The Indonesian Archipelago straddles the equator for 3,200 miles. What’s more, it has more islands and covers more longitude than any other equatorial country. It’s a diversely cultural tropical cruising paradise, providing years of non-repetitive location cruising and exploration.
Click image for Indonesia photo gallery
Key cruising area
The region is tropical with wet northerlies from late November to March and drier southeasterlies from April to October. Notably, the 8th Parallel band of islands, including the famous Hindu enclave Bali, is the key cruising area during the SE trade winds and cruisers consider the southern hemisphere winter months.
Year-round destinations
Raja Ampat and all areas in the Equatorial zone are the key cruising areas for what cruisers consider the southern hemisphere summer months. However, cruising around the equator is more based on direct localised weather patterns than seasonality. So cruising yachts, Asian-based superyachts and some private dive charter operators often ply both destinations year-round.
Indonesia’s population is over 275 million with an average age of 29. It’s a fascinating and constantly evolving archipelago nation where ancient traditions and modern technology survive in an uneasy symbiosis. Because of the hundreds of distinct ethnicities and languages, a shared identity has developed around the national motto “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika”. This translates as literally “Many yet one”, meaning a shared unity within the diversity.
Wonderful cruising
The melting pot of Indonesian cultures, amazing surfing, plentiful diving destinations, Komodo dragons and orangutans – and the welcoming local peoples – all make Indonesia a wonderful cruising destination.
Must visit destination
Over 17,500 Indonesian islands and tens of thousands of square miles of pristine oceans and seas make Indonesia a must visit destination. With thousands of anchorages on offer, we have divided the country into five regions, based on what we consider to be the best ports of entry for foreign-flagged yachts.
Five regions
These are 8th Parallel Region, Central Region, Equatorial Region, Sumatra Region and Raja Ampat. Our ports of entry for 8th Parallel Region are Kupang on Timor, coming from Australia, and Batam or Bali en route from Singapore.
For the Central Region use Ambon on the south coast of Ceram. For the Equatorial Region, use Bitung / Manado on the northern tip of Sulawasi and Sorong on Papua. For first arrival to the Sumatra region, Pulau Wei (Sabang) or Batam are the best options. For the Anambas and Neptunas in the South China Sea, best to check in to Batam.
Southeast Asia Pilot author, Bill O’Leary, in Komodo – growing up doesn’t come easy | Photo by APS Indonesia
Clearing into, and cruising in, Indonesia
Procedures for clearing into, and cruising in, Indonesia have vastly improved. Your yacht can be temporarily imported for three years. As 2025 the process is online, starting with the Vessel Declaration (VD). You can start the registration process to apply for the VD here. And at the following link there is a comprehensive VDS user manual. These links were working at the time this page was updated.
Be aware that cruisers have reported waiting up to a month for confirmation of their VDS registration, without which you can’t start making the Vessel Declaration.
The documents that need to be submitted are the same as for the previous cruising permits, namely:
⇒ Yacht’s Certificate of Registration (private yacht) ⇒ Proof of insurance, including wreck removal ⇒ Crew and passenger lists, including passport details ⇒ Port clearance documents from previous port ⇒ Technical details of the yacht and associated vessels (tenders etc) ⇒ Details of the crew’s valuables (eg cameras, smart phones, electronic equipment). ⇒ Declaration that goods such as firearms, explosives etc are carried on board.
Five government departments must be visited and sign off on a visiting yacht’s first entry before it is free to embark on its Indonesian cruising adventures. Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, Navy and finally (but certainly not least) the local Harbour Master are involved in facilitating every procedural step.
The latest reliable information available is that it is mandatory for all yachts visiting Indonesia obtain a cruising permit and all on board to have visitor visas or have passports from countries eligible for Visa On Arrival (VOA). To enter Indonesia all crew passports must be valid for more than six months after the date of entry. Current visa laws have country categories, so please check online or at the nearest Indonesian consulate for your particular country’s visa requirements.
One important rule of thumb to note is that in dealing with any officials in Indonesia, patience and respectfulness are paramount. The larger the vessel, the more patience.
Nevertheless, for larger yachts and vessels, we strongly recommend contacting local agents prior to arrival to assist clearing in, bunkering, provisioning, providing guides and the much sought-after local ‘advice’ – especially for superyachts.
Yacht Agents can play an important role in trouble-free traversing Indonesia given the many cultural and logistical challenges that invariably present themselves.
Yachts without a cruising permit may stay for 48 hours only, in serious emergency, and must remain at the port of entry.
Anchorages in Indonesia
>>> Click herefor a complete list of anchorages in Southeast Asia Pilot. Instagram
Note that this website may not reflect the most recent updates to the printed book and the eBook. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this book is accurate, the charts of anchorages are based on personal experience and satellite imagery and are intended as a guide only. They should not be used for navigation. Please refer to Official Hydrographic Charts of the respective countries.
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