Katharina Liveaboards

Offering many of the creature comforts of the modern world, our two wooden pinisi ships, Ombak Putih and Katharina, are part of a beautiful, centuries-old maritime tradition of hand-crafted boat building now classified as a UNESCO cultural heritage. Built by the highly skilled seafaring peoples of Sulawesi, using hand tools and traditional methods of construction, the design of these gaff-rigged ketches has been adapted and passed down from father to son for centuries.

Both ships come out of the water every March for three weeks of annual maintenance and safety certification, and both are certified to the highest Indonesian maritime standards. We are very proud of our boats and are constantly renovating, upgrading, and improving them. Both boats were extensively remodeled in 2015 to create the signature polished wood fittings you will see on both boats. In 2019, both boats had new decks laid on the main deck. In 2026, new bathrooms were added to Ombak Putih, the wheelhouse was completely remodeled, and the upper deck was extended to create more public space. For Katharina, in 2025 and 2026, the entire bridge deck was raised, the public spaces were extended and upgraded, and an entire new salon was created for guest enjoyment. And it’s not over yet!

All cabins are on the lower deck and are the same in basic style and décor. Both boats were extensively renovated in 2015 with stylish new interiors that highlight the natural woods of the original pinisi design. New teak decks added in 2019. Each cabin is about 9sqm (97 square feet) and has either a double bed (200 x 160cm) or two twin bunks (200 x 90cm), one atop the other. Two cabins have one double bed and a single bunk designed for families. Each cabin has its own private en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet and sink. They are also individually air-conditioned. Ombak Putih cabins have a porthole, while Katharina has skylights above letting in natural light. There is also plenty of storage space and lots of power points and USB chargers.

What kind of power sockets are in the cabins?

• The cabins have multiple plug sockets as well as USB sockets. These are designed for European two-pronged plugs, so it will help to bring a multi/universal travel adaptor if you are not from mainland Europe.
• Voltage on the boat is 220V vs 110V in the U.S.A. But many US electronics are multi-voltage so you just need to check your devices to see if that applies. On anything from the U.S.A., it will say if it can adapt to 220V. If not, then yes, you should bring a voltage adaptor.

All of the on-board staff are Indonesian and hail from a wide array of the cultures and ethnic groups of the archipelago. The Ombak Putih is crewed by a team of 15 and Katharina by one of 14. These consist of captain, first and second officers, engineers, steering hands, chefs, galley staff, and stewards. The crews live on the boat year-round, and as such it is their home, and the ship encourage the crew and guests to mix whenever possible. They are also super friendly and helpful and will assist you in anything you need.

They are all family men and women, and they are great with kids. Both boat’s crews are all highly musical and the band will regale you with folk songs of their homeland at least a couple of times during the trip. An experience that will have you dancing into the night. The tour leaders are all highly experienced in the ways of the sea and the islands we visit. They all speak English very well and are on hand to look after you and ensure you have a very good time.

Indonesia through Indonesian Eyes is the ship's motto, and with this combination of crew and tour leaders you will have quite the immersive Indonesian experience.

The chefs and their galley teams will be preparing for you a wide array of dishes from all around the world, including Asian, Western, and all manner of world cuisines, as well as of course Indonesian. Dinner and lunch are served buffet style, and breakfast is a la carte with a wide range of cereals, pastries as well as eggs any style, pancakes, sausage and bacon. All drinks are readily accessible from the fridge in the salon with complimentary soft drinks and juices, a wide array of teas, instant coffee and an espresso machine serving as much free coffee as you can drink. Alcohol is charged for, but at basically cost price. It’s self-serve using the honesty system — take what you need and just place a mark in the book next to your cabin number. For cocktails, simply ask your friendly steward to mix up your favourite tipple. The crews are happy to cater to dietary requirements — vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, children’s fare, low fat, allergies and so on. Do tell us when you book. This isn’t bureaucracy: we provision for the whole cruise before we leave, and once we’re out among the islands, there is nowhere to pop out to for an ingredient we didn’t bring. The more notice you give us, the better we’ll feed you.

The ship has a good selection of basic spirits, local lager and wines on board the boat, all at very reasonable prices. If you do want to bring a bottle of duty free top shelf for the ride, you are most welcome. The allowance for Indonesia is 2 x 700ml per person, regardless of type. You can travel with it domestically in the cabin as long as the bottle cap’s seal is not broken. When on board, give the bottle to the head steward and they will look after it for you.

The short answer is no – nor do the ship intend to ever get it. It is it's aim to take you away from the modern world and put you in the moment. the crew like to think of this as a positive. With the need to be online 24/7 becoming an all-encompassing factor of modern living, being able to go to a place that is off the grid will only become more of a luxury as we march forward into a digital future.

With that in mind, the ship will be one of those digital-free oases where you can truly switch off and enjoy the natural world around you, free from any outside distraction. For those who have the luxury of switching off, it will be a beautiful experience, we assure you. However, with the realities of technology being what they are, it’s not that simple for some to live offline, and there is the option for a intermittent connection through the purchasing of a local SIM card with a 3G or 4G connection for your phone or device here in Indonesia.

There are cell towers all over the country, and the ship will come into range of these from time to time, allowing for the sending and receiving of SMS and small emails. This is by no means guaranteed, and the ship can sometimes be off the grid for up to 2 or 3 days at a time, particularly in the far east or north of the country. You can purchase a local SIM card at the airport upon arrival in Indonesia prior from any one of a vast number of cell phone stores that line the streets of Bali and load it up with some credit to your trip. The store staff will be only too happy to help.

Note: If you run a business that requires you to be constantly online, or simply cannot be without a regular connection for staying in touch with friends and family, then a SeaTrek cruise may not be the best match for you.

Snorkelling Gear

Snorkels, masks & fins in all sizes are provided onboard. If you are an avid snorkeller, you may prefer to bring your own mask & snorkel. We do have equipment for children, but for smaller kids (under 10) you may want to buy a mask that fits them perfectly prior to joining.

Water Toys

The ship have paddle boards and kayaks on board for guest use whenever we are at anchor.

Clothing

The tropical climate means you can safely leave all of your cold weather gear at home. Bring cool cottons, T-shirts and shorts. The ship cruise during the dry season in each of the regions that we visit but rain is always a possibility so bring a lightweight waterproof jacket; it can sometimes be a bit windy on the boat and this will also help keep you warm. Likewise, a lightweight fleece could be useful for pre-dawn trekking or if there is a cool wind on the boat, even if you don’t need it onboard it will be useful for the plane. SeaTrek is respectful of the local cultures and customs so bring clothes that cover your shoulders and knees for village visits. Finally, you might want to bring at least one smart-casual outfit for sunset cocktails and evening meals on the boat. Ladies: beach throw overs, kaftans and sarongs are always useful; choose fabrics that dry easily. Also, bring a lightweight sundress or two — the boat offers a great setting for a photo shoot, live it up!

Sun Protection

You’ll be spending plenty of time out in the warm tropical sun, so be sure to pack high SPF reef safe sunscreen. The ship also have reef safe sunscreen on board so don’t be worried if you forget. Remember to bring your snorkeling rash guard also.

Cover-ups, sarongs, sun shirts, and other such clothing will ensure that you come back from your trip with just happy memories and photographs and not a sunburn. Just in case you fail to avoid getting sunburnt, bring an aloe-based lotion to soothe burned skin. A good hat is essential, and a wide brimmed hat or cap will keep the sun off your face and neck. Sunglasses keep your eyes protected and add a little glam to your photos, and a strap to hold your glasses can be a good idea on more active adventures.

Footwear

Pack comfortable trainers, trekking sandals, sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots for hikes and walks — although the boots are not necessary for non-specialised trips such as those for serious bird watchers. Bring socks to wear inside your walking shoes to avoid getting blisters. Many travellers appreciate the added stability of a walking stick or hiking pole and lightweight telescopic poles are easy to pack. You might also want waterproof sandals or reef shoes for wet landings and water activities. Flip-flops are great for the beach. Note: standard practice is to go barefoot on the boat.

Bags

A day-backpack is essential on day hikes to carry things such as your water bottle, camera, binoculars, and rain jacket. SeaTrek provides each guest with a small linen backpack and a SeaTrek-branded metal water bottle, which can be refilled as often as required and makes a nice souvenir to take home and reduces plastic use onboard. A waterproof wet/dry bag is a good idea for your phone, camera, etc.

Swimwear

Don’t forget your swimsuit/bikini/shorts/trunks/Speedos — and preferably more than just one swimsuit, so that one or two can be drying while you are wearing another. Luckily, swimsuits and/or swim trunks don’t take up too much space in your luggage. The water is warm, but a rash guard (or a thin wetsuit) will protect you from the sun, abrasions and possible jellyfish stings.

Skin & Hair Protection

It’s important that you take good care of your skin and hair, if you are so inclined. The sun, seawater and salty air may be beautiful to experience but it can be tough on your body and will wreak havoc on your locks. Bring moisturising lotion to soothe skin parched by the sun and the saltwater; bring a leave-in conditioner to de-tangle your hair with ease because the water, mask, and hair-ties will leave it in knots. Also consider bringing a scarf or headband to hold back unruly hair, or hair-ties/pins to keep your hair off your face and therefore prevent water seeping into your mask. Note: Your cabin is outfitted with towels, shampoo, conditioner and bodywash.

Camera Equipment

If you are a photo enthusiast, bring all of the camera and video equipment that you will use as you can expect exceptional opportunities for photography. If you prefer the ease of a point & shoot camera or your phone, just bring that. If you want to take underwater photos, you might want to invest in a waterproof camera/GoPro or waterproof housing to capture photos of the incredible marine life. It’s a good idea to bring a spare memory card; our cruises explore remote regions where memory cards cannot be purchased.

Charging Station

The ship have a charging station in the salon of each boat where cameras can be safely left. It’s also a great place to keep your equipment on hand for those instant wildlife moments: having your camera stored in your air-conditioned room can cause it to mist up when it’s brought out quickly to take a photo of a pod of dolphins or a breaching whale, leading you to missing the shot of a lifetime.

Reading Material and Reference Books

You’ll find reference books and paperback novels on board. However, books of your choice or an e-reader will come in handy for down hours.

Flying

Pack the essentials in your carry-on: medications, corrective lenses, spare underwear, cameras and documents. If your checked bag goes missing, it may take days to reach you in a remote anchorage — or not reach you at all. Never put valuables in checked luggage and keep copies of your tickets and the photo page of your passport.

A great many of the ship's guests are in their sixties, seventies and beyond, and they tend to be among the ones who get the most out of a cruise. You don’t need to be an athlete. But these are working ships in remote places, so it’s worth being honest with yourself about what the days involve.

What a typical day asks of you

Cabins are on the lower deck and the stairs down to them are at a 60-degree angle and you’ll use them several times a day. There are rails on both sides to keep you steady and we do recommend you go down them backwards. Getting ashore means transferring from the ship into a tender and often stepping off that tender into shallow water onto a beach rather than a jetty. Snorkelling means getting in and out of the water, usually straight off the boat. Some itineraries include hikes — Komodo dragon trekking, early-morning birdwatching — over uneven ground.

The crew will help you in and out of the tenders. They do it all day, every day, and they are very good at it — an arm to steady you getting aboard, a hand on the beach, and someone watching to make sure you’re alright. Don’t feel you have to manage alone, and don’t feel awkward about accepting a hand. It’s part of what they’re there for.

You are also never obliged to go ashore at all. If you’d rather stay aboard with a book while everyone else is off snorkelling or visiting a village that’s a perfectly good way to spend a morning and nobody will think twice.

Do talk to the crew

Every guest completes a medical questionnaire before travelling, and if you have a condition that might need special attention we ask you to tell the crews in writing when you book. That isn’t a formality. The cruises visit genuinely remote regions where medical care beyond basic first aid is often not immediately available, and the more we know, the better we can look after you.

So do call or write before booking and describe your situation honestly. The crews would far rather have a frank conversation now and put you on the right cruise than have you find yourself on the wrong one.

Getting to a boat in eastern Indonesia takes a little more planning than most holidays, so please make sure you talk with the reservation point before you book flights or hotels.

Getting to Indonesia

Bali and Jakarta are the international gateways, and most major carriers fly into both. Which one you want depends on which cruise you’re joining, so ask the reservation point before you book — the answer isn’t always the obvious one.

Getting to the boat

Almost every cruise starts somewhere other than Bali or Jakarta, which means a domestic flight. With the exception of the Orangutans & Dragons cruises, where some domestic flights are included, these aren’t part of the fare.

The reservations team is happy to book domestic flights for you. This is a free service, but the reservation team do use a traditional travel agent, and are required by law to charge 11% government tax, so the prices might not be what you see on Booking.com. If you do want to use an online agent and book directly by yourself, please confirm with us beforehand so the reservation team know you have the most suitable flights. the reservation team can also book hotels in our embarkation ports for guests coming in the day before departure.

Transfers

Once you land at your embarkation port, the crew take over. You will be met at the airport by the ship's people and either taken straight to the boat or to your hotel. For trips where guests have arrived the day before departure, the crew will pick you up after breakfast on departure day and take you straight to the boat.

Where to stay either side of your cruise

Transit hotels aren’t included in the fare, but the reservation team can make recommendations and book on your behalf if you would like us to. The ship do not get preferential rates.

For the Komodo & Beyond trips, it is recommended that you fly into Bali at least the day before the trip. You can fly to Komodo (Labuan Bajo) on the day of departure around 8am.

For other trips, the reservation team do require guests to arrive a day before the departure date to avoid any potential delays that late flights can cause. Domestic flights within Indonesia are delayed often enough that a same-day connection to the boat is a gamble, and the boat cannot wait.

Please ensure that all necessary travel documents are valid, effective and in your possession. Passports are required for all participants and MUST be valid for at least SIX MONTHS after your date of return by Indonesian law.

Most foreign nationals can obtain a 30-day tourist visa on arrival WHICH IS PRICED AT US$35 (or equivalent) and can be purchased at the airport. Citizens of a small number of countries do not enjoy this privilege and have to apply for visa in the country of origin or elsewhere outside of Indonesia prior to arrival. Please check the Indonesian immigration website to see if you qualify.

There are no longer any travel restrictions surrounding Covid-19 and proof of vaccination is no longer required. All our crew and on-board staff are fully vaccinated.

Please download the customs form from the Indonesian government website inside 72 hours of arrival. Take a screen shot or print the QR code to present to the customs officials. This will save you time and hassle.

The team recommend that all the passengers double-check on the requirements as they are in force at the time of their arrival. Please assume full responsibility for checking and verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination, or other entry requirements.

Yes, and a good number of the guests do.

There’s something about a small boat that makes solo travel easy. You’re sharing meals, tenders and snorkelling stops with the same small group of people for a week or more, and by the second day nobody is a stranger. The tour leaders keep an eye out for anyone who’d rather not be left to their own devices, and our crew will have you talking whether you planned to or not. Equally, if you want to take a book to the top deck and not speak to a soul all afternoon, that’s an entirely reasonable way to spend a day at sea and nobody will think anything of it.

For solo travellers we offer two options:

• Book a single fare, and we look for a roommate of the same gender for you in a twin-bunk cabin. If the reservation team don’t find anybody, you will get the cabin to yourself at no extra cost. This is more likely if you book on the larger of our two ships, the Ombak Putih.
• Pay a single supplement of 75% to secure the cabin to yourself. Even if you are ok with this, the reservation team suggest waiting until closer to the time to opt for this just in case we have spare cabins.

The ship cannot guarantee a solo cabin, but the reservation team will do their best. If you’re weighing it up, do just get in touch and ask which cruises have solo travellers already booked. the reservation team are happy to tell you.

Yes, and it’s one of the ship's favourite ways to see a boat filled. Extended families, groups of friends, birthday trips, small clubs with a shared interest in birds or history — all of it works well on a pinisi.

Booking several cabins is no different from booking one. Tell the reservation team how many cabins you need and who’s sharing with whom, and the reservations team will hold them together. There are no discounts for groups and the 25% deposit will be based on full group numbers.

One thing worth saying plainly: if you’re booking as a group, tell us at the time of booking that you want to stay together.

If you’d like the whole boat to yourselves, that’s a charter, and it works differently — you set the dates, and we’ll build the route around what your group actually wants to do.

Plans change, and the ship would rather you knew where you stand before you book than after.

Cancellation fees apply per person as follows:

• More than 90 days before departure — 25% of the total cruise cost
• Between 90 and 60 days before departure — 50% of the total cruise cost
• Within 59 days of departure — 100% of the total cruise cost

If you’d rather not lose the trip altogether, your booking is transferable: find someone to take your place at the same fare and the cruise is theirs. The reservation team are happy to help with the paperwork.

Two things to be aware of. Once a cruise has begun, the ship can’t refund any unused portion of it. And if the ship have already paid costs on your behalf that the ship can’t recover, a change fee may apply.

This is also why the reservation team ask every guest to carry travel insurance, and why the reservation team would encourage you to take a policy that covers cancellation and interruption as well as medical. It’s the one thing that turns a cancelled trip from a loss into an inconvenience.

Tipping: It is customary to tip the crew in the cruising industry. It is a time-honoured tradition on sailing vessels of the world to tip the crew at the end of a voyage. This is, of course, if you have been satisfied with their services. The amount you choose to tip is up to you. On your final night onboard, you will have the opportunity to discreetly add the tipping envelops provided in your cruise bag to the collecting basket or large envelope for crew tips and tour leader tips.

How it Works
Tipping happens at the end of the trip, and tipping envelopes are provided in your cruise bag, one labelled “Crew” and one labelled “Tour Leader”. There are no cabin numbers printed on the envelopes, and what you give is up to you.

Because the guests come from many different countries with different attitudes and expectations around tipping and gratuities, the ship do want to stress that it is discretionary, and you can tip as little or as much as you are comfortable with.

Suggested tipping amounts are:

• Crew: a total of $25 – $50 USD per passenger per cruise day which is divided evenly between all crew members. i.e., a 10-day cruise = between $250 and $500 per guest.
• Tour Leaders: our tours leaders’ responsibilities and interaction differ greatly from that of the crew. Please take this into account.

Boat and Passenger Safety
Both of the boats are certified to the highest of Indonesian maritime standards with navigation and safety equipment in abundance: ship to shore radio, satellite phones, and radar. the ship have plenty of inflatable lifeboats and lifejackets for all both in the rooms and up on the top deck and fire extinguishers are found in multiple locations across the boat. All of the crew are certified to the exacting standards of the Indonesian maritime code, and a full safety briefing is given on day 1 of each cruise to let all guests know of what to do in the event of an emergency.

Health Requirements and Medical Care
the trips have varying levels of demands and fitness requirements depending on the specific itinerary and optional activities. To participate, you must complete the medical questionnaire. Medical care beyond basic first aid, due to the sometimes-remote regions visited, is often not immediately available If you have a physical, dietary, or any other condition for which you may require special attention, please inform us in writing when the booking is made. SeaTrek assumes no responsibility for any medical care provided to you.

Seasickness: Even if you think that your stomach is rock-solid, a squall could turn up and make you feel sick. Sea-sickness tablets are provided on board but you may have a preferred brand, in which case bring your own.

First Aid
All of the tour leaders and crew are first aid trained, and undergo refresher courses every year. There is a comprehensive wilderness first aid kit on board but remember to bring any personal medications. The ship also have a defibrillator on board.

Insurance & Liability
The ship require all passengers to sign a strict and comprehensive liability release, and for scuba divers (in the case where we do arrange diving with a third party – Scuba is not available onboard SeaTrek’s boats) to sign an additional declaration of their good physical condition. Copies of these liability releases can be sent on request. The cruise price does not include travel insurance, and the crew strongly recommend all guests must have a comprehensive policy that covers medical with an emergency evacuation policy (Medivac). The ship also strongly urge the guests to purchase a comprehensive insurance policy that covers trip cancellation and interruption insurance. SeaTrek does not provide cover, nor do we have a preferred broker.

Vaccinations and Disease Prevention
The ship do not mandate any vaccinations on board. Coming to the tropics can be risky, so talk to your GP about any requirements you may need or ask us at SeaTrek for the experiences before coming.