Adelaar

Katherine Alexandra HuskinsonGoogle Reviewer

I was incredibly lucky to spend a week on this gorgeous boat in April 26. The attention to detail was so impressive, from finding all your dive gear folded up and ready three times a day, and your towel always dry and set out next to the outdoor shower on deck. The F& B service was so slick and accommodating, the food was so fresh, varied and delicious. A lovely, hot ginger tea and snack awaited us when we emerged from each dive. Very comfortable cabins, cozy TV lounge, various deck spaces to relax and read a book, have a sundowner or a snooze. It truly wonderful week that I will never forget. Thank you to all on Adelaar!

Gina LapekasGoogle Reviewer

If you are looking for a luxury live aboard scuba diving experience, look no further than diving in Raja Ampat on the Adelaar. All we had to think about was diving, eating, and sleeping. The service was impeccable-fun and professional; from the crew to the dive guides we could relax knowing everything was taken care of. The accommodations, as well, were first-class.The fit and finish of this vessel is first-class! It's very custom and the cabins are incredibly cozy and comfortable. Taking a trip on the Adelaar is one not to be forgotten.

Serafina ConcannonGoogle Reviewer

Choosing the right boat is the most important part of planning a liveaboard vacation. You are traveling far and spending a lot of money, vacation time, etc., and you will be stuck there for a whole week or longer. And it's a difficult process - you cannot visit the boat, you cannot meet the crew in advance, all you have to rely on are descriptions and reviews, and people have different experiences. So let me say that we were so lucky to have found the Adelaar, because it was EPIC. The food was amazing, and they feed you ALL the time. I ate five times a day. The crew went above and beyond for us in every way. It was luxury diving. The cruise directors were very knowledgeable, kind, and interesting. The room was gorgeous--the whole boat was gorgeous. With a crazy history. We didn't do too much other than diving, eating, and sleeping, but we did visit some beautiful beaches and obviously saw the komodo dragons, and did some hiking. The cruise director and rest of the crew were expert about getting us out on the islands and onto the dive sites when they were the least crowded. Of course the diving was incredible too, but that was amplified by the masterful guidance underwater of the dive masters/cruise directors, and our dive briefings, and then long debriefings during which we studied books and learned more about all the creatures. I am spoiled and I don't know how I'll go on any other liveaboard again. Maybe I won't.

Adinda RKGoogle Reviewer

If I had to summarize my experience aboard Adelaar in one sentence: an impeccably maintained yacht with a private luxury feel, gourmet-level food, flawless service, and world-class diving. This was my seventh liveaboard trip in Indonesia and my first time on Adelaar. I’ve dived Raja Ampat before, but this was my first time in Misool — and I’ve done the Banda Sea a few times. My husband and I joined the Sorong–Ambon (Raja Ampat + Banda Sea) crossing itinerary (April 4–15, 2025), and it exceeded all expectations. THE BOAT: The yacht felt even more spacious than the pictures suggest, and the condition was impeccable — a rarity in this industry, where photos often oversell reality. With only five guests onboard (capacity is eight), the experience felt like a private charter, with plenty of space and quiet elegance throughout. OUR CABIN: Beautifully and thoughtfully designed, always cool and dry (even without the A/C running), and with ample storage — something I’ve often found lacking on other liveaboards. Water pressure and hot water were consistently excellent. The large-screen TV with a curated movie library was an unexpected luxury I ended up using daily. THE FOOD: Hands down, the best food I’ve had on a liveaboard. They catered perfectly to my dietary restrictions (I’m a pescatarian with a peanut allergy), and every dish — a mix of Indonesian and Western — was generous, balanced, and beautifully plated. Highlights were the crème brûlée, panna cotta, and chocolate mousse. Breakfast was à la carte with everything from full English to congee, pancakes, and more. THE CREW & DIVING EXPERIENCE: Professional, experienced, and discreet — they made every day feel effortless. Gear setup was fully handled by the crew, so all we had to do was slip into our wetsuits and hop onto the tenders. The dive deck was spacious, well-organized, and the groups small, making every dive feel personal. Briefings were clear, and the guides were attentive and knowledgeable. THE CRUISING: Smooth and quiet — even when crossing the Banda Sea. Unlike wooden phinisis, Adelaar’s steel hull made for silent nights and restful sleep, with none of the usual creaks and rattles. THE ITINERARY (RAJA AMPAT & BANDA SEA): Absolutely incredible. Pristine reefs, excellent visibility (often over 40m), and mind-blowing biodiversity — massive schools of jacks, barracuda, and trevally on almost every dive, plus manta rays, bumphead parrotfish, reef sharks, and even a hammerhead. Tons of macro: pygmy seahorses, crabs, shrimps, and even a blue-ringed octopus sighting. The trip ended in Ambon’s muck diving paradise, where we spotted cuttlefish, leaf fish, longhorn cowfish, and more. INTERNET: Complimentary 1GB Starlink WiFi was more than enough to check emails and messages (extra data available to purchase). FINAL THOUGHT: If you’re a dive liveaboard enthusiast looking for comfort both above and below the surface, Adelaar is in a league of its own. Will I return? Absolutely. It will be hard to dive with another liveaboard after experiencing Adelaar, and this itinerary was so diverse I’d happily do it again — even though I’m also eyeing their other routes around Indonesia, especially where they swim with Whale Sharks in Sumbawa!

Wendy PoulsenGoogle Reviewer

Our first liveaboard experience on the Adelaar was absolutely unforgettable. We chose it for the small group size (just 8 guests) and focus on advanced diving, and it delivered on every level. The boat is beautiful and comfortable, the crew is exceptional, and Cruise Director Dylan and Co-Director Ann made everything run seamlessly. The food was outstanding—à la carte breakfasts, excellent lunches and dinners, and great snacks between dives. And the diving in Raja Ampat is truly world-class—stunning reefs, incredible biodiversity, and consistently amazing dive sites. If you’re looking for a high-end, small-group liveaboard with top-tier diving and service, Adelaar is hard to beat. Highly recommend.