Adelaar Liveaboard Overview

DIVEIN contributor Rebecca Strauss taking a selfie near a city canal
By
Yvonne Press
Contributor at DIVEIN.com
Yvonne is a TDI instructor trainer and rebreather instructor with more than two decades of diving experience. After learning to dive on the Great Barrier Reef,...
Rebecca Strauss
DIVEIN contributor Rebecca Strauss taking a selfie near a city canal
Editor at DIVEIN.com
Rebecca has been an avid traveler and scuba diver for many years. She began her editorial career by updating travel guides, which took her all over...
Adelaar phinisi schooner sailing with rust colored sails past green hills
Adelaar’s story begins more than a century ago in the shipyards of Zaandam in Holland.
couple kayaking near the anchored Adelaar sailing yacht at dusk
Adelaar sails from its home in Bali across Indonesia, covering a great selection of dive sites.
aerial view looking down on the Adelaar's deck and rigging at anchor
Setting foot onto the deck of the 127-foot (38 m) Adelaar is transformative.
man paddleboarding near the anchored Adelaar sailing yacht
The ship's latest reincarnation as a luxury liveaboard is the result of an almost three-year renovation.
Adelaar sailing yacht anchored in a turquoise bay surrounded by hills
Destinations include diver favorites Komodo and Raja Ampat, as well as the less well-traveled Forgotten Islands, Triton Bay, the Banda Sea, and Alor.
guests laughing over lunch at a shaded table on the Adelaar's deck
Whenever possible, meals are served in the alfresco dining area on the upper deck.
Indoor salon on the Adelaar liveaboard with a chess table and teak wood paneled bookshelves
Adelaar now wows divers with paneled teak wood walls, high ceilings, and all the ambiance of a classical yacht.
woman stretching into a yoga pose on the Adelaar's bow at sunset
Relax with a bit of yoga on the upper deck.
a Komodo dragon walking across open ground with its tongue extended
Who could imagine a trip to Komodo without seeing the famous Komodo dragons?
whitetip reef shark swimming close to a coral reef at night
Get ready for shark encounters, manta rays, volcanic vents, and outstanding coral reefs.
small cephalopod with vivid blue and brown patterning camouflaged among the reef
Indonesia’s underwater world is filled with wonders.
manta ray gliding over a reef surrounded by small fish
Komodo offers a chance to swim with manta rays and experience exhilarating currents.
sea turtle swimming past a coral bommie thick with soft corals
Raja Ampat lets you marvel at beautiful healthy soft coral reefs while looking for pelagic species.

Imagine diving in a destination where there are so many islands to discover that you simply never run out of new places to dive. That’s Indonesia, and with more than 18,000 islands in the archipelago, you can be sure that there are always opportunities to explore somewhere new on a liveaboard trip.

If you’re wondering what you might discover, the list is long: Komodo offers a chance to swim with manta rays and experience exhilarating currents; Raja Ampat lets you marvel at beautiful healthy soft coral reefs while looking for pelagic species. Lesser-known areas like the Banda Sea let you swim with schooling hammerhead sharks and even explore underwater volcanoes.

If that sounds like the adventure you’ve been waiting for, the Adelaar liveaboard is perfect for you. Adelaar’s story begins more than a century ago in the shipyards of Zaandam in Holland. Since then, it has sailed the Mediterranean, Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, and even crossed the Pacific before winning New Zealand’s Tall Ship Race.

Its latest reincarnation as a luxury liveaboard is the result of an almost three-year renovation. Adelaar now wows divers with paneled teak wood walls, high ceilings, and all the ambiance of a classical yacht.

Read on for our detailed review of Adelaar.

About this overview

To help you decide whether this liveaboard fits your dive style, budget, and comfort needs, we’ve researched the boat, itinerary, onboard experience, diving setup, and overall value.
We review liveaboards based on the details that matter most during a multi-day dive trip, including cabins, food, crew support, dive operations, safety, route quality, and how the boat compares with similar options in the destination.

Things we like:

  • Dive and travel in style on a 120-year-old historic yacht
  • Luxuriously decorated cabins and interiors
  • Perfect for small groups, including snorkelers and swimmers
  • Great variety of locations

Things we don't like:

  • Limited facilities for underwater photographers

Diving on the Adelaar liveaboard

divers and crew loading gear onto the Adelaar 2 tender boat
Peacock mantis shrimp facing the camera with its stalked eyes and raised clubs
manta ray swimming past with a second manta in the background
spotted nudibranch with feathery gills crawling across the reef

Adelaar sails from its home in Bali across Indonesia, covering a great selection of dive sites. Destinations include diver favorites Komodo and Raja Ampat, as well as the less well-traveled Forgotten Islands, Triton Bay, the Banda Sea, and Alor. Get ready for shark encounters, manta rays, volcanic vents, and outstanding coral reefs.

Several trips start directly in Bali, saving you an additional flight. If you would prefer to join the boat from another location, though, consider embarkation and disembarkation points like Labuan Bajo or Maumere.

Each 11-night trip not only offers plenty of opportunities to discover Indonesia’s underwater world, but the crew also makes time for land excursions, giving divers a chance to learn more about Indonesian culture and natural history. After all, who could imagine a trip to Komodo without seeing the famous Komodo dragons?

Divers are served by three compressors and a nitrox membrane system, ensuring you’re always ready to dive. Depending on your itinerary, Adelaar offers between three and five dives per day.

All dives start from two dedicated aluminum tenders staffed with two crew members. Underwater, Adelaar’s guests are looked after by a cruise director and diving instructor, as well as a divemaster. The team has been diving Indonesia’s waters for years and is never happier than when they can share their secrets with you. They’re equally happy to discover new dive sites or show you some of the best snorkeling spots in the area.

For divers with a special interest in conservation, the Adelaar crew offers itineraries focused on manta rays and whale sharks, allowing you to learn more about your favorite marine creatures while you observe them.

Highlights:

  • Amazing opportunities for pelagic species sightings
  • Chance of spotting blue whales and sailfish on the surface
  • Incredibly attentive crew with a great eye for detail

Onboard the Adelaar

wood paneled cabin aboard the Adelaar with a double bed and bookshelf
wood paneled cabin aboard the Adelaar with a bed and wall mounted TV
wood paneled lounge aboard the Adelaar with a chess table and bookshelves
marble ensuite bathroom with walk in shower aboard the Adelaar

Setting foot onto the deck of the 127-foot (38 m) Adelaar is transformative. Boarding this historical yacht is not only the start of your diving holiday but it’s also the beginning of a few days spent cruising in luxurious surroundings, looked after by one of the most attentive crews in the area.

Adelaar has four cabins, ready to accommodate eight divers on their Indonesian sojourn. All four cabins are located on the lower deck. Closest to the bow is the master suite, which features ample space for two adults and a child. The suite is equipped with a large double bed and a comfortable sofa, which converts into a bed for a twin share. Plenty of storage space and a luxurious ensuite bathroom complete the suite.

Staterooms two and three feature a slightly smaller double bed and a convertible sofa as well as similar furnishings to the master suite. Stateroom four is the smallest of the cabins but still features a double bed, closet, storage space, and an ensuite bathroom.

The main salon connects all guest cabins. This is a great place to meet for a game of chess, enjoy a drink in the small bar, or prepare your camera for the next day. It’s the perfect spot to relax after an eventful day of exploring Indonesia’s underwater world.

The upper deck is home to the Adelaar’s dive deck, a spacious alfresco dining area, and a comfortable lounge space with shaded areas and spaces for sun worshippers. 

Highlights:

  • Four stylish teak-wood paneled cabins
  • Beautifully restored interiors throughout the vessel
  • Complimentary toiletries and amenities from Sensatia Botanicals

Dining on the Adelaar

guests raising glasses together at a dining table on the Adelaar's deck
chef plating a seafood stir fry alongside rows of appetizer dishes
Indonesian rice plate with satay skewers, crackers and vegetable salads
two cocktails toasted together with a mountain silhouette in the background

No luxury liveaboard diving experience would be complete without outstanding food. The Adelaar culinary experience starts before every trip when the vessel’s chefs personally shop for the trip ahead.

Every meal is prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients available. Adelaar‘s chefs pride themselves in using trusted suppliers and creating meals that are specifically suited to dining at sea. Whenever possible, dinner is served under the stars in the alfresco dining area on the upper deck. If the weather is too hot to enjoy meals outside, the crew is happy to serve divers in the air-conditioned dining room or the salon.

So, what’s on the menu? Adelaar’s chefs have been trained by a Belgian master chef to a very high standard, allowing them to serve a sophisticated version of Indonesian favorites and Western cuisine classics. The kitchen team is happy to accommodate special requests or dietary requirements, and guests are even invited to watch the chefs prepare their amazing treats.

Highlights:

  • Stylish alfresco dining area on the upper deck
  • Contemporary Indonesian cuisine with a luxurious twist served alongside Western dishes

Things we like:

  • Dive and travel in style on a 120-year-old historic yacht
  • Luxuriously decorated cabins and interiors
  • Perfect for small groups, including snorkelers and swimmers
  • Great variety of locations

Things we don't like:

  • Limited facilities for underwater photographers
Key facts
Year built: 1902
Max divers: 8
Rental equip: Yes ($)
Camera station: Yes
Internet: No
Min logged dives: No minimum
Nitrox: Yes ($)
Aircon: Yes
Trip length: 8+ Nights
Price range: Luxury
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