The Ombak Putih Experience

When you ask the inhabitants of the many islands in the eastern Indonesian archipelago for the name of a sailing ship that regularly comes calling at their shores, the first name they invariably remember is Ombak Putih. In the Indonesian language “Ombak Putih” means “White Wave” and her gracious beauty makes her instantly recognizable. More than any other traditional “Bugi Schooners,” she is a familiar sight from Bali to Papua and from Sulawesito Savu. Having logged close to a hundred thousand miles over the past ten years, her captain and crew know more about the remote islands of Indonesia than any other people alive and there are very few bays in this part of the world where she has not anchored yet…

The formula of Ombak Putih is as simple as it is attractive. Your home-away-from-home is a spacious sailing vessel and you have a comfortable cabin with your own en-suite bathroom. Whenever possible more than six hundred square meters of sails are raised, but there are long periods of very light winds so we also do rely on our engine to safeguard our schedule. An attentive but discrete crew takes care of everything. Most of the sailing is done at night and while you sleep, the captain is on the bridge to take you to yet another splendid anchorage or another lovely harbour. Every new day you will wake up to another surprise.

We dare to say that our galley is one of the very best cuisines in Indonesia east of Bali, a reputation we have had since many years and that we are determined to keep. Our chefs were trained by a well known Bali restaurateur and all meals are prepared with the freshest and best ingredients available: vegetables, fruits and poultry from the highlands of Flores, fish freshly caught by local fishermen and bread specially baked by a master French baker in Bali. Our cruises are of course on full board basis. Bottled water, coffee and tea are free of charge and available on self service basis 24 hours per day. There is a well-stocked bar on board from which you may order a selection of alcohol and wines at reasonable rates. At the end of the cruise you only need to pay for beer, wines and spirits consumed during the cruise.

On every leisure expedition there is an experienced European cruise director on board. These are seasoned professionals who live most of their time in Indonesia, speak the local language and are very knowledgeable about the areas we visit. Their task is to organize the shore excursions and they are on board to assist you and to answer any questions.

Daily radio/satellite telephone contact with the head office in Bali guarantees that both the guests and the crew are kept up to date with current events and everyone can be reached in case of emergencies.

Our office can also arrange all domestic air tickets and can assist you in organizing your pre- and post cruise arrangements like accommodation, excursions or packages.