Stepping aboard Arenui is like walking into a floating museum. Featuring 14 types of wood, this stunning traditional phinisi was built by 50 skilled artisans in South Sulawesi.
Its ironwood hull was carved by hand, and everywhere you look, you’ll find thoughtful details like copper hinges, brass light fixtures and bronze portholes that catch the sunlight and scatter it in patterns across intricately carved wooden panels. The warm scent of teak mingles with a hint of sea salt, creating a space that feels at once timeless and alive.
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Every design detail has been carefully considered. The main salon stretches the full width of the boat, where long communal tables invite conversation. Cozy corner sofas are wrapped in rich Indonesian fabrics, and as evening falls, the copper fixtures cast warm pools of light.
The stairwell’s intricately carved panels bring the Ramayana, ancient Hindu epics that have shaped Indonesian culture for centuries, to life. Up in the sky lounge, even the supporting beam is a work of art, echoing the shape of a traditional Balinese doorway.
Courtesy ArenuiGuest cabins aboard Arenui exude opulence
Cabins That Tell Stories
Each of the eight cabins is named after an Indonesian mythological figure or cultural tradition and is decorated with regional handicrafts. On the upper deck are Rama and Shinta, the master suites that offer seven sea-facing windows. The remaining deluxe cabins—Ganesh, Barong, Toraja, Dayak, Garuda and Legong—showcase the archipelago’s diversity through handwoven textiles from Sulawesi, carved masks from Borneo and batik patterns from Java.
The king-size beds are wrapped in crisp linens, the en suite bathrooms are spacious and the climate control works seamlessly. Each cabin feels like a private retreat with plenty of space to spread out and relax. Handmade bathroom amenities crafted in Bali, thick cotton towels and daily housekeeping complete the experience. With just 16 guests maximum, Arenui operates like a boutique hotel. Don’t be surprised if you momentarily forget you’re living on a boat.
Courtesy ArenuiEvening meals are an elaborate affair
A Kitchen That Cares
Arenui’s head chef leads a team that treats every meal like an event, balancing Indonesian flavors with international techniques, using ingredients that are fresh and locally sourced when possible.
At breakfast, the spreads mix tropical fruits with familiar dishes like pancakes and eggs cooked to order. The lunch buffets combine Indonesian specialties with lighter fare, perfect for predive eating. But come nightfall, dinner transforms into something special.
During the a la carte service, the waiters remember your preferences, courses arrive perfectly timed and the wine selection rivals what you might find at a restaurant ashore.
The evening ritual often moves to the sky deck, under spotlights salvaged from a French shipwreck. And in this setting, every sense is enhanced: The grilled fish tastes better with the ocean breezes, the wine improves with starlight and even the conversations flow smoother when waves provide the soundtrack.
Shutterstock/Lea KariRaja Ampat features prominently on itineraries
Waters at Their Peak
Arenui doesn’t chase year-round profits with discounted off-season trips. Instead, 10 to 12 carefully timed sailings target each region at peak conditions. Raja Ampat during optimal visibility, Komodo when currents bring the pelagics, and the Forgotten Islands when weather patterns align perfectly.
In Raja Ampat, manta rays gather at cleaning stations while schools of barracuda spiral through blue water and wobbegong sharks rest motionless in sandy channels. Komodo delivers strong currents that bring schooling jacks, occasional mola mola sightings and reef sharks that patrol drop-offs. The Forgotten Islands and Maluku offer pristine reefs with minimal dive traffic, where soft corals flourish in explosions of color.
The dive deck features dedicated camera stations and rinse tanks, while crew members handle all gear management between dives. Two speedboats transport divers to sites, with the team prepping tanks and equipment so guests can focus entirely on their dives.
The 1-to-4 guide-diver ratio means small groups underwater, while 24 crew members handle everything on board
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Courtesy ArenuiArenui, a traditional phinisi, was built by 50 skilled artisans in South Sulawesi and features a hand-carved ironwood hull.
Between the Dives
With four dives daily when conditions allow, surface intervals matter, and Arenui delivers. All guests receive a complimentary 30-minute welcome massage in the sky deck, with four essential oil options. There’s also kayaking around islands and snorkeling for guests who want water time without full gear.
Every trip includes at least one land excursion, whether it’s visiting a local village, hiking to breathtaking viewpoints or unwinding on pristine beaches. These moments away from the water add depth to your diving experience, offering a cultural lens that connects the vibrant marine world to the communities that have lived in harmony with it for generations.
The Arenui staff has thought of everything, including bringing out the telescope after dinner for stargazing. Without light pollution, the night sky reveals why ancient navigators could cross oceans using only stars for guidance.
Blending tradition and luxury, Arenui operates like a floating base camp that brings to life the destinations it visits. Here, the journey becomes as memorable as the diving itself.
Need to Know Diving Arenui
Most of 2025–2027 cruises are booked. Sign up for Arenui’s newsletter to learn about special rates, last-minute availability and cancellations.
Accommodations
Arenui offers eight cabins to a maximum of 16 guests. All have private en suite bathrooms, individual air conditioning and either a king-size bed or roomy singles, along with a dedicated lounge area.
When to Visit
There are 10 to 12 sailings per year in each region during peak diving season. This ensures the best possible conditions in terms of both weather and marine life.
Getting There
Embarkation and disembarkation points vary by itinerary. International guests typically fly into either Jakarta (CGK) or Bali (DPS) before connecting to a smaller domestic airport closest to the cruise’s starting point, such as Labuan Bajo, Sorong, Maumere or Ambon.
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