SMY Ondina
SMY Ondina, a 32m (105ft) Phinisi sailing schooner, is operating in Indonesian waters since July 2001. She is a comfortable sailing boat operating different routes throughout the year. The crew is very familiar with the regions of Komodo and Raja Ampat, but they also offer exploratory and more off the beaten track routes.
Accommodation & Facilities
Ondina accommodates up to 16 divers in comfortable and spacious cabins. There are 2 double cabins and 6 twin cabins. The twin bed cabins have a double bed below and a single upper bunk. All cabins have ensuite bathrooms with freshwater shower, hand basin and toilet. All cabins are air-conditioned.
The boat has an air-conditioned indoor dining room as well as an open-air dining room, a 60m2 sundeck with hand shower, hammocks and shade cover as well as hot water showers and toilet on the main deck. There is a library and a flat screen TV for watching movies. The food is tasty and sumptuous; tea, coffee, snacks and fruits are available at all times.
The electricity on board is 220V. The power outlets are European sockets with two round pins. There are 3 generators supplying power 24/7.
First aid kit, oxygen plus emergency evacuation DAN "Oxygen Unit", 2 rescue rafts, life jackets, fire extinguishers, flares and flare gun as well as GPS, radar, radio VHF GMDSS system and two satellite phones are all available in case of emergency.
Dive Service
There are 3 dinghies available for the diving as well as 2 air compressors and a Nitrox membrane (32%). Tanks are 12L and 15L steel and aluminium with INT or DIN valves. Dive gear rental is available on board, but there are only 6 full sets so it is important to book in advance if required. Tanks, weights and safety buoys are complimentary.
The dive deck is spacious and easily holds all 16 divers with their equipment. It is designed by divers for divers. Fixed equipment positions for each diver during the trip are in place. There is an equipment room for rinsing gear and wetsuits. Each diver has a personal shelf for charging batteries and to store small items. For the dedicated underwater photographer, the boat provides big working tables to service underwater cameras, air tanks to dry and clean the equipment, rinse tanks and charging stations.
Dive areas
Ondina has been sailing in Raja Ampat for many years. The crew knows this region very well. The boat also offers exploratory trips to rarely visited regions and specially appointed trips for special interest groups such as photo workshops or specially hosted trips.
The boat operates 9-11 night trips in Raja Ampat, the Moluccas, Banda Sea, Triton Bay and Cenderawasih Bay.
Raja Ampat - The area known as Raja Ampat is an archipelago consisting in 4 main islands surrounded by over 1500 smaller islands and cays. This area is part of the West Papua province of Indonesia.
It is certainly the world's most biodiverse marine region with more recorded fish, coral and mollusks species than anywhere else on the planet. Some areas boost enormous schools of fishes ; there are spots with large groups of manta rays, other with schools of barracudas, trevallies, bump head parrot fish, large groupers, and of course always a great variety of critters. The reefs are varied as their inhabitants, with vertical walls, seamounts, pinnacles, slopes, caves, lagoons, some more covered with hard corals and other displaying colorful soft corals. Everywhere you will find a lot of gorgonians with their resident pygmy seahorses. Everywhere you will find a profusion of colors and life.
Staying Connected
Due to the remoteness of most trips with Ondina, WiFi and mobile phone reception are not available. Two satellite phones for private communications in the most remote locations are available (charges apply: EUR 2/minute calling; EUR 1/minute receiving).
You should know...
To participate in Ondina's diving adventures, we reccommend an advanced diving certification or a minimum of 50 signed dives in your personal logbook to fully enjoy all dives during the cruises. Some dives are in strong currents and a minimum experience of every single diver is key for the safety of the group.
To settle your bar bill at the end of your trip, the crew accepts cash in indonesian Rupiah, Euro or US Dollars. Credit cards are not accepted.
We think...
Ondina is a spacious and comfortable sailing phinisi with experienced dive crew. The variety of excursions offered in all parts of Indonesia stands out. Ondina is a great choice for those want to explore various, very remote dive areas in this part of the world.
