Most of us have dreamed of a holiday on a sailing yacht with the wind in the sails and our hair as we travel through crystal blue seas to arrive at a private island. This if often where you’ll see the haute monde, celebrities, and other well-to-do sun-bathing or taking in the breeze and at the bow’s edge taking over the world a la Leonardo DiCaprio in the iconic scene from the Titanic. Well, such a dream experience is available for an exclusive set of guests in the Raja Ampat archipelago in Indonesia and a tall sail yacht charter on the Prana by Atzaro.

Like most of us, celebrities also love the idea of a week at sea in a magical place. If you are a fan of reality shows and watch the latest episode of ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’, you find Kim, Kourtney, Khloe and the crew as they discover the Raja Ampat archipelago. This area is comprised of a group of more than 1200 islands and one of the most beautiful parts of Indonesia,  just off the coast of West Papua.
The episode of KUWTK  puts the beauty of Indonesia in center frame. Kim K, bedecked in her designer hot pink Fendi bathing suit,  is there to experiences the world’s largest and most luxurious phinis yacht, the Prana by Atzaró. The tall sail yacht meanders from island to island all the way to Bali. There is no need to be jealous though because you can do exactly the same. The Prana and her four-day cruise are for hire for an unforgettable vacation in one of the world’s most beautiful and, still, unspoiled places.
Kim Kardashian aboard the Prana by Atzaro Tall Sail Yacht

Until recently, the Raja Ampat archipelago was best known to scuba divers who seek out the 200 plus diving sites across what is known as the Coral Triangle. Raja Ampat right in the middle of this region with corals, reefs and 10 times the number of hard coral species than the Caribbean. Both divers and snorkelers alike journey there to meet up close and personal with manta rays, parrotfish, wobbegongs and countless other fish and sea creatures, big and small.
The appearance of the Raja Ampat on Keeping up with the Kardashian will certainly help to lift the veil of secrecy, but never fear, there is no danger of overcrowding. The area is just too vast and quite difficult to get to. Of the 1200 islands, only five are populated and they are small too. Dive sites and islands can only be reached by boat and the number of yachts like the Prana is pretty limited.

The starting point for the cruise is Sorong on the peninsula which is a four-hour flight from Jakarta. From there, the crew of the Prana collects you at the airport and whisks you and your luggage in speedboats out to sea where the yacht is anchored. The ship can accommodate only up to 20 passengers, staying in lavish suites distributed over two decks. Two additional decks are for dining, lounging, sunbathing, yoga or just watching the islands drift by.

If you are a keen scuba diver, you are in luck. All you have to bring is your certificate and your underwater camera. All necessary equipment, fins and wetsuits in all sizes are available onboard, as are two dive masters who will guide and accompany you at all times.

For the less adventurous, the snorkeling could not be any better.  The water is so clear and the colorful fish and reefs come so close to the surface that all you have to do is put on your mask, dip your head underwater and push off with your fins.
The main islands the Prana will touch on are Mioskon, Saporkrem, Wayag, Aljuy Bay and Piaynemo, each with a different wonder of nature to admire. Mostly, the islands are covered with dense jungle, with paths leading through them to small villages and observation points. Saporkrem is famous for the mating dance of birds of paradise. You’ll have to get up very early though, have a quick coffee on board, jump in the speedboat, and then prepare for a long climb up the mountain to reach the peak at 6 am. The birds of paradise seem to have an inner clock. On the dot, the silence breaks, they flutter around the treetops, twittering away and having fun for just 30 minutes, then it’s over..until the next morning.
Meanwhile, the excellent crew is hard at work on the yacht. The second breakfast is prepared, always with nasi or bami goring, followed by anything else you would like, plenty of fruit and smoothies, and freshly baked bread.

The dining experience is fabulous as well. A Balinese chef takes care of the rest of the meals. Every morning he appears with pen and The pencil at the breakfast table, announces what’s on offer and notes down your orders. Nothing gets wasted on the Prana.
Two masseuses will give you several kinds of massages from relaxing to deep tissue, you can have manicures and pedicures as well. It’s really amazing what is available on such a comparatively small boat.

Another beautiful island is Wayag with Mount Pindito viewpoint reached over 395 steps along a jungle path and, at lunch, a sumptuous BBQ arranged on the beach followed by a swim with baby sharks and a visit to a ranger station.

Aljuy Bay’s attraction is a pearl farm where the process of growing and harvesting oysters is demonstrated and the only place on the islands where you can actually spend any money by buying pearl jewelry. There are no shops, hotels, or restaurants on any of the islands which is another reason why this part of Indonesia will never become touristy.

Rounding off the cruise before the overnight sail back to Sorong is a dip into the clear waters of Melissa’s Garden and the natural pool at Piaynemo.

You couldn’t wish for a better luxury cruise on the Prana by Atzaro, being pampered from head to foot combined with activities to keep you fit, doing sun salutations on the upper deck, all of it magic surroundings the memory of which will stay with you forever. The Kardashians have nothing on you!