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Adventure Cruises and Sailing in Indonesia
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The Indonesian
archipelago, which is made up of more than 17,000 islands, is
ideally suited for adventure cruises. They are one of the best
possible ways of gaining access to some of the country's most
exquisite, isolated tropical islands - plus there's the added
advantage that getting there can be every bit as exotic and as
exciting as the destinations themselves.
An extensive selection of charter boats is available in
Indonesia, from luxurious state-of-the art cruising ships to
traditional inter-island trading boats, which have been
refitted to carry passengers.
Some of these boats
offer dive or surf cruises, where guaranteed action is built
into the daily agenda. They give you access to the best and
most remote dive sites and reef breaks. |
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Two of the best
locations for adventure cruises in Indonesia are the spectacular
islands of Nusa Tenggara and the Riau Archipelago. The Nusa
Tenggara chain of islands stretches 1500 kilometers from Java to
Irian Jaya and includes Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Sumba, Flores, and
Timor.
Nusa Tenggara
Indonesia has over 17,000 islands, many of them accessible only by
boat. Its here that you really find nature in its raw form:
pristine reefs, exotic environments and unique animals like the
Komodo dragon.
To make the most of Nusa Tenggara, charter a refitted bugis
schooner and visit the spectacular natural environments of these
remote islands. The region's astounding natural wonders include
the colored volcanic lakes of Keli Mutu, exquisite diving and
snorkeling on Flores and exotic creatures such as the
three-meter-long Komodo lizard and the bird of paradise. The
islands are also home to hundreds of isolated ethnic groups that
still follow their traditional ways of life.
If you want to explore the region's spectacular underwater world,
live-aboard dive boats operate around the islands of Flores, Sumba,
Moyo, Komodo, Sumbawa and Lombok. These waters are reportedly home
to more than 3000 species of fish. in the course of a cruise you
can expect to see everything from magnificent pelagics to rare
species like the chambered nautilus and seahorses and a phenomenal
array of reef creatures.
Live-aboard trips in Nusa Tenggara also give you access to some of
the country's hottest surf spots. Most surf cruises set out from
Bali and sail along the south coast of Lombok and Sumbawa, pulling
in to isolated and otherwise inaccessible bays that contain some
of the best waves in the world. The breaks include the legendary
Desert Point on Lombok; and Scar Reef, Super Suck and Yo-Yos on
Sumbawa. There's also a host of smaller reef and point breaks that
can be visited, depending on prevailing wind and swell conditions.
Riau Archipelago
Cruises in the Riau Archipelago are ideal for travelers passing
through Singapore who want to escape the big city for a few days
and experience real tropical island adventures. Most cruises here
are about exploring and enjoying isolated beauty rather than
relaxing on a luxury yacht. Some tour operators offer cruises that
combine trekking, kayaking and mountain biking in the unspoiled
wilderness of the islands. Most of the Riau islands are deserted,
but a few are home to sleepy farming and fishing communities,
which can also make a pleasant visit.
The Riau Archipelago is just as spectacular below the water as
above. Since the Indonesian government reopened the waters around
the Riau Archipelago two years ago, live-aboard operators have
identified a number of excellent dive sites that are easily
accessible from Singapore. Standard trips Lake you down past
Bintan to the island of Mapor, where visibility is better, the
reefs are teeming with marine life, and rugged volcanic rocks and
canyons add drama to the underwater landscape. These sites offer
very good diving by any standards.
Caption: On the outer islands you'll encounter vibrant cultures
where little has changed in centuries.
Other adventure and recreation activities in Indonesia:
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