By: Torben Lonne
A luxurious yet traditional Indonesian Phinisi, the MV Tiare Cruise created in April 2016, takes divers to the best diving sites in Indonesia which include the Komodo National Park, Raja Ampat & Forgotten Islands. The 36-meter/118 feet long boat, one of the newest liveaboards looks more like a five-star hotel than a boat and offers top-notch, professional service. With a Tiare cruise, you can experience diving in the rich waters of the Indonesian archipelago and meeting people from diverse cultures on Indonesian islands, an opportunity impossible to experience while staying in more tourist-heavy areas.
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Several divers reported that the diversity in snorkeling sites were amazing and there was always something to see. -
Many people said that they liked the hiking excursions because they got to learn more about the islands and animal inhabitants.
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A highlight for some of the passengers were the 'hero's welcome' they received on returning from dives.
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The crew was attentive and very social creating an atmosphere of camaraderie
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The food was really delicious and the chef deserves all the praise.
Things we don't like:
Some people noted that the crew was a bit noisy.- A problem...
Some people noted that the crew was a bit noisy.
Diving on the Tiare Cruise in Indonesia
With the MV Tiare, divers and non-divers can experience the fantastic fish and marine life in the Komodo, Raja Ampat, Banda Islands, and the Maluku Islands. The boat accommodates 12 guests to allow for a more enjoyable experience. All indoor and outdoor living areas and cabins are made from antique teak salvaged from old houses. The boat has six cabins, with each cabin having a hairdryer, AC, drinking water and extras like toiletries.
Boat features
The cabins in the MV Tiare are bright and airy, with spacious en-suite bathrooms and a large front deck where guests can socialize, eat or relax in the Indonesian sunshine. The boat also has a separate diving deck with hot water showers to warm up after a night’s dive.
Each cabin is fully air-conditioned, has 220V European standard sockets that provide a 24h electricity source, big potholes for fresh air supply, external washbasin completed with towel hangers, selected bed and bath linen. The MV Tiare uses only biodegradable toiletries, so guests are not required to bring anything from home. The shower walls are made of ceramic tiles, and the shower base is made in Teka wood, that allows the water to slide freely and only feel the wood on your feet.
The boat has outdoor and indoor areas, where guests can relax before or after dives. It also has a large main and sun deck that also serves as an eating area for guests. The meals provided by the dedicated crew are a combination of local and international cuisines.
Tiare also has a dedicated camera and equipment room with camera benches and a workstation with data transfer and CD/DVD burning facilities, DVD player and TV for photo/video playback.
There is also a comfortable diving deck separated from the so-called dry zone, with two hot water showers to warm yourself after a night dive. Every diver has his place to set up his equipment. With the safety of guests guaranteed, the MV Tiare Cruise is a diver’s dream.
Best time to go
While the diving season is year-round, the best time for divers to go on a cruise aboard the MV Tiare is between December and March.
Itinerary
The itineraries of this liveaboard vary from 5-6 nights to 11 nights in Komodo. In Raja Ampat and the Banda Sea, it’s about 7 to 11 nights. There are about 3-4 dives per day depending on the schedule and about 1-2 dives on the day before departure. There are no dives on the day of arrival and departure.
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