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Wellenreng

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Built: 2011

Construction: Traditional phinisi design, wood hull construction

Length: 25 meters / 82 feet

Beam: 6 meters / 20 feet

Divers: 6

Electricity: 220 VAC, European adapters suggested

Nitrox Free

The Wellenreng is not the kind of vessel you stumble onto by accident. It’s a liveaboard people seek out because they want a quieter, more personal way to dive Indonesia. With only a handful of guests on board, the experience feels more like a small expedition rather than stepping onto a typical dive vessel. The atmosphere is calm, the pace is unhurried, and the focus is on giving divers the space and flexibility to enjoy some of Indonesia’s best sites without the usual crowds. For travelers who care about attentive service, smooth logistics, and time spent in places that still feel wild, Wellenreng offers a memorable alternative to the busy, high-capacity boats that dominate the region.

A Vessel with Heritage and Heart - The Wellenreng was built in the village of Tanah Beru on Sulawesi’s southern coast, home to generations of Phinisi boatbuilders. Local artisans worked for three years, carving her hull from ironwood and crafting a warm teak interior. Though launched in 2011,her story reaches further back, rooted in the ancient Bugis legend from La Galigo, where a hero built a ship named Wellenreng to reach his beloved. Today, her name carries that timeless spirit of romantic adventure and skilled craftsmanship. Nine crew members–including a cruise director–care for her guests, steering each voyage with quiet competence and deep knowledge of Indonesia’s marine treasures.

Tranquil, Comfortable Cabins - With just three guest cabins, the Wellenreng focuses on intimate comfort. The master cabin has a kingsize bed, while the two queen cabins each offer their own queen bed plus a single bunk, for maximum flexibility. Every cabin is air-conditioned, with soft linens, a private en suite bathroom, and shower with hot water. Daylight portholes bring in natural light and personal reading lights and small desks make each room feel like a cozy retreat. Extras like in-room safes, bathrobes, and luxury toiletries are provided, and technology needs are met with 220-volt sockets and European plugs.

Spaces to Relax, Connect, and Explore - Moments of connection happen naturally on Wellenreng. On the main deck, a shaded outdoor dining area centers around a large table and sofas, making meals communal and lively. There is also a sundeck equipped with plush lounge chairs and cushions where guests can stretch out in the sun, feel the breeze, and watch the horizon. For quieter reflection, a panoramic observation deck offers cushioned beanbag seating, perfect for stargazing or simply soaking in the beauty of open water. Inside, the salon offers a welcoming lounge, indoor dining space, and a small library curated with fish and bird identification books for curious minds.

Dive, Paddle, Discover - The Wellenreng is fully outfitted for underwater and above-water adventure. For certified divers, Nitrox is included, allowing longer bottom times and safer decompression. The dive program usually offers three to four dives a day, with night immersions for the truly adventurous. A seven-meter fiberglass dinghy carries guests to dive sites, with twin engines for fast, reliable transport. The dive deck provides fresh-water rinse tanks for gear and cameras, and tanks are supplied in both 12-litre and 15-litre sizes. Safety is assured with onboard oxygen, first-aid supplies, and emergency equipment. Not a diver? Snorkelers are welcome too. Additionally, guests can paddle in kayaks or glide on a standup paddleboard.

A Dining Experience by the Sea - Food aboard the Wellenreng feels like a local celebration. The onboard chef designs menus that bring together vibrant Indonesian flavors and refined European touches, using fresh local ingredients sourced along the coast. Breakfasts are expansive, featuring tropical fruits and strong coffee from a De’Longhi espresso machine. Lunch and dinner glide between light salads and grilled seafood, and evenings often end with cocktails or wine under the stars. Snacks and both hot and cold beverages are available at any hour, and an informal bar encourages easy laughter and new friendships.

Personalized Journeys, Tailored to You - Every charter on the Wellenreng is handled with care. Rather than fixed routes, guests can choose from custom itineraries designed around their interests—whether you want to drift through famous dive sites, explore remote islands, or simply soak up quiet bays. Because she accommodates just six guests, the Wellenreng feels like your personal yacht. The crew pays attention to detail: gear is organized, dives are planned with local guides, and surface intervals are paced for relaxation and discovery.

Photographs and narrative text courtesy of the Wellenreng liveaboard.

Dive Conditions

Conditions can make or break your trip. Temperature, visibility and the current vary greatly across this expansive country. Be sure to check the conditions of each destination you’re planning to dive before you leave. Diving is excellent year-round, but the best time is from May to September. Monsoon season is from December to June. Visibility may not be as good during the monsoon, however, certain locations like the Komodo Islands are a diver’s dream during this time due to an influx of mantas.

Most of Indonesia can be dived year-round with March to October being the most popular time of year to dive. This period of time marks the dry season in most parts of the country, with the exception of some dive areas like Ambon and southern Raja Ampat where most rainfall occurs in May/June to October/September due to the southern monsoon. It's best to visit these areas in the months of November to April for optimal dive conditions.

Generally speaking, Indonesia's climate is almost entirely tropical, with May to September as the dry season, and October to April the rainy season, and with heavier rainfall from December through February. However, the opposite might be true for certain dive areas in Indonesia like Raja Ampat and Ambon, and the best time of year to visit Indonesia really depends on where you intend to stay in the country.

The water temperatures remain quite consistent through the country, hovering at 26°-29°C (82°- 85°F) year-round. Typically, you won't need anything more than a 3-5mm wetsuit, or even a skinsuit. However, the diving conditions and difficulty in Indonesia hugely vary, depending on where and when you dive in the country.

Ambon Bay, Maluku – world class muck diving. Critters that can be seen here include rhinopias, frogfish, ghost pipefish, lots of juvenile fish, stonefish, mandarin fish, nudibranchs, harlequin and coleman shrimps, wonderpus, mimic and flamboyant cuttlefish, and even the much-sought-after psychedelic frogfish.

Alor, East Nusa Tenggara – the hidden gem. This off-the-beaten-path dive destination offers a mix of both world-class wide-angle and macro sites. Pristine coral reefs, steep walls, sloping muck sites--the diving in Alor is really diverse and would please the most discerning diver and underwater photographer.

Banda Sea, Maluku – sea snakes and hammerheads. Most of the diving around the Banda Sea involves excellent wall dives, and great macro sites, but the biggest draw is probably the resident sea snakes at Manuk and Gunung Api islands.

Bali – wrecks and mola molas. Unique critters, fascinating wrecks, beautiful walls, colorful corals, excellent muck dives, huge schools of fish, pelagics--Bali has it all. Technical diving and freediving are also possible in Bali with a good number of reputable dive operations.

Derawan Islands, Borneo – manta rays and whalesharks. Derawan is a remote group of islands in East Kalimantan (East Borneo), and is home to one of the three jellyfish lakes known to men, with the other two located in Palau and Misool Island in Raja Ampat.

Komodo, East Nusa Tenggara – drift dives and world class reefs. Komodo National Park is a group of volcanic islands with over 5,700 giant lizards known as Komodo dragons. This UNESCO World Heritage Site also hosts a world-class scuba diving scene. Imagine drift dives with colorful corals in various formations teeming with marine life, big and small. Divers can see big schools of fish pretty much year-round, as well as eagle and manta rays.

Lembeh, North Sulawesi – muck diving capital. Known as the world's capital for muck diving, Lembeh Strait in North Sulawesi offers second-to-none macro biodiversity. The number species that you can cross off your list within a week of diving Lembeh is staggering.

Manado and Bunaken, North Sulawesi – wall dives and reefs. Manado Bay offers a mix of great muck and reef sites, treating divers to unique critters like mimic octopus and flamboyant cuttlefish, as well as various seahorses, squid, nudibranchs, and frogfish.

Raja Ampat, West Papua – the holy grail of Indonesia. Alongside Kaimana Regency and Triton Bay in the south, and Cenderawasih Bay in the east, Raja Ampat archipelago makes up a massive area, collectively known as the Bird’s Head Seascape. Divers can visit the Raja Ampat area many times in their lifes and discover something new each time.

Wakatobi, South East Sulawesi – beautiful coral reefs. Wakatobi's reefs are extremely healthy and offer unique large coral formations, various sea fans, and sponges which are overflowing with marine life. The underwater topography is no less unique, featuring various walls, ridges, and overhangs. While it's not the place for large pelagics, eagle rays and reef sharks can typically be seen.