Solitude Adventurer Liveaboard overview

By
Yvonne Press
Contributor at DIVEIN.com
Yvonne is a TDI instructor trainer and rebreather instructor with more than two decades of diving experience. After learning to dive on the Great Barrier Reef,...
Rebecca Strauss
Editor at DIVEIN.com
Rebecca has been an avid traveler and scuba diver for many years. She began her editorial career by updating travel guides, which took her all over...

What’s on top of your list of dream diving destinations? The colorful, healthy reefs of Raja Ampat? Or perhaps the exhilarating currents of Komodo? Or what about a chance to dive with hammerhead sharks in the Banda Sea? Or maybe you would like to explore destinations like Misool and Alor that are not yet as well known?

No matter your answer to these questions, Indonesia has it all. The most difficult choice you will need to make is choosing an itinerary that covers the part of this amazing archipelago that you’d like to see the most.

Narrow down the choice by picking your favorite time to travel: Indonesia-based liveaboard operators change itineraries with the seasons to ensure you’re diving in the best possible conditions. Alternatively, think about whether you’d rather see pelagic species on most dives or have a combination of bigger marine life and macro species.

The Solitude Adventurer, one of two liveaboards in the Solitude World fleet, takes you to Indonesia’s leading dive destinations in style. This vessel is the only catamaran liveaboard that we know of in the archipelago, giving you excellent stability on your journey to these remote islands.

Built in 2000 as a private yacht, the Solitude Adventurer was fully renovated in 2017 and started a second life as a liveaboard during the following year. What should you expect from a journey on this catamaran?

Read on for our full review of the Solitude Adventurer.

About this review

To help you find a that will fit your needs, we’ve tested, researched, and reviewed the best ones available today.
We test both in the water, diving in various conditions - and in our lab - so we can give you accurate answers on quality, performance, and the overall value.

Read about our test of s

Things we like:

  • Great choice of different cabin types
  • Living room-like, extra-comfortable lounge space
  • Private dive guiding service available

Things we don't like:

  • Only one cabin features a king-sized bed

Diving on the Solitude Adventurer liveaboard

Diving in Indonesia is spectacular, no matter where you are, but starting from a well-designed liveaboard dive deck makes it even more special. The Solitude Adventurer’s spacious dive deck has enough room for all 18 divers to get ready in time and comfort. There is plenty of storage for your equipment, too, and divers can opt for nitrox at an additional cost.

Underwater photography enthusiasts benefit from separate rinse tanks and a dedicated camera area on the bridge deck. There are also air guns and towels just for cameras. Charging points are available in the cabins and camera room, and a surge protector is available in the lounge.

Depending on your itinerary, you may complete between three and four dives per day. All dives start from two dive skiffs, and there is a ratio of no more than six divers to one dive guide, except for Komodo. Because the area is famous for stronger currents, the team matches a maximum of four divers with one guide.

Plus, divers who prefer to have more personal attention, or spend most of their dive photographing one subject, have the option of hiring a private guide for their trip at an additional cost. It’s a great option for divers who enjoy company on the boat but would really like to follow their own path underwater or prefer a higher level of support.

Highlights:

  • Private guide service available at an additional cost
  • Spacious dive deck with plenty of storage space
  • Surge protection when charging equipment in the camera room

Onboard the Solitude Adventurer

Step on this 118-foot (36 m) yacht and feel like you’ve just set foot on your home away from home. Because of the catamaran design, the vessel offers a wider shape compared to traditional liveaboards. That means the Solitude Adventurer feels more like a stylish apartment than a vessel with limited space.

Relax in the lounge area on one of the comfortable bean bags or take a seat in the massage chair, one of the most popular features on the liveaboard. There is a library of movies and books to choose from, or guests can help themselves to one of the guitars. Alternatively, ask the Indonesian crew to treat you to some local tunes or a selection of international favorites.

The Solitude Adventurer has eight cabins, ready to accommodate up to 18 guests. All cabins are located above deck and feature large window fronts, meaning you never need to miss any part of the outstanding scenery around you.

Six of the cabins are deluxe, twin-share cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows awarding passengers spectacular views. The ensuite bathrooms are stocked with a selection of toiletries, allowing you to dedicate more of your luggage to diving equipment.

The stateroom features the only king-size on board. It’s larger than the deluxe cabins and also features a writing desk and wardrobe. This is a great choice if you’d like to treat yourself and travel as stylishly as possible on your Indonesian adventure.

The quad cabin is ideal for a group of four friends, but it also offers solo travelers and families stylish but cost-effective accommodation. This cabin has two bunk beds, a writing desk, and storage space, too.

There’s also a spacious sundeck to relax in between dives and an outdoor lounge that offers a comfortable space to enjoy your surroundings while staying out of the sun.

Highlights:

  • Living room-like indoor lounge making great use of the additional space
  • All cabins have huge window fronts to let in natural light and enjoy the views
  • Quad cabin is ideal for sharing with friends or a family

Dining on the Solitude Adventurer

No liveaboard dive trip would be complete without delicious food. The Solitude Adventurer team serves five buffet-style meals per day in the spacious indoor lounge, combining Indonesian and Western cuisines.

While most divers enjoy a little bit of air conditioning at the end of a day in the sun, there are also options to eat on the sundeck and marvel at the sheer number of stars on show in remote locations.

Should passengers feel hungry in between meals, there is a steady supply of biscuits and instant noodles to snack on. From time to time, the crew also serves a la carte meals or holds BBQ dinners.

Free-flowing water, tea, and coffee are available at all times. Guests can also choose from a selection of soft drinks. Beer, wine, and popular liquors are available for sale, but passengers can also bring their own. There is no corkage charge as long as guests don’t exceed their duty-free allowance.

The culinary team is happy to accommodate vegetarian and other meat-free diets, although fully vegan diets require advance notice to ensure that a delicious selection of food is available.

Highlights:

  • BBQ dinners served on the sundeck
  • Indoor and outdoor dining options
  • BYO without corkage charge within duty-free limits

Things we like:

  • Great choice of different cabin types
  • Living room-like, extra-comfortable lounge space
  • Private dive guiding service available

Things we don't like:

  • Only one cabin features a king-sized bed
Key Facts
Year Built 2000
Max Divers 16
Price Range Luxury
Trip Length 8+ Nights
Internet Yes ($)
Nitrox Yes ($)
Equipment Rental Yes ($)
Camera Station Yes
Air Conditioning Yes
Min. Logged Dives No minimum
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