A former British naval vessel turned 60-metre expedition superyacht, with a chef trained in Michelin-starred kitchens and diving as one part of a much bigger trip. Aqua Expeditions is now on Coralbound.
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Aqua Expeditions
Aqua Expeditions is a global small-ship expedition operator running vessels across Indonesia, Peru's Amazon, the Galapagos, the Seychelles, the Arctic, and the Mekong. Aqua Blu is the Indonesian flagship and the first Aqua Expeditions vessel to join Coralbound, with more of the fleet expected to follow as we expand beyond Indonesia. The brand has been recognised repeatedly among the world's leading expedition and river cruise operators, including Top 3 Best River Cruise Line honours from Travel + Leisure for multiple consecutive years.
Aqua Blu sits in a category of her own in the Indonesian liveaboard market. Her keel was laid in 1968 as a British naval survey vessel — sharing her name with Charles Darwin's historic ship HMS Beagle — before a private conversion and a comprehensive 2019 refurbishment under Aqua Expeditions turned her into the expedition yacht she is today. Dutch designer Cor D. Rover led the interiors, and she now carries the highest international safety classifications (RINA, SOLAS, ISM) alongside Quantum Zero Speed stabilisers for comfort in any sea condition.
She's the only long-range expedition yacht permanently based in East Indonesia — four 660HP Lister Blackstone engines give her the range to cover the full breadth of the eastern archipelago at a genuine cruising speed of 10–12 knots, reaching places most liveaboards simply can't get to on a standard itinerary.
In late 2026, Aqua Blu is time-chartered twice by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions for dedicated dive-themed voyages — a notable vote of confidence from one of the most recognised names in expedition travel.
Cabins across five decks
Fifteen individually designed suites span three categories, all ocean-facing with either portholes or windows. Category I suites average 25–34 sqm and include the largest cabins on board — several with split-level layouts, walk-in wardrobes, and oversized bathrooms, some with a soaking tub alongside the shower. Category II suites average 24 sqm with large windows and generous living space, including a sofa and side chair. Category III suites at around 14 sqm are the most compact, well suited to solo travellers or teenagers sharing with family, each with two portholes and a well-appointed bathroom.
Every suite includes a Nespresso machine, an electronic safe, a rain shower, and organic bath amenities. A handful of cabins can be joined into two-room suites — 301 and 302 on the Forecastle Deck, and 401 and 402 on the Bridge Deck, the latter with direct access to the bridge itself.
Dining and social spaces
Cuisine on board is overseen by Benjamin Cross, an Australian chef based in Bali since 2000 whose two-decade career includes stints at Santi Santamaria's three-Michelin-starred Can Fabes in Catalonia and Tom Colicchio's Craft in New York. Cross has built more than 160 recipes specifically for Aqua Blu's Indonesian itineraries, drawing on the region's spice trade history alongside freshly sourced local produce.
Social spaces run across five decks: an indoor salon and dining room, indoor and outdoor bars, a sky lounge, an observation deck, an outdoor jacuzzi, a spa and massage room, an outdoor workout zone, and a library with TV. The sun deck — with barbecue and wraparound lounge seating — is set up as much for sunrise yoga and sunset cocktails as it is for taking in the view.
Diving and leisure, genuinely balanced
Aqua Blu carries three naturalist guides, including a dedicated dive guide, and every itinerary bundles diving, snorkelling, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding into the price alongside guided hikes ashore. It's built for guests who want serious wildlife and reef encounters without the trip being organised purely around a dive schedule — closer to an expedition cruise with diving as one of several ways to explore, rather than a liveaboard where everything else is secondary.
All meals, non-alcoholic beverages, house wines and beer, laundry, high-speed WiFi, and group transfers are included in the rate.
Where Aqua Blu sails
Itineraries rotate seasonally across Komodo and Bali, the Ambon and Spice Islands, Raja Ampat, and West Papua including Asmat, running 7 to 14 nights. Embarkation points include Ambon, Bali (Benoa), Labuan Bajo, Sorong, and Kaimana, depending on the route.
What's available to book
Aqua Blu's upcoming departures are now live on Coralbound with real-time availability and pricing direct from the operator.
Questions? Reach us on WhatsApp or via 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.
