BUDGET AND LUXURY
INDONESIA
Dewi Nusantara
Text and images by MARTYN GUESS
20
The tropical paradise of
20 The Dewi Nusantara
Raja Ampat situated off the
sailing majestically
northeastern coast of West
in the waters of
Papua, Indonesia is about as far
Raja Ampat
away as you can get from the
modern, urban, industrialised world. Whilst it takes
some time to get there it is well worth the effort when
rewarded with the biodiversity and treasures of the
unspoilt underwater world. Virgin coral reefs teeming
with life provide an explosion of dazzling colour.
To explore the whole region a liveaboard is key,
and prince among the various operators is the Dewi
Nusantara, a magnificent three-masted schooner
designed with a style from the 19th century but with
21st-century comfort and luxury. Built in 2007/8 she
is 191 foot long (58 metres) with a beam of 37 foot
(12 metres) providing superb accommodation for up
to 18 passengers in eight double/twin, extremely
spacious 20-square-metre stateroom suites and one
huge owner’s master suite of 46 square metres.
Imagine a shoulder, neck and head massage after
every dive, and fine food served at every meal with
a choice of wine.
SDOP
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