FAQ

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months) and proof of return ticket (for immigration)
• 35 USD for Visa on Arrival (only if applicable to your country, many countries are exempt)
• Your insurance documents (travel, health, and dive insurance)
• Some Indonesian Rupiah in cash for while you are in transit
• Cash for on-board purchases like beers, massages, and souvenirs (we accept IDR, EUR, and USD)
• Dive certification cards (including Nitrox certification if applicable)
• Dive logbook (optional, but handy if you have one)

Clothes and Protection:

• Jacket (for chilly domestic flights or windy days on deck)
• Reef-safe sun lotion
• Mosquito repellent (especially for land tours)
• Light, long-sleeved clothing (for land tours)
• Swimwear
• Sun hat and sunglasses
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Sturdy walking shoes (for hikes) and a raincoat (hopefully not needed)

Electronics:

• Camera / Underwater camera
• Chargers for your electronic devices
• Power plug adapter (for non-European plugs)

Diving-related items:

• Your own dive gear, if you have it (especially reef-hook, safety buoy, and whistle)
• Spare parts for dive gear (e.g., extra mouthpiece, mask strap, batteries)
• Snorkelers: Rash guard for sun protection
• Mask defog (if you use a specific brand, though we provide some on board)
• Waterproof pouch or dry bag (to protect your mobile phone and camera during land excursions)

Medicine, food, and necessities:

• Personal hygiene items (deodorant, razor, etc.)
• For women: tampons/pads (as these may not be available locally)
• Any regular medications you may need, with enough supply for the whole trip (ear drop/ear cleaner is essential)
• Medications for any known allergies or specific needs
• Anti-diarrheal medicine (just in case)
• Seasickness medicine (if you’re prone to motion sickness)
• Special food items (e.g., gluten-free products or other dietary requirements)
• If travelling with children: bring all necessary items including food and medicine for them

Other essentials:

• Anything else you may need or can’t live without.
• Binoculars (for spotting wildlife like birds and whales)

The best way to reach Malaillo’s departure points is to fly into one of Indonesia’s larger airports such as Jakarta or Bali (Denpasar) then catch a domestic flight to a closer domestic airport.
We recommend booking your international return flight for at least one day after Malaillo’s disembarkation day as delays on domestic flights are not uncommon within Indonesia.

Many Indonesian airline booking websites accept foreign credit cards, so you can book easily from your country. If you have trouble or need advice about that, our reservations team can help you out.

It depends on the destination of your Malaillo cruise. Below are guidelines for flights based on the port of embarkation/disembarkation. Please note that the latest check-out time for any port is 10:00 AM.

• Raja Ampat – Sorong Airport (SOQ): For cruises departing from Sorong, your flight should arrive at Sorong Airport by 11:00 AM at the latest, though earlier is fine. For cruises ending in Sorong, flights can depart at any time on disembarkation day.
• Ambon (AMQ), Manokwari (MKW), Ternate (TTE), Manado (MDC): For cruises departing from these destinations, you should arrive by 14:00 at the latest on embarkation day. Flights can depart any time on disembarkation day.
• Maumere (MOF), Labuanbajo (LBJ): Arrive by 13:00 at the latest on embarkation day. Flights can depart at any time on disembarkation day.
• Bima (BMU): Arrive by 12:00 PM (noon) on embarkation day. Flights can depart at any time on disembarkation day.

Please provide our booking team with your flight details by completing the Malaillo guest booking form that will be sent to you. Our team will pick you up at the airport or your hotel on embarkation day and assist you in getting to Malaillo.
On disembarkation day, our team will also assist you from Malaillo back to the airport or your hotel.

Please check the current visa policy for your country
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Indonesia
Many nationalities are eligible for visa-free entry for 30 days, while others may need a Visa on Arrival, available at major entry points.
Please note that your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival, and you must have a valid return ticket.

If this happens, please inform us immediately at reservation@malailloliveaboard.com.
If it’s a small delay, Malaillo may be able to wait for you, depending on the itinerary and your arrival time. If a larger delay or cancellation prevents you from reaching Malaillo on time, we will check if it’s possible for you to join or meet Malaillo along the route. Additional transfer charges will apply.

This varies based on your cruise destination. Generally, Indonesia has a tropical and humid climate. Tropical rain showers are always possible, but we have aligned our cruise schedule with the general weather patterns to avoid prolonged bad weather. It can sometimes be windy at sea, so if you are sensitive to wind, it’s a good idea to bring a light wind jacket.

• Raja Ampat: The water temperature stays around 28-29°C (82-84°F) year-round. Occasionally, certain dive sites may experience thermoclines, lowering the temperature to 26-27°C (80-81°F), though this is rare. Most guests use a 3mm wetsuit; those who get cold easily may prefer a 5mm wetsuit, while others opt for rash guards only.
• Komodo: In the north and central areas, water temperatures are usually 27-29°C (81-84°F). In the south, it can be cooler, with thermoclines dropping the temperature to 23-24°C (73-75°F).
• Alor/Maumere: Water temperatures around Maumere and Alor range between 27-29°C (81-84°F). In the Pantar Strait and Kalabahi Bay, temperatures may drop to 23-25°C (73-77°F), with some sites as low as 19-20°C (66-68°F) when southern currents bring cold water. Only 5-6 dives would be done in the cooler water on cruises through Alor.
• Banda & Ambon: Water temperatures generally range from 27-29°C (81-84°F) year-round, with occasional thermoclines cooling a few degrees lower.

The first step is to consult our cruise schedule HERE. ou will see the dates for each cruise, the destinations, and the rates for different cabin types. There is also a link to a detailed sample itinerary.
The last column shows the available spaces on the cruise. If it says “full”, unfortunately, someone else has already booked it. By clicking on the arrow next to the number, you can see the detailed availability by cabin type.
Once you have picked a cruise, please contact our booking team via email at reservation@malailloliveaboard.com and let them know the cruise dates, the cabin types you’re interested in, and how many people are inquiring. We look forward to your email!
Malaillo can also be booked through several travel agencies and liveaboard booking websites.

For the latest rates, terms, and conditions, as well as information on inclusions and exclusions, please refer to our rates, terms, and conditions document. The latest version is available on our WEBSITE, or you can ask our booking team to send it to you at reservation@malailloliveaboard.com.

At the moment, we only accept payments via wire transfer using a SWIFT code. Our booking team will send you detailed payment instructions upon booking.
Several travel agencies and liveaboard booking websites also feature Malaillo, and they may offer additional payment methods.

All payments on board (for extra drinks, massages, souvenirs, etc.) can be settled in cash or by credit card at checkout. We accept the following currencies on board: USD, Euro, and Indonesian Rupiah.
We also accept Visa and Mastercard credit cards, but we cannot accept American Express. Your payment will be charged in Indonesian Rupiah.

Gratuities for the crew are not included in your trip price. If you appreciate the service provided by the crew, we suggest a gratuity of approximately 10%-15% of the published package price per person, which is the standard amount aboard a dive liveaboard. All tips are split equally among the boat’s crew (around 18 employees). We do not encourage personal tipping. Gratuities can be given in cash or by credit card.

We welcome all levels of divers and beginner courses are offered on board Malaillo, so technically no experience is required.
All dive groups are arranged based on experience level and preferences such as keen photographers.

We dive in small groups, with one dive guide accompanying four guests. Our dive team consists of four PADI-certified local dive guides, managed by our experienced cruise director, who is also a PADI instructor.

The evening before a dive day, our cruise director will outline the plan for the next day. This includes where you will go, what time you will leave, and what activities are planned. Occasionally, the plan might need to be adjusted if weather conditions change.
In the morning, a knock on your door will signal it’s time for a light breakfast. Afterwards, the briefing for the first dive will take place in the restaurant before you head to the dive deck to prepare your gear (wetsuit, dive computer, camera, etc.). All of your other dive gear will already be on the tender.
A short tender ride will take you to the first dive site. The guides will check the current and may modify the dive plan if necessary. Then, it’s time to hop in and enjoy the dive!
Once you are back on board you will get dry and have your next meal. From then on, it’s “eat, dive, relax, and repeat”.
Depending on the itinerary, we typically offer 3 to 4 dives per day. The 4th dive may be a night or sunset dive, depending on what works best for the location. On some days, we might include a land excursion to visit a viewpoint or point of interest, depending on the cruise destination.

At dive sites with expected currents, our dive guides will check the direction and strength before entering the water. They will adjust the dive plan or site if the current is deemed too strong. Each dive begins with a detailed briefing about the dive site and recommendations for handling currents.
Some sites may involve drift dives, others might use a zig-zag pattern, and some will require (careful) use of reef hooks. Some sites may not have currents at all.
We usually ease divers into the currents by starting the cruise with sites that have mild currents when possible. If you haven’t dived for 2 years or more, we recommend a refresher course. We also strongly recommend the Advanced Open Water Diver Course to access more dive sites and maintain perfect buoyancy to protect the coral and marine life.

Yes, Nitrox is available and free of charge aboard Malaillo. Don’t forget to bring your Nitrox certification card.

Our standard tanks are 12-litre aluminium, and we can accommodate both DIN and INT regulators. A limited number of 15-litre tanks are available upon request for a small surcharge. Please let us know in advance if you’d like to rent a larger tank.

Yes, we offer rental gear for a surcharge. Please inform us in advance if you’d like to rent equipment. Upon booking, we will send you a guest form where you can specify your rental needs and sizes.

Yes, due to the remoteness of our destinations, it is mandatory for all guests to have DAN or other dive insurance that covers emergency evacuation and hyperbaric chamber treatments. We also highly recommend travel and health insurance.

If you’re a certified diver, you will need to provide proof, either by bringing your certification or sending it to us via email. We can also look you up on PADI’s student database if registered. If you wish to dive with Nitrox, proof of Nitrox certification is required.

Yes, we offer a variety of PADI courses on board. Please let us know in advance if you’d like to do a beginner’s course, an advanced course, or a speciality course. Refresher or Nitrox courses can also be done spontaneously.

Underwater photographers are well-catered for with a dedicated air-conditioned camera room on the main deck, offering individual camera stations for charging, extra towels, and lighting.

No, all dives are planned and executed without decompression stops. It is mandatory for all divers to use a dive computer. The costs for treatment and transportation to a hyperbaric chamber are extremely high in the event of an emergency.

Yes, snorkelers are welcome aboard Malaillo.
We have two tenders, both of which can be used for snorkelling and diving. Our experienced cruise director will ensure both snorkelers and divers are accommodated. Please note that while dive sites with shallow reef tops are suitable for snorkelling, submerged reefs and pinnacles are not.

No, we cannot provide guides for snorkelers unless it’s a chartered snorkel trip. We do provide special surface markers for snorkelers, and our speedboats and drivers will always be nearby to supervise snorkelling activities.

Safety is our top priority on Malaillo. We have the mandatory modern safety equipment, including AED and ENOS Personal Diver Beacons. Our staff is trained for emergencies, and all equipment is regularly checked and maintained. For more details, please refer to our website.

You’ll enjoy an early breakfast, a large breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks, and dinner, featuring freshly prepared local and international dishes. Vegan and vegetarian options are available, along with snacks like cookies and fruit. Dinner is served buffet-style, and there’s a special barbecue night once per cruise.
If you have dietary requirements, please inform us in advance via your guest form. Due to our remote location, we suggest bringing any specific snacks or foods you may need.

Water, coffee, tea, and a selection of juices are complimentary. Soft drinks, beer, wine, and spirits are available for purchase. Guests are allowed to bring 1 litre of alcohol from duty-free, and there is no corkage fee.

Yes, all cabins, the restaurant, and the camera room are equipped with air conditioning.

Wi-Fi is available at an additional charge.

We use European-style 2-pin sockets (220V). USB charging stations and plug extensions for various plug types are available in each cabin.

• Double beds: 180 x 200 cm
• Single beds: 90 x 200 cm

Yes, we do, with a small surcharge.

Smoking is allowed only in the designated area in front of the wheelhouse on the upper deck, to ensure the safety and comfort of all guests.

As Malaillo operates in remote areas with limited medical facilities, bring any necessary medication with you. Dive insurance is mandatory, and we recommend international health insurance for non-diving emergencies. In case of a diving accident, we’ll alert Search and Rescue and transport you to the closest mainland for further care.

The risk of malaria risk is low on liveaboards but this varies by location. In areas like West Papua and Flores, take precautions in crowded places and forests. Use mosquito repellent and wear light, long-sleeved clothing. Consult your doctor before taking preventive medicine, as some options may have side effects for divers.