Pindito remains one of the most robust and seaworthy liveaboard vessels in Indonesia. She has an exemplary safety record and leads the way in shipboard safety and hospitality. This is why Pindito is at the more realistic end of liveaboard diving prices. Here is some more detailed information about Pindito dive liveaboard.
Pindito is in a class of its own
Our trips tend to suit more mature divers in the 50+ age bracket, who are looking to associate with other divers of a similar nature. Because they tend to be adventurous in spirit and want a bit of extra comfort and service and not so many dives per day.
We have a very high return visitor rate owing to exceptionally good onboard hospitality and operational standards. You won’t lift a finger while onboard … this includes all your dive gear. To make your journey as convenient and comfortable as possible, you will receive meticulous trip planning support from us. We do depart from some fairly remote places and are on hand to help book your flights too. Plus, all your questions will be answered, as our team is easy to work with and quick to respond.
Peaceful, spacious and stable
The Pindito is quite a tranquil environment and because it’s a home as well as a ship, there is an open-bridge policy. Crew and guests get to know each other well. However, she is also a large ship with only a small number of guests. Hence, there is plenty of space to get your own privacy.
She is also an extremely quiet vessel. Therefore, on the top-deck you can hardly hear her engines. We can even use free-standing telescopes on tripods to observe whales, as she’s twin-stabilised. As she generally cruises in calm tropical waters, flanked by islands, conditions tend to be somewhat benign. However, when rough seas arise unexpectedly (which can happen unfortunately these days, due to climate change), she is extremely seaworthy.
The majority of trips are in flat water and if there’s need to move offshore, calm days are picked. So, few people ever get sea sick. It also helps that we run flexible itineraries designed very much with the holiday-maker in mind.
I have experienced many live aboards and the Pindito is in a class by itself. Outstanding crew, excellent food and great accommodation. Thank you the entire Pindito crew for an experience that can only be matched by going on the Pindito again.”
Russell Carmona, US
History
Owner-operator of Edi Frommenwiler was a mechanic, long-distance lorry driver, then adventure tour guide for 10 years, before he decided to embark on the journey of his life and build a 38m long sailing ship in one of the world’s most remote places. It was 1991 on the island of Pulau Laut off Kalimantan when he and his team dug a dry dock and on 31 March, laid the first timber keel of the Pindito.
DiveLog magazine recently published an article about Pindito’s 30th birthday, here:
Before crowd-sourcing became the rage, Edi garnered support from friends and families, to fund the ship’s construction – despite having no previous expertise in ship-building. A team of 25 people endured ten months of hard work before the Pindito was first floated in January 1992. For 10 years Pindito was the only tour boat in a region which is barely populated.
Layout
All cabins on Pindito are the same price. There are six double bed cabins that can be converted to twin cabins, and two twin bed cabins. There are also two emergency exits fore and aft of the cabins.
Spacious cabins, plenty of storage, individual ensuite and air-conditioning
Pindito has eight teak-panelled 3 x 3 m cabins. These all have individual air-conditioning and recently-refurbished ensuite bathrooms, plus five 220v AC electrical outlets (European 2-pole plugs), available 24/7.
Your cabin is cleaned daily with fresh towels, as necessary. Also, in our double cabins, we will happily add an upper bunk to accommodate a family with one child or two people who just want an extra surface on which to place their gear.
Solo travellers
We are very happy to accommodate single travellers with another same-sex traveller. Or, single supplements are available for 1.5x cruise price.
There are two decks with comfortable loungers and space to enjoy some private time for relaxation. The galley is fully equipped with facilities for tea and coffee making, juice and snacks. There is a fridge stocked with Bintang and a range of spirits guests are free to enjoy in the evenings; and a large flat-screen TV for presentations.
Specifications
- MV Pindito is a fully airconditioned motor sailor. The salon is equipped with flat screen TV, DVD and
- audio systems for presentations.
- Construction: Wooden ship with BKI classification, Type Pinisi (Traditional Indonesian Motor Sailer).
- Mechanical Equipment: Yanmar 6HA2M-WHT 350 PS engine. Generators, 2 x 40kW. 2,000 gallon fuel tank and Desalinator, reverse-osmosis Watermaker. 4 Zodiacs (3 active, 1 standby).
- Safety Equipment: VHF and DSC & HF DSC radios. EPIRB, 2 x GPS’s, radar, 2 x depth sounder, flares, basic first aid kits, 3 tenders with outboards, flotation rings, 2x life rafts, Venol oxygen unit, O2.
- Satellite communication (Iridium) and email.
- Diving Equipment: 2 Mariner Bauer, Nitrox membrane compressor (32%). 40 x 80cf tanks with DIN adaptors available
- Guest Accommodation: 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 their own shower, washbasin, toilet, individually controlled air conditioning and electricity 24 hours a day – 220v, 50Hz (110v available in Camera Room).
- Crew: All crew are trained and certified. There are 17 Indonesian crew members plus Guides. Dive guides are multilingual (English, German, Bahasa Indonesian)
- Beam: 29 ft
- Length: 124 ft
- Speed: 8-9 knots cruising
- Cruising range: 1,300 nautical miles
- Fuel consumption on an average trip, 5,000 litres. (~312l per guest)
Discover Pindito’s live availability here: https://pindito.com/
