Seahorse

Location: Indonesia

Rating: 4.8/5 (33 reviews)

Seahorse

About Seahorse

Indonesia's vast marine territory, a nexus of biodiversity, hosts extensive coral formations and diverse pelagic life, explored from a 33-meter traditional vessel.

Indonesia sits at the confluence of the world's two largest oceans, a position that has profoundly influenced its marine evolution. This immense transfer of water has created distinct ecological zones with high rates of endemism. In the east, Raja Ampat’s sheltered seas promote staggering coral diversity. To the south, the nutrient upwellings of the Indian Ocean feed Komodo's strong currents, attracting large pelagic animals. The Seahorse was constructed to navigate these varied marine environments, offering a stable platform for exploring the full spectrum of Indonesia's underwater landscapes. Diving is conducted from two spacious tenders, each with a 100 HP Yamaha engine for rapid transit to dive sites. This system allows for precise drop-offs on specific reefs and current points. On the main vessel, the dive deck is organized for 16 divers, with personal stations for gear setup and storage. A dedicated indoor camera room provides a dry, climate-controlled space with charging points and workstations for photographers. Dives are led by experienced local guides who are experts in the region's topography and marine behavior. Accommodations are designed for rest and privacy. The vessel houses 16 guests in eight cabins, available as Double Bed Sea View, Double Cabin Lower Deck, and Twin Cabins. Every stateroom features its own private en-suite bathroom and individually controlled air conditioning, ensuring a comfortable personal space. For socializing, guests can gather in the air-conditioned indoor lounge and dining area. Outside, an expansive sundeck offers ample space for relaxation or enjoying the sea air and passing scenery of the Indonesian islands. The culinary program is an integral part of the onboard experience. The chef prepares a varied menu of international and Indonesian cuisine, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Meals are typically served buffet-style in the main salon, offering a wide selection. The crew is attentive to dietary restrictions and can accommodate special requests like vegetarian or gluten-free options with advance notification. Between meals, a selection of snacks, fruit, coffee, tea, and soft drinks are always available. Built in 2004 and updated during a 2018 refurbishment, the Seahorse is a 33-meter vessel. Its construction is complemented by a generous 8.5-meter beam, a key design feature that provides stability at anchor and during open-water crossings. This inherent steadiness reduces roll and contributes significantly to guest comfort on longer journeys. Power is supplied by a reliable MAN 2866 LXE Marine Turbo Diesel 400 HP engine, providing a cruising speed of 8 knots. With a capacity limited to 16 guests, the vessel maintains an intimate atmosphere. Seahorse dedicates its schedule to Indonesia's most prominent diving regions, following optimal weather seasons. Itineraries in Raja Ampat run from October through April, exploring the area's famed biodiversity from the port of Sorong. From May through September, the vessel repositions to navigate the dynamic currents of Komodo National Park, with trips starting and ending in Labuan Bajo. This liveaboard is well-suited for the diver who values a comfortable, well-organized operation. Underwater photographers will appreciate the dedicated camera facilities, while all guests will benefit from the experienced crew and the vessel's stable design.

Vessel Specifications

Cabins

Itineraries

Bali - Sumbawa - West Flores (11 Nights, Denpasar - Labuan Bajo)

Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights

Embarkation: Denpasar (Bali)

This twelve-day cruise traces the island chain from Bali eastward through Lombok's Gili Islands, across the wild sites of Sumbawa — Pulau Moyo, Sangeang volcano and Pulau Banta — before arriving in Komodo National Park for five full days of diving. The 11-night variant adds a dedicated day at Pulau Banta compared to the standard 10-night itinerary, providing extra time among the dramatic seamounts east of Sangeang. Macro specialists and wide-angle photographers are equally well served by the Gil

Forgotten Islands - Ring of Fire (13 Nights, Maumere - Ambon)

Duration: 14 Days / 13 Nights

Embarkation: Maumere (Flores)

A fourteen-day voyage tracing the volcanic arc of the Banda Sea — the Ring of Fire — from Flores eastward through the remote Forgotten Islands to the historic Banda archipelago and on to Ambon. The route traverses some of Indonesia's most isolated and biodiverse waters: the coral-rich channel dives of Alor, the untouched reefs of Wetar and Nila, the offshore seamount of Nil Desperandum, and the volcanic marvels of Manuk where resident sea snakes coexist with schooling hammerhead sharks. The trip

Bali - Sumbawa - West Flores (Denpasar - Labuan Bajo)

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights

Embarkation: Denpasar

Embark on an extensive 11-day, one-way voyage from Bali to Flores, exploring the lesser-known islands of Sumbawa before reaching the celebrated Komodo National Park. This journey is designed for divers seeking a comprehensive Indonesian experience, from tiny macro life to large pelagic species like manta rays. The trip begins in Denpasar and concludes in Labuan Bajo, covering key regions such as the Gili Islands, Moyo, Satonda, Sangeang, and Banta en route to Komodo. Max guests on this trip: 16

Raja Ampat - Halmahera - Lembeh (Sorong - Bitung)

Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights

Embarkation: Sorong (West Papua)

A thirteen-day expedition combining three of Indonesia's most biologically distinct dive regions in a single voyage. The cruise opens with four days in Raja Ampat's Misool archipelago — limestone karst riddled with lagoons, caves and current-swept passages — then crosses through the Maluku Sea via Pulau Pisang to spend three days on the volcanic seamounts and channel reefs of Halmahera. After a final night crossing the programme closes with two days of celebrated muck diving in the Lembeh Strait

Komodo Ultimate (Bali - Labuan Bajo)

Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights

Embarkation: Denpasar (Bali)

The Komodo Ultimate is a tightly focused nine-night expedition that concentrates diving time almost exclusively within Komodo National Park, making a single stop at the volcanic island of Sangeang on the Sumbawa approach before plunging into the park's celebrated current-swept sites. Guests explore North, Central and South Komodo, with schooling grey reef sharks at Castle Rock, oceanic mantas at Batu Bolong and Manta Point, and extraordinary soft-coral walls at Cannibal Rock. The cruise balances

West Flores - Sumbawa - Bali (11 Nights, Labuan Bajo - Denpasar)

Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights

Embarkation: Labuan Bajo (West Flores)

The reverse mirror of the Bali to West Flores 11-night cruise: guests embark in Labuan Bajo and disembark in Bali. Five full days in Komodo National Park open the trip — beginning in the northern channel before working southward through the cold upwelling zones — followed by the rarely dived Sumbawa wilderness at Pulau Banta, Sangeang volcano and Pulau Moyo, finishing with reef and wreck diving at the Gili Islands before landfall in Bali. The extra night compared to the 10-night offering inserts

West Flores - Sumbawa - Bali (Labuan Bajo - Denpasar)

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights

Embarkation: Labuan Bajo, Indonesia

This 11-day journey travels from Labuan Bajo to Denpasar, exploring the world-renowned Komodo National Park before crossing to Sumbawa and Bali. The trip showcases the incredible biodiversity of Komodo, from the vibrant reefs and pelagic species in the north to the cooler, macro-rich waters of the south. Divers will experience a wide variety of underwater environments, including drift dives, walls, and volcanic black sand slopes, with opportunities to encounter manta rays, sharks, and turtles.

Forgotten Islands - Ring of Fire (Maumere - Ambon)

Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights

Embarkation: Maumere

This extensive 13-day journey travels from Maumere to Ambon, exploring the remote Forgotten Islands and the Banda Sea. Designed for advanced divers, the trip includes approximately 36 dives across a wide and varied region. The itinerary is highly flexible, allowing the captain to select the best dive locations based on current conditions. Key areas of exploration include Alor, the Banda Sea, and the waters around Ambon. Max guests on this trip: 16.

Ring of Fire - Forgotten Islands (Ambon - Saumlaki)

Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights

Embarkation: Ambon, Indonesia

This 12-day, one-way expedition journeys from Ambon to Saumlaki, exploring the remote and biodiverse waters of the Banda Sea and the Forgotten Islands. Tailored for advanced divers, the trip includes approximately 33 dives. The exact route remains flexible, allowing the captain to select the best sites based on current conditions, ensuring a premium diving experience in this sought-after region. Max guests on this trip: 16.

Forgotten Islands - Ring of Fire (Saumlaki - Ambon)

Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights

Embarkation: Saumlaki

This 12-day voyage is tailored for advanced divers, journeying from Saumlaki to Ambon with approximately 33 dives included. The expedition explores the remote waters of the Forgotten Islands and the Banda Sea, with potential stops in Triton Bay. The exact route is kept flexible by the captain to optimize for the best diving conditions and guest experience.