Sea Safari 8

Classic Indonesian Phinisi Liveaboard Exploring Raja Ampat, Komodo, the Banda Sea and Eastern Indonesia

For more than three decades, Sea Safari 8 has been taking divers to some of Indonesia’s most spectacular underwater destinations aboard a beautifully crafted traditional Indonesian Phinisi. Combining authentic Indonesian character with modern comforts, the vessel offers spacious accommodation, generous dive facilities and experienced local crews who know these remote waters intimately.

Operating a variety of itineraries throughout the year, Sea Safari 8 explores world-renowned destinations including Raja Ampat, Triton Bay, Alor, Halmahera, North Sulawesi and Cenderawasih Bay. Whether you’re searching for manta rays, whale sharks, pristine coral reefs or extraordinary macro life, there’s an itinerary designed around Indonesia’s remarkable marine biodiversity.

With comfortable cabins, a large dive deck, dedicated camera facilities and plenty of space to relax between dives, Sea Safari 8 is equally suited to underwater photographers, experienced divers, dive clubs and couples looking to explore Indonesia’s legendary dive sites in comfort.

Why Choose Sea Safari 8?

Sea Safari 8 has earned a reputation as one of Indonesia’s best-value premium liveaboards, combining traditional Indonesian craftsmanship with decades of operational experience. The boat offers an excellent balance between comfort and adventure, with spacious cabins, generous social areas and a highly experienced crew who understand the logistics of diving some of Indonesia’s most remote regions.

For underwater photographers, the spacious dive deck, dedicated camera facilities and experienced dive team make life onboard particularly easy.

About the Boat

Built in the traditional Phinisi style, Sea Safari 8 combines handcrafted Indonesian timber construction with modern liveaboard comforts. Wide teak decks, polished timber interiors and open-air relaxation areas create an authentic atmosphere while providing plenty of room for guests to unwind between dives.

The vessel is designed to comfortably accommodate up to 24 guests while maintaining ample personal space. Three dedicated dive tenders allow divers to reach sites quickly and safely, reducing congestion on the main vessel and making entries and exits efficient.

Dining

Meals are served in the air-conditioned restaurant, where the onboard chef prepares a variety of Indonesian and international dishes throughout the cruise. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are complemented by freshly prepared snacks, fruit, tea, coffee and drinking water available throughout the day.

Dietary requirements can usually be accommodated with advance notice, ensuring everyone is well fuelled for several dives each day.

Relaxing Between Dives

When you’re not underwater, Sea Safari 8 offers plenty of comfortable spaces to relax. Guests can enjoy the shaded outdoor lounge, soak up the sunshine on the spacious upper deck or socialise in the comfortable indoor saloon.

The boat also provides dedicated camera workspaces, making it easy for photographers to review images, recharge batteries and prepare equipment for the next dive.

Whether you’re watching volcanic islands drift past, spotting dolphins from the deck or simply enjoying a quiet coffee between dives, the atmosphere onboard is relaxed and friendly.

Who Sea Safari 8 is Best For:

Sea Safari 8 is particularly well suited to:

• Underwater photographers
• Experienced recreational divers
• Dive clubs and group charters
• Couples
• Solo travellers happy to share a cabin
• Divers wanting to explore multiple Indonesian regions

While some itineraries are suitable for newly certified divers, many feature strong currents and are best suited to Advanced Open Water divers with recent experience.

What We Think…

Sea Safari 8 is an excellent choice for divers looking to experience the diversity of Indonesia without paying the premium prices of some boutique liveaboards. The vessel has a long operating history, spacious layouts and a crew that understands both diving and Indonesian hospitality.

We particularly like the combination of generous dive facilities, authentic Phinisi styling and an itinerary schedule that follows Indonesia’s seasonal highlights throughout the year. It’s a great option for photographers, clubs and adventurous divers wanting to explore everything from Raja Ampat’s colourful reefs to the macro diving in North Sulawesi.

Unlike many liveaboards that remain in a single region, Sea Safari 8 follows seasonal conditions throughout eastern Indonesia, offering itineraries across some of the country’s most celebrated dive destinations. Depending on the time of year, cruises depart from ports including Sorong, Ternate and Manado, allowing divers to experience dramatically different marine environments on different expeditions.

Sea Safari 8 accommodates up to 26 guests in 12 air-conditioned ensuite cabins, spread across the lower and main decks.

Deluxe Cabins

Located on the lower deck, these spacious cabins are available in twin or double configurations and feature individually controlled air conditioning, ensuite bathrooms, ample storage and comfortable bedding. They are ideal for dive buddies, couples and solo travellers willing to share.

Superior Cabins

Positioned on the upper deck, Superior Cabins offer additional natural light and easy access to the social areas of the boat. Twin and double configurations are available, making them popular with couples and guests seeking extra comfort.

Quad and Twin Bunk Cabins

Also located on the lower deck, these two cabins suit budget travellers.

Cabin Features

All cabins include:

• Private ensuite bathroom
• Individually controlled air conditioning
• Reading lights
• Storage space
• Daily housekeeping
• Fresh towels

Sea Safari 8 typically offers up to four dives per day, including night dives where conditions permit. The spacious dive deck provides individual equipment stations, rinse tanks and freshwater showers, while three dedicated dive tenders transport guests efficiently to dive sites. Nitrox is available for certified divers, and rental equipment can be arranged in advance. Dedicated camera rinse tanks, charging stations and work benches make the vessel particularly popular with underwater photographers.

A Typical Dive Day

• 06:00 Light breakfast
• 07:00 Dive One
• 08:30 Full breakfast
• 10:30 Dive Two
• 12:30 Lunch
• 15:00 Dive Three
• 17:30 Night or sunset dive (where conditions allow)
• 19:30 Dinner followed by dive briefings or image sharing

Mioskon, Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Sardine Reef, Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Blue Magic, Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Dive Regions

Unlike many Indonesian liveaboards that operate throughout the archipelago, Sea Safari 8 focuses on three exceptional regions in eastern Indonesia. By following seasonal conditions, the vessel offers longer itineraries and a deeper exploration of each destination rather than simply transiting between them.

Raja Ampat

Best time: October to April

Raja Ampat is widely regarded as the epicentre of marine biodiversity, with more than 1,500 islands and some of the healthiest coral reefs on the planet. Sea Safari 8 itineraries explore the region’s famous limestone islands, channels and reefs, from the nutrient-rich waters of Dampier Strait to the spectacular reefs of Misool.

Expect vibrant hard and soft corals, enormous schools of fusiliers and barracuda, manta rays, reef sharks, wobbegong sharks, turtles, pygmy seahorses and an extraordinary diversity of macro life. Signature dive sites may include Cape Kri, Blue Magic, Manta Sandy, Melissa’s Garden and the colourful reefs of Misool, depending on your itinerary.

Raja Ampat offers something for every diver, from gentle coral gardens to exhilarating drift dives, making it one of the world’s most sought-after liveaboard destinations.

Halmahera

Best time: July to September

Less visited than Raja Ampat but equally rewarding, Halmahera is one of Indonesia’s hidden gems. Its remote reefs remain largely untouched, offering pristine coral gardens, dramatic walls and exceptional fish life with very few other dive boats.

Sea Safari 8 explores South Halmahera and the surrounding islands, where divers can encounter schools of trevally, tuna, reef sharks, turtles and colourful reef fish alongside spectacular soft corals and enormous sea fans. The region is also well known for its excellent macro photography, with nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses and a fascinating array of cryptic reef creatures.

For divers seeking uncrowded dive sites and pristine underwater landscapes, Halmahera is a true highlight.

North Sulawesi (Lembeh & Manado)

Best time: June to July

Sea Safari 8’s North Sulawesi itineraries combine two of Indonesia’s most contrasting dive environments.

Around Bunaken National Marine Park, divers explore dramatic walls draped in colourful corals and giant sea fans, where green turtles, reef sharks and large schools of reef fish are regular sightings. The clear water and steep drop-offs make Bunaken one of Indonesia’s classic wall-diving destinations.

Nearby Lembeh Strait offers an entirely different experience and is recognised as one of the world’s premier muck diving destinations. Black volcanic sand slopes are home to an astonishing diversity of rare and unusual marine life, including flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopus, blue-ringed octopus, hairy frogfish, rhinopias, ghost pipefish and countless nudibranchs. For underwater photographers, Lembeh is considered a bucket-list destination.

Together, Bunaken and Lembeh provide an exceptional combination of wide-angle reef diving and world-class macro photography.

Live Availability & Pricing

NB: Single Supplement equal to an additional 50%.
Marine Park Fees for Raja Ampat National Park, Komodo National Park and Cenderawasih Bay Marine Reserve not included.

Sea Safari 8 - Inclusions, Exclusions and Extras