Situju Tuju Cruise Raja Ampat
Boutique boat
When to visit Raja Ampat
The best time to visit Raja Ampat is from November to April. Temperatures range between 28 °C and 32 °C, the sea is usually calmer, and underwater visibility is excellent — making it the ideal time for snorkeling and diving in Raja Ampat.
We traveled in December, had nice weather, and enjoyed a spectacular underwater experience.
The best part? Raja Ampat works even when conditions aren’t perfect. Get ready :).
The essence of Situju7
Situju is a traditional Indonesian phinisi, handcrafted and designed as a boutique liveaboard. It completely stole our hearts. Spending a week sailing on it is an absolute dream, and it’s designed primarily for:
Snorkelers and divers, because beneath the surface there’s another paradise.
Couples, because sharing this setting, the slow rhythm and the ocean all around makes a honeymoon here something very special.
And for those who seek to truly disconnect, without rush or distractions.
A surprise along the way we won’t forget
When the journey goes beyond the sea.
Between dives, we had a different kind of stop: visiting a local tribe in Raja Ampat.
They took us to a turquoise-blue lagoon, hidden in the middle of the jungle. An unexpected gift from the trip itself. Because Indonesia wins you over both above and below the water: we tell you all about it in our Flores travel guide.
The heart of Situju7
Situju 7 was born from a dream. Its owners (Deni, Sonia and Antonio) met while traveling and decided to bring that philosophy to the sea.
The project reflects the passion and effort they poured into it: Sonia, very attentive from the first email, perfectly captures the spirit of the ship. On board, Deni was amazing to us: friendly, eager to show us the best of Raja Ampat and very easy to connect with him.
The crew deserves a special mention too. They all have been exceptional, much of the trip’s magic is thanks to them. 10 out of 10!
So tiny it’s hard to believe
The pygmy seahorse is one of the hardest animals to spot in the ocean. It’s so tiny and so perfectly camouflaged that it can be right in front of you and you still won’t see it. It’s literally the size of a grain of rice. Just knowing you have a real chance of finding one already makes this trip special.
The exact moment we knew this trip was going to be unforgettable
We had heard it was possible to see dugongs in Raja Ampat. Manu, the expedition’s divemaster, knew a spot. Fingers crossed.
We got lucky and from the dinghy we spotted a mother dugong with her calf, moving calmly together and embracing as they surfaced to breathe.
Without thinking twice, we put on our masks and managed to see them up close. Absolutely unforgettable.
The wobbegong left us speechless.
One of the greats icons of Raja Ampat.
The famous Carpet Shark!
The wobbegong was one of the animals that impressed us the most on this trip.
It looks like a rock, a piece of coral — anything but a shark. Incredible.
We were lucky enough to encounter it six different times!
Situju 7: the liveaboard experience at its purest
Situju 7 is a traditional Indonesian pinisi, built in ironwood and teak, handcrafted by local artisans on the island of Sulawesi and reviewed by an Italian architect. It completely stole our hearts. Sailing on a boat like this — authentic, full of history — while exploring Raja Ampat makes the experience far more real.
Situju 7 is the kind of liveaboard you instantly love the moment you step on board.
The concept is clear: boutique liveaboard. A maximum of 10 passengers. With so few people, the atmosphere is calm and personal from day one. And best of all: no rush, no feeling of being part of a big group. Everyone moves at their own pace, and very quickly the boat feels like home.
A week sailing through Raja Ampat gives you a lot — and the best part is you don’t have to worry about anything. Welcome juice, fresh fruit, the boat always spotless, the room cleaned every day, and someone nearby in case you need anything. The service is warm and constant — something you really come to appreciate on a trip like this. You can feel the experience, the care, and the genuine desire for everything to run smoothly.
The common areas are spacious and work perfectly. Space to sunbathe, read, chat after dives, or simply lie down and do nothing (“Dolce far niente ;)”). The sun deck becomes one of the key spots on the boat: sunsets, cold beers, and nights under the stars… we loved it.
The 4 cabin types
Bali Master Suite
Flores Junior Suite
Deluxe Cozy Cabin Sumba & Sumbawa
Cabinette Lombok
Signature cabin of Situju, perfect for a honeymoon, very spacious with large windows and a private terrace to enjoy stunning sunrises. Features a double bed, desk, wardrobe with handcrafted hangers, and a very spacious bathroom.
Suite cabin located at the bow of the lower deck. Minimalist design with a double bed, internal stairs and dresser. Includes a mirror, hand-crafted copper sink mounted outside the bathroom, and private bathroom with shower.
Two twin cabins located on the lower deck. Minimalist design, very intimate and cozy, with a double bed, dresser, mirror and hand-shaped copper exterior sink. Private bathroom with shower.
Spacious cabin on the main deck, built in wood and equipped with separate bunk beds. Simple and very practical design, with dresser, mirror and hand-shaped copper exterior sink. Private bathroom with shower.
Bali Master Suite
Signature cabin of Situju, perfect for a honeymoon, very spacious with large windows and a private terrace to enjoy stunning sunrises. Features a double bed, desk, wardrobe with handcrafted hangers, and a very spacious bathroom.
Flores Junior Suite
Suite cabin located at the bow of the lower deck. Minimalist design with a double bed, internal stairs and dresser. Includes a mirror, hand-shaped copper exterior sink, and private bathroom with shower.
Deluxe Cozy Cabin Sumba & Sumbawa
Two twin cabins located on the lower deck. Minimalist design, very intimate and cozy, with a double bed, dresser, mirror and hand-shaped copper exterior sink. Private bathroom with shower.
Cabinette Lombok
Spacious cabin on the main deck, built in wood and equipped with separate bunk beds. Simple and very practical design, with dresser, mirror and hand-shaped copper exterior sink. Private bathroom with shower.
Our cabin
The room was a small surprise. The double bed was unusually comfortable, the cabin felt clean and bright, and the gentle movement of the sea made sleeping there genuinely good. There is enough space to move around without bumping into anything. The bathroom has copper fittings and room to shower with hot water after a long day in the water.
What we appreciated most was the silence. Not absolute silence, but the kind you only get on a boat: water, light wood creaks, and nothing else.
Life on board Situju 7
The rhythm of Situju 7
Living on board the Situju 7 liveaboard in Raja Ampat is about stepping into a rhythm you quickly get hooked on. You wake up early, yes, but not painfully so. You open your eyes, look around, and think: Okay, another day in paradise. There’s no rush here, just enjoy it!
There is a plan, but the ocean is in charge. Sometimes the order of the day changes; dive sites are chosen based on visibility and sea conditions… and that’s exactly how it should be. The divemasters choose what’s best for your experience. You quickly learn that schedules don’t rule here.. And when you accept that, everything improves. Less stress, more enjoyment, and the feeling of experiencing something truly authentic.
One thing we loved: with so few people on board, the rhythm adapts to everyone. It’s not a military-schedule liveaboard with constant rush to coordinate large groups. This is a luxury we didn’t expect — and loved. The divemasters care for each guest and their preferences with genuine empathy.
Life on board Situju 7 is comfortable, human, and beautifully managed. The kind of experience that quietly stays with you.
Food and atmosphere on board
Meals on board are one of the highlights of the day. You eat a lot, you eat well, and you enjoy every bite. Simple, flavorful Indonesian cuisine with Western touches. The best part: after diving or snorkeling, sitting down to eat like this becomes one of the best moments of the day. They serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks and dinner, and there are always snacks, coffee and a fridge full of drinks available.
And when the sun sets, the day naturally comes to a close. The atmosphere on Situju is intimate and peaceful, shared with the other travelers on board — in our case, a wonderful international group we connected with from day one. We shared quiet dinners, beers, long conversations and star-filled skies.
We came back feeling we had taken a great trip and shared an incredibly pleasant week with a fantastic group.
How is diving in Raja Ampat like?
When you dive in Raja Ampat, You start to understand why they call it the paradise with the greatest marine biodiversity on the planet.
Diving in Raja Ampat is entering the heart of the Coral Triangle where every corner is wild and surprising. We had high expectations, and it didn’t disappoint.
It’s not just “a good dive.” It’s getting into the water and thinking: Okay, This is another level.. We were there right after a hurricane and had good visibility 7 out of 8 days, we can’t even imagine how it would be in completely calm conditions.
What blew us away was the sheer abundance everywhere. No empty stretches, no lifeless areas. Everywhere you looked, there was life— lots of it. Big fish, small fish, medium fish, every size imaginable, impossible colors, and corals that seemed endless. Dive after dive, without exception. A perfect 10.
We’ve dived many spots in other parts of the world, and here it was incredible to feel again what it’s like to be inside something truly alive. This isn’t just a beautiful reef — it’s a reef in full health. Fish everywhere, incredibly healthy corals again and again.
And still, every dive was different. The landscapes, the animals, the light, the currents changed. It was impossible to get bored.
Everything was at such a high level that Raja Ampat isn’t just beautiful — it’s hard to beat. Indonesia has stolen our hearts underwater, and Raja Ampat wasn’t our first time falling for it: not far away, diving in Komodo had already left us speechless.
Main dive spots in Raja Ampat
Snonek Kecil
· DAY 1 ·
The trip started off strong, even before we got in the water. A pod of dolphins appeared at the bow while we sailed. We looked at each other thinking: okay, good sign. And we were right.
The first dive at Snonek Kecil was a reality check. Three wobbegongs in a single dive, perfectly camouflaged. Plus turtles, lionfish, clownfish, rockfish, starfish and nudibranchs in every color. And a spectacular cuttlefish constantly changing color. First day and we were already saying: “Is it really going to be like this every day?”
Mioskon
· DAY 2 ·
Mioskon was one of those days you don’t forget easily. Underwater, life was everywhere: huge schools of batfish, bananafish and an almost ridiculous amount of fish. Everything moving, everything with energy. Then reef sharks appeared, hunting around the schools. Watching them move through so many fish, with sudden bursts of movement everywhere, instantly sends your adrenaline through the roof.
Visibility was excellent, so you saw everything clearly: sharks coming and going, schools opening up, the reef full of activity. One of those dives where you come out with your heart racing and the feeling you were in the right place at the right time.
Pulau Batanta
· DAY 3 ·
Another day with dolphins escorting the boat — we were ready to make them part of the crew. This day had a clear goal: try to see dugongs. Cameras ready, watching from the surface… and just when we least expected it, the moment happened.
We spotted a mother dugong with her calf. We took the dinghy, masks on, no noise — and got lucky enough to see them again. Calm, together. One of those encounters you know won’t repeat easily.
The dive that day in Pulau Batanta was sandier, with slightly lower visibility, but we still saw pufferfish, colorful schools, beautiful corals and a cuttlefish hunting between them — which made the day even more special. And for snorkeling, it was spectacular. We ended the day jumping from the boat into the water, laughing like kids. Perfect end to the day.
Melissa Garden, Frewen Wall and Piaynemo
· DAY 4 ·
This was one of the big days. Melissa Garden and Frewen Wall are the kind of places that justify an entire trip. Massive corals, giant gorgonians and constant marine life.
We saw huge moray eels, massive schools, trevallies and tuna hunting, sharks moving through the blue… and the star of the day: the pygmy seahorse. So tiny it’s hard to believe it’s there. Finding it took total focus. Mind-blowing.
Fun moment: a remora got obsessed with Lucía (she was wearing a whale shark swimsuit) and stuck to her for half an hour. Leg, tank — wouldn’t let go. Impossible not to laugh.
In the afternoon we climbed Piaynemo. The views are so spectacular they speak for themselves. You just know that landscape stays with you.
Mayhem, Yenbraimuk, Citrus + night dive
· DAY 5 ·
Another relentless day. Massive schools, barracudas hunting, pipefish, starfish, multicolored lobsters and the smallest cuttlefish of the trip — thumb-sized. Raja Ampat never stops surprising.
At night we did a night dive in Citrus, and it was a completely different story. For non-divers: it’s the same reef, but night shift. A different life emerges.
We saw a mantis shrimp (our favorite animal), crocodile fish, rockfish, lionfish, morays and trevallies hunting under torchlight. It felt like someone had redecorated the reef just for us. Incredible.
Arborek Jetty & Manta Sandy
· DAY 6 ·
The last day was a perfect closing. At Arborek Jetty, right after entering the water, we saw enormous giant clams — bigger than anything we’d ever seen. The coral here is exactly like in Raja Ampat videos: dense, alive and full of color.
We saw massive bumphead parrotfish, curious sweetlips and tons of marine life unafraid of divers. And to finish: Manta Sandy. More than 20 mantas circling, cleaning, passing close again and again. Hard to describe without selling it short.
We also saw wobbegongs again, ending the trip exactly the way it started. Could you ask for a better ending?
Important: Safety
Some trips take two days to settle into. Raja Ampat wasn’t one of them. From the very first dive we were already in the rhythm, relaxed, not overthinking it, feeling we were in good hands. When a trip lets you switch off this quickly, it usually means the people behind it are doing a lot of things right. Situju 7 is one of those.
Dive Masters – Sharp judgment, always attentive
The dive masters, Vhygi and Manu, explain everything clearly, directly and even with drawings if needed. You know where you enter, how the dive will go and what to expect.
Key point: small dive groups. We were few, and that makes a huge difference. No rush, no crowds, and you can go at your own pace. Want to observe something calmly? You can. Need to stop? You stop. That’s how diving should feel.
Are there currents in Raja Ampat?
Currents come with the territory here, but in our case they were moderate or low, and dives were perfectly planned with them. They nailed every single one. We never felt stress or the sensation of “fighting” the water.
And on that note: this trip is also very suitable for less experienced divers. At no point did we feel that divers with less experience were out of place. It’s a fantastic destination for all levels.
Before getting in the water, the crew makes everything easier. They help with the gear, they load it, they prepare it, and when you exit the water they welcome you back with food, smiles and fresh water. While you dive, they clean and tidy your cabin. You enjoy yourselves; they take care of the rest. The diving equipment was brand new (we got to use it for the first time) and worked perfectly. Some days we even rinsed it ourselves, just because we had time.
Our Experience on Situju 7
Raja Ampat
The liveaboard we'll always want to return to
After a week in Raja Ampat, the first thing we noticed wasn’t excitement. It was quiet. The kind of quiet that follows a strong experience while your head is still processing it.
On our last day on Situju, after we finished recording a video about the trip, we just sat down, looked at the sea, and let it sink in. We had been lucky. Very lucky. Not only because of what we saw underwater, but because of how it all fit together: the boat, the food, the schedule, the people on board, the rhythm.
The schedule is set, but it adapts to the ocean. Some days we did two dives, others three. Some sites get changed at the last minute because the visibility looks better elsewhere, and that flexibility is exactly what you want.
We dived with people who clearly know what they’re doing. Vhygi and Manu read the water, they read the group, and they put us in the right place at the right time. Six wobbegongs, a mother dugong with her calf, the pygmy seahorse, a mantis shrimp at night, and a final morning at Manta Sandy with more than 20 mantas circling above us.
Outside the water, Situju 7 manages the small things really well. You wake up and breakfast is ready. You finish a dive and there is tea and fresh fruit waiting. They take care of your gear, your room and your laundry, and you only need to enjoy the day.
If you are debating whether Raja Ampat is worth the trip from Europe, the short answer is yes. And if you are choosing the boat, our recommendation is clear: Situju 7.
- Web: https://www.situju7cruise.com/
- Email: info@situju7cruise.com
