather permits. A generous and comfortable saloon and bar sit to the stern of the boat while a large dining table sits under a canopy at the bows, perfect for alfresco dining under the stars.
Below decks, her interior refit has been to a high standard with spacious cabins and campion-ways. Hand-crafted beds using local timber and locally made soft furnishings give the boat an authentic Indonesian feel. There are six private ensuite cabins for guests in a combination of double beds, twin bunks and three berth cabins. Each cabin offers plenty of natural light with individually controlled air-conditioning, ample storage space, and plenty of electrical and USB outlets.
Katharina
Guest berths: 14 Rig: Gaff Ketch
From the Orangutans in Borneo to the dragons of Komodo to the whale sharks and coral reefs throughout the islands, sailing in Indonesia is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From adventurous couples to family groups and even solo travellers, Katharina’s voyages are suitable for all ages and abilities.
Built in 1995 on the Indonesian portion of the island of Borneo, Katharina is a traditional pinisi boat originally intended for commercial freight service. Still, she caught the eye of her current owner with her elegant sailing lines and sleek hull.
They saw her transformation into a charter vessel as an exercise in preserving her Indonesian authenticity, and in 2014, they employed local craftsmen to complete a beautiful interior refit. Working alongside her sister ship Ombak Putih (larger but equally as beautiful!), they are both fine examples of some of the few original boats that still sail these waters.
Now led by Captain Ferdi, Katharina takes guests on skippered sailing holidays to explore the cultural heritage, natural wonders and wildlife of the Indonesian islands.
The top deck is a raised sun-lounging area sitting on the roof of the saloon and bar, giving guests secluded relaxation and stunning views. On the main deck, Katharina is rigged traditionally to make best use of the wind as the weather permits. A generous and comfortable saloon and bar sit to the stern of the boat, while a large dining table sits under a canopy at the bows, perfect for alfresco dining under the stars.
Below decks, her interior refit has been to a high standard, with spacious cabins and companionways. Hand-crafted beds using local timber and locally made soft furnishings give the boat an authentic Indonesian feel. There are six private ensuite cabins for guests in a combination of double beds, twin bunks and three-berth cabins.
Deck plan
More about Katharina
More holidays in Indonesia
Raja Ampat Island Hopping & Indonesian Sailing
Sailing the Indonesian Jewel of Raja Ampat
Sailing the Indonesian Jewel of Raja Ampat
Sailing the Indonesian Jewel of Raja Ampat
More holidays on Katharina
Guided Wildlife Watching & Whale Sharks in Indonesia
Sailing the Indonesian Jewel of Raja Ampat
Sailing the Indonesian Jewel of Raja Ampat
Sailing the Indonesian Jewel of Raja Ampat
Inspiration for your voyage
Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below. Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below.
JOURNAL
