What exactly is a phinisi yacht charter?

A phinisi yacht charter is the private hire of a traditional Indonesian phinisi schooner — a twin-mast wooden sailing vessel hand-built in South Sulawesi — for a multi-day liveaboard voyage through Indonesian waters. The charter is single-group exclusive: you book the entire vessel, the entire crew, and full-board cuisine for the duration. Most charters run 4-12 days through Komodo, Raja Ampat, Wakatobi, Bali, or the Banda Sea.

How much does a typical phinisi charter cost?

A 7-day Komodo phinisi charter for ten guests runs USD 22,000-38,000 all-in (approximately USD 2,200-3,800 per person). A 10-day Raja Ampat voyage runs USD 38,000-62,000. Bali day charters start at USD 2,400 for twelve guests. See our 2026 pricing guide for a full route-by-route breakdown.

When is the best time to charter?

Komodo: May-October (dry season, light wind, manta peak). Raja Ampat south: November-April. Raja Ampat north: October-April. Wakatobi: April-November. Bali day charter: year-round. Banda Sea: October-November only. Book 9-12 months ahead for high-season Komodo and Raja Ampat — the best vessels lock in early.

How do we get to the embarkation point?

Komodo charters embark from Labuan Bajo on Flores (LBJ airport, direct flights from Bali, Jakarta, Surabaya). Raja Ampat charters embark from Sorong (SOQ airport, connecting via Jakarta or Bali). Wakatobi from Wangi-Wangi (WNI via Bau-Bau). Bali day charters from Benoa harbour. Banda Sea from Ambon (AMQ via Jakarta). We coordinate domestic flight bookings on request.

Are children welcome on board?

Yes — most of our partner phinisi welcome children. Several vessels (Tanjung Asu, Putri Naga) carry kid-friendly layouts with twin-double convertible cabins, kid-suitable galley menus, and crew who are calm with younger guests. We recommend ages 5+ for liveaboard charters; under five is workable on day charters. Komodo is the most child-friendly route; Banda Sea is not suited to under-twelves.

Do we need to be certified divers?

No. Most charters are mixed groups — some divers, some snorkellers, some non-water guests. Padi divemasters on board can run discover-scuba sessions for first-timers. For Raja Ampat, advanced certification is recommended (currents can be strong) but not required. For Banda Sea, Advanced Open Water with at least 50 logged dives is recommended. Snorkelling alone is sufficient for almost any route.

How close do we get to the komodo dragons?

Within 5-10 metres on the ranger-led trails, with a national park ranger between you and the dragon at all times. Trails on Rinca and Komodo Island both run through dragon habitat; Rinca tends to deliver more sightings per trek. The rangers carry forked staffs and are highly experienced. Solo or off-trail trekking is not permitted under any circumstances.

What is the safety protocol on board?

All vessels in our partner network carry full Indonesian maritime safety certification, life jackets and life rafts to capacity, EPIRB beacon, satellite phone, marine medical kit including oxygen, and AED defibrillator. Captains hold master mariner certification. Dive guides hold Padi DMT or instructor rating. We strongly recommend every charterer carries comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation — see ITSMF dive medicine resources for evacuation planning.

What is the cancellation policy?

Standard terms across our partner network: 30% deposit at booking is partially refundable if cancelled more than 120 days before embarkation (typically 75% of deposit returned). Inside 120 days, deposit becomes non-refundable. Inside 45 days, balance becomes non-refundable. We strongly recommend trip-interruption insurance to cover cancellation risk.

Can we customise the itinerary?

Yes — almost everything is customisable. We build day-by-day plans from a library of 40+ Komodo anchorages, 25+ Raja Ampat sites, and 15+ Wakatobi locations. If your group wants to focus on diving, the captain leans on dive sites. If your group prioritises culture, we add Bajau village visits and pearl-farm stops. Honeymoon charters get private beach dinners; family charters get pacing breaks.

Is internet available on board?

Most vessels carry 4G mobile internet via satellite-bonded routers, working reliably within 30 nautical miles of Indonesian coast. Speeds are sufficient for messaging, light email, and short video calls. Streaming and large file transfers are not realistic. Several vessels also carry Starlink as of 2026, delivering full-bandwidth connectivity. Specify your needs at booking.

How do we book?

Message us on WhatsApp +62 811-3941-4563 or email bd@juaraholding.com with your preferred dates, group size, and destination interest. We respond within four hours during Indonesian business hours, return three matched vessel options within 48 hours, and guide you through the deposit and contract process. There is no booking fee.

What should we pack?

Light tropical clothing, two swimsuits, reef shoes, light-coloured long-sleeve shirt for sun, hat, polarised sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+), insect repellent for shore excursions, basic toiletries (the boat provides linens and bath amenities). Divers bring own mask and dive computer; rest of kit is on board. Soft luggage only — hard cases do not stow well in cabins.

What about seasickness?

Phinisi sail in protected archipelagic waters with limited open-ocean exposure on most routes. Komodo and Bali are essentially flat-water sailing. Raja Ampat has occasional swell. Banda Sea has open-ocean crossings. For sensitive guests we recommend over-the-counter motion meds (Stugeron, Bonine) starting 24 hours before embarkation, and choosing a midship cabin where motion is minimum. Severe cases: consult your doctor about scopolamine patches.

Is there a single-group privacy guarantee?

Yes — every charter in our partner network is single-group exclusive. You will not share your vessel with another booking party at any point during your charter. The deck, salon, dive deck, sundeck, every cabin are exclusively yours from embarkation to disembarkation.

Have a question we have not answered? Message the atelier on WhatsApp or email bd@juaraholding.com. To start with destination guidance read Komodo vs Raja Ampat vs Bali; for pricing see the 2026 charter cost guide; for the heritage backstory read how a phinisi is built.