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Raja Ampat Yacht Charter FAQ — Costs, Boats, Seasons & Booking

Cost, booking, fleet and seasons — answered from the same numbers the rest of this site uses. For destination, diving and travel questions, see the general FAQ page.

How much does a Raja Ampat yacht charter cost per night?

Whole-boat rates run across three tiers: entry phinisi $4,500–$6,800 per night, luxury phinisi $10,500–$19,000, and motor flagship $20,500–$45,500. Every rate covers the full crew, chef, dive team, fuel, and meals — see the cost page for the complete line-item breakdown.

What are the marine park permit fees?

The Raja Ampat marine park permit is IDR 1,700,000 per international guest — IDR 700,000 TLPJL permit plus IDR 1,000,000 UPTD entry fee — and IDR 725,000 for Indonesian citizens. It is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

What additional costs are not included in the charter rate?

Beyond the rate: the marine park permit, a fuel surcharge, port fees, an estimate for crew gratuities, and optional extras like dive packages or alcohol. Each quote spells these out in writing before anything is paid.

What does a 7-night charter for a group of 8–12 guests cost?

Sample budgets from the cost page: entry phinisi, 8 guests, 7 nights — $44,050 total ($5,506 per guest). Luxury phinisi, 12 guests — $119,665 ($9,972 per guest). Motor super-yacht, 12 guests — $238,955 ($19,913 per guest).

How much does a luxury week cost per person?

A 7-night luxury phinisi charter for 12 guests works out to $9,972 per guest on board. With international flights added, the all-in figure lands around $11,500–$13,200 per person.

Are rates lower outside the peak season?

Yes — entry and luxury phinisi tiers discount roughly 8–15% in the shoulder weeks of late April, late September, and early November. The manta peak (December–March) is the most requested window.

What is the booking process step by step?

Send your dates and group size on WhatsApp or email; within four hours you get a curated list of two to four vessels with a draft itinerary and full cost summary. Pick a boat, sign the digital charter contract, pay the 30% deposit, and the vessel is yours. A final itinerary is signed off 30 days out, and a video briefing runs 14 days before you sail.

What deposit is required?

A 30% deposit secures the vessel and locks your dates, paid by wire transfer, Wise, or major credit cards. The balance falls due 30–60 days before departure.

What is the cancellation policy?

More than 90 days before departure: 80% of the deposit is refunded. At 45–90 days: half is refunded, half becomes credit toward a rescheduled charter within 12 months. Under 45 days: the deposit is not refunded, but the charter can be handed to another party with our written approval and a US$500 transfer fee.

How far in advance should I book?

Peak weeks — December to March especially — fill earliest, so booking several months ahead is wise for those dates. For the rest of the year we can usually show live availability within 24 hours, so message us and we will tell you exactly what is open.

What documents do I need to book?

A passport valid for travel to Indonesia (most nationalities enter on a tourist visa on arrival), plus your group's dates and dietary notes. Permits are handled before you arrive — we send the details in the booking pack.

Can I book a single cabin instead of the whole boat?

Most charters here are whole-boat, but select vessels offer per-cabin departures on scheduled routes — see the cabin charter page for the current schedule and prices.

What is the difference between a phinisi, motor yacht and catamaran?

A phinisi is a traditional wooden Indonesian sailing vessel — the character option, mostly what the fleet is built on. Motor yachts trade sail for speed, range and big-group comfort. The catamaran (Solitude Adventurer) is a steel-hulled stability platform. All come fully crewed.

What types of yachts are available?

The fleet spans 24 vessels: 16 phinisi, 4 modern sailing yachts, 3 motor super-yachts, and 1 catamaran — from the 28m Sequoia to the 65m LAMIMA. Every vessel has its own page with photos and full specifications.

How do I choose the right vessel for my group?

Start with guest count (vessels carry 6–30 guests), then your budget tier, then type — phinisi for traditional character, motor for speed and range. The fleet page sorts all 24 vessels by length, guests and tier.

How are cabins configured?

Cabins vary by vessel — from three suites (Sequoia, Si Datu Bua) to fifteen sea-facing suites (Aqua Blu). Each vessel page lists its exact cabin plan, guest count and crew.

When is the best time to charter Raja Ampat?

October to April offers the calmest seas and clearest water. Manta rays peak December to March, and Cendrawasih Bay whale sharks are a year-round encounter on the longest routes.

What is the minimum charter length?

Four nights is the minimum; typical charters run 7, 10, 11 or 14 nights. The 14-night routes extend east to Cendrawasih Bay.

Where do charters start?

Charters embark from Sorong (SOQ) — the gateway airport — or from Waisai on Waigeo. Ground and boat transfers are arranged with your charter.

What routes are available?

Routes cover the Dampier Strait, the Misool south, the Wayag north, and — on 14-night charters — Cendrawasih Bay. The itineraries page shows sample routes for every length.

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