Pindito's 30+ Year Voyage
The story behind Indonesia's famous liveaboard
Over the decades, Pindito has grown into far more than a liveaboard; it stands as a benchmark for what true, owner-operated exploration should be. From the very beginning, founder Edi Frommenwiler set the standard with his pioneering spirit, hands-on leadership, and passion for uncovering Indonesia’s most remote dive sites. While Edi is not always onboard today, his vision and values remain at the heart of every journey.
The vessel itself reflects his decades of experience, from the spacious dive deck and dedicated camera room to the rare advantage of four tenders that allow small groups to explore with unmatched freedom. Just as importantly, Edi’s long-standing crew — many of whom have worked on Pindito for years — carry forward the same attention to detail, professionalism, and warm hospitality that have become the vessel’s signature. This continuity of leadership and loyalty means that every guest benefits from a legacy built on safety, comfort, and discovery, making each voyage with Pindito not simply a dive trip, but part of a story three decades in the making.
Our Cabins
When it’s time to rest or simply retreat, our cabins are designed for both comfort and practicality. All eight cabins were fully upgraded in 2017 and received another refresh in 2025 to keep them modern and welcoming. Each cabin features a full ensuite bathroom with hot and cold water, a separate shower, toilet, and vanity. A brand-new toilet and shower have also been added on the outside deck for extra convenience.
Every room comes with its own air-conditioning unit, ample storage, and electric outlets for charging your devices. The double cabins include an upper bunk that was redesigned in 2025 to be a fixed option, making them more versatile for different guest needs.
Pindito offers six double cabins and two twins. Your cabin will be attended to daily, and if there’s anything more you need, our crew will be happy to assist.
Double Bed Cabins (6 Cabins)
All of our double cabins feature individually controlled air conditioning, as well as ensuite heads appointed with a shower, washbasin, and toilet. Each double cabin is now equipped with a fixed upper bunk, making them ideal for accommodating a family with one child, or for guests who simply want an additional surface for their gear.
- 1 double 1 single bed (bunk)
- Aircon with control
- Ensuite Bathroom
- Max 3 guests
Twin Bed Cabins (2 Cabins)
The twin-bedded cabins “Ambon” and “Aru” are named after the islands in the Maluku region. Each cabin is equipped with two single beds arranged as bunk beds, offering more floor space than double cabins. Twin cabins are ideal for single guests — there is no surcharge for booking half a twin cabin. Twin cabins also have ensuite heads appointed with a shower, washbasin, and toilet.
- 2 single beds (twin)
- Aircon with control
- Ensuite Bathroom
- Max 2 guests
Our Diving Operations
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!
Dedicated Dive Deck
Pindito’s dive deck is designed for comfort, efficiency, and seamless diving operations. With wide, open spaces, individual gear stations, and dedicated rinse tanks, divers enjoy an organised and stress-free setup before and after each dive. Multiple tenders allow for smooth entries to the best sites, while the attentive crew ensures equipment is handled with care. Purpose-built for serious divers, the deck makes every dive day effortless and enjoyable.
Camera Room
Pindito’s dedicated camera room is purpose-built for underwater photographers, offering generous counter space, individual charging stations, and bright lighting for easy equipment preparation. With ample storage and thoughtful design, it provides a secure and organised workspace to handle even the most complex camera setups. Whether setting up before a dive or reviewing shots afterwards, the camera room ensures every detail is taken care of for a smooth photographic experience.
4 Dive Tenders
Pindito is one of the very few liveaboards in Indonesia equipped with four dedicated dive tenders, setting us apart in the industry. This unique advantage means smaller dive groups, personalised drop-offs, and more flexibility to explore different sites at the same time. With more space and fewer divers per boat, every guest enjoys easier entries, quicker pick-ups, and a safer, more relaxed experience both above and below the surface.
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.
Explore the Pindito
Ambon ( Twin Cabin)
Aru ( Twin Cabin)
Morotai (Double/Twin Cabin)
Obi (Double/Twin Cabin)
Banda Neira (Double/Twin Cabin) <Ternate (Double/Twin Cabin) Tidore (Double/Twin Cabin) Halmahera (Double/Twin Cabin) 
Walkway
Stairs to maindeck
Dive Deck
Saloon
Camera Room
Stairway to Cabins
Stair way to Upper Deck
Compressor room and crew area
Main Deck Toilet
Laundry Room
Sundeck 
Owner Cabin
Captains Quarters
Dive Crew Quarters
Bridge
Stairway to Sundeck
Ambon ( Twin Cabin)
Aru ( Twin Cabin)
Morotai (Double/Twin Cabin)
Obi (Double/Twin Cabin)
Banda Neira (Double/Twin Cabin)
Ternate (Double/Twin Cabin)
Tidore (Double/Twin Cabin)
Halmahera (Double/Twin Cabin)
Walkway
Stairs to maindeck
Dive Deck
Saloon
Camera Room
Stairway to Cabins
Stair way to Upper Deck
Dive Base
Dive Crew Dive Gear
Sundeck
Owner Cabin
Captains Quarters
Dive Crew Quarters
Bridge
Stairway to Sundeck
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) |
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