FAQs
FAQs
What should I bring with me?
Travel Light is the best advice we can give.
We try to maintain a relaxed causal atmosphere on board typically T shirts, shorts etc.
Occasionally, it can get a little cool on deck in the evenings, particularly if the wind is blowing across the deck, so a light top/hoodie or similar is useful to have available.
As such casual wearing is recommended, and since the weather is usually sunny you will spend most of the vacation in bathing suits, so bring a few of them. You will spend most time on board barefoot, but it's good to pack some flip-flops and a rubber soled sandals or trainers for venturing ashore.
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreens with at least 50 SPF are highly recommended, as well as soothing after sun products. Your toiletry bag should include all the usual items and insect repellent and seasickness pill just in case.
AVOID SUITCASES IF AT ALL POSSIBLE AND TRY AND USE SOFT COLLAPSIBLE BAGS
As a diver, what should I bring with me?
As much or as little as you like.
Included in the price is use of all the diving equipment that we have on board.
We carry 12 full sets of equipment on board.
Alternatively if you are more comfortable with your own equipment, by all means please bring it.
But please don't forget your log book and certification.
Whatever makes you happy, makes us happy.
How much diving will there be?
As divers, we love diving but we also appreciate that holidays should be about relaxation too.
As such, we pride ourselves on not being a "diving factory" liveaboard and try to offer a more balanced approach.
This is why we try to offer some time ashore as well on walks, excursions etc.
There is no averages but typically there will be 2 or 3 dives available per day with the occasional night dives.
How many you do is entirely up to you.
All we insist on is that you have a wonderful holiday with us.
Can I bring children on a yacht charter vacation?
Yes please; We love having children on board and more importantly, children love sailing holidays, and a cruise aboard the Carpe Diem is an amazing way to spend quality time with the kids.
With stunning islands of providing the backdrop, children will have the adventure of a lifetime just being on and around our "pirate ship".
Children love everything that the Carpe Diem has to offer kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, hoisting the sails, helping the crew, steering the boat and especially jumping into the sea from the rigging!
There are also books to read and the chance to disconnect from the internet and reconnect with the simpler things that life has to offer and just spend quality time together.
In addition, here are a few other tips for making your yacht-charter fun for the whole family:
Our masks, snorkels, fins do not always fit younger children so if you already have your own set which fits well we definitely recommend you bring this.
Pack rash-vests for the whole family. They are a great solution to having to put on so much sunblock all the time.
Pack your children's favourite board games, travel games, and a small sketch books with colouring pencils.
Pack a waterproof digital camera
What will the food be like?
In a word. Wonderful.
We know how important the food is on a yacht charter and here on the Carpe Diem we take pride in sourcing the freshest ingredients and encouraging our chefs to develop creative and appetising menus.
Our chef will be able to prepare both Asian and Western foods.
Please let us know in advance of all dietary requirements or requests so we can make arrangements.
We operate from relatively remote areas so it isn’t always possible to get specific ingredients, but we'll always try our best to accommodate.
Insurance?
We highly recommend that guests have adequate travel insurance before they travel.
Divers are required to have specific dive insurance (unless covered by travel insurance).
We recommend DAN or DAN Europe.
The Carpe Diem Phinisi carries two separate insurance policies:
1) Hull & Machinery Insurance, which covers the vessel itself in the event of damage or loss; and
2) Protection & Indemnity Insurance (P&I), which is a third-party insurance and covers passengers and crew during the time they are aboard the vessel.
It is important to note that the P&I Insurance does not cover accidents, injuries, etc. outside of the vessel, e.g. due to any swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, water-skiing, surfing, kayaking or similar sports, whether supplied by the yacht owner, charterer, or any third party.
Will I be able to use my phone and is there wifi?
Once we leave port mobile phone signal is intermittent.
Wifi? No....enjoy your holiday.
What safety equipment is on the boat?
There are 2 life rafts, life jackets, life rings, sea radio, EPIRB, VHF Radio, Garmin Inreach satellite communications, defibrillator, visual and audio signalling devices (flares, horns), Fire extinguishers, emergency oxygen, and first aid and trauma kits.
What about charging electrical devices etc?
Each cabin has several 220V ac power sockets. The type of socket is two round pins.
Please remember to bring travel adapters.
Unattended charging of devices in cabins is not permitted.
Do I need a visa?
Tourists from many countries do not need a visa to enter Indonesia for a visit of up to 30 days.
See below link.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Indonesia
Please confirm with your local embassy.
Will I need any vaccinations?
The following links offer good guidance
http://www.masta-travel-health.com/VaccineChecker
However, guests are encouraged to consult their local health advisor.
How do I get to…
GENERAL
INTERNAL FLIGHTS WITHIN INDONESIA CAN BE SOMETHING OF AN ADVENTURE!
IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR FLIGHTS TO BE CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED AND EVEN DEPART EARLY! SOMETIMES WITH VERY SHORT NOTICE.
WE STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT GUESTS ARRIVE AT THE EMBARKATION PORT ONE DAY IN ADVANCE OF THE TRIP DEPARTURE DATE IF POSSIBLE.
PLEASE CAREFULLY CONSIDER THIS WHEN MAKING TRAVEL PLANS AND ALSO WHEN DECIDING ON WHETHER OR NOT TO BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE.
IF YOU MISS THE TRIP DEPARTURE; THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO COME BACK AND COLLECT YOU.
Komodo:-
Flights from either Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Maumere or Kupang to Labuanbajo Airport also known as KOMODO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (IATA CODE:- LBJ)
If you are transiting in Jakarta or Bali, please allow a minimum of 3 hours between an International arrival and a Domestic departure.
Our trips depart by 11:00-12:00 so you must arrive in Labuanbajo on the morning of departure or the day before.
Waisai/Sorong:-
Flights from either Jakarta, Bali or Makassar to Sorong Airport also known as DOMINE EDUARD OSOK AIRPORT (IATA CODE:- SOQ)
If you are transiting in Jakarta or Bali, please allow a minimum of 3 hours between an International arrival and a Domestic departure.
Our trips from Sorong depart around 0800-1000 so you can either arrive in Sorong the day before embarkation and rest overnight or…
There are overnight flights from both Jakarta or Bali which arrive in Sorong between 06:30-07:30 on the morning of trip embarkation HOWEVER, please note our comment in the general section above regarding flights within Indonesia.
Arriving in Sorong on the morning of departure day is a risk.
For trips commencing in Sorong; On embarkation day; We will meet you at either your hotel or Sorong Airport and bring you to the boat
For trips commencing in Waisai;
There is a ferry from Sorong to Waisai.
See below link to their Instagram Page
https://www.instagram.com/belibis.group?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
As of August 2025,
The Ferry Times from Sorong to Waisai and Waisai to Sorong are currently as follows
Sunday – Monday- Wednesday – Friday :
09:00 & 14:00
Tuesday – Thursday – Saturday :
14:00 ONLY
We don’t know yet if this is just for low season (April to October) or a permanent arrangement
So if your trip starts in Waisai on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday, you should take the ferry to Waisai at least one day before your trip starts and stay in local accommodation in Waisai overnight. We will arrange your transfer from your Waisai accommodation to the boat on embarkation day.
If your trip ends in Waisai on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday, you should ensure that onward flights from Sorong are planned after 19:00 on disembarkation day (or alternatively that you have overnight accommodation in Sorong on disembarkation day)
As for actually catching the ferry to Waisai…
Take a taxi to the ferry terminal, it is a IDR 150,000 ($10) taxi ride from the airport and the Ferry ticket is about IDR200,000 ($15)
Link to location of Ferry Terminal/Ticket Office
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yfw3Xoxe69PPFrCZ8
There is no online booking system in place for buying the ferry tickets.
However, there is a WhatsApp number (+62 822-4849-7849) which may be able to help to book your ticket to Waisai.
This may not work, in which case, it’s a matter of turning up and buying them directly from the counter on the day.
Ticket office is in the buildings before the docks.
(see Google Maps Link above)
They offer both Economy and VIP tickets;
The VIP room has a private toilet and arctic standard air-conditioning and sometimes Karaoke!
It’s not unusual for the ferries to depart late, so it’s always best to allow extra time when taking a flight on the same day as the ferry to Sorong.
The ferry takes 2 approx hours to reach Waisai.
For guests arriving on the 0900 ferry; we will meet you at Waisai Ferry Terminal and bring you to the boat and commence the trip thereafter.
Also for Waisai disembarkation, we will bring you to the Waisai ferry terminal in order to take the ferry back to Sorong.
Again the Ferry takes approx. 2 hours to reach Sorong.
Kaimana:-
Flights to/from Sorong to Kaimana Airport also known as UTAROM AIRPORT (IATA CODE:- KNG)
See above for how to get to Sorong
Ambon:-
Flights from Jakarta, Makassar, Surabaya, Langgur, Ternate, Manado, Saumlaki, Dobo to Ambon Airport also known as PATTIMURA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (IATA CODE:- AMQ)
If you are transiting in Jakarta please allow a minimum of 3 hours between an International arrival and a Domestic departure.
Ternate:-
Flights from either Jakarta, Makassar, Surabaya, Ambon, or Manado to Ternate Airport also known as SULTAN BABULLAH AIRPORT (IATA CODE:- TTE)
If you are transiting in Jakarta please allow a minimum of 3 hours between an International arrival and a Domestic departure.
Bitung:-
Flights from either Jakarta, Makassar, Guanzhou, Surabaya, Incheon, Tokyo, Singapore, Ambon, Sorong, Balikpapan, Gorontalo, or Ternate, to Manado Airport also known as SAM RATULANGI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MANADO (IATA CODE:- MDC)
If you are transiting in Jakarta please allow a minimum of 3 hours between an International arrival and a Domestic departure.
Gorontalo:-
Flights from either Jakarta or Makassar to JALAUDDIN AIRPORT (IATA CODE:- GTO)
If you are transiting in Jakarta please allow a minimum of 3 hours between an International arrival and a Domestic departure
Tarakan:-
Flights from either Jakarta, Makassar, Surabaya, Balikpapan or Nunakan to JUWATA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (IATA CODE:- TRK)
If you are transiting in Jakarta please allow a minimum of 3 hours between an International arrival and a Domestic departure
Maumere:-
Flights from either Kupang, Labuanbajo or Makassar to Maumere Airport also known as FRANS XAVIER SEDA AIRPORT (IATA CODE:- MOF)