Pindito's 30+ Year Voyage

The story behind Indonesia's famous liveaboard

MV Pindito is in a class of its own

When Pindito set sail for the first time almost 30 years ago, it changed liveaboard diving in the region forever. Today, with more experience than any other vessel, Pindito continues to set the standard.

With a history of many thousands of dives and innumerable excursions, Edi and his crew’s experience guarantee a trip that separates Pindito from the rest.

Our Diving Operation

Leave the heavy lifting to us! On the first day of diving you can show us your preferred set-up and then let us take it from there. Once we know how you like it, we will set-up all your equipment for each dive and load everything for you on to the boat. All you have to do is double check everything (especially your air!) and give us the ok and away we go.

Nitrox certified? Excellent! Enjoy free (32%) Nitrox on Pindito. Not certified? We can help with that too. Please enquire before or during the trip!

RENTAL EQUIPMENT PRICING:
Mask, Fins, Snorkel package – 30 USD per cruise
BCD – 100 USD per cruise
Regulator set – 100 USD per cruise
Dive computer – 60 USD per cruise
Torch rental – 60 USD per cruise/ 5 USD per dive
15 Litre tank – 50 USD per cruise

Not your average crew

Pindito has a team of over 20 dedicated staff, ready to look after all your needs to assure an unforgettable, comfortable and safe voyage. Our crew originates from regions all over Indonesia and brings expertise in various areas from mechanics and carpentry to naval academies and expert underwater creature seekers.

From our officers and kitchen crew, to the stewards, deckhands, speedboat drivers, engine room staff and divemasters, we all come together in our commitment to making your holiday a trip of a lifetime. And we look forward to introducing you to our Pindito house band for a great evening of song and dance.

Safety

On Pindito, we work in 24 hour shifts to ensure the crew is available and on watch at all times.

We always carry a first-aid kit, diver’s oxygen, satellite telephone, VHF Radio, two life rafts (which can accommodate 2x the amount of passengers onboard), state of the art navigation systems and radar, E.P.I.R.B. automatic signaling devices, as well as Nautilus Lifelines, which are available onboard.

We have 3 zodiacs in operation (4th one on standby). This ensures there is always a boat on the water during water activities.

The man behind the vision

Edi Frommenwiler was a mechanic, long-distance lorry driver, then adventure tour guide for 10 years, before embarking on the journey of his life. He built a 38m long sailing ship, to the Indonesian standards BKI: German Lloyds approved regulations, in one of the world’s most remote regions. Before crowd-sourcing became all the rage, Edi garnered support from friends and family, to fund the ship’s construction – Pindito set out for the first time in March 1992. Edi was fascinated by West Papua’s wilderness, and for 10 years, Pindito was the only tour boat in a scarcely populated region that paved the way for the many boats that have now followed.

Edi has been cruising the Indonesian waters for almost 30 years and discovered many of the now famous dive sites in Raja Ampat. Every year he still discovers new sites for customers to explore. Over the years, Edi supported numerous research expeditions and has made a long time commitment to marine conservation throughout Indonesia. Edi speaks English, German, and Bahasa Indonesia.

The MV PINDITO FROM ALL ANGLES

Immerse yourself in adventure

Explore the Pindito

Main Deck

Benches

Restaurant

Stairway to cabins

Stairway to upper deck

Dive base

Camera room

Dive crew dive gear

Deck

Bridge

Sundeck

Stairway to sundeck

Owner cabin

Captains Quarters

Dive Crew Quarters

Aru

Tidore

Ternate

Halmahera

Banda Neira

Obi

Morotai

Ambon

Technical Details

Length 142 ft
Beam 29 ft
Construction Wooden ship with BKI classification, Type Pinisi (Traditional Indonesian Motor Sailer)
Engines Yanmar 6HA2M-WHT, 350 PS
Speed 8 – 9 knots
Range 1300 nautical miles
Generators 3 x 28 KW
Available Voltage 220v, 50 Hz (110V available in Camera Room)
Power US and EUR standards, 2-pole
Electronics 2x Radar, 2x Ecosounder, 2x GPS, VHF radio, Satellite communication Irridium (Seawave), E-mail access
Fuel Tank 3000 gallons
Water Tank 2000 gallons and Desalinator
Reverse-osmosis Watermaker Yes
Safety 4x life rafts, Venol oxygen unit, O2, First-aid kit
Tenders 3 Zodiacs (60Ps)
Compressors 2 Mariner Bauer, Nitrox membrane compressor (32%) Free for every dive
Scuba Tanks 40 x 80cf DIN tanks with INT adaptors available
Rebreather Support
Miscellaneous TV, DVD/CD player, library, water skis, wake board, paddle boards
Cabins For maximum 16 guests
6 cabins with double beds, 2 cabins with twin beds.
Extra bunk available upon request for double cabins.
All guest cabins have a shower (cold/hot), washbasin, toilet, individually controlled air conditioning, and electricity 24 hours a day – 220v, 50Hz (110v available in Camera Room)
Crew 17 Indonesian crew members and 3 Indonesian Dive Guides (multilingual)

Find out what others have to say about Pindito

Our next cruises

27

Jan

11 NIGHTS

Raja Ampat

FULL

6400 US$

per Person

View Details

Departure: SOQ

Jan 27, 2025

00:00

Arrival: SOQ

Feb 07, 2025

00:00

BIODIVERSITY HITS THE HIGH POINT Let us show you around Pindito’s gigantic playground, made up of hundreds (if not thousands!) of dive sites. Edi is one of the real pioneers of Raja Ampat, having not only discovered numerous sites but also must hold some kind of record for the highest amount of dives around here. And still counting! Raja Ampat, which means “4 Kings” lies in the Coral Triangle. The four main islands are Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo. This expanse of 40,000 square kilometers of marine territory and pristine reefs make these waters a diving haven second to none. Reputed to be the most biodiverse marine habitat on Earth, Raja Ampat is home to many species not found anywhere else. Spectacular, is a word often used to describe this region and is irresistible to divers.

Current cabin occupancy

available

reserved

occupied

ATAS TERNATE BANDA NEIRA MOROTAI AMBON TIDORE HALMA HERA OBI ARU

Sorry! This Tour is booked out.

10

Feb

11 NIGHTS

Raja Ampat: A Fantastic Journey (Wildiaries)

FULL

6400 US$

per Person

View Details

Departure: SOQ

Feb 10, 2025

00:00

Arrival: SOQ

Feb 21, 2025

00:00

Ten full days in the company of whale and dolphin-watching experts. We do snorkelling and photography in placid blue-water mangroves and coral reef. The crew will arrange village visits for you to meet their friends on remote islands. This trip is very much catered for a mixture of activities, as we have plenty of guides and tenders to arrange whatever you want to do. If you're a diver, we can dive up to three times a day. Non-diving partners enjoy this trip just as much and often see much of the same wildlife.

What you will see is rarely encountered whales and dolphins of species you may never have heard of (and some you have). You'll snorkel on some of the most precious and beautiful coral reef in the world, while cruising in luxury on a converted wooden sailing ship around a World Heritage listed region and one of the world's most extraordinary landscapes.

The presence of naturalists on board with presentations of what we were seeing and thus helping us learn more about the water world we were experiencing made this trip unique. While the kind of wildlife trip is not uncommon for land based learning, the sea based that we had with Wildiaries beats anything else of which I have knowledge. It was truly a unique experience and one worth repeating." -Susan, US


This program is led by Wildiaries’ founder, photography and whale and dolphin expert Simon Mustoe and Sea Turtle Foundation’s Tim Harvey. It offers a rare opportunity to encounter rarely seen whales and dolphins including possibly Orcas, Pilot Whales, Sperm Whales, Bryde's whales, Spinner and Pan-tropical Spotted Dolphins. We also look for Red Birds of Paradise, have the chance to swim with Oceanic Manta Rays and observe a wealth of other ocean wildlife.

Current cabin occupancy

available

reserved

occupied

ATAS TERNATE BANDA NEIRA MOROTAI AMBON TIDORE HALMA HERA OBI ARU

Sorry! This Tour is booked out.

24

Feb

11 NIGHTS

Kaimana

FULL

6400 US$

per Person

View Details

Departure: SOQ

Feb 24, 2025

00:00

Arrival: KAI

Mar 07, 2025

00:00

NOT YOUR AVERAGE DIVING VACATION The search for your one-of-a-kind diving adventure is over. Immerse yourself in the unspoiled waters of Kaimina that is home to mystical species that have yet to be discovered. A slice of coral paradise in the remote and mostly untouched archipelago waits to be claimed. This isn’t your same old, never bold diving vacation. This is a mind busting getaway of a whole new level. Experience one of the best marine wonderlands Indonesia has to offer and add an unforgettable experience to your bucket list of life-changing trips.

Current cabin occupancy

available

reserved

occupied

ATAS TERNATE BANDA NEIRA MOROTAI AMBON TIDORE HALMA HERA OBI ARU

Sorry! This Tour is booked out.