SMY Ondina is a different way to explore the beautiful inner seas of Indonesia
The purpose built SMY Ondina is a beautiful teak and tropical wood Buginese diving schooner built with traditional styling. Specialising in Indonesian liveaboard cruises around Raja Ampat (Papua Province), Ambon and Halmahera, it runs trips of various duration, plus special photography and exploratory safaris.
What you can expect
SMY Ondina is a traditional Phinisi, 32m long and 8m wide. This gorgeous boat sails all year long between Raja Ampat Marine Sanctuary and Cenderawasih Bay, with its whale sharks. Also, transition liveaboards allow you to explore the Banda Sea Islands : Maluku, Ambon down South, Halmahera and Lembeh Strait - up North. She is powered by a 400HP engine and has a sail area of 400sqm; 110 and 220 volts electricity is dispatched through 2 generators.
Electronic sailing equipment includes a GPS, sounder as well as 16NM radar for night navigation. Communication is powered by VHF and SSB radio systems, and has 2 satellite phones in case of emergency. Medical and first aid kits, oxygen supply, 2 life rafts for 15 people, life jackets and fire extinguishers are available on board. A water maker and 3 compressors (including Nitrox membrane) complete the equipment.
Built on 2 decks, with a dining / lounge area and a sundeck, she can accommodate up to 16 divers in excellent conditions.
Sailing aboard the SMY Ondina, you will have the opportunity to explore the most exotic and remote islands of this unique country, places where you would possibly find extremely difficult to get by yourself.
You will not embark one of those Luxury Cruises where everything is fixed to timing and planning, we offer you a more adventurous trip with lots of unexpected: Unexpected diving encounters, unexpected beautiful beaches, unexpected quiet and traditional villages, unexpected on-board service.
We have tried to create a very comfortable accommodation to be our home and basecamp as we sail and dive from island to island.
Affordable, comfortable, informal and relaxed. Flexible yet professional. We have focused on what really matters and left aside superfluous and expensive luxuries.
On board the SMY Ondina you will have enough space to relax alone, or to share a nice chat sitting in the cool atmosphere of our air conditioned dining room or enjoy a full moon evening from a comfortable hammock on our spacious sun deck before taking a rest in your A/C cabin.
In the unlikely event you don’t feel like diving, swimming or snorkeling, we can arrange a walk through isolated forests, along deserted beaches or in the undisturbed villages we will come across during our sail.
Long & Short trip options
Ondina operates 8 to 12-day rotation trips in Raja Ampat and also transition liveaboards, a must, for about 10 to 12 days. This is a perfect boat for those who like long liveaboard trips.
Ondina has 8 air-conditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms, 6 Triple (double bed and single bed bunk) and 2 Double bed cabins - good for a couple or single peerson occupancy. Triple cabins are to be occupied by two guests only, except for couples with children or groups of 3 guests with at least one non-diver. Electricity onboard: 220v 24 hours per day. Two round pins sockets European standard.
A wide range of photographic facilities and a huge sundeck all combine to make a comfortable and well-equipped Indonesian liveaboard. With Nitrox available for use for those with suitable qualifications, you can really spend more time exploring underwater.
Special Photography Trips
For underwater photo enthusiasts, you'll find Ondina well equipped and several of the departures have guest Pro' Photographers, such as Deb Fuggitt, so please enquire if you have a special interest in these trips. The boat kit up area has a secure camera table, battery charging points and padded freshwater tanks to rinse your camera equipment. There is an air pressure gun to blow-dry your camera, and a CD/DVD disc writing service.
Perhaps the European-owned Ondina's best feature is its management's accommodating attitude towards diverse customer interests and needs. The dive crew have plenty of experience in dealing simultaneously with professional and hardcore divers as well as newly-qualifieds. This is managed by the use of small dive groups and also involving customers in planning a less rigid itinerary.
From April to October, Ondina ventures to destinations including Sulawesi, Halmahera, the Bandas, Lombok, and from November to March it specialises in Raja Ampat diving cruises.
SMY Ondina cares about Diver's food
Indonesian, Chinese, Italian and Japanese main meal dishes and desserts, East-meets-West style breakfast, Buffet-style waitress service in saloon - 2 main dishes per sitting, All dietary requirements can be catered for - please send notice of your needs, Dining service normally begins with lunch on the first day of the cruise. Coffee, tea, soft drinks (1 per meal), water, biscuits and fruit are provided free of charge. Beer, wine and espresso are also available onboard for purchase.
Ports of Departure and How to Get There
Please refer to logistics section of each itinerary to find detailed info on how to get there.
