Paradise in Indonesia
In February 2025, a group of charter brokers boarded sailing yacht Dunia Baru for a 6 day familiarisation trip across Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua province. Y.CO brokers Eleanor Bloodworth and Ollie Pryce were invited on board. Learn about their first-hand experience and the unique qualities that make Dunia Baru so special to charter.
Raja Ampat, also known as the ‘Four Kings’, is a group of islands that exists within the expansive Indonesian archipelago. Spanning hundreds of miles, this region is vast, wild, and only accessible by yacht. In Raja Ampat you will encounter some of the best nature and wildlife in the South-Asia pacific, from untouched landscapes and vibrant coral reefs, to volcanoes, mountains and luscious jungles - Raja Ampat is the tableau vivant of paradise. One broker commented, "I could say it was "exceptional" but that feels like an understatement—there truly are no words to fully capture the magic of it all and the beauty of Raja Ampat."
Dunia Baru offers the opportunity to fully disconnect from the modern world and feel closer to nature, "it felt like an immersive experience where you can escape from modern life and completely switch off...there are not many times in life where you can do that these days," noted Eleanor and Ollie.
These familiarisation trips allow brokers to experience the unique qualities of a yacht charter first-hand, meaning their recommendations and knowledge is guided by real experience. The result is a highly tailored proposal that you can accept with confidence, knowing that your requirements match perfectly. Chartering Dunia Baru is like being transported to another world, and with a local and highly skilled crew at the helm, you can assure your yachting experience will be like no other.
There is a special kind of energy aboard Dunia Baru, mostly down to the crew and their affinity with the yacht, “The crew are warm and welcoming, always with a smile on their faces and nothing was ever too much to ask,” the brokers commented. Throughout the trip, each crew member openly shared stories of their upbringing, Indonesian traditions the country’s history, "The level of detail and effort the crew put in was next-level, something you'd expect from a much larger yacht operation." Ollie Pryce, Y.CO.
Chef Kadek’s gastronomic knowledge is diverse, with extensive global experience working in luxury resorts, world-class hotels and esteemed cruise lines. He primarily specialises in pan-Asian cuisine but draws inspiration from a broad range of international influences, skillfully applying his craft and mastering the art of flavour pairing. His approach to cooking focuses on the beauty of simplicity by sourcing local ingredients and producing mouthwatering dishes that express big, bold flavour – one guest remarked, "The food was superb, a fantastic mix of Asian, Balinese and Western that showcased the chef’s abilities and flexibility. All meals were executed flawlessly."
Dunia Baru took eight years to build and the result stands testament to the talented craftsmen involved in creating this remarkable Phinisi yacht. Three of the master craftsmen are still on board today, creating a special symbiosis between Dunia Baru and the crew who bring her to life. Throughout the vessel you will notice detailed woodwork, from cabinets and door handles, to the helm, which took four days to hand carve. The Indonesian philosophy around boat building is one that values the ‘eye’ of the master builder, and so traces of the human touch, executed with utmost precision, can be seen throughout her intricate ironwood interior.
Pilot whales, dolphins, Wobbegong sharks, turtles - to name just a few – remained a highlight for the brokers as they reminisced about their favourite moments of the trip, "we saw a Manta Ray as soon as we put our heads in the water," said Y.CO broker Eleanor Bloodworth. With an overwhelmingly beautiful hub of marine wildlife to experience, Indonesia is widely recognised across the globe for its diving, and quite rightfully so. Boasting some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world, Indonesia looks and feels like an immersive experience that will reveal to you the sheer beauty and awe of an untouched world. For those seeking a charter that puts you side-by-side with the natural world, Raja Ampat is a nature-lovers zenith.
The group awoke in Wayag in the early hours of the morning to prepare for a hike up Mount Pindito. Besides rich marine biodiversity, Raja Ampat is also the land of mountains and volcanoes that stretch as far as the eye can see. At the peak, they were met with panoramic views of Indonesia. The Wayag islands are uninhabited, with no traces of construction - just luscious unfurling jungle and pristine beaches. Here you will easily spot tropical fish, turtles and small sharks happily meandering the shallow waters.
A chance to see a rare glimpse of Wilson’s Bird of Paradise. Male species are widely recognised for their elaborate plumage intended to attract females for mating.
The brokers visited Suawandarek village to see the Dunia Baru Learning Centre set up in 2018. The ongoing project aims to strengthen connections between the local people and charter guests, to understand on a deeper level the impact that yachting has on these communities. The centre promotes the benefits of conservation and sustainability and educates young children about the environment to help them understand the beautiful, delicate ecosystem that they inhabit. The brokers donated clothes, toys, musical instruments and cleaning supplies to the centre, then spent the rest of the afternoon playing with the children.
Y.CO is dedicated to making a meaningful difference for the people and communities that yachting relies on. Click on the link below to learn more about our sustainability pledge and the projects we are involved in.
When it comes to thoughtful gestures, Dunia Baru does not disappoint. The crew arranged a beach BBQ one evening and the group was guided along a pathway that had been hand carved out of sand, with soft candlelight dotted along the trail towards the dining area. Everybody enjoyed a relaxed evening under the stars.
"The crew set up the most incredible beach BBQ dinner, delicious food but a particularly beautiful set up and table setting, very elegant service. The crew chef had been hand turning pork on a spit for three hours. Rounded off by fireworks!" Eleanor Bloodworth, Y.CO.
Dunia Baru is the perfect yacht to experience blissful relaxation, with the idyllic Indonesian landscape as your backdrop - where nature and the phinisi coalesce as one. With two highly skilled masseuses on board who specialise in a variety of massage techniques including reflexology, you can indulge in a range of wellbeing and beauty treatments throughout your stay.
The crew held a traditional Balinese dinner on the final night. The group was invited to dine on the aft deck and presented with a cornucopia of delicious Balinese dishes. The whole deck was adorned with intricate handwoven decorations made by the crew using palm fronds, depicting various animals like grasshoppers and birds that hold symbolic meaning in Balinese culture.
"There was a huge spread of different Balinese dishes, all of which were delicious, including a traditional multi-tiered rice ‘cake’, that is served at weddings and on special occasions. It is difficult to convey how special this dinner felt." Eleanor Bloodworth, Y.CO.
Dunia Baru can charter up to 14 guests, with capacity for up to 22 crew on board. Now is the perfect time to embrace an otherworldly experience aboard Dunia Baru, with a dedicated, knowledgeable crew and a breathtaking itinerary that will take you to one of the most remote places on earth.
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