Dune Aurora

Aurora is a 2-masted motor sailor, with itineraries in Raja Ampat, Halmahera, North & East Sulawesi. Made of teak, in traditional “Phinisi”-style, she offers high standards of comfort.

A word from Dom : “Aurora is known for her relaxed ambiance, traditional flavor and quality amenities. She offers spacious cabins, great living space and beautiful surroundings.”…..Dominick Macan

ON BOARD AURORA

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TRADITIONAL STYLE

Aurora is a 40-meter (131-foot) spacious, double masted, motor-sail yacht, built according to the ‘traditional Phinisi style’ and designed specifically for divers. She takes 18 divers in 9 cabins. Her teak interior gives her decor a rich, warm feeling throughout.

On the bridge deck, you find a spacious sundeck with sunbeds and views of the striking Indonesian scenery. At the stern on this level, you’ll find an exterior covered sitting lounge with cushioned bench seating, tables & chairs. The main offers a combination interior restaurant / bar plus lounge with PC, TV & DVD. You’ll also find the photo/video area here, adjoining the fore deck which is the preparation area for your diving adventures. Two of the cabins are on the main deck with the remaining 7 are found on the lower deck.

Freshly cooked meals consisting of Western, Italian and Indonesian cuisine are served buffet style. Before the first dive of the day you can enjoy a pre-breakfast snack of fruit, toast, juice and coffee. After the dive a full hot breakfast is available. Between dives you’ll find tasty treats and in the evening the chef will serve a variety of dishes.

LAYOUT & SPECS

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DECK PLAN

SPECIFICATIONS

Length: 40-meters (131-foot)
Beam: 9-meters (29-foot)
Crew: 18
Cruising speed: 8-10 knots
Guests: 16

MACHINERY

2 dive compressors
Support dinghies with outboard motors for shore excursions and scuba diving{/sliders}

ITINERARIES

Aurora’s itineraries are top-notch and include the most popular regions of Indonesia. The crew prides itself in exploring the best sites as well as some of the lesser known. Wonderful dives await in Komodo, Alor, the Banda Sea, Raja Ampat, Dampier Strait, Maluku and the Forgotten Islands. Trips to specific regions are, of course, based on the best time of year to experience the region’s finest diving. {slider See the itineraries & map ….. open |dest|closed} Komodo – Perhaps the most diverse of all diving in the Indonesian archipelago. There are seamounts, walls, canyons and pinnacles as well as the spectacular coral gardens. There a hot spring at an underwater volcano, great night dives on black sand slopes with creepy, crawly critters. Numerous sites tout pelagic fish, sharks & mantas but, be assured that at each dive site, you’ll experience something different.

Banda Sea & Alor – In Alor & the Banda Sea, you’ll find clear waters full of masses of fish & loads of invertebrates … plus alluring critters. As to topography, you’ll find shear drops, huge pinnacles, great walls … all covered with rich & thriving corals which attract diverse fish life. Add to that, visiting pelagics and you have a magical mix.

Raja Ampat – Indonesia’s shining underwater jewel, Raja Ampat has something of nearly everything a diver could want. You’ll dive channels, plateaus, walls & caves … and just plain mud, for the delight of “muck” diving. You’ll swim amongst great swirls of fish and feast your eyes on sponges & corals in scintillating colors. You’ll meet up close & personal, everything from pygmy seahorses to colossal manta rays.

Maluku – The Spice Islands, as they were so long known, offer a world of discovery: crystal clear water & amazing beaches, steep walls, caverns & tunnels, smalls reefs, untouched coral gardens, abundant fish (from darting fuliliers to massive giant groupers) and majestic pelagics. Shark aficionados will be pleased to know that there are some delightfully “sharky” dives on this itinerary.

Forgotten Islands – The dive sites vary greatly, with many presenting exciting pelagic encounters and large, swirling schools fish … while others offer up weird and wonderful creatures hidden away in healthy, colorful corals. You get, at one end of the scale: stargazers, stonefish, ghost pipefish … while at the opposite end jacks, giant trevallies, barracuda, hammerhead sharks, and on certain trips, divers are treated to a salt-water crocodile at one site!

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READ ABOUT INDONESIA DIVING

TRAVEL & CRUISE LOGISTICS

International flights generally arrive at one of the following airports: Bali-Denpasar (DPS) … Jakarta (CGK) … Manado (MDC). We will be pleased to help you book your domestic flights through our Bali agent.

The boat’s scheduled departure time varies depending on current domestic airline schedules, which can change, so departure details are not listed here. We’ll inform you at time of booking and will keep you posted on any possible changes.