Malaillo

Malaillo is a 45.6-meter traditional Phinisi liveaboard built from ironwood and teakwood in Tanah Beru and Bira, South Sulawesi — keel laid in 2017, launched in 2021, refurbished in 2024 — accommodating 14 guests across 7 en-suite cabins. A pure diving vessel not geared toward non-divers or accompanying guests, it runs 3 to 4-dive-per-day itineraries across Raja Ampat, Komodo, Banda Sea, Alor, and North Halmahera. Nitrox included. For the 2026/2027 season, rates start from USD $430 per person per day.

Malaillo is part of Lotus Journey, a boutique collection of eco dive resorts and liveaboards spanning Indonesia, including Lotus Papua Paradise (overwater bungalows on Birie Island, Raja Ampat), Lotus Gangga Island (North Sulawesi), Lotus Metita Island, Lotus Bungalows Candidasa (Bali), and Lotus Almarik on Gili Trawangan — each run as a PADI 5-Star Dive Resort with its own Gangga Divers dive center. This gives the liveaboard access to an established regional dive operation with decades of experience across multiple Indonesian destinations. Onboard, Malaillo maintains a 1:4 guide-to-diver ratio under PADI standards, with a 46 sqm dive deck offering individual stations for each guest, four outdoor showers, and two public toilets. The boat is built and run as a dedicated diving vessel rather than a mixed-group cruise, so it's a better fit for committed divers than for groups including snorkelers or non-diving companions. A typical day follows a set rhythm: an evening briefing from the cruise director, an early light breakfast, a pre-dive briefing in the restaurant, and a short tender ride to the site, with 3 to 4 dives offered daily depending on the itinerary — the fourth often a night or sunset dive — alongside occasional land excursions to viewpoints along the route.

Seven cabins accommodate 14 guests across three decks. Two double cabins and two twin cabins of 14 sqm each sit on the lower deck with porthole windows and en-suite bathrooms. One twin cabin of 13 sqm on the main deck has direct access to the restaurant. On the upper deck, an 18 sqm Master Suite with a queen bed connects via an interlinking door to a 13 sqm twin cabin — ideal for families or small groups traveling together. All cabins have individually controlled air conditioning, a desk, wardrobe, and multiple windows or portholes. Common areas include an indoor restaurant and lounge, an outdoor dining area at the bow with one of the largest bowsprits of any Indonesian dive boat, a dedicated air-conditioned camera room with international power outlets and workspace, and an expansive top-deck outdoor lounge of 152 sqm with bean bags and sunbeds.

Diving is supported by two Bauer PE200 compressors and a Renner nitrox membrane system, with 12-litre aluminium tanks as standard (INT and DIN compatible) and 15-litre tanks available on request for a small surcharge. Nitrox is free of charge for certified divers. Two 7-meter aluminium RBB tenders, each with Yamaha 100HP engines, handle dive site transfers. Safety equipment includes four life rafts for 60 people total, an ENOS diver beacon system, AED, medical-grade oxygen, and Starlink internet with satellite phone backup. Full board includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a buffet-style Asian and Mediterranean menu, snacks throughout the day, and one barbecue night per cruise. Water, coffee, tea, and juice are complimentary; soft drinks, beer, wine, and spirits are available for purchase, with no corkage fee on guests' own duty-free alcohol. Satellite WiFi beyond the complimentary allowance carries an additional charge.