Explore Indonesia onboard one of three iconic Phinisi superyachts

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Welcome to Yacht Charter Market, the weekly newsletter dedicated to the world of yacht charter.

In today’s newsletter:

• Top story: Explore Indonesia onboard a traditional Phinisi superyacht

• Top charter updates: Alfa Nero brings you a Caribbean winter Explore Svalbard onboard Freya; Explore the South Pacific onboard Teleost; Panakeia heads towards the Abu Dhabi int. Boat Show; A breath of fresh air onboard Altair; A tropical charter onboard Nectar

• YachtEye: Get a First Look at the NEW YachtEye at Metstrade

• Charter insight: Prepare a visit to South-East Asia after the easing of charter legislation

• Superyacht Spotlight: Poised between wind and water… Simena comes alive

TOP STORY

Explore the Indonesian Archipelago onboard an iconic Phinisi yacht

There are few places on earth where you could charter 365 days of the year, and still not visit every island. Spanning over 17,000 islands is the Indonesian archipelago, with an incredible variety of nature ranging from volcanic islands to turquoise lagoons and jungle-draped shorelines. To charter Indonesia isn’t just to travel, it’s to slip into a bliss of blue waters, warm winds and incredible sea life. The best way to see it all? Onboard a charter yacht the likes of Kayra, Sequoia or Lamima.

Each of these yachts draws inspiration from Indonesian culture. Lamima is an authentic Phinisi schooner, built by local craftsmen following centuries-old boatbuilding traditions, while Kayra is a modern Phinisi-inspired yacht that retains the traditional silhouette and craftsmanship but integrates a contemporary architecture and design. Instead Sequoia has a more traditional wooden motor yacht look, but with Phinisi-inspired designs, as well as being built in Indonesia.

Kayra

Built in 2024, Kayra is a new generation of Phinisi: part sailing yacht, part contemporary motor yacht. At 38 metres, she embodies the elegance of Indonesian boatbuilding while embracing a sleek, modern design language. Her decks feel expansive and inviting, crafted as open-air spaces for leisure and connection. Guests dine beneath starlit skies, lounge in the Jacuzzi between swims, or retreat to sun-drenched decks that frame Indonesia’s endless blues.

Inside, Kayra’s interiors balance tradition with sophistication. Hand-carved woodwork and tactile materials evoke her Indonesian heritage, while soft lighting, expansive windows, and fine detailing create an atmosphere of understated refinement. Her four staterooms accommodate eight guests, and the master suite, perched on the bridge deck, offers 270-degree panoramic views. Just steps away, a spa, sauna, and ice bath await those seeking serenity after a dive or a day spent exploring the archipelago. The VIP stateroom, with its own balcony, opens directly onto the water’s edge, providing a seamless connection between Kayra’s guests and the ocean.

Lamima

Where Kayra is contemporary, Lamima is classic, a 65.2-metre Phinisi schooner that feels as though she’s sailed straight from the pages of maritime legend. Built by local craftsmen at C.V. Mutiara Murni and launched in 2014, she remains one of Indonesia’s most celebrated yachts. Her sweeping teak decks, rich mahogany interiors, and billowing white sails capture the romance of traditional Indonesian shipbuilding, while her modern systems and crew of 20 ensure uncompromising comfort.

Lamima was designed for long-range voyaging across the Indonesian archipelago. With a wooden hull and a powerful MAN engine, she moves gracefully between far-flung destinations: from the spice-scented islands of the Banda Sea to the coral kingdoms of Raja Ampat. She accommodates up to 14 guests across seven staterooms, each accented with natural textures and soft fabrics that mirror her environment.

Life aboard Lamima unfolds in a rhythm of indulgent simplicity: sunrise dives in translucent waters, lunches of freshly grilled fish on deck, and evenings where the sky becomes the entertainment. Her onboard masseuses, yoga instructors, and dive masters turn each day into a balance of adventure and restoration. Whether gliding silently under sail or anchored off a secluded beach, Lamima feels less like a charter and more like a private expedition; one that honours Indonesia’s seafaring soul.

Lamima is available for charter with EYOS Expeditions (LINK)

Sequoia

For those drawn to exploration, Sequoia captures the heart of the Indonesian seascape with an intimate, family-run charm. Available for charter, Jimmy and Geordie, founders of Pelorus Travel, comment that Sequoia was designed as a floating retreat for travellers who value authenticity as much as comfort. Built by Indonesian artisans and meticulously detailed, she is both an homage to the local Phinisi heritage and a boutique yacht tailored for modern adventurers.

At 26 metres, Sequoia is smaller than Lamima or Kayra, but that intimacy is her strength. With space for just six guests across three luxurious staterooms, she feels more like a private island at sea than a superyacht. Days onboard are filled with spontaneous exploration, from diving with reef sharks in Raja Ampat, to picnicking on pink-sand beaches, or sharing stories over cocktails on the top deck as the sun melts into the horizon. Her design celebrates natural light, open air, and barefoot comfort, while her crew of 12 orchestrates each experience with quiet precision.

Sequoia’s ethos is slow travel: to savour every anchorage, every flavour, every conversation. She invites guests to rediscover the joy of simplicity: to wake with the sun, swim with the tides, and let Indonesia reveal itself at its own unhurried pace. 

Why Indonesia, and Why Now

Indonesia is fast emerging as one of the world’s most desirable yachting destinations — not only for its staggering natural beauty but for the new calibre of charter experience it offers. Unlike the crowded Mediterranean or Caribbean seasons, Indonesia’s waters remain blissfully uncrowded. The cruising routes feel wild, raw, and deeply personal, shaped around guests’ interests rather than port schedules. April through October, typically the best months, bring calm seas and crystalline visibility, creating ideal conditions for both sailing and diving.

But what makes Indonesia truly special is the connection between people and place. The yachts here are often locally built and crewed, reflecting centuries of maritime heritage. The cuisine draws from regional flavours: sambal, lemongrass, and coconut mingling with the freshest seafood. The experiences are profoundly immersive: encounters with whale sharks, traditional fishing villages, or cultural ceremonies that linger long after you’ve disembarked.

To charter in Indonesia is to step into a world where time slows, nature reigns, and every horizon feels like a promise. Whether aboard the sleek sophistication of Kayra, the majestic tradition of Lamima, or the soulful intimacy of Sequoia, Indonesia offers a journey that is not just luxurious, but deeply transformative.

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CHARTER UPDATES

Charter Insight

APS: Change in regulations for chartering South-East Asia

With charter legislations changing and updating to put south-east Asia on the map, Leona Caanen sat down with Gordon Fernandes from Asia Pacific Superyachts to discuss the changing legislations of Asian waters, facilitating yachting in the region, and how local Thai culture can be experienced from onboard a superyacht.

1. How is Asia Pacific Superyachts working to expand superyacht visitors in the region?

   “We have been working with governments to reduce red tape to ensure it is much easier for superyachts to visit the region. Work still needs to be done but there have been major changes, more changes expected. Through marketing efforts yachts are realising that they can cruise in the region, recognising it’s not infested with pirates. Owners are discovering the area and a quote heard often is, ‘Why didn’t we come here sooner! This really is paradise.’  When in the Asia Pacific region, Superyachts can have an entire beach, sometimes a whole island to themselves, unlike the crowded Caribbean. Crew also love it here and feel safe on shore.”

2. You mention that there has been a revision in charter license laws in the Asia Pacific - could you tell me more about what this entails and how you expect this to affect the region?

   The superyacht charter license in Thailand (for yachts above 30-metres) has been around for about ten years. When the license was first issued it was not practical for superyachts to have a license issued as the government didn’t understand the industry. The government wanted to tax crew, the APA, and fuel when the charter clients were onboard. Slowly they have listened and understood that only some taxes are acceptable. The economy will benefit when there are more charters onboard superyachts being carried out so there is no need to overtax charter clients they will bring in significant indirect revenue to many different businesses. 

   More and more locally owned yachts are obtaining a charter license and this will fuel the growth in the charter market, once charter clients cruise in the area then will they want to go back to a busy bay again. Owners want to be legal and chartering is a great form of revenue that can help cover the expenses of running the yacht, this is going to fuel a big growth in the number of superyacht visitors.

3. There’s been an increased investment in building marinas that can care for superyachts, could you elaborate on this and what this means for the superyachts visiting the Asia Pacific region?

   It’s not only marinas being built, there is also an 800 and 600 travel lift in the area and for larger yachts there is a dry dock facility.  

   Marinas are being built, but captains also need to service the yachts both in and out of the water, something that is key for a superyacht to run efficiently. In the past yachts would need to travel thousands of miles for a refit; now this can be done within the region, both in the marina and at one of the haul out facilities.
   The construction of more marinas has been planned; a development that will help the growth of the superyacht industry in Asia Pacific. 

4. What role are local and national governments taking in pushing for a facilitation of yachting tourism?

   Governments hold the key to the development of the superyacht industry. If they’re actively behind the industry, then they will make the necessary legislative changes in order to make it easier for yachts to operate in the region. Once one government understands the benefits then it’s then easier for another government to follow the path and make their own changes. 
   Australia has led the way in the region and this has helped other governments to understand that superyachts can have a positive effect on local economies and encourage high net worth tourism from both local and international travellers. This, in turn, helps the economy and doesn’t burden the general infrastructure the way mass tourism can.

5. How are local cultures and traditions woven into the tourism industry that comes with superyacht visitors?

   Guests can now experience local culture onboard their yachts. Local dancers, dance troupes and musicians can be brought onboard, such as for after dinner entertainment. There is also an opportunity to be introduced and enjoy local dress, and the onboard chef can prepare local dishes, with locally sourced ingredients, allowing guests to experience the local culture from the comfort of a superyacht. Monks can also come onboard and share spiritual blessings. There is plenty of Thailand to be experienced while onboard a superyacht!

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