Incomparable crews
When you ask the inhabitants of the many islands in the eastern Indonesian archipelago about the sailing ships that come calling at their shores, there are two names that come immediately to their lips: Ombak Putih and Katharina. Both are operated by SeaTrek and their graceful beauty makes them instantly recognizable. More than any other traditional "Bugi Schooners," they are a familiar sight from Bali to Papua and from Sulawesi to Savu. Between the two, these ships have logged untold nautical miles since they were launched and their captains and crews know as much about the remote islands of Indonesia as anyone alive. Through the years they have competently navigated hundreds of remote bays and anchorages in the region.
Deserted beaches
SeaTrek’s formula is as simple as it is attractive. Your home-away-from-home is a spacious sailing vessel or a luxurious motor yacht and you have a comfortable private cabin with your own en-suite bathroom. Travelling with like-minded companions for the voyage who come from all corners of the world contributes to convivial and spirited exchanges, enriching the entire experience. Whenever possible more than six hundred square meters of sails are raised, though we also rely on our engines to safeguard our schedule. An attentive but discrete crew takes care of everything. Most of the travel is done at night and while you sleep, the captain is on the bridge to take you to yet another splendid anchorage or another lovely harbour. Every new day you will wake up to yet another surprise.
Exceptional hospitality
Whether remote cruising on our magnificent sailing schooners or enjoying the five star comforts of our motor yacht, we dare say that our galleys offer the very best on-board cuisine that can be found east of Bali, a reputation we have enjoyed for many years that we are determined to keep. Our meals are professionally prepared with the freshest and best ingredients available: vegetables, fruits and poultry from the highlands of Flores, fish freshly caught by local fishermen and bread specially baked by a master French baker in Bali. Our cruises are of course on a full board basis. We serve a hearty breakfast and abundant lunches and dinners plus snacks throughout the day. Bottled water, coffee and tea, as well as soft drinks and fruit juices are complimentary and available on self-serve basis 24 hours per day. There is a well-stocked bar on board from which you may purchase a selection of alcohol and wines at reasonable rates. Our numerous well-trained and gracious crew members and tour leaders provide for your every need, to insure that your time on board is truly extraordinary.
Cruising Indonesia
Travel into the eastern part of the Indonesian archipelago is an unforgettable and rewarding experience and always an adventure, but without unlimited time it can be frustrating as well. The transportation infrastructure has not changed much in the past fifty years and there are no scheduled ferry services to the smaller and more remote islands. The few ferries that link the bigger islands are often scary rust buckets and departure schedules are generally subject to the famous Indonesian "Jam Karet" or "rubber time". On most islands the roads are in poor condition. At the end of a day of travelling, accommodation can be quite primitive. Yet this vast area of beautiful sceneries and extremely friendly people is one of the most charming parts of Asia. It has an incredibly rich and varied cultural life and wherever you go, you find yourself as safe as can be.
Satellite data from the Indonesian Aviation and Space Institute have shown a total of 18,108 islands within the archipelago. Only about 6,000 of these islands are inhabited, with Java accounting for more than half the nation's population. Indonesia has a coastline of 108,920 kilometers (68,075 miles) and a total of 20,731 square kilometers (82,924 miles) of reefs. The entire Indonesian archipelago is a dream world for travellers, but it is in its eastern half between Flores and Papua, far from the crowds of Java and Bali, thousands of undisturbed small islands await the explorer in search of "an untouched world". There are few air strips, so the remote Eastern Indonesian islands are mostly accessible by sea.
Our cruises are a spectacular way of discovering a world that is totally “off the beaten track”. We use our own wooden sailing schooners, recently built in the tradition of Indonesian Phinisis. These small capable ships are sturdily built and have a comfortable motion. From the very moment you step aboard one of our ships you will know that you have made the right decision by booking a cruise. Like the seafarers of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries you will discover untouched sites of astonishing natural beauty where traditional life is little changed.
The Indonesian climate is tropical, warm and humid; the general sea conditions are pleasantly calm as Indonesia is outside of the latitudes where cyclones occur, such as in the south of the Philippines and the north of Australia. The south-easterly trade winds are most favourable in June, July and August and it is during these months that we often travel under sail alone. Yet it needs to be said that our leisure expeditions are not primarily yachting or boating holidays. Most of the actual sailing will be at night-time, to create maximum opportunity for daytime excursions or leisure activities on the islands that we visit. Whatever your interests, our agenda is one of daily exploration of seas and lands and our cruises truly offer activities for everyone.
