The yachts have sailed past thousands of islands, stopping every so often to meet the locals.

Yachting has potential to be a major attraction for Indonesian tourism. Currently, however, only a few special events cater to this market despite the fact the country is the perfect destination for this kind of maritime adventure.

Situated on the earth’s equator, Indonesia has a stable climate. Besides boasting incomparable natural beauty and fascinating coral reefs and marine life, the country’s diverse cultural features have also become a major magnet for foreign visitors.

The Wonderful Sail 2 Indonesia Rally 2017 yachters will sail for three months and visit 17 destinations. They began their voyage in Debut in Southeast Maluku in July and will end their journey in Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands, in October.

Rally organizer Raymond Lesmana said the event, held with the support of the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism, was the fourth iteration of the international yacht rally aimed at promoting and motivating the development of marine tourism. 

“Every year the number of rally participants rises and this year the program’s technical meeting was held in Indonesia instead of abroad as in previous years, saving a lot of costs,” he said.

He said registration for the program had been made easier and simpler. The yachters only needed to fill out a form available at https://yachters-indonesia.id and after that, they could enter the country’s waters.

A total of 68 yachts from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Turkey, Holland, Germany, Italy, Britain, Spain, France and Belgium manned by 150 people who have never sailed in Indonesian waters before are participating in the Wonderful Sail 2 Indonesia Rally 2017. They arrived in Langgur, Southeast Maluku, on July 23 for the first leg of their 17-stop journey.

Their arrival in the Land of Kei Bumi Larvul Ngabal, Southeast Maluku, was warmly welcomed by the local community. A ceremony to receive the rally participants was held by organizing personnel and the regional administration at the ferry port of Debut village, Manyew district, on July 25.

After staying in Debut for five days, the yachters proceeded to their next destinations in the eastern part of the country, including the history rich Banda Islands. On the week of the country’s Independence Day, they will be sailing through the pristine water of Wakatobi, South Sulawesi, a location that offers not only great underwater scenery, but also mouthwatering seafood.

Their East Nusa Tenggara itinerary includes Maumere, Maurole, Ende, Riung and Labuan Bajo. They will later visit Medana Bay in Lombok and Lovina in Bali before continuing the journey to Kumai, Kota Waringin Barat, Central Kalimantan, Tanjung Kelayang in Belitung, Parai Beach in Bangka and other destinations in the Riau Islands province.

For the Wonderful Sail 2 Indonesia Rally 2017 yachters, their first time sailing in the country has allowed them to experience the friendly atmosphere of Indonesian waters, with some traveling with their children.

“After registering for the rally, my husband and I studied the Indonesian waters and learned that because of its location on the equator, Indonesia’s climate is stable with no typhoons, extreme waves or winds and the patterns of currents and winds are predictable,” said Marilia Middleton from the United States, who brought along her two primary schoolaged children.  

She said the school had allowed her children to sail for months and perhaps even a year.

“They get their lessons online so they have to learn for several hours while sailing or before disembarking on arrival at a destination,” added Marilia, who savored Maluku’s traditional food during the welcome reception in Debut.

Meanwhile, Nadine Jenkins from New Zealand is sailing with her husband and left her children at home.

“We have big children and they have their own engagements so they can’t join us. So only my husband and I are enjoying this cruise though Indonesia’s waters,” she said.

Some participants of Wonderful Sail 2 Indonesia Rally 2017 plan to get an extra taste of the archipelago by joining the next event, Sail Sabang in Aceh, slated to be held from Nov. 28 to Dec. 5 on the westernmost tip of the country.

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