Overview
If yacht owners and charterers would just look beyond the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, they would discover Indonesia: 17,000 islands strung across 5,500 km of tropical seas, an ocean lover's dream and one of the truly greatest cruising grounds on the planet.
From the fecund marine biodiversity of Raja Ampat to the Spice Islands steeped in history, and from the explosions of Anak Krakatau to the prehistoric wonder of the Komodo dragons, Indonesia is somewhere that can genuinely claim to have it all.
Access is a great deal easier than it was a decade ago, with well-qualified agents to handle itineraries and documentation. Most yachts base in Bali for marina facilities, then head east through Komodo and on to Raja Ampat and the Banda Sea.
Marinas & Map
Map Key - Marina Hubs
- Nongsa Point Marina (Batam)
- Batavia Marina (Jakarta)
- Bali / Benoa Harbour (Bali Gapura, Benoa Marina, Bali Marina, Serangan)
- Medana Bay Marina (Lombok)
✈ Ngurah Rai International Airport (Bali)
Eastern cruising grounds (Komodo, Flores, Raja Ampat, Banda Sea) are anchorages further east, off this map.
Getting There & Clearance
Clearance
Clearance is handled by the Directorate General of Immigration and Indonesian Customs. Regularly used ports of entry include Benoa (Bali), Tanjung Priok (Jakarta) and Padang (West Sumatra). Local agents handle the CAIT and documentation.
Government Contacts
Immigration: imigrasi.go.id
Customs: beacukai.go.id
International Airports
Ngurah Rai (Bali) · Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta) · Lombok · Sultan Hasanuddin (Makassar) · Sam Ratulangi (Manado) · Frans Kaisiepo (Biak, Papua).
Key Cruising Grounds
Bali & Lombok · Komodo National Park (Labuan Bajo) · Raja Ampat (Misool, Wayag) · the Banda Sea · Sulawesi (Bunaken, Lembeh).
Local Services
Agents
Asia Pacific Superyachts · The Lighthouse Consultancy · Indonesia Nautical Agency
Brokerage & Management
Simpson Marine
Marina Development
PT Marina Development Indonesia · Bali Gapura Marina
Charter & Adventure
Indies Trader Marine Adventures
Engineering & Shipyards
JJ Marine · Caputra · Hamdok · Indonesia Marina Shipyard
Diving
Bali Scuba
APSA Grand Tour: Indonesia
Andy Shorten of The Lighthouse Consultancy leads APSA's Grand Tour of Indonesia, from the Bali marinas through Komodo to the islands of Raja Ampat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Indonesia one of the world's great cruising grounds?
Indonesia spans 17,000 islands across 5,500 km of tropical seas, from the marine biodiversity of Raja Ampat to the Komodo dragons, the Spice Islands and the Banda Sea, with year-round cruising somewhere in the archipelago.
When is the best time to cruise Indonesia?
The Komodo region is best from March to October, while Raja Ampat in the east is best from October to April, so the archipelago offers cruising year-round.
Where are the marinas in Indonesia?
The marina facilities are in the west and centre: Nongsa Point at Batam, Batavia Marina at Jakarta, several marinas at Benoa Harbour on Bali, and Medana Bay on Lombok. Further east, yachts anchor in the remote cruising grounds.
How do superyachts clear into Indonesia?
Clearance is handled by the Directorate General of Immigration and Indonesian Customs, with ports of entry at Benoa (Bali), Tanjung Priok (Jakarta) and Padang. Local agents arrange the cruising permit and documentation.
Which APSA members are based in Indonesia?
Indonesia's APSA members are Asia Pacific Superyachts Indonesia, Bali Gapura Marina, Indies Trader Marine Adventures, Indonesia Nautical Agency, Marina Development Indonesia, Simpson Marine Indonesia and The Lighthouse Consultancy.