Best of Indonesia MV SeaIsees

On deck, the M/V Seaisee 1 yacht offers everything you would expect from a floating luxury hotel. With an impressive length of 45 meters and equipped for just 24 guests, there is more than enough space on board to rest and relax during a cruise around Indonesia. The upper deck features comfortable sunbeds, a jacuzzi and an outdoor dining area, ideal for enjoying the sun or the sea breeze with a drink in hand. There is a wide range of cabins, from single cabins to sea view cabins with their own jacuzzi and balcony. Each has individually controlled air conditioning, plenty of storage space and a private bathroom.

Including: VAT, airport transfer, hotel transfer, tea & coffee, drinking water, snacks, full board (all meals), dive packages, fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, towels for use on deck, cabin towels, complimentary toiletries, laundry/ironing service, Wi-Fi.

Mandatory extras: Port fees ($50 per trip), tips ($30 per day), environmental tax ($180-250 per trip).
Optional extras: Soft drinks, rental equipment, Nitrox ($150 per trip), dive courses ($80-400 per activity), massage (€60 per activity).

Rental equipment prices:
Rental equipment is available on this ship. Please indicate on the booking form what you need. Details below on what is included and the additional prices.

• 15-liter tanks $100 per trip
• Regulator $20 per day
• BCD $20 per day
• Fins $5 per day
• Mask $5 per day
• Nitrox tank $100-150 per trip
• Flashlight $10 per day
• Dive computer $10 per day
• Full set of equipment $40 per day
• Wetsuit $5 per day

Air temperature: Temperatures are high year-round, with highs ranging from 30°C in January to 33°C in October.

Water temperature: Water temperatures range from 27.0°C in August to 28.9°C in December, providing ideal conditions for diving.

Precipitation: The rainiest months are January and February, while August is the driest.

Banda Sea
The Banda Sea lies in eastern Indonesia, between the island groups of the Moluccas, Timor, Sulawesi, and Papua.
Its central feature is the so-called Banda Arc, a volcanic island chain with spectacular underwater topography.
Most famous islands: Banda Neira, Pulau Hatta, Pulau Run – historically known as the "Spice Islands".

Raja Ampat
Located in the far west of Papua, Indonesia, at the junction between the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
It consists of over 1,500 islands, atolls, and rocky islets, grouped around the four main islands:

• Waigeo
  Batanta
  Salawati
  Misool
  Population

Banda Sea
Very sparsely populated.
People mainly live on the larger Banda Islands, traditionally working in fishing and agriculture.
Ethnically Melanesian-Malay-Polynesian.

Raja Ampat
Also sparsely populated; small, mostly indigenous communities.
Many rely on subsistence fishing and small-scale farming.
The population is largely Papuan, culturally distinct from Indonesia’s mainstream.

Religions
Both regions are predominantly Christian – rare in Indonesia:

• Banda Sea: mainly Protestant, partly Muslim
  Raja Ampat: mostly Protestant, some Catholics Religion plays a central role in community life.

Economic Situation
Both regions are remote and economically underdeveloped, with:

• Limited infrastructure
  Low income levels
  Restricted access to education and healthcareTourism, especially dive tourism, is a major hope for sustainable development in both areas.
  Importance for Indonesia

These regions are among the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world.
Raja Ampat is part of the Coral Triangle, the epicenter of marine biodiversity.
They are internationally recognized as hotspots for ecotourism and marine research.
Government and international organizations support conservation and low-impact tourism projects.

Economic Impact of the Dive Industry
The dive industry has grown significantly in the past 20 years, particularly due to:

• Liveaboard tours (many sites are only accessible by boat)

• Eco-resorts, often in cooperation with local communities

Positive effects:

• Job creation in remote regions
  Additional income through environmental fees and park access
  Increased awareness of conservation and marine protection
  School projects and community investment by tourism operators

Challenges:

• Limited infrastructure (electricity, water, transport)
  Risk of reef overuse
  Conflicts between conservation and traditional fishing

Why Banda Sea & Raja Ampat are popular with divers

Banda Sea

• Pristine dive sites with walls, deep-sea volcanoes, and dramatic drop-offs
  Big pelagics like hammerheads, mobulas, and tuna – especially along the "Ring of Fire"
  Historical charm – colonial buildings and spice trade history on Banda Neira
  Remote, rarely dived areas – often only reached by liveaboard
  Excellent visibility and low current in many spots

Raja Ampat

• Highest marine biodiversity on Earth – 600+ coral species, 1,500 fish species
  Macro and wide-angle photography – from pygmy seahorses to mantas
  Spectacular reefs, mangroves, and lagoons – especially near Misool
  Well-managed marine protected areas; high entry fees support conservation
  Gradual, sustainable development focused on ecotourism
  Diveable year-round; best season: October to April