By: Torben Lonne
The ultimate Lady Denok is a two-masted schooner constructed under the famous banner of the Konjo builder of Tana Beru, Sulawesi. It was built in 2014 and was slightly renovated with modern technologies in 2015. The elegant Sulawesi vessel offers all kind of diving to the best dive sites of the Indonesian sea. The main routes of the liveaboard include Flores, Rinca, Komodo, Wakatobi, the Forgotten islands and much more. You can enjoy muck diving, wreck diving, snorkeling, kayaking and explore the supreme macro life with astonishing visibility. You can get an opportunity to swim with thousands of species including, large pelagic sharks, manta rays, and hammerheads, which are spotted frequently.
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Many divers said that there were many things to see in the different diving locations like sharks, mantas and on the smaller scale turtles, pygmy sea horses and lots of nudibranchs. -
Several divers commended Jimmy on his vast knowledge on all of the 17 diving sites.
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Some people stated that the refreshments served after the dive was well received and the cherry on the cake.
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Many people were happy with the trip to komodo island and seeing the bats fly overhead.
Things we don't like:
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There is no credit available so you will have to bring your own cash to enjoy activities like park services and additional wine. -
The cabins were a bit cramped and larger groups would not fit well on this cruise.
Diving on the Lady Denok in Indonesia
Lady Denok – explore the phenomenal underwater world with the utmost facilities
The 28 meters (approx. 92 feet) traditional wooden vessel offers cruises at the most sensational diving destinations. It cruises at a top speed of 12 knots/hour. Luxurious facilities and safety are the main focus of the expert crew members onboard. They are not only vigilant but also friendly and are multilingual to provide effective communication with the guests. Lady Denok offers diving at Raja Ampat, which is considered as the most biodiverse diving site. Trekking in Komodo National park will leave you thrilled with the appearance of the large flesh-eating lizard, the Komodo dragon. Due to the presence of this rare species, UNESCO has declared this site as a world heritage.
Boat Interior – exquisite design with epitome interior
The stunning Sulawesi schooner Lady Denok is beautifully crafted by the world-famous shipbuilders, Konjo. Every inch of the vessel is designed to provide maximum comfort to the guests. There is enough space to host 12 travelers in 7 grand cabins. These cabins are well-equipped with vital necessities including en-suite bathrooms, storage areas, air-conditioning system, hot/cold freshwater, toiletries and portholes to provide stunning views of the surroundings. The delicate design hides a powerful engine, the Yanmar 350 horsepower engine makes the yacht cruise at a top speed of 12 knots/hour.
Deck Area – facilities for divers and activities for non-divers
The large dive deck of the splendid wooden schooner has all the facilities that provide comfortable diving. There is plenty of equipment which can be rented by paying extra charges for it. The certified divers can make use of the Nitrox facility. You can enjoy the time in-between dives on the spacious sun deck, where you can enjoy the fresh sea breeze with the beautiful vista of the surroundings. There are plenty of cozy lounges and bean bags placed on the top deck for sun lovers so that they can enjoy sunbathing while having a power nap.
Food and Entertainment
The air-conditioned indoor saloon is equipped with ultra-modern facilities, which entertain the guests of Lady Denok. There is a large flat-screen TV, music with a surround sound system, over 200 movies from which you can select your favorite to watch, a mini-library with fish guides and marine life magazines, and above all, you can have access to the internet and Wi-Fi (if available). All these facilities can be availed absolutely free. You can also discuss your dive day with fellow divers while enjoying a chilled drink. Besides these entertainment facilities, there is no compromise on food. Three hearty meals are served a day by the master chef onboard. Delicious international and local delicacies are served in buffet style along with tempting desserts. Snacks and selective beverages are available all day long. Guests with food allergies and special medication are also catered on special request.
When to go
October to May is considered best to visit the biodiverse site – Raja Ampat. Whereas, Komodo is a dive-friendly site and can be explored all year round. Discover the charismatic vistas and unveil the treasures of the underwater world with the exclusive liveaboard Lady Denok.
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