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Alila Purnama to sail to Banda Islands, Raja Ampat
The upscale Phinisi ship Alila Purnama has announced that it will begin trips to Ambon and West Papua starting September to cater to those eager to explore the Banda Islands and Raja Ampat in style.
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The exterior of Alila Purnama. Consisting of three decks, the ship is handcrafted in the traditional Phinisi style as used by the Bugis seafarers from South Sulawesi. (Alila Hotels/-)
T
he upscale Phinisi ship Alila Purnama has announced that it will begin trips to Ambon and West Papua starting September to cater to those eager to explore the Banda Islands and Raja Ampat in style.
Slated to begin on Sept. 26, the 46-meter long two-masted Bugis-style traditional sailing ship invites guests to join a ten-day expedition departing from Maumere on the eastern coast of Flores to the volcanic island of Ambon with an itinerary that includes exploring the Banda Islands' marine life and coral reefs, discovering Lembata Island's cultural traditions and diving in the straits of Alor, famous for manta rays and whale sharks.
Meanwhile, the seven-night West Papua trip beginning on Oct. 9 features cruising across the dive sites and islands on the Banda Sea and Ceram Sea, spotting dolphins and pilot whales at Nusa Laut, diving in waters around Misool -- one of the 'Four Kings' of Raja Ampat -- and taking a dip in the Dampier Strait.
With a starting price of US$12,085 per person for the Ambon expedition and $8,460 per person for the West Papua journey, guests can expect to enjoy live-a-board arrangements, meals, unlimited dives and activities such as snorkeling, shore excursions and island hopping.
Consisting of three decks, Alila Purnama, owned by Alila Hotels, is handcrafted in the traditional style of a Phinisi as used by the Bugis seafarers from South Sulawesi. The furniture on the ship is custom-made from teak, rattan and other locally sourced materials from Indonesia. A fully licensed dive center and spa therapist are among the onboard facilities.
