Set Sail in Luxury to Explore the Ancient Archipelago of Raja Ampat – By Felicity Carter
Exploring the Indonesian archipelago of Raja Ampat by setting sail with Prana by Atzaró is certainly a special trip. Kingly by name, and kingly by nature, Raja Ampat (which translates to the “Four Kings”) is located off the northwest tip of Bird’s Head Peninsula in West Papua. It is known for its untouched natural beauty, and with its 1,500 islands, cays and shoals, it is one of the most remote destinations on the planet. There is no infrastructure, including airports, roads or hotels. Instead, expect white sand beaches, turquoise waters and an abundance of wildlife. It’s a haven for divers, too, thanks to the thriving coral reefs rich with colorful and varied marine life. While on land, there are ancient rock paintings on Misool Island to be seen and hiking to be done through tropical rivers that lead to secret serene spots. Or look up at the sky above Waigeo Island to see the crimson birds of paradise.
Being only accessible by boat makes the location even more extraordinary, and warrants a special vessel to match, cue Prana by Atzaró. On the world’s biggest and most luxurious phinisi yacht, you’ll sail in style. At just over 55 meters in length and 11 meters wide, Prana by Atzaró has been handcrafted in the style of a traditional Indonesian phinisi, a sailboat with two masts, built entirely of ironwood and beautiful, slick, teak using customary methods.
Prana by Atzaró has fostered a strong reputation for offering the world’s most lavish charter since it first set sail in 2018, and the service is second to none—on Prana the staff-to-guest ratio is 1:1. This has attracted the most discerning of clientele, ranging from A-listers to discreet high-net-worth individuals who seek adventure and solitude. After all, here, privacy is the ultimate luxury.
Having been founded by the five-star hospitality brand, Atzaró Group, Prana is also where a luxury yacht meets a 5-star hotel. The crew of 18 includes a cruise director, dive instructor, chefs, stewards and expert therapists for treatments, who are all on hand to deliver an impeccable experience. With fine dining, unlimited water sports, onboard spa treatments, world-class diving and heritage sites, a trip aboard Prana by Atzaró is one of a lifetime.
On board there is grandeur aplenty in the vintage-inspired and ultra-sumptuous interiors that are reminiscent of bygone glamour, sleeping up to 18 guests in nine lavish and spacious suites. Each ensuite cabin offers huge deep beds, rain showers, air conditioning and nautical design elements in smooth, solid teak wood, along with muted palettes and soft textures that emit an air of quiet luxury.
Being the world’s biggest phinisi yacht, there is plenty of room to relax and take in the views of the cerulean sea with Prana’s four spacious decks. They include a sundeck with king-size daybeds, a top yoga deck that’s ideal for your morning zen fix that doubles as an open-air cinema or an outdoor living room, while Prana’s main deck has both indoor and outdoor living spaces.
The hotel-type amenities continue with daily personal laundry and turn-down service, and for further relaxation, there is a spa treatment room and two masseuses on board at all times. The spa menu, designed by Anne Semonin, features body and beauty treatments from facials to scrubs and massages that’ll banish the jet lag.
From the spa menu to the food menu, Prana is also famous for its culinary delights, and this is where Chef Teguh and Chef Assistant Candra really come into their own, cooking up the most delicious Asian fusion and Western dishes that use seasonal, organic and locally sourced produce, ensuring all tastebuds are catered to.
Breakfast is served family-style and features fresh fruit platters and pastries, and additional dishes, such as French toast or a traditional Asian breakfast menu with Nasi Goreng (classic Indonesian fried rice), among others, are available from the a la carte menu. Lunch may be ceviche, grilled meat, fresh fish and salads, again served family style. Dinner calls for yellowfin tuna risotto, or their famous BBQ served on the beach under parasols for a unique dinner to remember. It’s also worth noting that Prana can cater for celebrations onboard—just inform Prana on the Charter Preference List.
Michael Wronski, the proficient Cruise Director, will discuss your daily menu options available for the following day, along with the itinerary to guarantee the smooth running of your trip. For those seeking adventure and exploration, the Prana team tailors the itinerary to specific requests, and having a wealth of knowledge of the area, they can offer hyper-personalized, unforgettable experiences.
Learn to scuba dive with Michael and Roy, the activities and diving managers, or snorkel and take in the beautiful and highly renowned waters that are bursting with species of vibrant coral (there are over 600 species in Raja Ampat with more than 40 being native to this region), plus 600 species of fish. Dive the Mioskon reef where you’ll see yellow snappers, batfish and moray eels, along with the occasional white or black tip reef sharks. Prana also stops by the world-renowned dive and snorkel sites of Melissa’s Garden, Batu Rufus and My Reef. If you are lucky, you may spot even more wildlife. It’s known that at least 16 species of whales and dolphins feed in these waters. Look out on the Dampier Strait to Waigeo for your best chances of sightings.
Water sports include sea kayaking—an ideal way to explore the mangroves of Arborek Island—and paddleboard in the lagoons of Piaynemo. Thrill-seekers can try wakeboarding and water-skiing, and for anglers, fishing equipment is also supplied along with towable floats.
For those who like a side of history with their adventure, Prana sails “The Passage,” a saltwater river that runs between Gam and Waigeo, that was originally described by the famous British naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace in his book The Malay Archipelago in 1869. It’s where the jungle meets the sea as rapid tides flow through this thin channel, providing an exhilarating snorkel experience for those brave enough.
A once-in-a-lifestyle sailing experience, cruising aboard Prana by Atzaró offers all the romance and magic of a far-flung destination that’s akin to a maritime voyage, with exploration and adventure aplenty, discovering untouched paradises. Of course, though, guests upon Prana travel in utmost luxury, comfort, and style with unparalleled service, spectacular diving and fine dining, all coming together in a remarkable, memory-making, bucket-list trip that’s truly hard to beat.
Getting There
Raja Ampat may be remote, but getting there isn’t as tricky as you’d expect. Fly Business Class with Qatar Airways, and you’ll have access to world-class lounges at Qatar’s Hamad International Airport, which has just been ranked “Best Airport in the World 2024” by Skytrax. This includes Qatar Airways’ newest Al Mourjan Business Lounge—The Garden. While on board, make use of the beds to ensure you’re well-rested ahead of your adventure.
Stop off at Jakarta for a night (we stayed at The Orient Jakarta), and from there fly with Garuda Indonesian on to Domine Eduard Osok Airport, Sotong. Here you’ll be met by the Prana crew and whisked directly to the harbour (20 minutes by car), then it’s all aboard the phinisi.
Sailing Seasons
Prana by Atzaró sails all year, following the calm seas, so destinations are seasonal. The yacht sails Komodo National Park from May to October, the Spice Islands in November and May and Raja Ampat from December to April.
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