12 days from

£7738 GBP pp

* Current p/p indicative rate.

Overview

Highlights

Dates & Prices

Itinerary

Map

Ships

HighlightsFlores
Lembata Island
Wetar Island
Spice Islands

                    Highlights
                    Flores
Lembata Island
Wetar Island
Spice Islands

                  

Ship Katharina

Capacity: 14, Types: YachtPrivate CharterVery small ships, fewer than 24 passengers

Feture image for The East Indies On A Spice Island Exploration (Maumere - Ambon)

Snorkelling and Sailing Adventures in Indonesia, See Coral Reefs, Birdwatch, Search for Rare Birds and Animals, Learn About Cultures and History, Explore or Just Relax with a Cool Drink and a Good Book.

Generations of seafarers before you have sailed the trade winds of Indonesia, in quest of exotic cultures and their goods, charting the famous spice routes. SeaTrek’s four sailing collections follow those same historic trade winds taking you on journeys of discovery to many of the still remote areas of the Indonesian archipelago. Come explore with us aboard authentic wooden sailing ships much like the ones used by those legendary adventurers.

Flores
Lembata Island
Wetar Island
Spice Islands

Availability is always subject to confirmation. Please check with us before booking flights

05 September, 2026 to 16 September, 2026 on Ombak Putih

Prices

Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.

Stateroom

£7738 GBP pp

Our comfortable cabins are located below decks and offer all the necessary amenities, including double beds or twin bunks, private en-suite bathrooms, lots of natural light, individually controlled air-conditioning, ample storage space, and plenty of electrical and USB outlets.

06 September, 2026 to 17 September, 2026 on Katharina

Prices

Stateroom

£7738 GBP pp

show reverse itinerary

D A Y 1

- After arriving in the early afternoon from Bali, you will be meet at Maumere airport by our SeaTrek tour leader and be taken directly to the boat, where you will meet your fellow passengers and your crew. - We will cruise out of the harbour and head off to the east giving you a chance to become familiar with your new home for the next 12 days, stopping for a snorkel and a swim along the way, before sunset cocktails and dinner as we cruise on into the night.

D A Y 2

- The morning will find us moored offshore of the capital town of Flores - a Christian dominated island as a result of Portuguese influence - where we will go ashore and see the five Catholic churches and the ‘Stations of the Cross’ along the waterfront. - During lunch we will cross to a neighbouring island where we will visit a small local village and the ruins of an old Portuguese fort dating back to the 16th Century. - Later in the afternoon we will get out our snorkelling gear and explore one of the richly vibrant nearby reefs.

D A Y 3

- We will wake up on Lembata Island in a bite-shaped bay under the gaze of a massive live volcano called Ile Api – Island of Fire. We will be welcomed ashore in a local village with singing and dancing, and be witness to the production of their famous local textiles. - After lunch on the boat, we will sail across the bay to snorkel on a vibrant local reef and to swim and paddle on a local beach. This evening, the crew will set up for a beach BBQ and party under the stars before heading off that night for our overnight cruise to our next destination.

D A Y 4

- Today we visit a traditional village up in the mountains, where we will be welcomed by the chief and be witness to a ceremonial war dance in honour of our visit. . We will see their traditional ‘Moko’ war drums and intricately designed ‘Ikat’ fabrics, which have been woven and dyed using age old techniques, and used in local bridal dowries for centuries. - We will weigh anchor and cruise east as we enjoy lunch on board, stopping in the late afternoon at a picturesque tropical island to snorkel and swim on a coral reef.

D A Y 5

- We will wake up in a lovely bay on Wetar Island and go ashore to a local fishing village to meet the locals and see their way of life as they dry their catch on the beach. - Spend the day swimming and beaching, snorkelling and exploring, and indulge in a bit of local culture by way of ‘sopi’, a strong alcoholic drink made from a local palm tree. - Later in the afternoon we will weigh anchor and continue our journey east.

D A Y 6

- This morning we will go ashore on a small island and be welcomed into a remote village where the locals will share with us their way of life as farmers and fishermen. - After lunch we will continue cruising, stopping off at another tiny island, this one deserted, to swim, kayak, snorkel over the reef and relax on the sand. - This evening the crew will set up for a beach BBQ and we will dance and sing our way into the night before heading off again for an overnight cruise to our next destination.

D A Y 7

- Today is another day of cruising and exploring in one of the remotest parts of Indonesia. We will visit a very simple village where the people’s houses are made using the products of the sago palm, the staple crop in this part of the world. The villagers will demonstrate for us how they process the heart of the sago palm into the edible product that sustains them. - After lunch we will cruise around the island and stop off to explore the beaches and reefs, where we will snorkel along the way.

D A Y 8

- Today will be a day at sea where we will pass four spectacular volcanic sea mounts, explicit examples of Indonesia’s place along the Ring of Fire.- One of these islands is uninhabited by people, and is home to tens of thousands of sea birds, (brown and red-footed boobies, and frigate birds), who will likely come out to encircle the boat in great numbers on our approach. - If the tide allows, we will go ashore and investigate, and surely have a snorkel. In the late afternoon we will proceed north to the fabled Spice Islands.

D A Y 9

- By dawn we should have the Banda Archipelago ‘Spice Islands’ in our sights, original home of the nutmeg and the scene of much bloodshed between the colonial powers of Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries over control of the spice trade. - We will go ashore and go ashore and visit Fort Revenge, built by the Dutch, before snorkelling on the local reef. - Later we will head across to the main island group, and the main town, and anchor in the beautiful enclosed anchorage under the imposing gaze of a 600-metre-high volcano. If we get there in enough time before nightfall, we will go ashore and explore the town.

D A Y 1 0

- Today is a day of exploring the history and beauty of the Spice Islands with a visit to the main town of the Spice Islands and its fort overlooking the harbour. - We will wander through the streets and markets of this bustling town and meet the local people. After lunch on the boat we will take a local boat over to the biggest of the islands, where we will walk among the vast nutmeg plantations, visit another Dutch fort, talk with the locals and visit one of the last ‘perkineers’, the farmers who still run the larger plantations on the island who will tell us about life on the islands. - Later in the afternoon we can snorkel on a local reef and have a chance to see the rare and multi-hued Mandarin fish, who only comes out at dusk to mate. - Dinner will be had ashore at a local restaurant that offers traditional and delicious local dishes.

D A Y 1 1

- This morning we have time for a final stroll around the town or a last snorkel before we say farewell to the Spice islands around lunchtime and head north. - We will have lunch on the way, passing another major seabird island, before settling in for a relaxing afternoon on board as we scour the horizon for migrating whales.

D A Y 1 2

- We will wake up just south of our final destination and our last few hours will be spent enjoying the majesty of the ocean, and we may very well see more whales along the way. - As we drop anchor in the harbour, we will say farewell to our crew and tour leaders and be taken to the airport for our onward journeys, ending a magical 12 days of exploration and adventure.

Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

show main itinerary

Itineraries are subject to change.

* = Indicative

Katharina

Built:	1997
Length	33 metres

Katharina is a mix of traditional and modern design. Her hull and rigging are traditional, while the deck house and interior were custom designed to adapt to Western tastes of space, privacy and comfort. While Indonesian traditional sailing vessels are customarily referred to as Bugi Schooners, strictly speaking Katharina is rigged as a Ketch, the foremast being higher than the aft mast.

The deck area of Katharina is dominated by the 25m tall main and top masts and a large central table around which we enjoy our meals alfresco. Just aft is the main lounge and bar, accessible on the port side. On top of this main cabin there is a sun deck, where you find several additional deck chairs and comfortable day beds. Below decks there are 4 double cabins (with one extra single upper berth) and 2 twin cabins (upper/lower berth). All cabins are air-conditioned (individually controlled) and have private bathrooms with warm and cold water. Obviously, we provide all hotel amenities you may require.

Each cabin has a wardrobe, a built-in mini safe, individually controlled cooling systems and soft lightning. All cabins have their own private bathroom with shower and toilet. Unlike typical ship accommodation, your cabin provides ample space to store your stuff and still move about with ease.

We know from experience that during a cruise in the tropics some of our guests discover the pleasure of sleeping under the stars and there is plenty of room to sleep on the upper deck. Mattresses as well as light blankets are available for that purpose.

Spacious twin shared cabins with twin bunk beds or double bed
Each cabin has a private bathroom with toilet and hot shower
Washbasin and soap toiletries in your cabin
Cabins have individually controlled air conditioning
Towels and beach towels that are regularly changed
each cabin has an individual minisafe for valuables and travel documents
Free tea, coffee and mineral water
Excellent food and snacks (vegetarian food on request)
Excellent wine selection, cold beer and other alcoholic drinks for sale
Chilled towels and a welcome drink upon arrival
Outdoor sleeping facilities
Unlimited use of our snorkeling equipment and 2 sea canoes
Television, DVD and music centre in lounge

Deck plans are for illustrative purposes only – The actual ship and cabin layout may differ.

Ombak Putih

The Ombak Putih is a traditional Indonesian schooner custom built from Iron wood by Buginese ship builders. The Ombak Putih is 42 metres long and provides accommodation for up to 24 guests in 12 c…

Ombak Putih

Built	1997
Length	42 metres
Cabins	12

The Ombak Putih is a traditional Indonesian schooner custom built from Iron wood by Buginese ship builders. The Ombak Putih is 42 metres long and provides accommodation for up to 24 guests in 12 comfortable cabins. With approximately 400 square meters of public space divided over 2 main decks, the Ombak Putih offers both open and covered space in abundance, allowing for privacy and serene relaxing. All cabins are located below deck and offer private bathroom, portholes, individually controlled air conditioning, and ample storage space including safety deposit box. Led by Captain Feri, 14 dedicated crew members coming from all regions of the archipelago make your stay with us a memorable experience.

Spacious twin shared cabin with twin bunk beds or double bed
Each cabin has a private bathroom with toilet and hot shower
Washbasin and soap toiletries in your cabin
Cabins have individually controlled air conditioning
Towels and beach towels that are regularly changed
Valuables and travel documents can be stored in the ship’s safe
Dining in spacious air conditioned lounge
Teak wooden furniture in lounge, cabins and on deck
Spacious sun and semi-covered decks
Free tea, coffee and mineral water
Excellent food and snacks (vegetarian food on request)
A selction of wines, cold beer and other alcoholic drinksare offered for sale
Fresh water on-deck shower
Outdoor sleeping facilities
Professional cruise director
Unlimited use of our snorkeling equipment and 2 sea canoes
Television, DVD and music center in lounge

Deck plans are for illustrative purposes only – The actual ship and cabin layout may differ.

Overview

Highlights

Dates & Prices

Itinerary

Map

Ship

12 days from £7738 GBP pp

Trip Tags

Wildlife Cruises Under sail

The East Indies On A Spice Island Exploration (Maumere - Ambon)

Find the perfect trip

£7738 GBP pp

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Katharina

Ombak Putih

12 days from £7738 GBP pp

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