With its 17,000 islands, striking volcanic landscapes, outstanding reefs and multifarious cultures, it’s about time Indonesia had more cruise options. And happily, although development has been slow, our neighbour has an increasing number of small-ship and expedition offerings.
Komodo, the Maluku or Spice Islands and the rich marine environment of Raja Ampat are the focus of attention, but other regions such as the Sunda Islands and Sulawesi are visited too.
Between December 2026 and February 2027 and again in December 2027, new boutique Australian cruise company Pearl Expeditions sails itineraries in East Indonesia and Raja Ampat that begin or end in Bali, Dili or Darwin aboard the 30-guest Paspaley Pearl.
They feature the staples of expedition cruises in the region, such as swimming with whale sharks in Saleh Bay, spotting dragons on Komodo, and visiting the orangutan sanctuary in Borneo.
Coral Expeditions has two itineraries in December 2026 linking Darwin and Makassar that visit destinations such as West Timor, Jailamu Island for snorkelling and scuba diving, and Sulawesi for striking Torajan culture.
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New Zealand company Heritage Expeditions is also now sailing this region. In September, it has a 14-day cruise from Darwin to Singapore, and in October an 18-day cruise linking Bali to Cairns.
Meanwhile, Aqua Expeditions’ 30-guest ship Aqua Blu is based year-round in Indonesia. It visits Komodo National Park and Raja Ampat, where it will introduce new itineraries in the southern islands in December this year.
Aqua Blu is also chartered by Lindblad-National Geographic, which in November 2026 has a 15-day voyage from Komodo to Palau Nusa Laut with return flights from Bali, and a 14-day voyage through Maluku and Raja Ampat with return flights from Jakarta.
Uniworld, known chiefly for river cruises, is chartering Aqua Blu on itineraries in June and September 2027.
All these small companies appear to be testing the waters but, if successful, Indonesian itineraries are sure to be offered again.
One operator banking on interest, especially from the Australian market, is British company Swan Hellenic. Its Asian debut this year with the 152-guest Minerva included an itinerary through West Papua and Raja Ampat with a dedicated diving program. Another linked the Solomon Islands to Bali.
The company has already seen strong demand and has scheduled more Indonesian journeys in 2027 and 2028. A 10-night journey in Raja Ampat in April 2027 is followed by another that links Raja Ampat and the Philippines.
Another British company, Noble Caledonia, does things differently on three cruises in 2027 on the 118-guest Island Sky: Kuala Lumpur to Penang taking in Malaysian Borneo and Brunei, Bali-Singapore, and Bali-Kuala Lumpur.
Apart from the international players, a host of smaller companies offer cruises in Indonesia, such as Aliikai Voyage, Ayana Cruises, SeaTrek Sailing Adventures, and Rascal Voyages. The latter features off-the-grid adventures focused largely on marine and other wildlife in Raja Ampat, the Lesser Sunda Islands and Maluku.
Brian Johnston seemed destined to become a travel writer: he is an Irishman born in Nigeria and raised in Switzerland, who has lived in Britain and China and now calls Australia home.
