Where to book
Diving on the Pelagian liveaboard
Onboard the Pelagian
The Pelagian takes divers to some of the most secluded and remote dive sites in the Wakatobi peninsula, unlike any other dive location in Indonesia. Over 50 reef sites, muck dives, and drifts offer lots of variety. Divers can expect to log anywhere between 12 and 24 dives during the 7-night/8-day itinerary. Large trevallies, barracuda, nudibranchs, cleaner shrimp, sea snakes, and cephalopods are common.
All dives launch from two large, 50-horsepower inflatable boats (RIBs), offering direct access to dive sites and easy pick-ups when dives are over. As on all liveaboards, safety briefings are standard pre-dive. Post-dive, staff greets guests with warm towels and hot drinks. Freshwater access on the dive deck makes it easy to rinse off gear between dives.
The Pelagian caters to snorkelers, technical, and rebreather divers alike. Both air and nitrox are available, the latter for an extra fee. Rental gear is available at the time of booking.
While diving in Wakatobi is great year-round, the best time to visit is between March and December. The busiest months are April, May, September, and December.
When not diving, the Pelagian offers additional tours, such as visits to islands including Wangi-Wangi, Binongko, and Kaledupa where guests can walk around the villages’ open-air markets and experience the culture.
- Small dive groups
- Up to 24 dives per trip
- Abundant marine life including frequent sightings of trevally and barracuda
- World-famous dive sites for both macro and wide-angle photography
Dining onboard the Pelagian
Caption: The comfortable salon onboard the Pelagian is the perfect place to watch a movie, share photos, or grab some coffee.
At 118 feet long (36 m) and with a cruising speed of ten knots per hour, guests will travel comfortably — and quickly — to all the best dive sites around Wakatobi. The Pelagian caters to small groups of 10 guests and is known for havingmore space per guest than competitors.
Five spacious rooms feature air-conditioning,TVs, en-suite bathrooms, and hairdryers. The master suite is located on the main deck and spans the full width of the vessel. Four more cabins, with a variety of bedding configurations, are located on the lower deck.
Shared guest areas include outdoor and indoor gathering spaces, including a saloon with a large flatscreen TV. Sun and covered decks feature sitting areas, perfect for sunbathing and ocean viewing. Additionally, the Pelagian features a dedicated and spacious camera room, where photographers can prepare their camera equipment pre-dive and edit their photos post-dive. The Pelagian also offers amenities such as laundry service, onboard kayaks, and free Wi-Fi.
- Spacious rooms
- Dedicated camera room
- Laundry service
- Onboard kayaks
- Free WiFi
Aside from the diving, the delectable gourmet meals on board the Pelagian are one of the trip’s highlights. Chefs serve up scrumptious, nutritious meals from a wide range of local and international cuisines. Meals can include tuna sashimi, soups, barbecued fish, fresh fruits, steaks, Indonesian specialities, and fresh-daily pastries.
And, if you have a special request, the chef is usually happy to prepare it for you. A beach barbeque during the trip is a guest favorite. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated if indicated when booking.
Most meals are served from à la carte menus in the dining area, but guests can eat outside on one of the decks. Complimentary instant coffee, black tea, cookies, and snacks are available 24/7 from the lounge. Alcohol and soft drinks are available for purchase.
- Beach barbeque
- Chefs can accommodate special requests
- Wide range of cuisine
Things we like:
- Well-equipped, spacious camera room
- Friendly staff and knowledgeable dive guides
- Superb food
- Small groups of 10 to 12 guests
- Dives often exceed 70 minutes
- Warm towels and hot drinks after every dive
Things we don't like:
- Odor was present in some of the cabins
- Trip logistics (e.g., dive sites promised and number of days scheduled for the trip) sometimes change
Key Facts
| Year Built | 1965 |
| Max Divers | 10 |
| Price Range | Luxury |
| Trip Length | 5-7 Nights |
| Internet | No |
| Nitrox | Yes ($) |
| Equipment Rental | Yes ($) |
| Camera Station | Yes |
| Air Conditioning | Yes |
| Min. Logged Dives | No minimum |
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