Cruising Areas

Our exclusive charters are aimed at providing a top quality sailing holiday with all your needs catered for while enjoying all the local culture, facilities, experiences and pleasures that are available in the area.  Your preferences will be taken into consideration when the routes are planned and as the journey progresses there may well be flexibility to vary the route or timing as you wish.

Being performance sailing catamarans, our boats will sail in favourable conditions at speeds surpassing all other charter boats with 10 -15 knots being commonplace.  Motoring speeds are 6-7 knots and a good holiday is not necessarily one where you are on the move all the time.  We therefore plan the trips to keep a pleasant balance between sailing and anchoring, exploring and relaxing, diving and sunbathing, surfing and eating!  Tides and waves can be strong and unpleasant in certain areas so we will depart at times to take advantage of these tides and minimise fighting adverse currents.

Reasonable cruising distances from the yachts’ base in north west Lombok in one week can take you to the areas from Bali, around Lombok and east to Sumbawa and the Komodos.  The cultural and ethnic diversity across these areas is immense and the choices for trips will depend on each charter’s interests. From shopping that is phenomenal in Bali, to isolated islands with grass huts without petrol or electricity, from dramatic surf to calm anchorages, from spectacular diving to white sandy beaches, from authentic Indonesian cuisine to western type foods – you can get it all here!

This will be a completely different experience than chartering in a developed country.  You will enjoy splendid isolation and will not be able to nip down to a local supermarket to buy whatever you want.  The local shops will supply fruit and foods that are either grown locally and seasonally and foods that don’t need refrigeration.  On the other hand mobile phone coverage is excellent on the waterways as this is the main form of communication and internet access is available on board with satellite coverage. 

Lombok

With the boats based just north of Senggigi at Teluk Nare and the Gili Islands, this area is a paradise in itself – as described by Lonely Planet:
"Just off the northwestern coast of Lombok is a vision of tropical paradise ¬ a trio of tiny coral-fringed islands, each with white sandy beaches and pellucid water teaming with a kaleidoscopic array of reef fish."
Lonely Planet – 2006

Gili Trawangan (or “Gili T” for short) truly is a tropical paradise that has established itself as the most renowned and popular of the Gili Islands in Indonesia.  This is because of it’s combination of white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, coral reefs teeming with abundant fish life, a variety of culinary delights to cater to all tastes  and activities to choose from. Despite it’s popularity, Gili Trawangan remains quaint and charming with a permanent population of only 1500 and only 7 square kilometres in size, it is a quiet, palm-fringed island where the chime of bicycle bells and the clip-clop of horse-drawn carts comfortably fills the void left by the absence of motorised transportation.

Gili Meno is the middle island and almost uninhabited with Gili Air being the closest to Lombok and quite primitive and undeveloped but worth a visit to experience the culture, the coral and the natural wonders.

To the south of the east coast are some gorgeous islands and the surfing areas of Bangko Bangko and Kuta Beach across the south of Lombok.   Surfer’s paradise...  World class surf breaks that suit beginners through to the very advanced keep surfers coming back year after year!

Up the east coast are great surfing and exquisite coral and amazing diving areas for exploring.

Bali

Exploring Bali (Kuta, Legian, Seminyak) itself will take some considerable time and could be done after the sailing trip once some Indonesian experience has been gained and your shopping can be taken straight home!  There are interesting places to visit off the Bali coast like Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penidi for snorkelling or surfing, up the coast for white water rafting, temples, elephant rides, cooking classes or to Ubud – a day trip inland. 

Komodo/ Sumbawa/ East Flores

Charterers looking for a longer sailing trip have the option of going to Sumbawa and the Komodo Islands for deserted anchorages, crystal clear water, private secluded beaches and amazing coral gardens.  Viewing the Komodo Dragons can sometimes be seen on the beaches but inland treks are more likely to result in success.  Pearl sellers, ikat weaving and amazing carvings can be bought from traders off the back of the boat – but start practicing your bargaining skills!