Adelaar Liveaboard Overview

Imagine diving in a destination where there are so many islands to discover that you simply never run out of new places to dive. That’s Indonesia, and with more than 18,000 islands in the archipelago, you can be sure that there are always opportunities to explore somewhere new on a liveaboard trip.

If you’re wondering what you might discover, the list is long: Komodo offers a chance to swim with manta rays and experience exhilarating currents; Raja Ampat lets you marvel at beautiful healthy soft coral reefs while looking for pelagic species. Lesser-known areas like the Banda Sea let you swim with schooling hammerhead sharks and even explore underwater volcanoes.

If that sounds like the adventure you’ve been waiting for, the Adelaar liveaboard is perfect for you. Adelaar’s story begins more than a century ago in the shipyards of Zaandam in Holland. Since then, it has sailed the Mediterranean, Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, and even crossed the Pacific before winning New Zealand’s Tall Ship Race.

Its latest reincarnation as a luxury liveaboard is the result of an almost three-year renovation. Adelaar now wows divers with paneled teak wood walls, high ceilings, and all the ambiance of a classical yacht.

Read on for our detailed review of Adelaar.

Where to book

Adelaar phinisi schooner sailing with rust colored sails past green hills

PADI TravelSecure online booking Liveaboard.comNo booking fees Divebooker.comFree DAN insurance

Diving on the Adelaar liveaboard

divers and crew loading gear onto the Adelaar 2 tender boat

Peacock mantis shrimp facing the camera with its stalked eyes and raised clubs

manta ray swimming past with a second manta in the background

spotted nudibranch with feathery gills crawling across the reef

Adelaar sails from its home in Bali across Indonesia, covering a great selection of dive sites. Destinations include diver favorites Komodo and Raja Ampat, as well as the less well-traveled Forgotten Islands, Triton Bay, the Banda Sea, and Alor. Get ready for shark encounters, manta rays, volcanic vents, and outstanding coral reefs.

Several trips start directly in Bali, saving you an additional flight. If you would prefer to join the boat from another location, though, consider embarkation and disembarkation points like Labuan Bajo or Maumere.

Each 11-night trip not only offers plenty of opportunities to discover Indonesia’s underwater world, but the crew also makes time for land excursions, giving divers a chance to learn more about Indonesian culture and natural history. After all, who could imagine a trip to Komodo without seeing the famous Komodo dragons?

Divers are served by three compressors and a nitrox membrane system, ensuring you’re always ready to dive. Depending on your itinerary, Adelaar offers between three and five dives per day.

All dives start from two dedicated aluminum tenders staffed with two crew members. Underwater, Adelaar’s guests are looked after by a cruise director and diving instructor, as well as a divemaster. The team has been diving Indonesia’s waters for years and is never happier than when they can share their secrets with you. They’re equally happy to discover new dive sites or show you some of the best snorkeling spots in the area.

For divers with a special interest in conservation, the Adelaar crew offers itineraries focused on manta rays and whale sharks, allowing you to learn more about your favorite marine creatures while you observe them.

Highlights:

Amazing opportunities for pelagic species sightings
Chance of spotting blue whales and sailfish on the surface
Incredibly attentive crew with a great eye for detail

Onboard the Adelaar

wood paneled cabin aboard the Adelaar with a double bed and bookshelf

wood paneled cabin aboard the Adelaar with a bed and wall mounted TV

wood paneled lounge aboard the Adelaar with a chess table and bookshelves

marble ensuite bathroom with walk in shower aboard the Adelaar

Setting foot onto the deck of the 127-foot (38 m) Adelaar is transformative. Boarding this historical yacht is not only the start of your diving holiday but it’s also the beginning of a few days spent cruising in luxurious surroundings, looked after by one of the most attentive crews in the area.

Adelaar has four cabins, ready to accommodate eight divers on their Indonesian sojourn. All four cabins are located on the lower deck. Closest to the bow is the master suite, which features ample space for two adults and a child. The suite is equipped with a large double bed and a comfortable sofa, which converts into a bed for a twin share. Plenty of storage space and a luxurious ensuite bathroom complete the suite.

Staterooms two and three feature a slightly smaller double bed and a convertible sofa as well as similar furnishings to the master suite. Stateroom four is the smallest of the cabins but still features a double bed, closet, storage space, and an ensuite bathroom.

The main salon connects all guest cabins. This is a great place to meet for a game of chess, enjoy a drink in the small bar, or prepare your camera for the next day. It’s the perfect spot to relax after an eventful day of exploring Indonesia’s underwater world.

The upper deck is home to the Adelaar’s dive deck, a spacious alfresco dining area, and a comfortable lounge space with shaded areas and spaces for sun worshippers.

Highlights:

Four stylish teak-wood paneled cabins
Beautifully restored interiors throughout the vessel
Complimentary toiletries and amenities from Sensatia Botanicals

Dining on the Adelaar

guests raising glasses together at a dining table on the Adelaar's deck

chef plating a seafood stir fry alongside rows of appetizer dishes

Indonesian rice plate with satay skewers, crackers and vegetable salads

two cocktails toasted together with a mountain silhouette in the background

No luxury liveaboard diving experience would be complete without outstanding food. The Adelaar culinary experience starts before every trip when the vessel’s chefs personally shop for the trip ahead.

Every meal is prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients available. Adelaar‘s chefs pride themselves in using trusted suppliers and creating meals that are specifically suited to dining at sea. Whenever possible, dinner is served under the stars in the alfresco dining area on the upper deck. If the weather is too hot to enjoy meals outside, the crew is happy to serve divers in the air-conditioned dining room or the salon.

So, what’s on the menu? Adelaar’s chefs have been trained by a Belgian master chef to a very high standard, allowing them to serve a sophisticated version of Indonesian favorites and Western cuisine classics. The kitchen team is happy to accommodate special requests or dietary requirements, and guests are even invited to watch the chefs prepare their amazing treats.