Intrepid travelers eager for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to marvel at some of the world’s most unique animals amid one of its most remote destinations have a thrilling new luxury yacht adventure to consider.
Prana by Atzaró –the uber-luxe superyacht that first set sail in Indonesia in 2018, owned by the Atzaró Group–has unveiled a singular new itinerary, which happens to coincide with the country’s 80th anniversary of independence this year. Its Whale Sharks & Dragons Expedition offers a show-stopping eight-day, seven-night voyage from Komodo Island–home of the Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard species–to the volcanic island of Sumbawa, with stops at some of the most dazzling spots on earth along the way.
A Superyacht Steeped in Tradition
The epic journey combines an array of jaw-dropping natural wonders with the myriad creature comforts of the 180-foot, 411-ton wooden superyacht modeled after Phinisi–traditional, two-mast Indonesian vessels hand-built by the Konjo people on the island of Sulawesi. Master boat builders for millennia, they rely on centuries-old techniques and key proportions memorized and passed down over generations, along with an enduring nod to ritual–like selecting the right wood during auspicious cycles of the lunar calendar. The living tradition of Phinisi South Sulawesi shipbuilding is so standalone that it joined the rarefied ranks of Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2017.
Crafted entirely of hand-hewn teak and ironwood, with nearly 10,000 square feet of usable space spanning four decks and nine suites, the yacht, staffed by a charming crew of 20, sleeps 18 and is available exclusively for full-ship charter. Cabins combine sleek design with artisanal flourishes like hand-beaded Indonesian artifacts and amenities including smart TVs, rain showers, and stocked minibars. The 600-square-foot master suite, Batavia, presides over the rear of the upper deck with wraparound windows and an inviting outdoor terrace, whose cushioned benches offer a prime perch for surveying Indonesia’s astonishing natural bounty.
Meanwhile, sprawling sun beds and outdoor seating nooks abound for open-air lounging at all hours. In the evenings, a spacious yoga deck becomes an outdoor movie theater or an unsurpassed setting for sundowners as the stars stretch to the horizon, twinkling against the fading violet sky.
Visiting the World’s Largest Lizards
While Prana’s onboard charms prove hard to resist, the otherworldly environs that comprise the Whale Sharks & Dragons odyssey invite guests on an unforgettable journey of discovery. The itinerary kicks off in the fishing town of Labuan Bajo on Flores Island, the gateway to Komodo National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1991. The yacht then sets sail for Sabayor Kecil, one of the park’s many spectacular dive sites, where groupers, Napoleon wrasses–named for the prominent hump on their foreheads that resembles Napoleon’s hat–and crocodilefish number among the dizzying submarine menagerie. After a snorkel and lounge on the white sand beaches, the day wraps up with cocktails on Prana’s top deck, as thousands of flying fox bats take flight from the mangroves and head en masse to Flores in search of dinner–an extraordinary nightly spectacle that heralds the wonders to come.
Day 2 brings a pulse-pounding trip to Komodo Island. The morning begins with Prana’s eye-popping breakfast spread: spicy mei goreng (Indonesian stir-fried noodles), truffled scrambled eggs, just-baked croissants, and platters of pineapple, papaya, and dragon fruit, among other goodies. Then it’s off to Komodo, where park rangers guide visitors safely through the bush on the treasure hunt for the eponymous reptiles. Reaching up to ten feet long and more than 150 pounds, the astonishing apex predators can take down a water buffalo with their venomous bite.
Discovering Indonesia’s Natural Treasures
After observing these fierce foes from a healthy distance, it’s time to take to the crystalline sea. A dive or snorkel at Taka Makassar (Manta Point)–one of Indonesia’s best spots to encounter of manta rays in spades year-round–or Siaba Besar (Turtle Point), a large, shallow reef ideal for snorkelers of all levels, studded with technicolor-hued corals and sea turtles galore–offer mesmerizing underwater tableaus all their own.
Other highlights include a trek to the top of Padar Island, renowned for its prehistoric landscapes and adjacent contrasting beaches–one white, one black, and one pink. There’s also a stop at Deep Purple, named for the hue of the mesmerizing Muricella sea fans–a type of soft coral–that blanket the volcanic rock formations at this premier dive site.
On Day 7, Prana arrives at the setting for the sojourn’s grand finale: Teluk Saleh, a large bay on the north-central coast of Sumbawa Island that’s home to one of Indonesia’s largest whale shark populations. Before dawn, guests set out to spot these gentle giants as they gather near the fishermen’s platforms at sunrise, to feed on the small fish and shrimp that escape their nets. This morning ritual fosters a special coexistence between these docile, deep-sea leviathans and the seafarers: uniquely, the bay also serves as a nursery for young whale sharks, and some studies have shown that almost 80% them return to the bay multiple times for years, ostensibly to visit their generous benefactors. The trip wraps up the next day on Sumbawa, an idyllic isle studded with rugged volcanic landscapes, spectacular coral reefs, hidden waterfalls.
An Onboard Experience Like No Other
In between the itinerary’s ineffable sojourns, you can relax and recharge with a Balinese massage at the small onboard spa, a tranquil paddleboard across crystal-clear lagoons, or a bit of fishing from one of Prana’s tenders. Meanwhile, the yacht’s top-tier cuisine keeps guests sated and hungry for more. Alfresco lunches comprise bona fide feasts served family-style–think platters of barbecued chicken and fresh-caught grilled fish, accompanied by sides of bountiful salads and crispy, hand-cut fries. Dinners range from family-style smorgasbords–like an Italian extravaganza with crispy pizzas, homemade pesto pasta, and overflowing antipasto platters, followed by blackberry-topped panna cotta–to artfully presented plated affairs. Prana’s festive beach barbecues–awash in toes-in-the-sand ambience on a nearby island, beneath a canopy of twinkling white lights–serve up succulent grilled lobster and other delicacies at the water’s edge, washed down with ice-cold margaritas, Indonesian lagers, and crisp rosé.
Prana by Atzaró’s destinations are seasonal, as the yacht sails year-round, following the calm seas. The Whale Sharks & Dragons itinerary is available from June to October; other destinations include the Spice Islands and Raja Ampat, which it sails from December through April. An aquatic Xanadu for snorkelers and scuba divers alike, the chain of some 1,500 islands straddles the Pacific and Indian oceans to form the epicenter of the Coral Triangle, the world’s most biodiverse marine environment.
A Focus On Conservation
Like many extraordinary destinations, Komodo National Park and Raja Ampat face a litany of threats to their fragile existence. Prana by Atzaró’s philanthropic efforts include its partnership with the Misool Foundation, founded in 2005 in Raja Ampat to deliver measurable conservation results in some of the world’s most remote and challenging locations.
The foundation’s work includes both coral and mangrove restoration projects in Raja Ampat, Flores, and the Spice Islands to enhance coastal resilience and provide critical habitats for marine life; and plastic pollution prevention, encompassing community cleanup campaigns and waste management infrastructure development. Other initiatives support projects that provide alternative livelihoods for communities dependent on marine resources within or near national marine parks; and the establishment and management of marine protected areas in collaboration with local communities.
For more information about the Whale Sharks & Dragons expedition, other itineraries, and to book, contact Prana by Atzaró.