Bugis

Bugis is a 27.2-meter handcrafted wooden liveaboard accommodating 8 guests across 4 en-suite cabins, operated by Nomad Archipelago. Solar-powered and air-conditioning-free by design, the vessel runs 8 to 11-night snorkeling and leisure cruises across Komodo, Raja Ampat, the Banggai Archipelago, Wakatobi, Taka Bonerate, Halmahera, and the Banda Arc. For the 2026/2027 season, rates start from USD $367 per person per day.

Bugis is one of two nearly identical vessels operated by Nomad Archipelago, a small-group slow travel operator that won the EXO Foundation Silver Sustainability Award in 2025 for advancing ocean-positive tourism. The vessel is solar-powered — running silently at anchor with no engine noise — and carries no air conditioning by deliberate design. The cabins sit on the main deck with large windows and ventilation louvres to harness the sea breeze, and the operator's position is straightforward: listening to the ocean through an open window is preferable to a sealed, air-conditioned cabin. A crew of nine serves a maximum of eight guests, giving one of the most generous crew-to-guest ratios in the Indonesian leisure cruise market.

Four identical cabins on the main deck each feature a double bed (200 x 140cm) with an overhead bunk (200 x 90cm) — usable as a double for couples or as a flexible configuration for two guests. All cabins have private en-suite bathrooms, ceiling fans, reading lights, 220V sockets, ample storage, towels, and eco-friendly toiletries, with daily cleaning throughout. Bugis differs from fleet partner Bajau in its cabin layout — four identical cabins versus Bajau's mixed configuration — and in its activities room, which is equipped for snorkeling rather than scuba. Scuba diving is available on private charters on request.

Three shared guest areas make the most of the vessel's above-deck design. The covered main deck provides a casual open-sided dining and lounging area for relaxed meals and board games. The forward upper deck offers a quiet open-air space for sunrise coffee or reading. The rear upper deck is part-shaded with a bar — the natural gathering point for sundowners and stargazing. Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and an adventure tender are available for exploring anchorages and beaches. The operator follows the rhythm of the tides rather than a fixed daily schedule — itineraries are shaped by conditions, curiosity, and the character of each destination rather than a rigid programme. Destinations span Komodo, Raja Ampat, the Banggai Archipelago in Central Sulawesi, and Discovery routes through Wakatobi, Taka Bonerate, Halmahera, and the Banda Arc.