Kudanil Explorer Raja Ampat Yacht Charter

Why Kudanil Explorer works for Raja Ampat

Kudanil Explorer is a purpose-built expedition yacht operating throughout Indonesia — a 50 m steel hull with roughly three times the power of a traditional wooden sailing vessel, designed for extended range and open-water reliability while keeping one of the highest space-to-guest ratios in the region. She carries eight identical above-deck cabins, each 30.5 m² with a private balcony, day bed and floor-to-ceiling windows — the only yacht in Indonesia where every guest cabin has its own balcony. On board are the Java Spa, a library lounge, an indoor cinema, a Sky Lounge restaurant with panoramic ocean views and a rooftop jacuzzi. She is operated by a permanent team of 22 led by co-founder Thibaud Epstein, and works exclusively on a full private-charter, buy-out basis.

• 50 m steel expedition hull, 1,000 GRT, long-range and open-water capable
• 8 identical above-deck cabins, 30.5 m² each — every cabin has a private 11 m² balcony
• 22-strong permanent crew, PADI Instructor Head of Diving with 10,000+ dives logged
• Sky Lounge restaurant, indoor cinema, Java Spa, library and rooftop jacuzzi
• 3 tenders including an 8 m long-range RIB, plus 2 Seadoo jet-skis, e-foils, SUPs and full dive kit

Kudanil Explorer cabins, layout and deck spaces

Kudanil Explorer is arranged over five levels — Engine Room, Main Deck, Upper Deck, Top Deck and Monkey Island — with all eight guest cabins located above deck on the Upper Deck for enhanced comfort and reduced engine noise. She measures 50 m in length with a 12.5 m beam and 1,000 GRT.

Cabin types

• Guest Cabin (×8) — 30.5 m² total: 15 m² bedroom with king or twin configuration, 4.5 m² en-suite with rain shower, 11 m² private balcony with day bed, chairs and coffee table. Floor-to-ceiling windows. Extra bed available for a child on request.

Deck by deck

Food and dining on Kudanil Explorer

Dining onboard is relaxed, refined and tailored to each charter. Head Chef Adi Rochman blends Indonesian and Western cuisine to five-star standards, with menus drawing on Mediterranean, Continental and local traditions and adapted to guest preferences and dietary requirements. Guests choose between plated fine dining or family-style sharing, indoors or under the stars.

• Sky Lounge restaurant on the top deck — flat alfresco dining space unique in the region
• Main-deck indoor restaurant for calm all-day service
• Menus blending Mediterranean, Western, Continental and Indonesian cuisine
• Plated fine dining or family-style sharing at the guests' choice
• Dietary preferences and allergies fully accommodated with advance notice
• Head Chef Adi Rochman (ex-The Waow, Capella Ubud training) with sous-chef and kitchen hand

Guest chef Simon Maillard (French, ex-Cannes Film Festival, Michelin-trained) can be arranged on request for special charters.

Drinks and bar service on Kudanil Explorer

Two bar settings on board — the indoor bar for relaxed evenings and the Sky Lounge bar on the top deck for sunset cocktails with ocean views. Soft drinks, juices, tea and coffee are included; alcoholic beverages are charged separately and can be pre-provisioned to your taste.

• Indoor bar on the main deck for evening service
• Sky Lounge top-deck bar with panoramic sunset views
• All soft drinks, juices, tea and coffee included in the charter rate
• Full wine, beer and spirits list — pre-order to shape the cellar
• Signature cocktails prepared by the service team

Alcoholic beverages are not included in the standard charter rate; share your preferred wines, spirits and non-alcoholic options in advance so provisioning matches the group.

Equipment and water toys on board Kudanil Explorer

Diving and snorkelling

• Full dive equipment set — BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, masks, snorkels, fins, tanks
• 2 fixed air compressors including Nitrox capability
• Full-time Head of Diving (PADI Scuba Instructor, 10,000+ dives) with dedicated dive team
• Snorkelling gear for every guest onboard
• Freediving and spearfishing sessions available on request with specialist guides

Water toys and leisure

• 2 Seadoo jet-skis (used for surf rescue and safety, guest leisure use available at surcharge)
• 2 e-foils
• Banana boat and towables
• Wakeboard
• Long and short surfboards
• Stand-up paddleboards
• Sea and glass-bottom kayaks
• Inflatable pool and Magic Carpet
• Fishing gear
• Ping-pong table
• Cardio machines and Pilates mats (onboard gym)
• Rooftop jacuzzi

Tenders

• 8 m RIB with 2 × 200 hp four-stroke Suzuki outboards (echo sounder + VHF) — long-range exploration
• 6 m aluminium LCT with 2 × 115 hp four-stroke Yamaha outboards (echo sounder + VHF)
• Offshore RIB with 60 hp four-stroke Suzuki outboard (VHF)

Comfort and entertainment

• Complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi throughout
• Indoor cinema for movie nights and photo/video screenings
• Library lounge
• Java Spa with dedicated therapy space
• Rooftop jacuzzi and open-air day beds on Monkey Island
• Reef-safe sunscreen, aloe after-sun, natural insect repellent, body wash, shampoo and conditioner provided

Safety equipment

• Comprehensive safety briefings on embarkation
• Full onboard first-aid kit (seasickness, minor wounds, fever, pain relief)
• Insurance for all onboard activities included (diving requires separate personal cover)
• Perfect deck-team safety record under Master Captain I Wayan Widhyastya

Navigation

• 50 m steel hull, 12.5 m beam, 1,000 GRT
• 2 × 1,500 bhp Yanmar main engines
• 350 bhp Yanmar bow thruster
• Generators: 2 × 180 kW Yanmar, 150 kW Caterpillar, 80 kW Yanmar
• GPS, radar, echo sounders and VHF radios across the tender fleet

Crew and service on Kudanil Explorer

Kudanil Explorer is operated by a permanent team of 22 experienced Indonesian professionals, led on board by co-founder and managing director Thibaud Epstein. Deck, engineering, service, kitchen and dive teams are all in-house and sail with guests on every voyage.

• Co-founder & Managing Director — Thibaud Epstein: French, family of sailors — intimate knowledge of Eastern Indonesia and 'off-itinerary' cruising
• Master Captain — I Wayan Widhyastya: Balinese, joined the owner in 1995 — perfect safety record across supply-vessel and expedition work in SE Asia
• Chief Engineer — Wilhelmus Yuniarta: 30+ years in Indonesian waters, joined in 2005 — leads a team of four
• Head Steward — Aji Ari Susanto: Cruise-ship hospitality across Asia, Med and Caribbean; ex-boutique luxury resort F&B in Java
• Head Chef — Adi Rochman: Ex-The Waow head chef; trains at Capella Ubud — blends Indonesian and Western cuisine with refined presentation
• Head of Diving & Activities — Nico Novan: PADI Scuba Instructor, 10,000+ dives, ex-Wakatobi and Mermaid fleet — favourites are Raja Ampat, Triton Bay and Komodo
• Lead Surf Guide — Wayan Santika: 15+ years coaching in Bali, Sumba and Papua; 500+ surf expeditions

Activities on board Kudanil Explorer

Every voyage on Kudanil Explorer is fully customised — a mix of surf, dive, snorkel, wildlife and cultural experiences shaped by conditions, guest interests and the crew's local knowledge. Itineraries evolve organically day by day.

• Surf and ocean expeditions to uncrowded breaks along wild coastlines
• Scuba diving and snorkelling across coral gardens and biodiverse reefs
• Wildlife and nature encounters — rare coastal ecosystems, pristine reef habitats
• Full water-sports fleet — SUPs, kayaks, banana boat, e-foils, inflatable sea pool
• Kudanil Beach Club — signature beach setup for swimming, sunset cocktails and private dinners
• Cultural and island exploration — isolated villages and uninhabited islands rarely visited by tourism
• Java Spa treatments, library, indoor cinema and rooftop jacuzzi between adventures
• Guest specialists on request — yoga instructors, freediving and spearfishing guides, anthropologists, ornithologists

Before you board Kudanil Explorer

What to bring

• Swimwear (several sets) and rash guard / UV swim shirt
• Light cover-ups, sarongs and breathable daywear (cotton, linen)
• Resort wear for dinners; a light sweater or shawl for cooler evenings
• Activewear for hikes and water sports
• Flip-flops or sandals for transfers; sneakers for island exploration (no-shoes policy onboard)
• Sun hat and polarised sunglasses
• Personal medication, seasickness medication and feminine hygiene products
• Passport valid 6+ months, visa if applicable, travel and dive insurance
• Indonesian Rupiah for onshore purchases; Visa/Mastercard for onboard bar and spa
• Camera, GoPro, chargers, power banks and Type C/F travel adapter
• Personal mask, snorkel or fins if you prefer your own kit

Already on board

• Sarongs, beach towels, bath towels and linens
• Reef-safe SPF 50+ sunscreen, aloe after-sun and natural insect repellent
• Body wash, shampoo, conditioner and hair dryer
• Full snorkel kit and full scuba kit (wetsuits, mask, snorkel, fins, tanks, regulators)
• Waterproof dry bags
• Onboard first-aid kit for seasickness, minor wounds, fever and pain relief

Crew gratuities

Gratuities for the crew are discretionary and appreciated — 5–10% of the charter fee is a common guideline, split across the team by the captain.