Think uninhabited islands teeming with wildlife, pristine coral, sublime diving, white powder beaches and jaw dropping landscapes which you sail through without seeing a soul. Raja Ampat (meaning Four Kings) in Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 1500 islands, located off the north western tip of West Papua.
A place like nowhere else on earth, Raja Ampat offers one of the best dive locations in the world, home to prisitine coral reefs, with 540 types of coral and 75% of the world's sea species.
Whether you are searching for manta rays, barracudas or sweet lips at legendary sites such as Melissa's Garden or Cape Kri (which holds the record for 283 species counted in one dive) or snorkelling amongst the giant turtles and clown fish at the Arborek Jetty, diving in Raja Ampat is second to none, and a must-do for every diver's bucket list.
Now there is a way to experience Raja Ampat in utmost luxury - on board the maginficient phinisi superyacht Prana By Atzaro.
This beautiful handbuilt boat is the biggest of its kind in the world. At just over 55 metres in length and 11 metres wide, Prana By Atzaro has been crafted in the style of a traditional Indonesian phinisi (a sail boat with two masts), built entirely of ironwood and teak according to traditional methods and recognised by UNESCO heritage.
Created by the founders of the world famous Atzaro Group in Ibiza, Prana By Atzaro is a spectacular new extension to the Atzaro brand.
Victor Guasch, founder and CEO of the Atzaro Group says, “After many years of developing Atzaro to be Ibiza’s number one luxury spa hotel, we are really excited to be expanding the group into Indonesia with the launch of Prana by Atzaro, our beautiful new Phinisi yacht. The yacht encapsulates our philosophy of natural luxury, offering our guests impeccable service, lavish design and the chance to experience the stunning natural beauty of Indonesia’s marine parks.”
Designed with the utmost luxury, ‘Prana by Atzaro’ offers guests space and comfort in nine elegant suites, each with their own private ensuite bathrooms. Prana By Atzaro offers more space and comfort than any other phinisi, with all the super deluxe mod cons of a lavish five star hotel. There is one master suite and eight further suites on-board.
Oversized gangways and 4 spacious decks with king size daybeds offer abundant places to retreat and relax. A yoga deck doubles as an open-air cinema and Prana By Atzaro's main deck has inside and outside living, a spa, a water sports deck and a further suite.
The 18-man crew includes a cruise director, dive instructor, several chefs, stewards and expert spa therapists; all on hand to ensure all your needs are met.
With fine dining, unlimited water sports, on-board spa treatments, unforgettable diving and the chance to visit some of the world's most beautiful heritage sites, Prana by Atzaro encapsulates a perfect unison between ancient craftsmanship and contemporary luxury.
The cuisine on-board, carefully created by the yacht’s chef, includes both Asian-fusion and Western dishes. Everything is made from the freshest, local ingredients and served by discreet staff alfresco under the stars, in the cool of the air-conditioned on-board dining room or Robinson-Crusoe style, on a powder white sandy beach. After dinner you can relax at the open-air cinema or indulge in a pampering spa treatment. In the morning, as the wind catches the sails, take a yoga class on the topmost deck - sun salutations will never be the same again.
A voyage on Prana is a once in a lifetime experience, with the opportunity to explore one of the world’s most exquisite coral reefs at Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or visit the 1500 islands that make up Raja Ampat. Voyages criss-cross the Coral Triangle famed for its fantastic reefs and plethora of species as well as some of the most remote and untouched islands on earth.
If you are not a qualified diver you can learn to scuba dive with Prana’s resident dive instructor or take a leisurely drift snorkel across volcanic vents. Alternatively, launch sea kayaks and paddle boards to explore the jungle-draped coastlines or get your thrills wake-boarding and water-skiing around the calmest of lagoons. Fishing equipment is also supplied along with towable floats for effortless fun.
Destinations
Komodo National Park
Get up close and personal with the world's largest lizards in their untabmed natural habitat. visit pink beaches, watch spine-tingling sunsets and experience the world's most pristine coral reeefs. Three big islands form Komodo National Park: Komodo Island, Rinca Island and Padar Island, plus a few other islets. This area is a World Heritage Site with over 2,000 square kilometres of protected wildlife including roughly 5,700 Komodo dragons as well as wild boar, water buffalos, deer, horses, snakes, monkeys and the magnificent marine life under the waves.
Raja Ampat
Notorious for the untouched natural beauty of its cays and shoals, Raja Ampat offers guests one of the most remote destinations on the planet. Here you can cross the equator with giant manta rays, explore prehistoric caves, visit primordial tribes, kayak around virgin coastlines and discover dive sites famed for having the most species recorded on a single dive. Raja Ampat translates as the ‘Four Kings’ and is located off the northwest tip of the Bird's Head Peninsula on the island of New Guinea. This region embraces over 1,500 small islands surrounding the four main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta, and Waigeo.
Banda Sea
The Banda Islands are as fascinating as they are remote, revealing a rich culture and colonial history as well as a plethora of underwater wonders. Hike up the perfectly shaped Mount Api, race the locals into the harbour, wonder at the gorgeous colonial architecture and explore incredible reefs, teeming with aquatic life.
Alor
Another journey to the edge of civilisation, Alor’s wonders range from vividly coloured lakes and sulphur spewing active volcanoes to the miracle of well-preserved ancient tribal cultures. Set within the Coral Triangle and with a strong maritime history, flawless beaches and epic coral reefs this voyage is the stuff of legends. It is one of the rare places where there are still descendants of the Bugis fisherman (the original creators of the Phinisi boats).
More information:
Prana By Atzaro sails all year round but destinations depend on the season and the winds. Komodo National Park is visited from May to October, the Banda Islands in October/November and in April/May and Raja Ampat from December to April.
The starting price for a full charter is $13,500 USD per day. Prices are all-inclusive and include all meals and snacks, laundry and internet as well as watersports, diving and excursion fees.
The yacht can be chartered for private weddings and is perfect for honeymoon experiences. Suite booking is subject to availability.
