A boutique collection of eco dive resorts across Indonesia, now building out a liveaboard fleet to match. Malaillo and Malayeka are on Coralbound.

This is an operator spotlight. If you're here to plan an Indonesia liveaboard trip, start with the Indonesia liveaboard guide.

Lotus Journey

Lotus Journey is a boutique collection of eco dive resorts spanning Indonesia — Lotus Papua Paradise (overwater bungalows on Birie Island, Raja Ampat), Lotus Gangga Island in North Sulawesi, Lotus Metita Island, Lotus Bungalows Candidasa in Bali, and Lotus Almarik on Gili Trawangan. Each operates as a PADI 5-Star Dive Resort with its own Gangga Divers dive center, giving the group's liveaboards access to an established regional dive operation with decades of experience across multiple Indonesian destinations.

Malaillo and Malayeka are the group's two dedicated liveaboards, both traditional Phinisi built from ironwood and teakwood in South Sulawesi. Both are built and run as pure diving vessels rather than mixed-group cruises — a better fit for committed divers than for groups including snorkelers or non-diving companions. Lotus Divers maintains a 1:4 guide-to-diver ratio on both boats, under PADI standards.

Malaillo

Malaillo is a 45.6-metre Phinisi with her keel laid in 2017, launched in 2021, and refurbished in 2024. She carries 14 guests across 7 en-suite cabins on three decks — two double and two twin cabins of 14 sqm on the lower deck with portholes, a 13 sqm twin cabin on the main deck with direct access to the restaurant, and an 18 sqm Master Suite on the upper deck that interlinks with a 13 sqm twin cabin, a good fit for families or small groups traveling together.

Days run 3 to 4 dives, often with a night or sunset dive as the fourth, from a 46 sqm dive deck with individual stations for every guest. Common areas include an indoor restaurant and lounge, an outdoor bow dining area with one of the largest bowsprits of any Indonesian dive boat, a dedicated air-conditioned camera room, and a 152 sqm top-deck lounge with bean bags and sunbeds.

Malayeka

Malayeka is a 41.44-metre Phinisi built in Bulukumba in 2014. Lotus Journey has recently acquired her, and she's currently undergoing refurbishment ahead of her maiden voyage for the operator at the end of December 2026. She'll carry 14 guests across 8 en-suite cabins — four double cabins on the lower deck, two further double cabins on the upper deck, and two bunk-bed cabins run as single cabins, at no supplement.

Common areas include an indoor restaurant and lounge, a dedicated air-conditioned camera room, a sun deck with sunbeds and bean bags, and a dedicated dive deck with individual stations for every guest.

Diving and comfort on both boats

Both boats run on two Bauer PE200 compressors and a Renner nitrox membrane system, with 12-litre aluminium tanks as standard (15-litre available on request) and nitrox free of charge for certified divers. Two 7-metre aluminium tenders with Yamaha 100HP engines handle dive site transfers on each boat. Safety equipment includes four life rafts for 60 people, an ENOS diver beacon system, and Starlink internet with satellite phone backup.

Full board is included on both, with complimentary water, coffee, tea, and juice throughout, and a barbecue night on every cruise. Soft drinks, beer, wine, and spirits are available for purchase, with no corkage fee on guests' own duty-free alcohol.

Where they sail

Between them, Malaillo and Malayeka cover Raja Ampat, Komodo, the Banda Sea, Alor, Triton Bay, and North Halmahera.

What's available to book

Malaillo's upcoming departures are live on Coralbound with real-time availability and pricing direct from the operator. Malayeka's listing is also live ahead of her maiden voyage for Lotus Journey at the end of December 2026.

Questions? Reach us on live chat on the site, via WhatsApp, or through the contact form. Bookings through Coralbound come at the same price as booking direct, with booking gifts including the option of a complimentary hotel night.