Indonesia Whale and dolphin watching on Pindito

This special cruise offers guests a glimpse into the world of the largest mammals on earth. Learn incredible details from a qualified expert on whales and dolphins and watch them with your own eyes!

The trip is guided by Benjamin Kahn, a marine biologist specializing in whales and dolphins. He has lived in Indonesia for many years and knows the waters around the archipelago very well. Benjamin uses hydrophones to locate the whales and dolphins by picking up their unique sounds. The crew is organized into “observation teams” and keeps an eye on the water surface. Benjamin knows the areas which are preferred by the large whales and his experience and a trained eye do the rest.

The cruise departs from Sorong and heads towards Waigeo before it leads to Batanta, cruising the Dampier Strait. As dolphins and whales are the focus, the itinerary is laid out to maximize the encounters. From experience we know that most whales are sighted in the Dampier Strait near Batanta.

But this area offers more than whale watching. This cruise offers approximately 24 dives and macro enthusiasts will love it: a whale in the morning, a sea horse at noon. And of course you will be diving the famous and beautiful reefs of Raja Ampat.

Morning until noon will be planned for whale and dolphin tracking and monitoring. In the afternoon and evening Pindito offers "normal" dives. Detailed information about species and the occurrence, routines and hunting behavior will be given as whales and dolphins are sighted.

During the first season in 2011, whales and dolphins were located every day. Guests saw Pygmy Bryde's Whale, Bryde's Whale, Pilot Whale and Orca. As they are wild animals, sightings cannot be guaranteed but the chances are very good to be able to observe different species of whales and extremely rare species of dolphins.

11 nights accommodation, full board including all drinks on board (excluding wine), 2-3 dives daily PLUS snorkeling with the whales (no diving on departure/arrival day), Nitrox, multilingual guides, all offered land excursions, transfers from/to airport Sorong to/from the MV Pindito and fuel surcharge (subject to change). Rate is per person based on double occupancy. Not included: Raja Ampat National Park fee: US$ 70.00 pp, Nitrox course, souvenirs, tips for crew, massage.

Only one liveaboard dive boat has 15+ years of operating experience in Raja Ampat: Pindito. Pindito is a constructed from local timbers in the traditional style of the Indonesian fishing vessels that have been plying these waters for centuries. The 130-foot schooner has accommodations for maximum of sixteen guests. This ships size and structure make life at sea very comfortable. The Pindito is dry docked every year; the hull is stripped and repainted while the main engine and generators are fully serviced. In addition the vessel receives additional maintenance during the whole year. This ensures that the Pindito is maintained to the highest standards of safety and reliability.

Relax in the luxury of one of the 8 teakwood-paneled cabins. Each 10' x 10' cabin is named after a mystical Indonesian island and all cabins feature ensuite heads with hot and cold water shower, washbasin and toilet, individually controlled air conditioning and five 220v AC electrical outlets (German 2-pole plugs), available 24 hours a day.

Six cabins are doubles although Pindito can add an upper bunk to accommodate a family with one child or two people who just want an extra surface on which to place their gear. Two cabins have one twin bed and a bunk offering more floor space than double cabins. These cabins are ideal for single guests who would like to avoid a surcharge by booking half a twin cabin.

The crew is devoted to your comfort and will attend to your cabin daily, keeping it clean and tidy and providing fresh towels as necessary.

Pindito offers the most experienced and knowledgeable liveaboard operation in Raja Ampat and in Komodo. She also has unparallel experience in these UNESCO World Heritage coral reef areas, having first visited them in 1992 and assisted in Conservation International “rapid assessment� fish counts with world-famous Australian ichthyologist Dr. Gerald Allen. Allen reported that this area forms the absolute apex of marine fish biodiversity in the world.

A typical dive day starts by meeting our crew on the dive deck, where you will be given a detailed dive briefing and shown a sketch of the dive site. Then the dive staff will transfer your gear to the Zodiacs. No need to haul your own heavy gear, just jump into the Zodiac and after a comfortable, short ride, you'll be ready to dive incredibly biodiverse reefs. For your safety and peace of mind, our well-trained Zodiac drivers will accompany you from a safe and prudent distance during your entire dive. While underwater you can join the guide for a special tour or just do your own thing.

After the dive, refreshments will be waiting for you aboard Pindito. Cool out and then enjoy a Balinese massage from our onboard masseuse. Kick back and chat about your diving experiences and sip a cool beverage while screening video and sharing photos of your dive.

While diving, our guides' trained eyes keep you safe, and they can spot unusual marine life of interest to the keenest photo and video enthusiasts. Explain the particulars of your camera system to your guides - they'll deliver it to your Zodiac with care and, after the dive, they'll gingerly transfer it to the special freshwater rinse tank aboard Pindito.

Photographers and videographers will love the convenience and functionality of the Pindito's camera room, built with the needs of modern digital underwater photographers and videographers in mind. Here you will find plenty of storage space, professional-grade work areas, and both 220v and 110v AC charging stations at your disposal. We also offer overflow space for photographers on the spacious tables in the salon (please clear for meals) and on the lounge deck when more space is needed for image-makers.

In the salon you will also find the large flat panel television and computer center where you can plug in to watch video and stills created during your dives. And be sure to take advantage of the extensive knowledge base of the ship’s onboard photo and video professionals by asking questions should you have them.

If making high-definition video underwater is your focus, top European videographer Edi Frommenweiler and American videographer Clay Wiseman offer high definition (Sony HDCam) and even 4K (Red Cam) broadcast-quality professional production seminars aboard Pindito, during which you can create professional quality reels and video productions. Learn about broadcast video production, using tripod stabilization underwater, maintenance and preparation of your video housing, capturing unique marine life behaviors, and editing your video in Final Cut Pro.