BHAVANA

Indonesia is a country entwined with the sea. Across more than 17,000 islands, it connects jungle-covered atolls, ancient spice ports, volcanic shores and coral-fringed bays, carrying fishermen, traders and explorers through one of the world’s most captivating cruising grounds. BHAVANA brings that heritage into a new era of luxury charter. Handcrafted in the spirit of the wooden vessels that once transported cloves and nutmeg across the Banda Sea, this 50-metre expedition phinisi invites guests to uncover the magic of this remote corner on an unforgettable journey through Komodo, Raja Ampat, Alor and the Spice Islands.

BHAVANA belongs to a lineage of vessels that has carried Indonesia across the water for centuries. In South Sulawesi, generations of master boatbuilders worked by hand in ironwood and teak, building phinisis that moved spices and textiles between the islands. Those same sea roads remain at the heart of BHAVANA, as she traces the old spice routes between the volcanic ridges of Komodo and Raja Ampat’s limestone islets. Her expansive teak decks offer shaded dining spaces, generous sun loungers and open terraces, with views stretching across reefs, jungle and sea. A dedicated dive area is designed for the full ritual of the day’s diving, from briefings to the final check of fins and tanks. Two tenders support daily dive operations and open up access to hidden beaches, remote villages and reefs that rank among the finest in the world.

Drawing on Peranakan influences and Indonesian craftsmanship, BHAVANA layers rich timber, hand-finished details and natural textures, giving each space a distinct connection to the region’s cultural heritage. The main salon is a natural place to unwind after time ashore, with a comfortable lounge and bar, alongside a grand dining room where the chef’s menus draw on the flavours of the region. Every detail has been chosen to create an atmosphere closely tied to the waters beyond.

BHAVANA accommodates 14 guests across seven en suite cabins, offering an impressive amount of space for extended voyages through Indonesia’s remote waters. The master cabin is a private sanctuary, with a king-size bed, bathtub and sweeping 270-degree views over Indonesia’s limestone karsts, volcanic peaks and the blue-green shallows of Raja Ampat’s hidden lagoons. The remaining guest cabins are generous and versatile, with convertible double-to-twin layouts, and private en suites. After days spent diving reefs, hiking to island viewpoints or snorkelling over coral gardens, each cabin offers a calm, comfortable place to return to.

Each voyage is overseen by a Cruise Director, drawing on local knowledge to make the most of Indonesia’s remarkable wildlife, landscapes and island communities, from guided walks in search of Komodo dragons, visits to the whale shark bagans, and sunrise paddles. As a PADI certified dive centre, BHAVANA opens the underwater world to every level of diver, with professional Dive Masters and Instructors leading daily excursions to manta cleaning stations, lava-flow reefs and coral gardens. Above the surface, her toybox is stocked with paddleboards, kayaks, wakeboards, a floating pool and slide for afternoons at anchor. Yoga mats, gym equipment, an ice bath and daily spa treatments add a restorative layer after days ashore or in the water, while gourmet dining, non-alcoholic drinks, personal laundry, fuel, park permits, transfers and excursions are included in the charter.