MY Emperor Raja Laut

MY Emperor Raja Laut is one of the best Indonesian scuba diving liveaboards. Its traditional design is combined with modern luxuries, giving guests the best of both worlds. Each of its six cabins has a private bathroom, independently-controlled air conditioning, mini safe, porthole window and fan. There’s an air-conditioned lounge saloon with a huge flat-screen tv and a media library, plus books & games. On the boat’s upper deck is a large covered outdoor dining area and sun deck. To maximise useful space on board, two motorised tender RIBs are used for diving, and to ensure that each dive begins and ends in exactly the right spot.

Built in 2005 from local Ironwood & teak, Raja Laut is a typical-looking Indonesian Phinisi schooner. It’s 31 metres long and more than 7 metres wide. It can sail on the wind, or via its 300hp Yanmar motor. The compressors work almost silently to deliver 24-hour electricity and to fill divers’ tanks. The dive team and crew are all highly experienced in the service industry, plus in the local environment and cultures. Every trip is extremely relaxing and enjoyable, and every dive is a lot of exciting fun!

There are six cabins on board, all located on the lower deck and within easy access of the air-conditioned lounge saloon. At the front there are two twin cabins, and two double-bed cabins directly behind them. Behind the lounge there is one more double cabin and one more twin, located next to the staircase to the upper deck. On the upper deck you can enjoy stunning views and delicious food. A glass of wine is served for free at dinner, and the food is guaranteed to help you to enjoy the journey. But don’t expect to lose any weight, such is the quantity and quality of the meals that the expert kitchen team serve throughout the day.

A few things help Emperor Raja Laut to stand out from other liveaboards in Indonesia. These are the free Nitrox fills for certified divers, the all-inclusive prices that mean you don’t pay extra for marine park and harbour fees, plus every trip is guaranteed, even if just one or two guests are booked! In any case, the maximum capacity is just 12 guests, but some other boats cancel trips if only a few guests book. That doesn’t happen on Emperor Raja Laut. If you book your place, the trip is confirmed! Plus, if you’re travelling solo, the team guarantees that you will not be sharing with another guest of the opposite sex. They will put you in a twin-bunk cabin with someone the same sex as you, or give you a cabin to yourself.

To ensure that all the best dive locations are visited at the best times of year, MY Emperor Raja Laut sails around Indonesia following the scuba diving high seasons. In the months from July to September you can join week-long cruises at the world-famous Komodo Islands. Then from November to May the boat is at Raja Ampat, offering 7-night and 9-night cruises to some of the best dive sites in the world. There are also trips in the Banda Sea (Ambon) and crossing trips across some incredible locations around the Banda Sea (Ring of Fire).

Prices & Schedule

MY Emperor Raja Laut has several itineraries. Most are better suited to divers who are certified to 30m. (99 ft.) and have already logged at least 50 dives. 

From May to September Raja Laut is at the Komodo Islands, and most trips are 7D/7N. These trips depart from Wasai and return to Sorong, but the ferry transfer from Sorong to Wasai on departure day is included in the cruise price.

From November to April the boat is at Raja Ampat, offering 7D/7N (north & cental Raja ampat) and 9D/9N cruises (south, north & central - inc. Misool).

In October and some of November Raja Laut sails around the Banda Sea, from and back to Ambon. These week-long trips include visiting the nutmeg plantation, historic forts and museum on Banda Neira Island.

Other itineraries include the crossing trips from Maumere to Alor, and Alor to Ambon.

Each itinerary is designed in order to allow you to fly safely in the afternoon on return day. This is done by the final dive being late morning on the day before disembarkation.