DUNE Aurora Liveaboard, Indonesia

Name: Raja Ampat Central/South (Sorong - Sorong)
Start: 2027-01-08
End: 2027-01-17
Location: Indonesia

9.3 Superb

Nitrox available
En-Suite bathrooms
Family Cabins
Aircon Cabins
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
Warm Water Showers

from $ 399 / day Check dates

“From start to finish Guillaume and the entire hard working crew made sure we had everything we needed. The food options were alway…”
Rebecca C, United States

Highlights

Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free menus
Free nitrox for certified divers

The DUNE Aurora is a 42-meter traditional phinisi liveaboard built in Sulawesi. Accommodating up to 18 guests, the vessel features 9 double or twin cabins, each equipped with air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and daily housekeeping. Guests can choose between Standard cabins on the lower deck or Superior cabins with sea views on the main deck. A professional crew of 19 staff members ensures attentive service throughout the voyage.

Beyond the cabins, the DUNE Aurora offers inviting social spaces where guests can unwind between dives. The air-conditioned indoor salon provides a comfortable place to relax, while the sun deck offers panoramic ocean views. Guests can savor freshly prepared local and international cuisine created by onboard chefs, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available. The vessel also offers free Nitrox for certified divers, spacious areas to socialize, and plenty of room to relax while taking in the breathtaking scenery of Indonesia.

The DUNE Aurora cruises year-round through some of Indonesia’s most spectacular dive regions, including Raja Ampat, Halmahera, Lembeh, the Banda Sea, Triton Bay, and Cenderawasih Bay. Itineraries range from 6 to 12 nights, featuring routes such as Raja Ampat Central and South, Raja Ampat–Halmahera expeditions, Banda Sea crossings, and specialized trips like Raja Ampat wellness cruises. Guests can expect extraordinary marine biodiversity, encounters with manta rays and whale sharks, vibrant coral reefs, and unforgettable exploration of remote islands across the Indonesian archipelago.

Book your dive safari aboard the Aurora today.

This liveaboard is part of the DUNE Liveaboard Fleet.

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Date

Itinerary

Price

Select

03 Aug

10 Days / 9 Nights

Valid for a limited time only.

~~$ 4,995~~ $ 3,996 Save 20% -20%

Select Cabin only 4 spaces left

14 Aug

10 Days / 9 Nights

$ 4,995

FULL

26 Aug

10 Days / 9 Nights

$ 4,610

FULL

06 Sep

7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 3,050

FULL

14 Sep

13 Days / 12 Nights

$ 5,800

FULL

30 Sep

10 Days / 9 Nights

Individual Booking: 20% OFF! Valid for all new bookings. Group Booking Special: Pay 6, get 1 FREE! Valid for a limited time only.

~~$ 5,080~~ $ 4,064 Save 20% -20%

Select Cabin available

23 Oct

12 Days / 11 Nights

$ 5,350

Select Cabin only 4 spaces left

05 Nov

12 Days / 11 Nights

$ 5,350

FULL

30 Nov

12 Days / 11 Nights

$ 6,195

FULL

12 Dec

9 Days / 8 Nights

Group Booking Special: Pay 6, get 1 FREE! Valid for a limited time only.

$ 4,550 Deal %

Select Cabin available

21 Dec

7 Days / 6 Nights

Group Booking Special: Pay 6, get 1 FREE! Valid for a limited time only.

$ 3,430 Deal %

Select Cabin available

08 Jan

10 Days / 9 Nights

$ 5,295

FULL

Included: VAT, Port Fees, Airport Transfer, Hotel Transfer, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Welcome Cocktails, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Nitrox, Kayaks, Land Excursions, Snorkeling Guide, Stand Up Paddleboard, Beach Towels, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, Deck Towels.

Required Extras: Mandatory Service Charge ($15 / day).

Optional Extras: Dive Insurance, Local Flights, Alcoholic Beverages ($3-65 / item), Nitrox Course ($190), Private Dive Guide ($65 / day), Rental Gear, Scuba Diving Courses ($300-400), Snorkel Gear ($10 / day), Laundry / Pressing Services.

Book now, pay later: You can easily place your booking online. We will then hold the spaces for you and you can confirm with a payment later.

* Extra fees are shown per person.

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Best Price Guaranteed

Boat features

En-Suite bathrooms
Family Cabins
Aircon Cabins
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
Warm Water Showers
Air Conditioned saloon
Sun Deck
Camera Station
Stand Up Paddleboard
Nearly 1:1 Crew-to-Guest Ratio
Kayaks On-Board
Seaview Cabins
Non-Smoking Rooms
Custom built for diving
Charging stations
Indoor Saloon
Laundry Service
Library
Audio & video entertainment
Observation Deck
Available for Charter
Local & International Crew
Separate Rinse for u/w Camera
Outside Showers
Leisure Deck
Daily housekeeping
Bar

Food & Drinks

Free Wine w/Dinner
Fine Cuisine
Al Fresco Dining
Vegan Options
Vegetarian Options
Free Soft Drinks
Beer available
Wine Available
Full-board Option
Fine Wines Selection
Welcome Cocktails
Snacks All Day
Buffet style
Western Food
Local Food
Set Menu Dinner

If you have any specific dietary requirements whilst on-board your cruise, you can add this to your special requests on step 2 of the booking form. We advise limiting these requests to religious beliefs or food allergies.

Diving

Nitrox available
DIN Adaptors
Rebreather Support
Rinse Hoses
Dive deck
Tenders for diving
Sidemount Diving

Languages Spoken

The crew speaks English, French, Chinese, Spanish, and Indonesian.

Gear Rental

Equipment is available for rent on this boat. Please provide your rental needs on the booking form. If the rental gear is not included in the price, you will need to pay for it on board the boat. Show prices

Drawings & Vessel Layouts

Cabin Types

Boat Specifications

Year built: 2007

Year renovated: 2010

Length: 42 m

Beam: 9 m

Top speed: 8 knots

Cruising speed: 6-7 knots

Engines: Nissan 420 HP marinized

Max guests: 18

Number of cabins: 9

Number of bathrooms: 9

Tenders: 2x 6 meters fiberboats 2x40 hp Yamaha engine/1 Rib 4.65 mtr 40 hp yamaha

Water capacity: 12000 liters

Fuel capacity: 12000 liters

Freshwater maker: 6000 liters/day

Boat navigation and safety

Radar
Depth Sounder
GPS
Radio VHF/DSC/SSB
E.P.I.R.B. Distress System
Emergency Rafts
Life Vests
Fire Alarm & Fire Extinguishers
Oxygen
First Aid Kits
Satellite & mobile phones
Crew trained in first aid
Emergency flares

DUNE Aurora Reviews

9.3 Superb

Vessel

9.2
Crew

9.4
Food

9.8
Diving

9.4
Value

8.9

9.6 Exceptional
Rebecca C
United States

Happy we chose the Aurora
From start to finish Guillaume and the entire hard working crew made sure we had everything we needed. The food options were always great, the dive crew was top notch, rental gear was in good condition, diving was awesome, the ship is as advertised - really, no complaints. Just as an FYI, We traveled mid/end of March and had nice weather.
Recommended for
All the Staff (especially Wayan ;)). Food by Chef Aji and Niko. Dive sites.
04 Apr, 2026

9.6 Exceptional
Rowen T
Australia

World class!
We had an amazing trip, such a well run boat, the crew and dive guides went out of their way to look after us and world class diving.
Recommended for
Dive guides. Crew service. Boat cleanliness.
24 Mar, 2025

10 Exceptional
Adrian T
Australia

Fantastic boat and crew and highly recommended.
One of the best two Liveaboards that I've ever been on. Crew really went the extra distance to ensure that everyone was comfortable and happy.
Recommended for
Crew care.. Great food.. Great cabin..
22 Oct, 2024

8.8 Fabulous
Alexander H
Germany

Great trip through the northern Banda Sea
Everything was just right on the tour. Great reefs with very different fauna and flora, the wishes of the guests were also very well catered for, an outrageously good cuisine, a very well coordinated and helpful crew. The interaction of the guests was also excellent despite their different countries of origin.
Recommended for
Very well-rehearsed, very helpful and very nice crew. Great tour with great dive sites. Island tour on Banda Islands.
16 Nov, 2025

Translated from German

8.8 Fabulous
wolfgang L
Germany

Nixe Trip
Very good, thanks to Aurora Team, thanks to liveaboard.com to Debbie and Nicole
Recommended for
Food, friendly People, Professional handling
13 Dec, 2015

10 Exceptional
Lynn S
United States

An unforgettable journey of courage, trust, discovery, and gratitude beneath the extraordinary seas of Indonesia and Papua.
From the moment I stepped aboard this liveaboard, I was met with an enthusiastic and genuine spirit of welcome. In this supportive environment, I was able to complete my Advanced Open Water Diver certification with confidence and trust. Through experience, encouragement, and repeated practice, my new skills became deeply embedded in my soul. I learned to trust myself, to be brave, and to embrace each challenge beneath the surface. There is truly no other way to experience the extraordinary colors, abundant fish, wobbegong sharks, walking sharks, and immense beauty of the seas of Indonesia and Papua. My heartfelt gratitude and highest praise go to the dive guides—especially Dhona and Tian—and to the entire crew. Their expertise, patience, kindness, and enthusiasm made this an unforgettable and deeply meaningful journey.
Recommended for
The guides’ enthusiasm and knowledge of the dives.. Hospitality and service. Comradery and spirit of fellow clients.
30 Jun, 2026

10 Exceptional
Xavier I
France

A Walk on the Aurora
Beautiful wooden boat, top crew, magnificent dives with breaks from land tours
Recommended for
The diversity of the dives. The organization and availability of the team. The boat itself.
25 Sep, 2025

Translated from French

10 Exceptional
Svetlana L
Bermuda

Had the best time!!
Absolutely loved this trip on Aurora. Every minute I felt well taken care of and even spoilt :-) Such a professional, dedicated, fun, committed crew. Delicious food - I might have gained some weight.. Boat has starlink, so I unexpectedly stayed connected to the rest of the world throughout the whole trip. The dives sites are stunning, but we also had some land excursions that blew our minds away! This trip exceeded my expectations by a lot, thanks to the amazing boat and crew of Aurora. Thank you so much!
Recommended for
Crew. Comfort of living and diving amenities. Dive sites.
06 Oct, 2024

9.6 Exceptional
Pat V
Netherlands

Fantastic week on board.
Very well organized. Everything very punctual. Nice and relaxed crew
Recommended for
Lovely boat and cabins.. Very friendly crew. Nice other guests.
16 Sep, 2024

Translated from Dutch

9.6 Exceptional
Joseph S
United States

Super diving in Raja Ampat
Really exceeded expectations. Aurora is a fantastic liveaboard
Recommended for
Sealife, great food, luxury treatment
03 Mar, 2016

68 reviews

9.3 Superb
68 Verified Reviews

Sort reviews by:

8.8 Fabulous
Azam G
Netherlands

It was beatiful ❤️
For me was discovering new dive areas in Indonesia which I was surprised with the beauty. Also i enjoyed diving with different dive masters. They were all very goed in their profession . I wil be back 👌🏽
Recommended for
Professional divemasters. Beautiful marine life. Fantastic trip.
08 Jul, 2024

9.6 Exceptional
Julianne C
Australia

AMAZING STAFF
I had an absolutely fantastic time . I’m older and a little unstable on my feet at time ( I’m fine in the water) The staff were always there to lend a hand . They are also an incredible team - everything just flows . GUILLUAME was amazing , nothing was too much trouble . He was always there to look after us all in the most caring and professional manner . THANKYOU Guillaume and all the fabulous staff . Julianne xxxx
Recommended for
The staff. The snorkling. The food.
07 Sep, 2025

9.6 Exceptional
Caroline L
Singapore

Best Komodo diving experience
1) The itinerary was dependent on weather, winds and tides which allowed guests to fully experience the safest and best diving. As we all know, dive safaris are trips into the wild and mother nature ultimately determines what you can do or see. This was carefully evaluated by the crew members and cruise manager, and we covered 21 dives in both the north and the south of Komodo National park. During the first and last day, land trips around the parks were carefully planned to suit the no dive flight time which allowed guests to never feel bored. 2) Hospitality and Food - It is amazing what can be whipped up on board with carefully planned meals by the chef and his team. We were very well fed with freshly made whole foods throughout the trip and not one dish was repeated over the last 8 days. Full service was also provided regarding dive gear assembly, DRYING, and movement of suitcases from the airport to the cabin. Cabins and boat were kept in immaculate condition with the crew working round the clock to clean and dry every crevice. 3) The extra little touches - I spent my 30th birthday on the boat and was not expecting anything. The crew did a whole Indonesian feast and a whole birthday cake made from scratch! There were drums, guitar and metal spoons involved in this little performance. Best birthday ever! 10/10 recommend Dune Aurora to anyone who is looking for a full and complete diving experience without missing the destinations that require gravity and feet as well. Pink beach too touristy? They dropped us off at a secret beach that was also pink and we got the best drone shots. Padar island trek for your IG posts and stalking mating komodos? Or a thousand bats covering the night sky during a sunset? Dreamy... I traveled solo and Komodo is one of the most romantic and magical holidays one can ever ask for. This is my second time back and this live aboard experience proceeds my expectations. Counting down to the next time I sail with Dune Aurora again, hopefully to the many other Indonesian dive havens the earth can offer
Recommended for
Food, crew, cleanliness
07 Aug, 2022

9.6 Exceptional
James C
Canada

Stupendous
It was an amazing experience overall.
Recommended for
The crew were the best!. The guests were great and diverse. The itinerary was superb.
01 Oct, 2024

8.8 Fabulous
Michael J
United Kingdom

Great boat, fantastic helpful crew . A really good week
A 10 minute dive with a huge oceanic manta, on another dive 4 black mantas playing with our dive group for ages. Shoals and shoals of huge variety of fish and beautiful coral everywhere. lots of macro stuff too. All with the wrap around of a good boat, a great crew and beautiful scenery. Worth the LONG trip to get there (but don't bother to stay in Sorong unless to sleep)
Recommended for
Hospitality of the crew, the diving and the boat
05 Apr, 2017

10 Exceptional
Pui Ying K
Hong Kong

The Dune Aurora offered an exceptional liveaboard trip with excellent dive guides, attentive service, and thoughtful touches throughout.
I had an outstanding liveaboard experience aboard the Dune Aurora, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a well-organized, guest-focused diving trip. The dive guides were one of the biggest highlights. They were excellent spotters and consistently found many rare and special creatures that we would have easily missed on our own. What made them even better was their willingness to share useful tips on how to find these critters and great photography advice to help capture better shots. Their enthusiasm and knowledge really elevated every dive. On the service side, the crew went above and beyond. They were very attentive to individual requests — the chef would happily adjust meals according to our preferences every time, and there was always a good selection of drinks and snacks available throughout the day. A memorable touch was the beach BBQ dinner, which was a lovely change of scenery. The boat also offered a viewpoint trail and other small activities that made the trip feel more complete. One thing that genuinely impressed me was receiving a detailed diving summary from the manager after the trip ended. As someone who loves keeping records of my travels and dives, this personal touch was incredibly thoughtful and valuable — the first time I’ve ever received something like that from a liveaboard. Overall, the combination of skilled and passionate dive guides, thoughtful service, delicious and flexible food options, and that extra personal touch made this one of my most enjoyable liveaboard trips to date. I left feeling well-rested, satisfied, and already thinking about my next trip on the Dune Aurora.
Recommended for
Dive Guide. Breakfast. Diving Summary.
15 Apr, 2026

8.4 Very good
Boon Quang S
Singapore

Wonderful time on Aurora Live-on-board at Raja Ampat December 2026.
The trip was very interesting. The manager gives very good bio-diversity talks on the reef.
Recommended for
The manager is very friendly.. The crew are very helpful.. The transfer from/to the airport is very efficient.
29 Dec, 2025

10 Exceptional
Florian J
Austria

Summer trip in Central Raja Ampat
We had a great time in the comfortable cabin. Crew was always attentive and happy to adjust to guest preferences. Food was very good, dive guides excellent. The briefings could have matched the dives a bit better or been more informative about fauna. Conditions were as to be expected during low season
Recommended for
Crew & Dive Guides. Cabin. Minor Problems dealt with quickly.
28 Jul, 2025

8.0 Very good
Edward T
Philippines

Very good, worth the time.
I was expecting more in the earlier part of the trip, like Lembeh and Halmahera, but it did not meet my expectations. Because of the weather and areas are not what I had in mind based on YouTube videos. Maybe because of lesser time on the areas itself. But the latter part was very good in Rajah Ampat. Good dive sites and experience.
Recommended for
On schedule. Friendly staff. Nice dive sites.
01 Jul, 2026

10 Exceptional
Morag C
United Kingdom

Loved Aurora and Raja Ampat
We loved our holiday on Aurora even though my husband was unable to dive due to medical problems and I am a snorkeller. The crew and service are amazing and can't do enough to ensure everyone has a great time. We were allocated one of the guides to snorkel with us each day and (apart from the walking shark!) we saw everything the divers saw - and we sometimes saw a lot more! The corals in Raja Ampat are undoubtedly the best I've ever seen anywhere in the world! With Guillaume as the trip leader the organisation on the Aurora was superb. Everyone is allocated a number and has equipment boxes, water bottles and towels all labelled with that number. Before each trip our fins and the divers equipment would be placed in the relevant speedboat ready for us. When we came out of the water we would be handed a water bottle refilled with water. On our return to the boat one of the crew, Jane, would be waiting with a glass of juice and a cheery welcome and our equipment would be rinsed and put ready for the next dive. Our towels would also be dry and waiting for us. We have never before had such excellent service on a boat. The food was plentiful and good and included local specialties such as Soto Adam, Nasi Goreng and Mee Goreng. Breakfast and dinner were individually served to order whilst lunch was a buffet. There was always meat, fish and vegetarian dishes. Soft drinks were included in the price whilst beers were reasonably priced. There were also other alcoholic drinks available but I don't know how they were priced as we stuck to beer and water. We were fortunate that we only had 12 of us on this trip so it was a fairly intimate group - very multicultural and we all got on well so there was a great atmosphere on the boat. All in all, we had an awesome holiday and would definitely return - if only Raja Ampat wasn't so difficult to get to!!
Recommended for
Crew. Organisation. Location.
14 Sep, 2024

10 Exceptional
Mark R
United Kingdom

Wonder dive experience! The best.
Had a wonderful trip with the Aurora crew. The diving was excellent, the highlight being hammerhead sharks but every dive was good and most amazing. The staff went over and above to make the trip super special. New equipment, 4 divers per DM, though we had a DM for the two of us. The diving was from a tender so super easy getting into and out of the water. Food was varied and excellent, and cold soft drinks always available. Room were reasonable size and cleaned every morning while we were diving. There’s plenty of space to chill out between dives. Definitely highly recommended, will go diving on the Aurora again if I can! 😊😊😊
Recommended for
Diving. Staff. Food.
06 Oct, 2024

9.2 Superb
MARIA DE LOS ANGELES S
Spain

Misool Diving and Band Sea
A unique experience, everything was wonderful. Not only the diving, which was spectacular, but the entire crew, the guides and the cruise director Guillaume, who did everything possible to make the cruise unrepeatable. The kitchen was spectacular, and the cleanliness was impeccable. I will definitely repeat. Thanks to my guide Tiam who was attentive to my safety and made sure I saw even the smallest of marine animals.
Recommended for
Dive guides. Staff. Boat comfort.
06 Oct, 2024

Translated from Spanish

9.6 Exceptional
Ryan V
United States

Great trip, Amazing Crew
Diving the Banda straight to Triton Bay with Aurora was a fantastic trip and I would recommend it to anyone. We had a wonderful variety of Dives and were blessed with lots of sightings of hammerheads, whalesharks, and big schools of pelagics. I had an accident and injured my ankle a couple days before departing on the trip and the crew was very helpful to accommodate me with ice and extra help whenever needed. The entire staff is excellent, the made to order breakfasts were fantastic, and all of the guys were extremely knowledgeable about the sites and helpful in the water. Beds and staterooms were spacious and quite comfortable as well. As a bonus they always had cold beer and plenty of ice for making drinks which is a luxury on an Indonesian liveaboard.
Recommended for
Great guides. Fantastic Diving. Very good food and lots of ice for drinks.
15 Nov, 2024

10 Exceptional
Rishubh S
India

The best Liveaboard Team in Indoneasia
I had a great experience at Dune Aroroa liveaboard. The crew director Guillaume is extremely funny and helpful. All the divers are great and will make you very comfortable. The trip is extremely well planned by Guillaume. You will get fresh juices after every dive, hot fresh towels , and drinking water the next second you finish your dive. Also they really pamper you with your dive gear , you do not need to anything. Just open your arms to wear the bcd, rest everything is done my the team. Apart from dives you will be taken to a village tour, trek, sand banks and a lot of fancy dinners. Chef is really good and all your dietary requirements will be taken care off. One of the best trips of my life made a lot of friends and taken a boat load of memories
Recommended for
- The best Hospitality and crew , a really fun crew director, and the best food and people on board
30 Dec, 2023

10 Exceptional
Michael E
United States

A memorable voyage with amazing crew.
Can’t say enough about the amazing cruise director and crew. They really worked hard for the best possible experience. Small groups, well chosen dive sights, experienced dive masters and 60 minute dives. The boat is comfortable and charming. Included nitrox and available larger tanks for the 60 minute dives. Gear issues were readily supported with solutions. Gear was washed and dried, ready for departure. The island excursions were delightful and enriched the experience.
Recommended for
Careful selection of dive sites and conditions to make sure everyone got what they wanted. Cruise director and crew work very hard for you. Land based excursions add to the experience.
06 Oct, 2024

10 Exceptional
Alexander Maximilian S
Germany

Unbelievable experience
We had a wonderful time with Aurora. So many thoughtful details from the crew and organizers made the experience so special, and the underwater life was out of this world. Thank you!
Recommended for
Professionalism of crew. Location and solitude. Marine life.
14 Sep, 2024

9.2 Superb
Timothy G
United Kingdom

Unique diving and travel experience in a remote paradise - exceeded expectations
An amazing experience. We were looking for a world class dive experience, we got that and much more - an opportunity to see a spectacular scenery above water and top class service from a very friendly and attentive crew. It was absolute escapism from our hectic city life.
Recommended for
crew friendliness and attitude, remote idilic locations, rich and diverse dive sites
02 Jan, 2016

10 Exceptional
barbara H
Germany

Beautiful boat, exceptional crew! Loved every minute on the Aurora!
Mantas, Mantas and more Mantas!
Recommended for
Crew, Diving, dive guides
30 Sep, 2019

9.6 Exceptional
Jean Louis V
France

Amazing team provided a unique experience
Superb reefs very rich in fauna and flora. Encounter with sharks, dolphins and mantas.
Recommended for
Quality of the dives, food and professionalism of the guides
08 Feb, 2024

10 Exceptional
Ling C
United States

The best liveaboard experience ever!
This was the best liveaboard experience ever! Guillaume was an excellent cruise director and chose the best diving sites for us. He was considerate of the schedule and added more night dives to let us get more bottom time. The crew and staff were the friendliest and most awesome people. They welcomed us back to the boat after every dive with a cold drink, a warm towel and a loud “Whoo!!” We always felt so welcome and taken care of. Our gear was assembled and disassembled for us and carried on and off the dive dingy for us. We really just had to suit up and roll into the ocean. The food was a nice mix of Indonesian cuisine and the chef graciously catered to different dietary preferences including vegan. The boat is also really interesting to stay in. The cabins with en suite baths were made of wood and would creak with the sway of the boat so ear plugs are a must. But otherwise we were quite comfortable. I would go back to Aurora the next time I return to Raja Ampat for diving.
Recommended for
Service, diving sites, people
31 Dec, 2023