Luxury Phinisi Yachts Offer Exclusive Excursions to the Idyllic Islands of Indonesia

A new flotilla of all-inclusive and more luxurious ships is taking the sailing experience to Indonesia up a notch. Back in 2015, the company Aman changed the game by introducing Amandira, one of the first luxury charter yachts in Indonesia featuring comforts like AC guest cabins and water toys like stand-up paddleboards and kayaks. The ship also retained an old-age romantic allure with the traditional phinisi styling, highlighting gaff-rigged sails and a timber hull. Now, several phinisi-styled elegant and exclusive yachts are voyaging the island chain between Papua and Sulawesi. Here are a few handpicked best ones.

Vela

Vela offers curated well-being services, workouts and open-air yoga sessions on deck, guided meditation, massage treatments, etc. Operated by the team of Nirjhara, the eco-minded resort in Bali, this six-cabin luxury yacht can accommodate up to 12 passengers. Throughout its trips to various destinations including the Komodo National Park, Vela also offers ample scuba-diving opportunities to its guests to enjoy swimming through marine life-rich underwater caverns and above beautiful corals.

Dunia Baru

Featuring seven en-suite cabins and a spacious deck with lounge areas and daybeds, Dunia Baru can accommodate up to 14 guests. It’s among that handful of yachts specially designed by Dierdre Renniers Interior Design, the farm responsible for designing Amandira. Hand-carved ironwood and natural fibers are emphasized in shaping and decorating the ship. After chartering in the Komodo region for a week, the yacht sets sail for a six-week voyage from Indonesia to Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago.

Celestia

Celestia is one of the most noteworthy upcoming luxury yachts. Debuting in January 2023, this phinisi is the passion project of Indonesian siblings fashion designer Jasmine Chong and financier Jason Tabalujan. With the romance of slow travel in nature, this seven-cabin yacht will offer three-night trips around Komodo and a two-week voyage in the coral-fringed Moluccas. Celestia promises its onboard passengers an immersive and luxurious experience.